Zen Is Eternal Life

by Jiyu Kennett, Roshi P. Jiyu-Kennett

Zen is Eternal Life is a practical and inspirational manual for all who wish to practice Zen. Roshi P.T.N.H. Jiyu-Kennett, the founder and former abbess of Shasta Abbey, expertly combines an introduction to the basic tenets of Buddhism with original translations of the teachings of Zen Masters Dogen and Keizan. Translated works Shushogi (Training and Enlightenment), Eihei-Shingi (Rules for Junior priests), Gakudo-yojinshu (Aspects of Zazen), Shobogenzo (The Treasure-eye of the True Teaching), Kyojukaimon (Giving and Receiving the Teaching of the Precepts) by Dogen Zenji, and Denkoroku (Transmission of the Light) by Keizan Zenji.

Genres: Buddhism, Zen, Religion

354 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Brian Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the clearest explanation of Buddhist insight and practice that I've seen.

[Tom Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am grateful to have come across the works of Jiyu Kennett as I feel a resonance with her teachings, namely she speaks about the Unborn in a way that I have not encountered elsewhere. She seems to have a deep understanding of Dogen and Keizan. Her teaching style is pragmatic, down to earth, humorous yet mature (spiritual practice for "adults").

The first part of the book really shines, giving the bare bones of doctrine required for Zen practice, such as karma and the precepts. The book then shifts a bit to religious practice (e.g. addressing the hierarchy with the Soto "Church"), which is interesting but perhaps less spiritually important. The book then offers good original translations of some of Dogen's Shobogenzo as well as the Transmission of Light by Keizan.

Unfortunately I think two of the essays are about the strict procedures within Dogen's sangha, which I get show the beauty and mindfulness of a monk's lifestyle, but is not very interesting to read, is quite pedantic and I don't see the spiritual value for a layperson to know such things. I think an introduction/commentary should have been added before the Shobogenzo section (as it was for the Keizan section) to explain WHY these essays were chosen, what they say about Dogen and Zen etc. Other essays are beautiful, but I think lots of Dogen is judgemental and odd. Re the Transmission, only up to the 13th ancestor is presented, so I wonder if there could have been a more interesting selection of the ancestors, rather than cutting off at a seemingly random point.

I would give a 4.5 but because of the stellar understanding of the Unborn and concise explanation of Zen practice, I must give it a 5.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

selling water by the river
zen period