Author: Judith Blackstone
Zoran Josipovic/
Illustrator: Naomi Rosenblatt
Publisher: Orient Longman
Year: 2001
Language: English
Pages: 167
ISBN/UPC (if available): 81-250-2048-9
Description
This book uses an engaging mix of clear, informative writing and delightful illustrations to document the story of Zen and provides important keys to understanding Eastern art, literature, architecture and attitudes towards life and death.
Zen from its foundation in China of the sixth century AD, has always been more than religion. It is an intriguing system of principles and practices designed to give each individual the experience of eternity in a split second, the knowledge of divinity in every living thing.
To create a book about Zen, however, is risky. It is one thing to describe the factual history of this exotic strain of Buddhism. It’s quite another thing to successfully convey the crazy wisdom of the Zen masters, their zany sense of humor, and their uncanny ability to pass on the experience of enlightenment of their students.
The authors of ‘Zen for Beginners’ have clearly overcome these considerable risks. The book uses an engaging mix of clear, informative writing and delightful illustrations of document the story of Zen for its impact of Chinese and Japanese culture to its influence on twentieth century writers such as Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and Gary Synder. The paradoxical teaching stories and style of the Zen master are also shown as important keys to understanding Eastern art, literature, architecture and attitudes toward life and death.
Contents
Cast of Characters: Described herein
Introduction: Why we wrote this Book
Early History: From Sakyamuni Buddha to hui-Neng
Zen Principles
Zen Practice
Later history: From Ma-tsu right now
Zen and Art
Zen in Daily Life: It’s there!
Notes
Glossary
Bibliography