Zen for Americans, 1913 - Couverture souple

Book Description:

"This is a book of essays by a Zen Buddhist Abbot who visited the United States in 1905-6, translated by another figure who was instrumental in introducing Buddhism to the West, Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki. Originally titled Sermons of a Buddhist Abbot, it has been reprinted in numerous editions as Zen for Americans and is currently in print under that title.

The book includes a translation of The Sutra of Forty-Two Chapters, which was the first Buddhist document translated into Chinese, and which had a huge influence on the development of Zen. Many of the essays are introductions to various Buddhist topics for Christians, and all of them are ideal for a general audience. The two essays which close out the book which discuss the Buddhist attitude towards war and peace, and are of historical interest because they were referenced by Leo Tolstoy in his anti-war declaration." (Quote from sacred-texts.com)

Table of Contents:

Publisher’s Preface; Translator’s Preface; The Sutra Of Forty-two Chapters ; The God-conception Of Buddhism ; Assertions And Denials; Immortality ; Buddhist Faith; Buddhist Ethics; What Is Buddhism? ; The Middle Way; The Wheel Of The Good Law; The Phenomenal And The Supraphenomenal ; Reply To A Christian Critic ; Ignorance And Enlightenment; Spiritual Enlightenment; Practise Of Dhyana; Kwannon Bosatz; Buddhism And Oriental Culture ; The Story Of Deer Park ; The Story Of Gem-hunting ; The Sacrifice For A Stanza ; Buddhist view Of War ; At The Battle Of Nan-shan Hill ; An Address Delivered At A Service Held In Memory Of Those Who Died In The Russo-japanese War; Endnotes

About the Publisher:

Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, Esoteric and Mythology. www.forgottenbooks.org

Forgotten Books is about sharing information, not about making money. All books are priced at wholesale prices. We are also the only publisher we know of to print in large sans-serif font, which is proven to make the text easier to read and put less strain on your eyes.

About the Author:

"Soyen Shaku (sometimes written as Soen Shaku or Kogaku So'en Shaku) was the first Zen Buddhist master to teach in the United States. He was a Roshi of the Rinzai school and was abbot of both Kencho-ji and Engaku-ji temples in Kamakura, Japan. Shaku was a disciple of Imakita Kosen.

Soyen Shaku was an exceptional Zen monk. In his youth, his master, Kosen, and others had recognized him to be naturally advantaged. Three years after he had received 'Dharma transmission' from Kosen at age 25, Soyen took the unique step of traveling to Ceylon to study Pali and Theravada Buddhism and live the alien life of the bhikkhu for three years.

In 1893 Shaku was one of four priests and two laymen composing the Japanese delegation that participated in the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago organized by John Henry Barrowsand Paul Carus. He addressed the conference that September with a series of talks, notably about karma, nonviolence, an end to war, and tolerance of other religions." (Quote from wikipedia.org)