The Beginner's Guide to Zen Buddhism (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Smith, author of several anthologies of Buddhist writings, sets out in her latest work to equip the curious beginner with the basics needed to practice Zen. She successfully anticipates a novice's questions and problems by including sections not only on how to meditate but on what to expect and how to behave when visiting a Zen practice center. This book has the potential to bring Zen to a wider audience; Smith excels at providing simple, clear explanations and packs a parcel of basic information into a small book. However, this work also epitomizes some of the problems attending Zen's recent popularity in America. Smith shies away from calling Zen a religion, sugarcoating the more religious aspects of Zen practice, such as making offerings or paying respect to one's teacher, in an effort to make them palatable to the Zen consumer. She eschews literal translations of Buddhist verses for liberal ones and skims over the differences between Zen and other Buddhist traditions, leaving readers with a Zen whose complexities and contradictions have been neatly rationalized. One hopes that readers will not be disappointed by the actual practice of Zen communities after digesting the idealized portrait presented here. The book's strong point is its popularization of Zen, but here popularization flirts with oversimplification. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Author and editor Smith has written an excellent, beautifully clear, and carefully illustrated guide to the most famous and popular form of Buddhism in America today. Her guide addresses, in addition to essential Zen teachings, the meaning of zendo, zazen, koans, and many other core beliefs and practices. She also provides an extremely useful chapter of frequently asked questions. It is not an exaggeration to say that this is the book readers should seek to answer the question, "Where should I begin with Zen?" Highly recommended.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; annotated edition edition (February 22, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609804669
• ISBN-13: 978-0609804667
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #235,729 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I have ever read., May 12, 2000

By	Philippe Haddad (miami, florida) - See all my reviews

I am a newcomer to buddhism. After reading this book, I feel like I have a base to work from. What this book did for me, is clarify the most important questions a newcomer can have, such as, what is the goal of buddhism, what is enlightenment,and many other basic questions. I highly recommend this book to anyone with a serious intrest in discovering what buddhism is about.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good, solid read, April 30, 2000

By A Customer

As one curious about Buddhism, I found this book to be very informative. It focuses on the meditative aspect, with an interesting glance at the history of Buddhism, as well as essential tenets...''suffering is caused by our desire for things to be different from the way they are.'' The book is basic, but quite profound in it's impact. If you're exploring Buddhism as a newcomer, this is a good book to begin your library with. My wife is now interested because of Jean Smith.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Misconceptions about this book, May 28, 2003

By	ingndave (San Gabriel,CA) - See all my reviews

Its funny how life long followers of buddhism would consult with this book, as it is for beginners. This book is for someone with little or no knowledge of what path to take. Buddhism is inherently diffucult to begin with, thus a book is of extreme importance to new zennists.No book will encompass all that is needed to know especially a book on Buddhism.This should be considered a introductory on Buddhism.However and i believe the author would agree with me that NO text on buddism is all inclusive. This you take a little from here and a little from there and paint your "own" picture. You didnt learn math from one book did you??