The Way of Zen [Hardcover]

David Scott (Author), Tenshin Fletcher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 11, 2002

A guide to Zen philosophy by a well-known master presents the major aspects of Zen in a simple, direct, and easy-to-understand fashion for both novices and those with experience in Zen.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Though Zen is supposed be understood through practice, a beginner can't resist reading up on its storied history, and thanks to the Way of Zen, this is now much easier. Tenshin Fletcher, abbot of a Zen center, and David Scott, a lay practitioner, have brought the whole sweep of Zen into clear focus--from the Buddha's core ideas to the Chinese assimilation, from the role of the cook to Zen in the martial arts. The authors, a Zen priest and a lay practitioner, cover the spectrum of Zen existence, including sections on monasteries as well as the basics of sitting meditation. Encyclopedic in scope but succinct in presentation, Way of Zen is the beginner's way to go. --Brian Bruya

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books; 1st edition (April 11, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312206208
• ISBN-13: 978-0312206208
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,379,286 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Nothing new here!, June 4, 2002

By 

Genryu (London,UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Way of Zen (Hardcover)

Having the pleasure both of knowing and having practised with one of the authors of this book, I expected a lot more. What I found was mediocre, lacking any particular life or relevance. To make matters worse, it's all been done before and done better too. The illustrations are poor quality black and white and seem to be the same set that are recycled through every sub standard coffee table book on Zen.

The authors had a real chance here to write something relevant and interesting, instead this book gives the impression of being written to a formula, in a hurry and for the specific purpose of making a fast buck, rather than drawing us deeper into the world of Zen Buddhist practice. If this book was a creative writing effort one would have to say, "Could do a lot better". I'd suggest that the reader try a book like 'Zen Meditation in Plain English' By Peter Matthiessen and John Daishin Buksbazen instead. It does what it says on the tin and does it with elegance and simplicity.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a good place to start, June 11, 2002

By 

John (Morro Bay, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Way of Zen (Hardcover)

Way of Zen provides a glimpse into the place Zen holds in history and culture, thereby giving the beginner a good point of reference with regard to one of the most dynamic religious traditions existing today. Concise, definitve, and free of rhetoric and jargon. A good read for those previewing the morass of religious practices in contemporary America in hopes of finding what may fit them.