Book Extracts

Record of Rinzai book cover

Books
Book Extracts
Aug 18, 2020

Curated book extracts for people interested in the Dharma, Zen and Buddhist culture who might be looking for additions to their bookshelf.

Book Extract: Hidden Zen by Meido Moore

Practices for Sudden Awakening & Embodied Realization
In his latest book the abbot of Korinji monastery in Wisconsin introduces us to the less-well known (at least in the West), Rinzai practices of internal energy cultivation and mantra practices. 

Book Extract: Contemplative Science:

Where Buddhism and Neuroscience Converge by B. Alan Wallace
In this extract Alan Wallace explores the question, why Western science is disposed against a science of introspective investigation. This lack, he argues, means that complementary epistemologies are not open for examination. 

Book Extract:The Myth of Redemptive Violence by Walter Wink

The story that the rulers of domination societies told each other and their subordinates is what we today might call the Myth of Redemptive Violence. It enshrines the belief that violence saves, that war brings peace, that might makes right. It is one of the oldest continuously repeated stories in the world. Here

Buddhist Magic

Divination, Healing, and Enchantment through the Ages, By Sam van Schaik
Sam van Schaik is head of the Endangered Archives Programme at the British Library. In this book he shows how the use of magic has been used to help spread the influence of Buddhism in Asia. His previous books include Tibetan Zen & The Spirit of Zen.

Monkey

By Wu Ch’êng-ên, tr. Arthur Waley
This classic of Chinese literature from the 16th century was a satire on courtly life at the imperial palace as well as a political statement on the rivalries between Taoism and Buddhism. It also contains deep truths about human nature and shows the author's own sincere faith.

Book Extract: Hua-Yen Buddhism: The Jewel Net of Indra by Francis H. Cook

The Chinese Huayen school is said to provide the philosophical basis for the Zen school. 

Book Extract: How to Read Buddhist Art by Kurt Behrendt

A lavishly illustrated art book from The Met in New York details the development of artistic styles and iconography through the countries of Asia that Buddhism reached.

‘A Pilgrim’s Guide to Forty-Six Temples' by Shiro Usui

Book Extracts 
In this book extract we look at the history of Daitokuji temple, a sometimes controversial yet prolific Zen temple.

Book Extracts: ‘Discourse on the Inexhaustible Lamp'

Torei Enji Zenji, comments Daibi Zenji pub. The Zen Centre London 1989
The sword of Shiya is so sharp that it cuts through a hair blown across it. Twenty years of honing it! The arm that cuts down Buddhas and patriarchs. Kanzan snatched that sword.

A Sermon on the Original Face

Book Extracts
The 'Original Face', sometimes called 'True Face', is a descriptor in Zen for 'Buddha-nature' which is the ground of all Being.

Book Extracts: The Three Pillars of Zen

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At Hosshin-ji, noted for its severe sesshin, there is a unique discipline for combatting the fatigued, faltering mind.

Extract of The Record of Rinzai

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A collection of stories and teachings by Rinzai Gigen, the father of Rinzai Zen, this record captures the essence of Zen training and practice.

In Ghostly Japan by Lafcadio Hearn

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When the famous Chinese fortune teller Shōko Setsu threw a tile at a rat, the shattered pieces contained an impossible message that would change his life.

The Book of Five Rings by Myamoto Musashi

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Considered a classic by modern martial artists, the book of 5 rings extends far beyond the art of fighting and into the realms of the transcendental. 

Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism by Chögyam Trungpa

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Chögyam Trungpa's spent many years living and teaching in the west. His seminal work ‘Cutting through Spiritual Materialism’ was an attempt to address the cultural and practical difficulties that westerners experienced with Buddhist practice.

C. G. Jung - Forward to D.T. Suzuki’s Introduction to Zen Buddhism

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In this book extract Carl Jung, a pioneer of western psychology, writes a forward for D.T. Suzuki, a pioneering Buddhist teacher for the west.

Magic and Mystery in Tibet by Alexandra David-Neel

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In 1924 when Tibet was closed to foreigners, Alexandra David-Neel gave the west a unique glimpse into a land shrouded in mystery.
Series

Peaks and Lamas by Marco Pallis

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Marco Pallis (1895-1989) was a member of the Traditionalists, a group of writers who believed in the ‘Perennial Wisdom’ of all religions. In later life he worked for the Tibet Society housing many refugees in his London flat witnessing the strange and magic culture of the Tibetan refugees

Book Extract: Original Nature

Zen Comments on the Sixth Patriarch's Platform Sutra, tr. Sokei-an
From the chapter on Prajnaparamita, living in accord with original nature is the teaching of the Sixth Patriarch, Enō Daikan.

Book Extract: The Embossed Tea Kettle by Hakuin Ekaku

Following a life-threatening sickness Master Hakuin was advised to take up a new practice by a mountain mystic. This practice not only cured his sickness but, so Hakuin claimed, gave him great health benefits.

Extract of 'The Record of Rinzai' PART 2

Book Extracts
Master Rinzai points directly towards the true nature of mind in this powerful excerpt of The Record of Rinzai’ .

Extract from: Wheel of Great Compassion: The Practice of the Prayer Wheel in

Book Extract
In this book about Tibetan prayer wheels, Lorne Ladner gives a moving account of his experience with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, teacher to the Dalai Lama.

The Tiger’s Cave and Translations of Other Zen Writings by Trevor Leggett

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When it is attained in Zazen, the result is called Satori or realization. Zazen is, practice of infinity, conforming to the infinity which is the principle of the universe. 

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu; pub. Penguin Classics 1963

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In this extract from the Tao Te Ching, we can see the overlap in wisdom between Taosim and Buddhism.

The Zen Koan by Isshū Miura & Ruther Fuller

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In this Book Extract, Zen Master Hakuin tells us how to find the  Buddha, urging us not to seek it in the sutras or words of men.

Forward from 'The Daily Devotional Chants of The Zen Centre'

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Given that Buddhism is so concerned with self inquiry and self realisation, why is Buddhism also so devotional?

Chögyam Trungpa: Working with negativity

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Chugyum Trungpa examines how using the negative emotions lead the way to liberation, and at what point this ‘negativity’ actually becomes a ‘negative’ influence in our lives.

Mindfulness: The Path to the Deathless by Ajahn Sumedho

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Ajahn Sumedho reveals the secret to mindfulness of breath in this book extract.

The Breakthrough by Ajahn Amaro

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While meditating we can get so wrapped up in the mind that we forget the body. Meditation master Ajahn Amaro gives us a method for reintroducing the body back into the meditation.

The Wheel of Truth by Ajahn Sumedho

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Ven. Ajahn Sumedho recounts his experience as an 'arrogant', 'stubborn' and 'rebellious' foreigner, starting life as a monastic in very harsh conditions in the north of Thailand.

The Wheel of Truth by Ajahn Sumedho | II

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Venerable Ajhan Sumdeo on the difference between trying to be a ‘good’ person and being a ‘whole’ person.

The Wheel of Truth by Ajahn Sumedho | III

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Ven. Ajahn Sumedho teaches us how to become aware of the ‘no-thing’.

The Wheel of Truth by Ajahn Sumedho | IV

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Ven. Ajahn Sumedho explains how our relationship to everything we experience can produce (or not produce) an awakened mind.

A First Zen Reader: compiled and translated by Trevor Leggett

Book Extract
In this extract from Trevor Leggett, we have a description of what the state of realisation feels like, and the next step that has to be taken afterwards.

Extract | The Five Houses of Zen by Thomas Cleary

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This Book Extract looks at the history of early Buddhism in China and it’s symbiotic development with Chinese spiritual traditions of the time.

Extract | Bankei Zen: Translations from the Record of Bankei by

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After pushing his body too far in the pursuit of insight, a young Master Bankei finds himself on the verge of death when something miraculous suddenly happens.

Extract | The Wisdom of the Zen Masters by Irmgard Schloegl

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If there is still an  ‘I’ (or ego) then there is no point in trying to deny it. What then, is the correct approach to empty the heart of ‘me’?

Extract | The Daily Devotional Chants of the Zen Centre | Part II

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Zen master Daiyu explains what taking refuge in the Buddha really means

Extract | Arresting the Stone Buddha

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 A judge has a stone Buddha arrested for theft in this book extract. 

Extract | The Shadow Book of Ji Yun - Imperial librarian and Investigator of

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A strange dancing creature appears every night on a family's estate. Bewildered and afraid, the family investigates.

Extract | The Secret Oral Teachings in Tibetan Buddhist Sects by Alexandra David

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In this Book Extract, a Tibetan Lama explains why even when secret teachings are freely given they still remain a secret to the listener.

Extract | Joseph Campbell, Myths to Live By

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Religious scholar Joseph Campbell, on the power that myths have in shaping the individual and his or her place within society.

Extract | Zen at Daitokuji by Dr. Jon Covell & Abbot

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A historic debate takes place between the Zen school and one hundred monks representing all the other Buddhist sects from the local area.

Extract | The Four Noble Truths by Ajahn Sumedho

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"when I first started meditating, I had the idea that meditation would make me kinder and happier... But during the first two months, I never felt so much hatred and anger in my life."

Extract | Bankei Zen: translations from the Record of Bankei

Book Extracts
Zen Master Bankei points out how to spot the Buddha Nature by becoming aware of the traces it leaves from moment to moment.

Extract | C.G. Jung Letters, vol. 1

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Psychologist C.G.Jung writes about with the ‘shadow’ personality, which has much in common with the Bull (emotional energies) that Zen practitioners also work with.

Extract | The Four Noble Truths by Ajahn Sumedho | Part II

Book Extracts
Ajahn Sumedho remembers discovering why he couldn't be at peace in the 'now'.

Extract | The Catalpa Bow: A Study of Shamanistic Practices in Japan...

Book Extract
When a Buddhist priest finds out that his kinsman has been reborn into an agonising hell, a yamabushi holds the key to helping his friend

Extract | A Global History of Buddhism and Medicine

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As well as being saints and gods, the Bodhisattvas are also considered to be manifestations of the Buddha nature which can be used for healing.

Extract | The Four Noble Truths by Ajahn Sumedho | Part III

Book Extract
Ajahn Sumedho explains how to let go when suffering arises through the contemplation of the Four Noble Truths.
Next

Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist Path to Natural Awakening by Guo Gu

Book Extract
From the series

Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist Path to Natural Awakening by Guo Gu

Book Extract

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Life on Dry Land: A dialogue with Master Torie

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When training for something it's sensible to keep track of our progression. When it comes to Zen training however, this doesn't quite seem to work, in fact it can become quite a serious obstacle.

Extract | The Four Noble Truths by Ajahn Sumedho | Part III

Book Extract
Ajahn Sumedho explains how to let go when suffering arises through the contemplation of the Four Noble Truths.

Mumonkan: The Gateless Gate by Mumon Ekai with commentary by Soko

Book Review
Even before opening this book, I knew that this review would be whole-heartedly endorsing it and recommending it to our readership.