Zen: An Ancient Path to Enlightenment for Modern Times

by Oldmeadow, Peter

• ISBN13: 9781863027465
• ISBN10: 1863027467
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-03-01
• Publisher: Red Wheel/Weiser

Summary

Zen is a form of Buddhism with origins in the teachings of the Buddha. It has its own literature, style of teaching and methods of practice. Today, Zen is firmly established in the West, where new forms of Zen practice and institutions are developing. Zen Buddhism emphasizes direct realization of the truth; avoids indulgence in abstract philosophical speculation; offers a practical path to finding the truth of our own nature; and stresses meditation as a means for living in awareness and appreciation of each moment of our lives. This fascinating book will give you practical tools for your journey to awareness, wisdom and enlightenment. Book jacket.

Author Biography

Peter Oldmeadow has studied Buddhist theory and practice for more than thirty years. As well as attending various Buddhist retreats in Zen and other Buddhist traditions over the years, he has pursued formal studies in comparative religion, the classical languages of India and Tibet, and Indian and Buddhist philosophy and history. Peter is currently a lecturer in Sanskrit language and Indian and Buddhist thought at the University of Sydney. His other interests include bushwalking, computer programming, cricket and modern philosophy. He is married and lives in Sydney but likes to escape the city for the wilderness whenever possible

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 6
Features of Zen
Types of Buddhism
Zen and the Basic Principles of Buddhism	p. 8
Buddha and his Enlightenment
Suffering in our Lives
Suffering as the Starting Point of the Path
The Cause of Our Pain
Our Actions - Karma, Cause and Effect
Ignorance and Non-self
The Reality of Enlightenment
The Path to Freedom
The Noble Eightfold Path
Zen and the Great Way of the Mahayana	p. 16
Early Development of Buddhism
Development of Buddhist Schools
Emergence of the Mahayana
The Place of the Bodhisattva
The Interrelatedness and
Insubstantiality of All Things
Buddha Nature
Development of Zen in Eastern Cultures	p. 22
Buddhism and Different Cultures
The Development of Chinese
Buddhism
Zen and Taoism
The Great Chinese Zen Teachers
The Sixth Patriarch Hui-neng
Sudden and Gradual Enlightenment
Sayings, Doings and Scriptures
Further Development of Chinese Zen
Korean Zen - Son
Vietnamese Zen - Thien
Development of Zen in Japan
Rinzai Tradition
Soto Tradition
Obaku School
Japanese Zen Teachers and the West
Zen Practice	p. 38
What is Zen practice?
Aims of Meditation Practice
Fundamentals of Meditation Practice
Time and Place
Posture
Position of Legs and Seating
Breathing
Counting the Breath
Following the Breath
Shikantaza - 'Just Sitting'
Koans
The Koan 'Mu'
Requirements for Successful
Practice
Meditation Retreat
Walking Meditation - Kinhin
Work Practice - Samu
Zen and the Arts	p. 56
Painting and Calligraphy - Sumi-e
Tea Ceremony - Cha-no-yu
Zen and Martial Arts
Zen Poetry - Haiku
Western Zen	p. 60
Sources of Western Buddhism
Beginnings of Western Zen
Zen of the 'Beat Generation' and the Counterculture
Contemporary Western Zen
Issues in Western Zen
Distilling the Essence	p. 70
Appreciating Our Lives and the Present Moment
Practical Steps We Can Take
Further Reading	p. 75
Glossary and Names	p. 76
Table of Contents provided by Rittenhouse. All Rights Reserved.