The Three Pillars of Zen

Teaching, Practice, and Enlightenment

By: Roshi Philip Kapleau

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Length: 14 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

In this classic work of spiritual guidance, the founder of the Rochester Zen Center presents a comprehensive overview of Zen Buddhism. Exploring the three pillars of Zen - teaching, practice, and enlightenment - Roshi Philip Kapleau, the man who founded one of the oldest and most influential Zen centers in the United States, presents a personal account of his own experiences as a student and teacher, and in so doing gives listeners invaluable advice on how to develop their own practices. Revised and updated, this edition features a new afterword by Sensei Bodhin Kjolhede, who succeeded Kapleau as spiritual director of the Rochester Zen Center. A moving, eye-opening work, The Three Pillars of Zen is the definitive introduction to the history and discipline of Zen.

©2000 Roshi Philip Kapleau (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"For anyone seriously interested in Zen - this book will be invaluable." ( The Times Literary Supplement)

Narrator insufferable

Good book ruined by the affectations of the narrator. Too bad, I had hoped for a usable audio version.

Very complete

Lots of information in this book. A very thorough examination of Zen Buddhism. Highly recommend.

Just amazing

The ABC of zazen. From beginners on, this one should do for you, if you are on the searching.

Must read for anyone serious about zen

This incredible book offers a unique insight into the heart of true japanese zen. Both equally practical and inspirational this book answers all the questions you might have on your path to zen practice.

The essential work on Zen for Westerners

This volume has become indispensable for Westerners wanting to understand how Zen came to the US.

The voice that speaks to us is that of an interpreted Zen master, seeking to encourage and chide, lead and goad along the path to Zen's ultimate destination.

This book is worthy of a reading and a rereading. It is deeper than most can grasp in one pass.

BOOOORING Narrator, amazing book

I can listen to this for no more than about 15 minutes at a time because I start to zone out because the narrator is so mind-numbingly boring! honestly I'd rather just read it but my ADHD makes that hard so it'll take me a while to finish this book 15 minutes at a time LOL

Will listen to again and again

This is by far the best book I have ever came across on the subject.

Zen explained for the west. Classic Japanese Zen.

I have read many books on Buddhism with a special focus on the practice of Zen. There are many forms of Zen Buddhism depending what traditional beliefs were already in place in the place when Monks came they appreciate tradition so, practices were adjusted, but the same basic message was always the same. We are all Buddha. This book is a translation from one of the last classic Zen Masters in Japan after World war 2. He did a splendid job of explaining what the difference between meditation and Zazen is. and his teachings get deeper and he tells storys that westerners can relate to. My Sanga uses the teachings of this book as the guide for our practice.
The reader was wonderful. he went slow and his perfect pronounciation of the Japanese made it very easy to follow the different name references as well as the formal and informal traditions. I will look for more books read by this person.
The basic core training practices are introduced and explained rather well. A good job was done to stay on point even while in deep dissertation regarding an in depth topic.
this book is my favorite purchase of a digital book and I listen to it often.

A must read

Beautiful in every way, simple to follow, yet deep in its unfolding. A must read.

This is a book to be lived as much as read

It is so well written and the narrator does an excellent job with the voice work. It helps inspire all to do Za Zen in whatever capacity they can. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in wanting to learn more about the world in themselves.