Zen for Americans

by Soyen Shaku

1913. This little work is a collection of some of the lectures delivered by the Right Reverend Soyen Shaku during his sojourn in Japan. He lectured on the Sutra of Forty-two Chapters, and naturally chose the texts for his sermons from this most popular among the canonical books. Partial Sutra of forty-two chapters; God conception; assertions and denials; immortality; Buddhist faith and ethics; What is Buddhism? middle way; wheel of the good law; reply to a Christian critic; ignorance and enlightenment; practice of Dhyana; Buddhism and oriental culture; sacrifice for a stanza; Buddhist view of war.

Genres: Buddhism, Zen, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Philosophy

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Soyen Shaku was a Zen monk. He studied for three years at Keio University. He was the first Zen Buddhist master to teach in the United States.

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zen for Americans is a deceptive title for this book. It collects translations of speeches given by Soyen Shaku when he toured the US in the early-twentieth century, translated and compiled by his student D.T. Suzuki. This book, as a whole, isn't as much an introduction to Zen Buddhism as a defense to clear up common (at the time) Western misconceptions. While Shaku does a wonderful job explaining basic concepts and ideals of Buddhism, this is not an instruction or introduction. If you are already familiar with most basic precepts of Zen teaching, this book is a compelling, enriching explanation of many central ideals. If not, a primer may be in order before picking up this text.

[Thjodbjorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most useful books I have read in memory.