The Path of the Human Being Zen Teachings on the Bodhisattva Way

by Merzel, Dennis Genpo; Glassman, Bernie

• ISBN13: 9781590301739
• ISBN10: 1590301730
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-02-15
• Publisher: Shambhala

Summary

Dennis Merzel, one of the most highly regarded American Zen teachers, explains how meditation can gradually lead us to becoming more and more familiar with our minds, allowing us to better understand ourselves and the nature of human life. He explores the practice of meditation in depth, as well as a range of related topics including: connecting meditation practice to everyday life, understanding central Zen concepts, working with a teacher, and practicing meditation in the midst of difficult times.

Author Biography

Dennis Genpo Merzel Roshi is the founder of Kanzeon Sangha and is the abbot of Kanzeon Zen Center in Utah. He has been teaching Zen since 1978 and received Dharma transmission from Taizan Maezumi Roshi in 1980. Genpo Roshi now holds the position of president of the White Plum Lineage, the lineage of Maezumi Roshi. His other books include Beyond Sanity and Madness, The Eye Never Sleeps, and 24/7 Dharma.

Table of Contents

FOREWORD BY BERNIE GLASSMAN ROSHI	ix
EDITOR'S PREFACE	xi
AUTHOR'S PREFACE	xiii
PART ONE Searching for the Way: Raising the Bodhi-Mind
1. Buddha's Path	3	(6)
2. The Zen Experience	9	(7)
3. The Beggar and the Gem	16	(5)
4. Your Life Is the Buddha Bowl	21	(5)
5. The Root of Our Discontent	26	(5)
6. One Taste	31	(8)
7. Empty Your Cup	39	(6)
PART TWO Stepping onto the Path: Practice
8. Who Binds You?	45	(4)
9. Our True Self Is No-Self	49	(5)
10. Go beyond Appearances	54	(5)
11. Zazen Posture: Opening to Our Limitless Capacity	59	(8)
12. The Three Essentials of Zazen	67	(7)
13. Put the Mind to Rest	74	(4)
14. Dance with Life	78	(4)
15. The Greatest Gift	82	(4)
16. Looking for Confirmation	86	(5)
17. Working with a Teacher	91	(6)
18. Just One Mind	97	(7)
19. Staying in Tune	104	(9)
PART THREE Returning Home: Realization
20. Returning Home	113	(7)
21. Big Mind	120	(7)
22. Nothing to Grasp	127	(4)
23. To Live in the Moment	131	(4)
24. Sudden Enlightenment	135	(7)
25. Form Is Emptiness, Emptiness Is Form	142	(3)
26. Mountains and Valleys	145	(8)
27. The Middle Way	153	(5)
28. The Path of the Human Being	158	(9)
PART FOUR Walking the Path: Manifesting the Liberation
29. Kanzeon Rising	167	(5)
30. The Price of Knowing Who I Am	172	(5)
31. The Circle Path of Practice	177	(5)
32. Life Is Practice	182	(5)
33. Life Just As It Is	187	(6)
34. Your Life Is the Koan	193	(5)
35. Joshu's Stone Bridge	198	(8)
36. The Global Sangha	206	(7)
37. Practice in Difficult Times	213	(8)
NOTES	221	(2)
GLOSSARY	223