Robert Aitken (1) (1917–2010)

This book is not meant for one testing the waters of Buddhism or even the Buddhist beginner. Rather, it addresses ways for the committed student to further their practice of Buddhism. The book is often anecdotal, always easy to read, and even humorous at times.
Aitken explains each of the ten practices with an introductory essay that includes examples from the way ancient Zen masters taught or exemplified the practice. He then includes a dialogue that takes the place of the interview a student would have with the master in formal training using questions he commonly receives. It's a nice structure and the dialogue often brings the practice into the real world.
The practices themselves start out rather simple, concepts many of us know we should strive for: generosity, morality, patience, passion, wisdom, focused meditation. But the later ones become more difficult to grasp and seemed repetitive likely because I am not a practitioner.
The many Asian names and terms in the book are a bit trying but the glossary is helpful. As Aitken states, Buddhism is a religion of the East and to provide translations of many of the key terms would water down the meaning and be disrespectful of tradition.
In all, the book is a great reminder of good practices we all should be striving for as we work our way through life.… (meer)

Review LibraryThing:

In this collection of twenty-three essays, Robert Aitken retraces the origins of American Zen Buddhism and provides readings of influential texts. Reflecting on death, on marriage, and on Zen practice, Aitken always points out the path to pleasure in the everyday dewdrop world. There is a fine art to presenting complex ideas with simplicity and insight in a manner that both shepherds and inspires. Robert Aitken's Original Dwelling Place: Zen Buddhist Essays succeeds in doing just this, offering twenty-three essays from Americas senior Zen roshi and author of the best-selling, groundbreaking primer Taking the Path of Zen. Just as Taking the Path of Zen is the definitive handbook for Zen practice, the essays gathered in Original Dwelling Place are essential for the light they shed on Aitken Roshi 's own journey and the effect he has had on American Zen Buddhism. Gathered here are essays about the Zen texts Aitken has studied with avidity and close attention throughout the years; texts that were early and lasting influences. In an opening section entitled Ancestors, Aitken pays homage to the masters who influenced his own development and Zen Buddhism generally.… (meer)

There is a fine art ot presenting complex ideas with simplicity and insight, in a manner that both guides and inspires. In Taking the Path of Zen Robert Aitken presents the practice, lifestyle, rationale, and ideaology of Zen Buddhism with remarkable clarity.

The foundation of Zen is the practice of zazen, or meditation, and Aitken Roshi insists that everything flows from this center. He discusses correct breathing, posture, routine, teacher-student relations, and koan study, as well as common problems and milestones encountered in the process. Throughout the book the author returns to zazen, offering further advice and more advanced techniques. The orientation extends to various religious attitudes and includes detailed discussions of the Three Treasures and the Ten Precepts of Zen Buddhism.

Taking the Path of Zen will serve as orientation and guide for anyone who is drawn to the ways of Zen, from the simply curious to the serious Zen student.

'I welcome with great pleasure Robert Aitken Roshi's introduction to Zen practice, Taking the Path of Zen. I feel this will be a valuable source of information and inspiration both for those who have a passing interest in the subject and those who have determined to set out on the path of Zen themselves.

As an American who has trained in Zen practice for many years Aitken Roshi has a special understanding of the problems and questions which plague Western students of Zen. His book will thus be a godsend for people who have sought an introduction to Zen in their own language, free of the foreignisms that cultural differences can produce.

It is my sincere wish that this work will gain the wide readership it so deserves.'-Yamada Koun Roshi, Kamakura, March, 1982.

Contents

Preface
Chapter One Fundamentals
Making it personal
Concentation
Accepting the self
Breath counting
Chapter Two Method
Zazen as experiment
The posture
The legs
Cushions
Getting seated
Eyes and hands
Beginning your practice
More on breath counting
Chapter Three Appropriate means
Still more on breath counting
The Zen Center Organization
Ritual
Schedule
Sitting with others
When to sit
How long to sit
The place and its spirit
Dress
Kinbin
The kyosaku
The kyosaku as a reminder
The kosaku itself
The next step
Chapter Four Delusions aand pitfalls
Classes of delusion-The pursuit of fantasy; Random thoughts; Makyo
Condition
Pain
The sick soul
Personal problems
Self-doubt
Zazen for married people
Children
The next step
Chapter Five Attitudes in religious practice
The hunnist attitude
The eschatological attitude
The Arhat ideal
The Bodhisattva ideal
Inherent completion
Kinds of Zen Buddhism
Sanbo Kodan
The next step
Chapter Six the three treasures
The Buddha
The Dharma
The Sangha
The three refuges
The three treasures at the training center
The next step
Chapter Seven The ten grave precepts
The precepts as expressions of love
The application of the precepts
The ten grave precepts-No killing; No stealing; No misuse of sex; No lying; No dealing in drugs; No speaking of faults of others; No praising of yourself while abusing others; No sparing of dharma assets; No indulgence in anger; No slandering of the three treasures
Confidentiality
Zen and ethics
Chapter Eight Establishing the practice
The role of the roshi
Faith in the Roshi
How to connect
Shoken and Dokusan
In conclusion
Chapter Nine The koan Mu
Chao-chou Ts'ung-Shen
The dialgue
The comment
The verse
Prajna Paramita Hrdaya Sutra (The heart sutra)
Hakuin Zenji's 'Song of Zazen'
Appendix: Willy-nilly Zen
Table of Chinese-Japanese equivalents
Notes
Glossary
Bibliography of Zen Buhddhist titles in paper covers… (meer)