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The Essence of Zen
The Essence of Zen is an expert's guided tour of the ins and outs of the tradition's approach to meditation, enlightenment, and the oneness of all things. To read it is to enter into one of modern Japanese Zen's most subtle and sophisticated minds. Sekkei Harada skillfully pushes us to drop those parts of ourselves that grasp and make demands regarding our understanding or progress in meditation practice. He enables us to see clearly-and steer clear of-the philosophical stumbling blocks that can make the path precarious. The Essence of Zen represents the most succinct of his teachings, making it of immediate value to anyone with an interest in Zen. The book also contains Harada's explanations of the differences between the tradition's primary schools, making it particularly helpful to newcomers.
Unfathomable Depths
Navigate a forgotten classic poem and enrich your practice with famed Zen master Sekkei Harada. Three of the most pressing issues in any discussion of modern Zen are the true nature and function of Dharma transmission, how to appropriately practice with koans, and how to understand the "just sitting" of Soto Zen. Zen master Sekkei Harada uses the enigmatic "Ten Verses of Unfathomable Depth" as the basis of his practical and theoretical discussion of these concerns. Unfathomable Depths presents a concise treatment of Soto theory and practice, while delivering approachable and workable advice from one of Zen's most esteemed teachers. Rooting himself in Tong'an Changcha's classical poem, Harada intimately speaks to the world of Zen today.
The Essence of Zen
As a religion and a spiritual practice, Zen has always been shrouded to somextent in mystery, the source, in fact, of a great deal of its charm andppeal. Mysteriousness, however, can also give the impression ofmpenetrability.;It is precisely this danger that led Sekkei Harada, one ofhe foremost masters of the Soto sect in Japan, to give the lectures thatomprise this book. In them, he clarifies points that seem to appear asbstacles to many non-Japanese aspirants, removes barriers to thenderstanding of Zen theory, and puts into perspective the Buddhist thoughthat underlies Zen practice.
Opening the Hand of Thought
For over thirty years, Opening the Hand of Thought has offered an introduction to Zen Buddhism and meditation unmatched in clarity and power. This is the revised edition of Kosho Uchiyama's singularly incisive classic. This new edition contains even more useful material: new prefaces, an index, and extended endnotes, in addition to a revised glossary. As Jisho Warner writes in her preface, Opening the Hand of Thought "goes directly to the heart of Zen practice... showing how Zen Buddhism can be a deep and life-sustaining activity." She goes on to say, "Uchiyama looks at what a person is, what a self is, how to develop a true self not separate from all things, one that can settle in peace in the midst of life." By turns humorous, philosophical, and personal, Opening the Hand of Thought is above all a great book for the Buddhist practitioner. It's a perfect follow-up for the reader who has read Zen Meditation in Plain English and is especially useful for those who have not yet encountered a Zen teacher.
Fingers and Moons
The well-known Zen Buddhist phrase 'the finger pointing at the moon' refers to the means and the end, and the possibility of mistaking one for the other. Trevor Leggett says, 'the forms are the methods and they are very important as pointing fingers, but if we forget what they are for and they become, so to speak, the goal in their own right, then our progress is liable to stop. And if it stops, it retrogresses.' On the other hand there are those who say 'with considerable pride, "I don't want fingers or methods. I want to see the moon directly, directly . . . to see the moon directly . . . no methods or pointing." But in fact they don't see it! It's easy to say.'With many varied analogies, stories and incidents, Trevor Leggett points to the truth behind words, behind explanations and methods. Indeed, the book itself is like 'a finger pointing at the moon'.
Architects of Buddhist Leisure
Buddhism, often described as an austere religion that condemns desire, promotes denial, and idealizes the contemplative life, actually has a thriving leisure culture in Asia. Creative religious improvisations designed by Buddhists have been produced both within and outside of monasteries across the region—in Nepal, Japan, Korea, Macau, Hong Kong, Singapore, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Justin McDaniel looks at the growth of Asia’s culture of Buddhist leisure—what he calls “socially disengaged Buddhism”—through a study of architects responsible for monuments, museums, amusement parks, and other sites. In conversation with noted theorists of material and visual culture and anthropo...
Recent Progress in Slow Sand and Alternative Biofiltration Processes
Slow sand filtration is typically cited as being the first "engineered" process in drinking-water treatment. Proven modifications to the conventional slow sand filtration process, the awareness of induced biological activity in riverbank filtration systems, and the growth of oxidant-induced biological removals in more rapid-rate filters (e.g. biological activated carbon) demonstrate the renaissance of biofiltration as a treatment process that remains viable for both small, rural communities and major cities. Biofiltration is expected to become even more common in the future as efforts intensify to decrease the presence of disease-causing microorganisms and disinfection by-products in drinkin...
Japan's Castles
Considering Castles and Tenshu -- Modern Castles on the Margins -- Overview: "from Feudalism to the Edge of Space" -- From Feudalism to Empire -- Castles and the Transition to the Imperial State -- Castles in the Global Early Modern World -- Castles and the Fall of the Tokugawa -- Useless Reminders of the Feudal Past -- Remilitarizing Castles in the Meiji Period -- Considering Heritage in Early Meiji -- Castles and the Imperial House -- The Discovery of Castles, 1877-1912 -- Making Space Public -- Civilian Castles and Daimyo Buyback -- Castles as Sites and Subjects of Exhibitions -- Civil Society and the Organized Preservation of Castles -- Castles, Civil Society, and the Paradoxes of "Taish...
Don't Take Your Life Personally
"Ajahn Sumedho urges us to trust in awareness and find out for ourselves what it is to experience genuine liberation from mental anguish and suffering, just as the Buddha himself did two and a half thousand years ago. Mindfulness or awareness is knowing, isn't it? It is a direct knowing, immanent here and now. It is being fully present, attentive, to this present moment as is. But defining mindfulness tends to make it into something -- and then it is no longer mindfulness, is it? Mindfulness is not a thing; it is a recognition, an intuitive awareness. It is awareness without grasping. With this recognition, we have perspective on the conditions that we experience in the present -- our though...
Silent Illumination
Our natural awakening—or buddha-nature—is inherent within all of us and waiting to be realized. Buddha-nature has the qualities of both silence and illumination, and by working with silent illumination meditation you can find your own awakening. Distinguished Chan Buddhist teacher Guo Gu introduces you to the significance and methods of this practice through in-depth explanations and guided instructions. To help establish a foundation for realizing silent illumination, he has translated twenty-five teachings from the influential master Hongzhi Zhengjue into English, accompanied by his personal commentary. This book will be an indispensable resource for meditators interested in beginning or deepening their silent illumination practice.
