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Awakening to Zen: the teachings of Roshi Philip Kapleau
Relating the principles of Zen Buddhism into everyday American life, the author addresses such common concerns as sex, power, health, personal fulfillment, and death and dying
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
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About the author
Philip Kapleau
36 books67 followersA teacher of Zen Buddhism in the Sanbo Kyodan tradition, a blending of Japanese Soto and Rinzai schools.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 23, 2015
Awakening to Zen
Logan Flood
Block 3
Living life from moment to moment.
Ethnography is the scientific study of a specific culture. Awakening to Zen relates to Ethnography because, in depth, Roshi Philip Kapleau describes the journey that he took to reach full enlightenment, and how others can reach enlightenment as well. Throughout this novel, Roshi gives multiple examples of Koans, which are paradoxical riddles that are used to provoke enlightenment. Each Koan has a different purpose, and teaches Buddhist students how to think about specific situations. The sixteen precepts of Zen constitute the basic code of ethics for Buddhism. “The fourth precept is not to lie but to speak the truth”(Kapleau, 78). This is of the two most important precepts along with the sixth precept, not to speak of the misdeeds of others. Lying has been defined as the telling of an untruth with the intent to deceive. One must refrain from lying to reach full enlightenment because these precepts cannot be broken if you want to succeed. “The sixth precept, not to speak of the misdeeds of others, is for many people tough to uphold”(Kapleau, 82). It is so easy for people in this world to gossip about others, even gossip that contains a little malice. Speaking of the misdeeds of others is the second most important precept because it is very hard to keep yourself from doing so. To reach full enlightenment, one must stay true to the precepts of Zen because to reach full enlightenment, one must not break the rules of the precepts.
Logan Flood
Block 3
Living life from moment to moment.
Ethnography is the scientific study of a specific culture. Awakening to Zen relates to Ethnography because, in depth, Roshi Philip Kapleau describes the journey that he took to reach full enlightenment, and how others can reach enlightenment as well. Throughout this novel, Roshi gives multiple examples of Koans, which are paradoxical riddles that are used to provoke enlightenment. Each Koan has a different purpose, and teaches Buddhist students how to think about specific situations. The sixteen precepts of Zen constitute the basic code of ethics for Buddhism. “The fourth precept is not to lie but to speak the truth”(Kapleau, 78). This is of the two most important precepts along with the sixth precept, not to speak of the misdeeds of others. Lying has been defined as the telling of an untruth with the intent to deceive. One must refrain from lying to reach full enlightenment because these precepts cannot be broken if you want to succeed. “The sixth precept, not to speak of the misdeeds of others, is for many people tough to uphold”(Kapleau, 82). It is so easy for people in this world to gossip about others, even gossip that contains a little malice. Speaking of the misdeeds of others is the second most important precept because it is very hard to keep yourself from doing so. To reach full enlightenment, one must stay true to the precepts of Zen because to reach full enlightenment, one must not break the rules of the precepts.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews