Soyen Shaku (1859–1919)

Review From LibraryThing:

Zen Master Soyen Shaku's vivid explanations of Buddhist beliefs are published together with the Sutra of Forty-Two Chapters. This Sutra was the first collection of Buddhas's sayings to be introduced from India into the Far East. Appropriately, the first introduction of Zen Buddhism into the West was based on the Buddhist beliefs found in this Sutra. Too long out of print, the first words from the Buddhist East to the West are perhaps the best words to introduce Zen. This Zen Master calls to the agitated 1970's with wind-chime clarity.These lectures, plus essays written later especially for Americans, draw Westerners into the Zen frame of mind. Reading his description of the Buddhist idea of God, of Karma, or of reincarnation, is like resting in a Japanese garden: there are no excesses, every feature blesses you with radiant tranquillity. The joyful compassionate nature of Buddhism shines through his story of the mother-doe in Deer Park. And the loving-kindness preached by the Buddha seems to be embodied in the Zen Master himself when he speaks out against war, chilling us with a vision of a moonlit battlefield and noting "the perfect stillness of horror."Zen Master Soyen Shaku is a powerful, poetical writer who inspires simplicity and ease of movement in all our thinking and doing. He is a Zen Master who will not baffle or bore you… (meer)

Review From LibraryThing:

Zen Master Soyen Shaku's vivid explanations of Buddhist beliefs are published together with the Sutra of Forty-Two Chapters. This Sutra was the first collection of Buddhas's sayings to be introduced from India into the Far East. Appropriately, the first introduction of Zen Buddhism into the West was based on the Buddhist beliefs found in this Sutra. Too long out of print, the first words from the Buddhist East to the West are perhaps the best words to introduce Zen. This Zen Master calls to the agitated 1970's with wind-chime clarity.These lectures, plus essays written later especially for Americans, draw Westerners into the Zen frame of mind. Reading his description of the Buddhist idea of God, of Karma, or of reincarnation, is like resting in a Japanese garden: there are no excesses, every feature blesses you with radiant tranquillity. The joyful compassionate nature of Buddhism shines through his story of the mother-doe in Deer Park. And the loving-kindness preached by the Buddha seems to be embodied in the Zen Master himself when he speaks out against war, chilling us with a vision of a moonlit battlefield and noting "the perfect stillness of horror."Zen Master Soyen Shaku is a powerful, poetical writer who inspires simplicity and ease of movement in all our thinking and doing. He is a Zen Master who will not baffle or bore you.… (meer)

In Zen for Americans, Zen Master Soyen Shaku's vivid explanations of Buddhist beliefs are published together with the Sutra of Forty-Two Chapters, the first collection of Buddha's sayings to be introduced from India into the Far East. Too long out of print, the first words from the Buddhist East to the West are perhaps the best words to introduce Zen, as Master Soyen Shaku calls to the agitated present day with wind-chime clarity. These lectures, plus essays written especially for Americans, draw Westerners into the Zen frame of mind. Reading Shaku's description of the Buddhist concept of God, of karma, or of reincarnation, is like resting in a Japanese garden: there are no excesses, and every feature blesses you with radiant tranquility.… (meer)

Zen Master Soyen Shaku's vivid explanations of Buddhist beliefs are published together with the Sutra of Forty-Two Chapters. This Sutra was the first collection of Buddhas's sayings to be introduced from India into the Far East. Appropriately, the first introduction of Zen Buddhism into the West was based on the Buddhist beliefs found in this Sutra. Too long out of print, the first words from the Buddhist East to the West are perhaps the best words to introduce Zen. This Zen Master calls to the agitated 1970's with wind-chime clarity.These lectures, plus essays written later especially for Americans, draw Westerners into the Zen frame of mind. Reading his description of the Buddhist idea of God, of Karma, or of reincarnation, is like resting in a Japanese garden: there are no excesses, every feature blesses you with radiant tranquillity. The joyful compassionate nature of Buddhism shines through his story of the mother-doe in Deer Park. And the loving-kindness preached by the Buddha seems to be embodied in the Zen Master himself when he speaks out against war, chilling us with a vision of a moonlit battlefield and noting "the perfect stillness of horror."Zen Master Soyen Shaku is a powerful, poetical writer who inspires simplicity and ease of movement in all our thinking and doing. He is a Zen Master who will not baffle or bore you.… (meer)