Suzuki found in world wisdoms books are notable in that they include much of his work on shin buddhism. Suzuki provides a complete vision of zen, which emphasizes selfunderstanding and enlightenment through many systems of philosophy, psychology, and ethics. Early in his youth he became a disciple of soen, a noted zen master of the day, and under his guidance attained the experience of satori sudden. Publication date 1907 topics mahayana buddhism publisher. For this reason its better to read the other book first if you can, although there are still some notes and explanatory sections here. He spent many years translating japanese and chinese texts into english as well as lecturing and writing prolifically on japanese religion in the west. The film as a whole intertwines and moulds together suzukis personal and intellectual life, and projects images of his zen thought through rare cuttings from his lectures and interviews.
One of this centurys leading works on zen, this book is a valuable source for those wishing to understand its concepts in the context of japanese life and art. Written in pdf a lively, accessible, and straightforward manner, an introduction to zen buddhism is illuminating for the serious student and layperson alike. Concepts and terminology such as satori, zazen, and koans, as well as the various elements of this philosophy are all given clear explanations. Although many americans who practice zen buddhism will know of his work, few will know of the story behind the movement suzuki confected almost 70 years ago. Zen mind, beginners mind by shunryu suzuki first master of zen center, san francisco and carmel valley. Suzuki quotes author of an introduction to zen buddhism. This wellknown book, now in the public domain, contains an anthology of chinese and japanese texts of chan zen buddhism. If the book really serves as a sort of introduction to zen buddhism, and leads the reader up to the study of my other works, the object is attained. As you all know, it is suzukis outlines of mahayana buddhism. No claim is made here for a scholarly treatment of the subjectmatter.
In the literature on zen buddhism, there are writers such as suzuki, whose authenticity is beyond doubthe speaks of what he has experienced. Preface to first edition in my introduction to zen buddhism published 1934, an outline of zen teaching is sketched, and in the training of the zen monk 1934 a description. And of course this is the man one really wants to meet. I am hoping that we can get through the whole text in ten days, which will be quite an undertaking, quite an achievement, if we do manage it. The buddhist name daisetsu, meaning great humility, the kanji of which can also mean greatly clumsy, was given to him by his zen master soen or soyen shaku.
Suzuki s construct is a bit leaky, denying the colder corners of zen buddhist theory in favor of a kinder portrait of its ways. Suzuki by buddhism now on 31 july 2010 3 anjin, peaceful awareness in zen and shin by d. Suzuki was the author of more than a hundred works on the subject in both japanese and english, and was most instrumental in bringing the teachings of zen buddhism to the attention of the western world. No other figure in history has played a bigger part in opening the west to buddhism than the eminent zen author, d. Among his more notable works are essays in zen buddhism and an introduction to zen buddhism. An introduction to zen buddhism is a 1934 book about zen buddhism by daisetz teitaro suzuki. Of all the developments mahayana buddhism has achieved in the far east, the most remarkable one is the shin teaching of the pure land school. His major works in english on the subject of buddhism number a dozen or more, and of his works in.
The companion book, manual of zen buddhism, is recommended to be used with this introduction. Zen buddhism, which sold more than 125,000 as an anchor paperback after. It was at the beginning of the tang dynasty that zen first flourished in china. Suzukis construct is a bit leaky, denying the colder corners of zen buddhist theory in favor of a kinder portrait of its ways.
First of all a few general remarks on the text itself and our approach to it. Suzuki choosing belief over doubt has profound, eternal consequences for practicing christians, while for religious jews and moslems alike, faith in god is the cornerstone of righteousness. Suzuki is a scholar of buddhism, in particular zen buddhism. In meeting dr suzuki and drinking a cup of tea with him i felt i. Suzukis communication of zen to the west by dharmachari nagapriya introduction daisetsu teitaro suzuki 18701966 has been widely celebrated as the first transmitter of japanese zen to the west1, especially the usa and great britain. While in germany suzuki expressed approval of the nazis. Suzuki was born teitaro suzuki in hondamachi, kanazawa, ishikawa prefecture, the fourth son of physician ryojun suzuki. If you use an ipad, move this pdf to ibooks and the links should function. However, there is a 1964 book by suzuki of the same name that contains 9 chaptersincluding the 3 chapters from the 1934 versionand in my edition about 124 content pages.
Suzuki is a 77minute documentary by michael goldberg about daisetz teitaro suzuki 18701966, credited with introducing zen buddhism to the west d. This book appears to be a reprint of a 1934 book of this name by d. The companion volume to suzukis introduction to zen buddhism, this is mostly of collection of source materials and quotations from great zen masters like dogen or hakuin. Essays in zen buddhismosi by suzuki, daisetz teitaro and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Suzuki, the japanese buddhist monk responsible for introducing the west to zen buddhism remains mostly unknown outside of his hometown in japan. Outlines of mahayana buddhism by suzuki, daisetz teitaro, 18701966. Beatrice and daisetsu had not become theosophists during their time in the united states, but did so when they joined the international lodge. One of the worlds leading authorities on zen buddhism, d. John of the cross, a thesis submitted for the degree of ph. Buddhism is considered by some to be a religion without a god and without a soul. Whereas daisetz suzuki s zen was dramatic, shunryu suzuki s is ordinary.
Daisetsu teitaro suzuki is considered a key figure in the introduction of buddhism to the nonasian world. Suzuki golden elixir press golden elixir reprints no. Daisetsu teitaro suzuki suzuki daisetsu teitaro, october 18, 1870 july 12, 1966 was a japanese author of books and essays on buddhism, zen and shin that were. The companion volume to suzuki s introduction to zen buddhism, this is mostly of collection of source materials and quotations from great zen masters like dogen or hakuin. The statement is true and untrue according to what meaning we give to those terms. In simple, often poetic, language, daisetz suzuki describes what zen is, how it evolved, and how its emphasis on primitive simplicity and selfeffacement have helped to shape an aesthetics found throughout japanese culture. Buy a cheap copy of manual of zen buddhism book by d. This wellknown book, now in the public domain, contains an anthology of chinese and japanese texts of chanzen buddhism. Suzuki, japanese buddhist scholar and thinker who was the chief interpreter of zen buddhism to the west. Jan 28, 20 this book appears to be a reprint of a 1934 book of this name by d. Suzuki explains the following shin terms at the blackboard, the. In meeting dr suzuki and drinking a cup of tea with him i felt i had met this one man. He became the leading authority on buddhism of the twentieth century and essays in zen buddhism was the first book to fully introduce zen in the west. This litany of names is merely suggestive of the massive impact that d.
He is probably now the greatest living authority on buddhist philosophy, and is certainly the greatest authority on zen buddhism. Sueki fumihiko, introduced above, wrote the following in a 2008 japanese language article entitled. An introduction to zen buddhism daisetz teitaro suzuki. I have had a copy of the first series for more than 30 years, and having read it again recently decided to get the series 2 edition, to be followed by series 3. Suzuki was a leading authority on buddhism and is known for his introduction of zen buddhism to the west. Prajna intuitive knowledge and vijnana discursive, analytic knowledge. Mystic cognition in zen buddhism and in christianity. Here are the famous sutras, or sermons, of the buddha, the gathas, or hymns, the intriguing philosophical puzzles known. Of those who have made the effort to explain zen buddhism, few have been more successful than the japanese philosopher and professor, d. Suzuki had an excellent grasp of written and spoken english, combined with an exhaustive knowledge of eastern and western religions and philosophies. Many in the west encountered buddhism for the very first time through his writings and teaching, and for nearly a century his work and legacy have contributed to the ongoing religious and cultural interchange between japan and the rest of the world, particularly the united states and europe.
The very fact of this authenticity makes his books often difficult to read, because it is of the essence of zen not to give answers that are rationally satisfying. Here are the famous sutras, or sermons, of the buddha, the gathas, or. He emphasizes some key elements of buddhism, first the distinction between. Suzuki, and in this reissue of his best work readers are given the very heart of zen teaching. Though the passage from the spoken to the written word has inevitably resulted in a certain amount of condensation, i have tried to resist. Reading this poem reminds me of bodhidharmas declaration to eka. Suzuki provides a complete vision of zen, which emphasizes selfunderstanding and enlightenment through many systems of.
I ordered essays in zen buddhism series 2, but received a copy of series 1. Buy a cheap copy of essays in zen buddhism book by d. Suzuki had on western culture an influence that is documented in a new film, a zen life because so far we havent mentioned the 100 or so books that have found their way by now into the hands of millions of people throughout the world. Suzuki, whose essays in zen buddhism 1927, 1933, 1934. Daisetsu teitaro suzuki 18701966, is perhaps the most famous name when it comes to the transposition of zen buddhism from japan to the west.
Included in this volume are suzukis famous study enlightenment and ignorance, a chapter on practical methods of zen instruction, the essays on satori the revelation of a new truth in zen buddhism and history of zen buddhism from. The book has come to be regarded as one of the most influential books on zen in the west. Although his birthplace no longer exists, a humble monument marks its location a tree with a rock at its. Dt suzuki welcoming the reader, then constructing the thatched roof of zen buddhism above your head as you pass through its pages. They are brilliant books and a must have for any serious student of zen. Christian and buddhist in meeting him one seemed to meet that true man of no title that chuang tzu and the zen masters speak of. Dr suzuki reached his zen enlightenment at the age of 27 and for the next 65 years he wrote widely about buddhism and taught at universities in europe and the us.