This book offers an in-depth introduction to the philosophy and practice of Zen Buddhism. Bret Davis explores the philosophical implications of Zen teachings and koans, comparing and contrasting these with other Asian as well as Western religions and philosophies. He relates traditional Zen teachings and practices to our twenty-first century lives. In addition to being a scholarly and philosophical introduction to Zen, the book provides concrete instructions for beginning a practice of Zen meditation. Its twenty-four chapters treat such philosophical topics as the self, nature, art, morality, and language, as well as basic Buddhist teachings such as the middle way and karma. Davis introduces the Zen based philosophies of the Kyoto School and also engages in interreligious dialogue with Christianity and other religions, as well as with other schools of Buddhism. The concluding chapter reviews the path of Zen practice and enlightenment by way of commenting on the beloved Zen classic, The Ten Oxherding Pictures. The book can be read in its entirety as a coherently organized introduction to the philosophy and practice of Zen, or chapters can be read independently according to the reader's specific interests.
Auteur
Bret W. Davis is Professor and Thomas J. Higgins, S.J. Chair in Philosophy at Loyola University Maryland, where he teaches classes in Western, Asian, and cross-cultural philosophy, and where he directs The Heart of Zen Meditation Group. In addition to publishing more than seventy-five scholarly articles, he has authored, edited, and translated a number of books, including Japanese Philosophy in the World (in Japanese), Heidegger and the Will: On the Way to Gelassenheit, Martin Heidegger: Key Concepts, Japanese and Continental Philosophy: Conversations with the Kyoto School, Engaging Dogen's Zen: The Philosophy of Practice as Awakening, The Oxford Handbook of Japanese Philosophy, and Bipedal Philosophers (in Japanese). In 2001, he obtained a Ph.D. in philosophy from Vanderbilt University. He lived in Japan for more than a dozen years, during which time he studied Buddhist thought at Otani University, and Japanese philosophy at Kyoto University, while practicing Zen at the monastery of Shokokuji in Kyoto. He is fluent in Japanese, semi-fluent in German, and proficient in reading Classical Chinese. In 2010, he was formally recognized as a Teacher (Sensei) and Director of a Zen Center by Kobayashi Gentoku Roshi, the current abbot of Shokokuji.
Contenu
Preface: Why Write or Read this Book? Chapter 1: What Really is Zen? Recovering the Beginner's Open Mind Chapter 2: Previewing the Path of Zen: Know Thyself, Forget Thyself, Open Thyself Chapter 3: Zen Meditation as a Practice of Clearing the Heart-Mind Chapter 4: How to Practice Zen Meditation: Attending to Place, Body, Breath, and Mind Chapter 5: The Buddha's First and Last Lesson: The Middle Way of Knowing What Suffices Chapter 6: The Buddha's Strong Medicine: Embracing Impermanence Chapter 7: The True Self is Egoless Chapter 8: We are One: Loving Others as Yourself Chapter 9: But We Are Not the Same: Taking Turns as the Center of the Universe Chapter 10: Who or What is the Buddha? Chapter 11: Mind is Buddha: So, if You Encounter the Buddha, Kill Him! Chapter 12: Dying to Live: Zen, Pure Land Buddhism, and Christianity Chapter 13: Zen as Trans-Mysticism: Everyday Even Mind is the Way Chapter 14: Engaged Zen: From Inner to Outer Peace Chapter 15: The Dharma of Karma: We Reap What We Sow Chapter 16: Zen and Morality: Following Rules to Where There Are No Rules Chapter 17: Being in the Zone of Zen: The Natural Freedom of No-Mind Chapter 18: Zen Lessons from Nature: Samu and the Giving Leaves Chapter 19: Zen and Art: Cultivating Naturalness Chapter 20: Zen and Language: The Middle Way Between Silence and Speech Chapter 21: Between Zen and Philosophy: Commuting with the Kyoto School Chapter 22: S?t? and Rinzai Zen Practice: Just Sitting and Working with K?ans Chapter 23: Death and Rebirth-Or, Nirvana Here and Now Chapter 24: Reviewing the Path of Zen: The Ten Oxherding Pictures Endnotes Discussion Questions Index