Essays in Zen Buddhism, Second Series

by D.T. Suzuki

Zen is a unique school of spiritual development. Zen is not a religion, it is a way of acting and being and these essays provide a foundation for living a fulfilled life for anyone seeking spirituality in their lives. D.T Suzuki explains how Zen has its origins in the enlightenment of the Buddha while its central fact is attaining 'Satori', an intuitional understanding of the truth of Zen. He explains how Satori can be attained, and the methods that are needed to bring it about.
In this collection of his most important essays he explores the history of Buddhism, the daily life of a Zen monk and the path to enlightenment. Essays on Zen Buddhism is a meditation on the meaning of existence as well as a critical account of Buddhism.

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

364 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1933

About the author

Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki (鈴木 大拙 貞太郎 Suzuki Daisetsu Teitarō; rendered "Daisetz" after 1893) was Professor of Buddhist philosophies at Ōtani University. As a translator and writer on Buddhism and Eastern philosophy, he greatly helped to popularize Japanese Zen in the West.

Reviews

[Minh Khue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giáo ngoại biệt truyền
Bất lập văn tự
Trực chỉ nhân tâm
Kiến tánh thành Phật.
Thông điệp này được coi là đặc trưng Thiền, mà chính tổ Bồ Đề Đạt Ma là người chủ xướng đả phá tinh thần ấy cho Phật tử Trung Hoa. Phép « trực chỉ » của Thiền là phương pháp nhắm thẳng vào trung tâm Giác Ngộ, và chứng đến Phật tánh không qua quá nhiều cấp bực chuẩn bị như các tông phái khác.
Đây là một tác phẩm về Phật học với nhiều nội dung phong phú được tác giả trình bày dễ hiểu với đại chúng phù hợp với yếu chỉ cuả Thiền. Bản in đẹp với phần dich thuật xuất sắc của Trúc Thiên và Thầy Tuệ Sỹ .
“Sãi tôi, ba mươi năm trước, khi chưa học Thiền,
thấy núi là núi, thấy nước là nước;
“Sau nhân theo bậc thiện tri thức chỉ cho chỗ vào,
thấy núi chẳng phải núi, thấy nước chẳng phải nước;
“Rồi nay thể nhập chốn yên vui tịch tĩnh, y nhiên,
thấy núi chỉ là núi, thấy nước chỉ là nước,
Sư Thanh Nguyên Duy Tín, “Truyên Đăng Lục”

[Craig Werner · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, Suzuki's second series of essays was more crucial than the first. The reason is that he delves deeply into the practices associated with Zen koans, contrasting them in usefully specific terms with the chanting practices of the Pure Land school. Which means that if you're just starting with Buddhism or Zen, this isn't the one to go to. But if you have a grounding, this will almost certainly spark important insights.

[Juan Felipe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Origen, maestros, anecdotas y otras consideraciones sobre el Budismo Zen.

[Lysergius · Rating 4 out of 5]

D.T. Suzuki was the greatest ambassador of Zen Buddhism to the West in the twentieth century. In this collection of his most important essays he explores the history of Buddhism, the daily life of a Zen monk and the path to enlightenment. Essays on Zen Buddhism is a meditation on the meaning of existence as well as a critical account of Buddhism. Suzuki explains how Zen has its origins in the spiritual enlightenment of the Buddha while its central fact is the attainment of Satori, an intuitive understanding of the truth of Zen. He explains how Satori can be attained, and the methods that are needed to bring it about. Zen is not a religion, it is a way of perceiving, acting and being and these essays are the classic introduction to it, providing a foundation for living a fulfilled life.

[Djordje Malesevic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great.