Of all the many sects of Buddhism, it is Zen, with its roots so deeply embedded in the soul of Japanese history, that has made the most vivid and enduring impression upon the character and culture of Japan, and has also most aroused the interest of the West. And yet, with its teaching of its 'vast emptiness,' its 'satori-awakening,' and its riddle-like 'koan,' Zen is probably the most difficult of all Buddhist beliefs to interpret. Certainly only such an author as Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki, the world's leading authority on Zen, could have achieved what he so successfully does achieve in the few pages of the this book, which is a distillation of his profouund knowledge of the subject: a masterly and easily understod summation of this seemilnly yet profoundly religion. The aim of Zen, explains, the author, is to discard all the external impedimenta with which the intellect seeks to weigh down the soul, and to see directly into the inmost nature of man's being. He shows how this is accomplished through Zen practice and, in explaining Zen monastery life, makes clear the important role that manual labor and alms begging play in the eventual liberation of the mind-body. Tracing the history of Zen from its beginnings in India and China to its full flowering in Japan, he presents many short Zen stories and episodes to illustrate the central tenets of this teaching. In the later part of the book the author treats of the history and characteristics of Japanese Buddhism in general, elucidating one of the world's most vital religions and making clear the place of Zen within this larger whole. Lending added interest to the excellent text are numerous photographs concerning Zen and Buddhism. The series showing life in a Zen monastery, taken especially for this book, well illustrates the role of simplicity and austerity in Zen. About the author Zen Buddhism has of recent years been arousing the keenest of interest both ithe United States and Europe. And it is the author of the present volume, Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki, who has contributed greatly to ths Western awakening to one of the Orient's ancient and profuound religions. Now nearly ninety, the author is certainly the most celebrated and eloquent interpreter of Zen anywhere in the world. After teaching at several of Japan's leadng universities, he enlarged his acivites to a truly international scale. Beginning with a visit to Great Britain in 1936 as an exchange professor, he has lectured at various universities in America and Europe. He has also written more that a hundred works on Zen and Buddhism both in Japanese and in Englilsh, and a number of these works have been translated into other Western languages. Recent books in English include Introduction to Zen Buddhism: Living by Zen; Manual of Zen Buddhism; Studies in Zen Buddhism; Zen Buddhism; Mysticism: Christian and Buddhist. While a young man, the author lived as a lay Buddhist disciple i the Engakuji, Kamakura's great Zen monastery. After diligent and strenuous training, he experienced satori-awakening and received from his master, the renowned Shaku Soyen, the Zen name of 'Daisetz' in recognition of is attainment of Zen understanding. For his outstanding contributions in the field of religion and in the promotion of Japanese culture abroad he was decorated by the Emperor of Japan in 1949 with the Cultural Medal and was elected as a member of the Academy of Japan. In 1954 he was the Asahi Cultural Prize. Japan Travel Bureau: Publishers Tokyo, Japan. Charles E. Tuttle Company: Distributors Tokyo, Japan & Rutland, Vermont Contents Preface Part One Zen Buddhism I What is Zen? Not Dhyana but Prajna II The development of Zen III Schools of Zen IV The Satori-experience V Heaven, nature, emptiness VI The training in Zen Part Two Japanese Buddhism I The two main schools of Buddhism II The development of Japanese Buddhism III Some einent persons in Japanese Buddhism IV Buddhism and Japanese culture Suggestions for further reading Index

This book is a study of Zen Buddhism by Daisetz Suzuki, a well-known interpreter of Zen Buddhism to the Western world, who has lectured at universities in Japan, Europe and America.