An Introduction to Zen Training [Paperback]

Omori Sogen (Author), Trevor Leggett (Author), Dogen Hosokawa (Author), Roy Yoshimoto (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2002

An Introduction to Zen Training is a translation of Sanzen Nyumon, a key text by one of the foremost Zen teachers of the twentieth century. Written to provide a solid introduction to the physical nature of Zen training, this text discusses breath, pain, posture, drowsiness, state of mind, and physiology, as well as the context in which this training takes on meaning. An Introduction to Zen Training also addresses many of the questions that arise naturally when Zen training begins—ranging from how long to sit at one time to how to keep mindfulness when not sitting—and concludes with commentaries on two fundamental Zen texts, Zazen Wasen (Song of Zazen) and the Ox-Herding Pictures.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Japanese

About the Author

Omori Sogen (1904—1994) began his formal training in Zen, kenjutsu (traditional swordsmanship), and calligraphy in his early twenties, and was a widely respected sword teacher and advisor to the Japanese Cabinet. After WWII, he entered the priesthood in the Tenryu-ji Rinzai lineage. For the next forty years he continued to teach swordsmanship, calligraphy, and Zen, while also writing twenty books and serving as a court magistrate, eventually becoming President of Hanazono Daigaku, the principle Rinzai university in Japan. He established the International Zen Dojo in Hawaii and founded Daihonzan Chozen-ji in Honolulu—the first headquarters temple in Rinzai Zen established under canon law outside Japan.

Sanzen Nyumon was translated from the Japanese by Hosogawa Dogen Roshi--Abbot of Daihonzan Chozen-ji and a dharma successor of Omori Sogen Rotaishi—and Roy Yoshimoto.

With an introduction by Trevor Leggett, author of A First Zen Reader, Zen and the Ways, and many other books on Zen, Taoism, and Asian philosophy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing (May 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804832471
• ISBN-13: 978-0804832472
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #593,284 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Zen training Tutor, December 3, 2000

By 

M. A. Ramos (Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Introduction to Zen Training: Sanzen Nyomon (Hardcover)

Introduction to Zen Training, Sanzen Nyumon is one of the few books to address the many questions that naturally arise as one begins to train. Questions range from the elementary of how long one should sit at a time to the more intensive of how to maintain concentration when not sitting. Omori Rotatishi was best able to convey his points by drawing upon his vigorous training as a martial artist of the samurai era and his scholarship in both Chinese and Japanese bringing to life the many traditional Zen teaching stories.

The book provides an introduction to the physical nature of training, discussing ones state of mind, the physiology, breath, posture, pain, and drowsiness. Training is placed in a context which gives sitting meditation depth and breadth. Sanzen Nyumon discusses the rationale for zazen, the foundation of Zen training. Zazen, while seemingly a simple activity, is not just "quiet sitting" and its value remains in fully understanding the subtleties of the activity. The book also provides instructions on how to sit zazen, and how to adjust one's breath, posture and mental state.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Zen in the Samurai spirit, February 12, 2003

By 

tony kansarns - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Introduction to Zen Training (Paperback)

This is a no nonense guide to zen training by a very hard man.I say hard-he was perhaps harder on himself than anybody else.Omori Sogen really drives home the amount of effort required to practice zazen.Practising the way Omori Sogen teaches will give real benefit in daily life.As he says if you are no use to society then what use are you?This hard Rinzai training is not suitable for everyone-it requires firm discipline to train in this manner-but its a thing worth doing.In these troubled times this practice can bring peace of mind and make people useful members of society.Its worth reading the biography of Omori Sogen by Hosokawa Dogen[available from Amazon]to get a real feel for the man and his teaching.If you want some touchy-feely type of meditation then dont buy this book.Life is hard and cruel but one can still have peace of mind.It sometimes requires that one is hard to oneself to get it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Rinzai zen for the beginner, March 28, 2011

By 

K. E. Solomon - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: An Introduction to Zen Training (Paperback)

I am reading this book as part of a course of training I'm invoved in and it has been very helpful. I have sat zazen for many years and so the posture and breathing parts weren't as useful. I also feel it's very important to have a good teacher on the path in regard to the actual physical part of sitting. I found the other parts about Buddhism, specifically Rinzai Zen to be very interesting. I liked the metaphors; for example, sitting in a cave when you sit with eyes fully closed. I was raised in a very martial environment as well. I think for some people, who have a more relaxed, "American" attitude, this style may be too strict. But for me it feels right. But find a good teacher; that's the most important thing in Zen.