Printable View
Hello all
I have been starting to read some very interesting books lightly touching on the subject of Zen and Zen Buddhism, One such book being Zen and the Martial Arts by Joe Hyams, which I gained alot out of.
I was wondering was there any place on the net or good books that you practitioners of Zen use or value greatly?
Thanks
"Zen Flesh, Zen Bones" - a classic
I'd reccomend Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel and The Unfettered Mind: Writings of the Zen Master to the Sword Master by Takuan Soho.
When you're tired of all the how-to and scholarly books, and over-analyzing, try Zen Speaks: Shouts of Nothingness by by Tsai Chih Chung.
------------------
Asante sana
Squashed banana
Wewe nugu
Mimi apana
Try Zen Mind, Beginners Mind. Its good discussion of zen without the necessity of enlightenment. You can pick it up in many places.
Hello,
I suggest reading an absolute classic: Takuan Soho. Three essays by the famous zen master
Fudochishinmyoroku (= the mysterious record of immovable wisdom"), a letter written by Takuan to the sword master Yagyu Munenori,
Taiaki (= "annals of the sword Taia"), written to either Munenori as well, or perhaps to Ono Tadaaki, soke of Itto ryu and official instructor the shogun's family,
Reirohsu (="the clear sound of jewels"),[/list]
can be found in William Wilson's book The Unfettered Mind.
Another very good perspective on traditional, pre-Togukawa era Japanese martial arts (Kenjutsu, Yarijutsu, Naginatajutsu, Bojutsu etc.), although written during the Togukawa period (1728) can be found in the Tengu geijutsu ron by Shissai Chosan.
------------------
fudoshin
[This message has been edited by Hanzo Hattori (edited 05-01-2002).]
~so happy to see other's that know of Takuan Soho!!!
Also try the Sword and the Mind by the members of the Yagyu Family,....It also contains some work by their beloved Takuan Soho
------------------
Watashiwa Yagyu Jubei desu! Ganbate!
I have just finished reading a book on the warrior of Yamaoka Tesshu, who founded his own school of swordsmanship in the late Edo period and early Meiji period.
What makes the man so unique was that zen teachings furthered his martial arts. His school was termed the the sword no sword school.
A very interesting man, and he also achieved enlightenment at age 42.
Has anyone else heard about him?
Yup, I've heard of Tesshu. Are you by any chance reading the book "The Sword of No Sword"? There's several interesting tales of Tesshu's life in there. Supposedly he negotiated a deal with the commander of the Imperial Army (during the Meiji restoration) that prevented the last Tokugawa shogun from being exiled. The school he founded, Muto-ryu, is still around today. They are famous for their excruciating training methods.
A BUDDAH BUDDAH BUDDAH BUDDAH step on it
------------------
Matthew
of course to my mind.............books are only windows.....if you want to know zen you have to sit and meditate or walk and meditate....regardless you must try to be in Zen, not just read about it....the books that have been offered here in this thread are all great! I have read most of them more than once......The key is practice, not study.
As I practice my martial art as well as my musical arts, I try to take the things I have read and apply them to the moment...or later reflect on the moments past and see how they fit the books.....
Nothing like being in a kendo shiai to put you right into ZEN
------------------
Watashiwa Yagyu Jubei desu! Ganbate!
[This message has been edited by Yagyu Jubei (edited 06-11-2002).]
Couldnt agree more, but without reading those books I was unable to expand my thinking on the subject... if you could call it thinking or a subject for that matter
I primarily wanted books on Zen to further my kendo. BTW I achieved Ikkyu in kendo the other week, they pushed me up a grade as I was attempting nikkyu, Was really surprised when they graded me to ikkyu, I will able to go for my Shodan in January.
Im rather stoked =]
There are many Buddhist sites on the net,Zen and others.
..........Orda
------------------
" Send us your ambassadors and thus we shall judge whether you wish to be at peace with us or at war..if you make war on us the Everlasting God, who makes easy what was difficult and makes near what was far, knows that we know what our power is."