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  • The Three Pillars of Zen

  • Teaching, Practice, and Enlightenment
  • By: Roshi Philip Kapleau
  • Narrated by: Sean Runnette
  • Length: 14 hrs and 27 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (417 ratings)

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The Three Pillars of Zen

By: Roshi Philip Kapleau
Narrated by: Sean Runnette
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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)

What listeners say about The Three Pillars of Zen

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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Narrator insufferable

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

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1 person found this helpful

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Very complete

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

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Just amazing

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

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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.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The most useful book about Zen I've read

The most interesting parts were the dokusan and personal kensho descriptions. The details of sesshin gave me the a sense of monotonity, which might be a general phenomenon in Zen in order to "ripen" the mind. This phenomenon might be the reason why books on Zen keep repeating the same ideas; this book is no exception, but I don't see this as a problem any more (it bothered me when I read Beginner's Mind). I think this book encourages the reader to start practicing without thinking too much about the details and excuses.

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go for it

Very good book to understand basics of theory, posture and experiences of practitioners. veey well read too. Enjoyed it immensely

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An incredible introduction into Zen

At over 14 hours this book goes beyond an introduction and was a joy to listen to. Not only does it provide an in depth analysis of zazen but has many stories of students reaching enlightenment. I have read many books on Buddhism but this is in my top 3.

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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.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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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

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Will listen to again and again

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

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