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Susan M Dent
5.0 out of 5 stars great book for those new to zen
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2021
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If you are wanting to learn about zen Buddhism this is the book for you. It is a much more difficult read than many of the popular book by Pema Chodron, or Thich Nyat Hahn, but it teaches about the core system very well. I am rereading it to soak up some of the details that I missed the first time.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding reference book on timeless authentic Zen Buddhism; for the serious Zen student.
Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2019
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Translations of the writings of Japanese Zen Master Koun Yamada. This book is an authentic gate to the serious study of Zen Buddhism. It includes some history of Zen, universally taught Dharma (the Buddha's teachings), backgrounds and teachings of well-known Zen Ancestors/Masters, definitions and explanations of words unique to Zen, basic zazen (Zen meditation) procedures & recommendations, and an excellent Notes section at the end. Throughout his life, Koun Yamada guided the practice, in Japan and in many other parts of the world, of countless Zen monks, nuns, lay & student practitioners, and also guided the zazen practice of interested non-Zen persons as well. This book is essential ancient Zen, written by one of the world's contemporary authorities on Zen. It is now one of my primary reference books. If you are a serious student of Zen Buddhism but have not yet read the book, I definitely encourage you to do so.
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Katherine See-Calacday
5.0 out of 5 stars It is a very good book for beginner students who have questions about Zen ...
Reviewed in the United States on February 29, 2016
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The book explained the Zen practice in the Sanbo-Zen tradition, the hows and why of zazen and sesshin. It is a very good book for beginner students who have questions about Zen and maybe shy to ask their teacher. Or that questions they haven't thought of are answered by this book. And many aspects of Zen and how it relates to life are answered. As this book is a result of years of dokusan (private meeting) of Yamada Kuon Roshi with his many students. So this books helps very much in the Zen practice.
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Lawrence of Cayucos
4.0 out of 5 stars Kensho
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2018
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My short definition of kensho is a radical rearrangement of the view to reality. I think this can also happen gradually over a period of time.
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Daigu Naqsh
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for practitioners.
Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2015
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Yamada Koun Roshi stand by himself with his particular view of the dharma teachings and the zen practice. He gave us valuable and profound teachings with his well known "Gateless Gate". Here he focuses on zen practice (zazen) and insist in his point of the importance of awakening as the real beginning of the zen practice.
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Charlie
5.0 out of 5 stars A Clear Guide to Zen
Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2017
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This is an excellent, practical work that clarifies a lot of Zen thinking. I would recommend it for someone who already has some experience with Zen, just starting out, who needs to be pointed in the right direction.
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Julia
5.0 out of 5 stars Yamada Roshi is the real deal
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2019
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Straight forward book on practice. There are few good zen books and this is one of them.
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yrbndrhall
5.0 out of 5 stars Yamada is a remarkable spokesman for Zen. I found ...
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2016
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Yamada is a remarkable spokesman for Zen. I found the book as meaningful as the written word can be. Linked with his treatment of Mumonkon's "Gateless Gate", they affect a treasury of Zen for the West.
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jogro
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book for Zen students who follow teachers that have ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 30, 2018
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Very good book for Zen students who follow teachers that have originally been trained by Yamada Roshi, disciples in lines like diamond sangha, bodhisangha of Ama Samy, Willigis Jägers sangha and other teachers with training background in Sambo Kyodan school.
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Mr. F. J. Musson
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction and Breadth
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2020
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Really enjoyed this book
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Alexander Rosenzweig
5.0 out of 5 stars Very recommendable book
Reviewed in Spain on October 8, 2017
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It's an extremely valuable book written with a lot of insight in Zen and the relation to modern life and western culture.
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