Zen For Americans [Kindle Edition]

Soyen Shaku (Author), Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki (Author, Translator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This is a book of essays by a Zen Buddhist Abbot who visited the United States in 1905-6, translated by another figure who was instrumental in introducing Buddhism to the West, Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki. Originally titled Sermons of a Buddhist Abbot, it has been reprinted in numerous editions as Zen for Americans and is currently in print under that title.

The book includes a translation of The Sutra of Forty-Two Chapters, which was the first Buddhist document translated into Chinese, and which had a huge influence on the development of Zen. Many of the essays are introductions to various Buddhist topics for Christians, and all of them are ideal for a general audience. The two essays which close out the book which discuss the Buddhist attitude towards war and peace, and are of historical interest because they were referenced by Leo Tolstoy in his anti-war declaration.

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 167 KB
• Print Length: 228 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Evinity Publishing Inc; 1.0 edition (July 4, 2009)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B002G99RLG
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #261,492 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #54 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Religion & Spirituality > Buddhism > Sacred Writings

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Introduction, But Beware of Translation Bugs & History, April 30, 2002

By 

J. Kowalski "mumon" (Camas, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zen for Americans (Open Court Paperback) (Paperback)

As a person who trains in a lineage descended from Shaku Soen, I can say that this book helped alot in my understanding of my own lineage. In particluar, the expositions on the Dharma-kaya, on death, and on suffering are very well presented. The sections comparing Buddhism to Christianity alone are worth the price of the book.

That said, however, some of the concepts that are presented, in my opinion, are not rendered well in English. Too often the term "monism" is used, which has implications that have been seized upon by people that would rather create a caricature of Buddhism. ("Non-duality"- not two, and not one- is a better rendering). Unfortunately, Suzuki was an early translator, and this is an early translation of Japanese Buddhist ideas.

In addition, we see in this book some of the infusion of Japanese martial spirit that was later to tarnish Japanese Buddhism, and to provide Westerners with an important koan- how to reconcile the Dharma of compassion and respect for all beings with the militant nature espoused here. There is an answer to this koan, to be sure, but you'll only find the question hinted at here.

So, I'd recommend the book heartily, but the reader should also read other works to get a fuller picture- e.g., Brian Victoria's book on Zen at War, as well as Nagarjuna, and other writers.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A joy to read, September 6, 2008

By 

V. Toth (Budapest, Hungary) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zen for Americans (Paperback)

A collection of lectures originally delivered to Americans between 1905-1906. Fascinating and clear, sometimes offering an explanation of Christian ideas from a Zen Buddhist take.