The Hazy Moon of Enlightenment: Part of the On Zen Practice collection

by Taizan Maezumi, Bernie Glassman, Daishin John Buksbazen (Editor)

The Hazy Moon of Enlightenment takes the reader to the next level of Zen practice, exploring some of the more subtle and sophisticated topics in Zen.The first two parts of the book explore enlightenment and What is nature of enlightenement? What does it mean to describe enlightenment as sudden or gradual? What is the nature of delusion, and how can watch out for the particular delusion that masquerades as enlightenment? The third part looks at "enlightenment in action"--what it means for someone to living and acting in order with the deep wisdom of enlightenment, and how we can practice learning "learning how to be satisfied" and enjoy serenity and transquility. The final section is a moving and powerful firsthand account of one woman's solitary realization of the deepest truths--a story that can become an inspiration for all of us. The contributors to this volume include some the pioneering masters who were seminal in helping Zen take firm root in American soil.

Genres: Buddhism, Religion, Zen, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Meditation

196 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1978

Reviews

[Kōzan Inja · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the night The Buddha died (entered parinirvana), his disciples gathered and he presented a final teaching. This final teaching is included within The Hazy Moon of Enlightenment, along with commentary by Dogen Zenji (the Hachidainingaku from the Shobogenzo - Treasury of the True Dharma Eye).

The essence of the teaching, which is core to all Mahayana practitioners, revolves around "Eight Awarenesses" which are characteristic of all enlightened persons, or buddhas - 1) Having few desires 2) Knowing how to be satisfied 3) Enjoying serenity and tranquility (having a practice of side-stepping the disturbances of worldly life) 4) Exerting meticulous effort 5) Not Forgetting Right Thought 6) Practicing Samadhi 7) Cultivating Wisdom and 8) Avoiding Idle Talk

Dogen's commentary is followed up with other commentaries by Bernie Glassman-Roshi and Taizan Maezumi-Roshi offer their own commentary and question-and-answer sections with Zen students. Approachable and of assistance to those seeking to follow the Way.

[Maurice Halton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The questions are more important than the answers.

Don't intellectualize or you will become mired in delusion.

Metta.

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't recommend this enough to anyone who is interested in Buddhist meditation or enlightenment. I got it just so I could read "An Experience of Enlightenment" by Flora Courtois, which Shinzen Young mentions in The Science of Enlightenment: Teachings and Meditations for Awakening Through Self-Investigation. The original An Experience of Enlightenment is out of print, so this is the best way to access this unique account of awakening.

Flora Courtois was a college student in Michigan in the 1940s. She describes her path of increasing obsession with understanding what reality is. My favorite line: "Apparently by now, a number of people were becoming concerned about my unusual behavior and someone had made a telephone call." (That led to a knock on the door from student health services and an invitation for a few days' rest in the infirmary.)

It's really fascinating to see her describe--without ever having heard of them--things that Buddhist teachings (and other traditions and mystic accounts) describe, including her experience of finally awakening and the shift in her perception that happened. It was a bit stressful to read about the aftermath and the challenges of being an awakened person where no one shares your experience or had ever heard of Buddhism, but now you have been warned, so go forth and enjoy!

[Micah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will circle back around for another read after a couple more books down the list.