Customer Reviews

To Meet the Real Dragon

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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In case you don't know, Gudo Nishijima is an authority on many of the greatest teachings of Zen, having translated the collection of master Dogen's teachings called the Shobogenzo. If you have read many books on Zen and have gotten tired of seeing what looks like remarkably similar presentations over and over again, then I encourage to read this book. Gudo Nishijima presents a somewhat different perspective and offers us the opportunity to look at the same ultimate reality that all the other Zen books point to from a different angle. I often find this to be very valuable, especially with regard to religion, philosopy, and Zen. While he does not diverge from the teachings of the ancestors in terms of the Dharma he is teaching, I find his approach to be in some ways more accessible to modern readers, while remaining true to the essence of Zen.

This book is incredible. This book has taken Buddhism and provided a logical framework that motivates one to just sit.

Sitting is the core of Buddhism and this book is the written expression of this most excellent Master's lifetime of practice.

I have been a Zen practitioner for over 50 years and this is far and away the best basic book on Zen and the only one that a serious Zen person needs to read. I can't recommend it more highly. I wish that I had discovered it sooner. The essence of Zen is Zazen and the patriarch of Zazen is Dogen. Nishijima is a great translator and interpreter of Dogen. No nonsense, just sit. Don't talk, sit.

This was a great read on Zen Buddhism. I read Zen And the Art of Happiness and it changed my life, so I looked for another book on Zen. While the former changed my life, it still left me slightly puzzled on what Zen actually was (did not detract from the impact of the book). This book however made things much more clear. What I realized is that Zen is so simple and easy that our mind has trouble understanding it. Humans are incredibly adept at making things more complex, and that is why many people struggle with Zen. I think that the value of this book lies in its ability to make Zen complex enough to understand (sounds ridiculous but its true). Gudo Nishijima explains Zen with enough intellectual adeptness that our mind will not immediately reject the basic premise on the grounds that it is too simple or easy. However, I believe the greatest achievement of this book is that it gives enough for our minds to latch on to, but at the end, you can let it all go and live truly in the moment and have a real understanding of Zen.

Gudo Nishijima's book 'To Meet the Real Dragon' is one of pure excellence. I have read many books on the subject of Buddhism and Zen and this one, by far, is the most accessible, most encompassing book you'll find. He puts a modern spin on Buddhism but does so while paying close attention to the history of philosophy and the inter-relation of Zen and science. I highly recommend you buy this one. Don't borrow it. Buy it. ([...] zen and the pursuit of wisdom.)

The chief virtues of this book are the author's intriguing perspective on Western thought, his alternative slants on traditional Buddhist doctrine, and the generally welcoming tone of his teachings. In one chapter, the author conducts an impressive survey of philosophy from Plato forward, with comments on how Western thought diverges or intersects with Buddhist philosophy. It's of necessity a broad brush discussion, and may well draw scorn from scholars, but it's an interesting exercise nevertheless.

Another chapter contains a novel (to me at least) interpetation of the Four Noble Truths, based upon Gudo's readings of the Sutras and the writings of Dogen. He unabashadley reveres Dogen. Whether his interpretations of Dogen's writings is right or wrong is up for grabs, but it's thought-provoking nonetheless.

Those looking for another guidebook on practicing Zen might find this a disappointing read. Gudo is interested in the place of Zen in the world of thought, not just cheerleading for those who need inspiration for their practice. There's enough of that, as well, but what makes this book stand out is Gudo's willingness to examine Zen's broader implications. He might be right or he might be wrong, but you'll be forced to grapple with a new look at Zen.

I loved this book, I have read many books on Zen Buddhism but, this is my favorite at the moment. I highly regard Master Nishijima and his clear and lucid writing. He really is hardcore, no wonder his dharma heir wrote a book called Hardcore Zen! maybe you have heard about it.

This is an unusual book for this subject manner. It is unusually genuine and unusually free of pretentious piety. Nishijima seeks to make his insights as clear as they can be in the written word. He neither promotes them nor disparages differing views. He may not be what every imagines a Zen Master should be, but he is real. He calls it as he sees it.

This book seems disjointed. I don't know if it is because of Nishijima having to use English or what. I have read many books on Zen and there are some very good ones out there. I don't think this is one of those though.