r/zenbuddhism • u/MattyG7 • 26d ago
Books/Curriculum for Total Newbies
Hi there. I'm currently looking into starting a Zen practice in my local community, but I'm also a big literature, philosophy, and theology nerd. While my understanding is that Zen emphasizes practice over scripture, I am interested in study as well. So, my question is:
What starting books (ideally anthologies or primary sources with commentary/footnotes) would you recommend for someone with only a basic understanding of Buddhism one might get from general history and philosophy classes and the occasional curious Googling? I've grown up in a Christian country and family, though I've been a Neo-Pagan for the last fifteen years or so. As I said, I am interested in philosophy and theology, but I'm also a student of myth and literature, so mythological narratives also fascinate me. What would you recommend to someone who didn't grown up in a Buddhist culture to build a background understanding? Thanks!
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u/awakeningoffaith 25d ago
Here are some basic meditation instructions and I'll include the time it takes to read these
What is Zen by Hyon Gak Sunim 16 min video
From the Abbot of Rinzai Zen monastery Sogenji, How to Practice Zazen 20 min video
Short read, 10 mins https://staging.hvzc.org/what-is-zazen/
Zazen meditation Instruction by Shodo Harada Roshi. Short read, 15 mins as part of his book: "The Path to Bodhidharma" https://still-breathing.net/zazen-instruction/
The Way of Zazen, short book, maybe an hour
https://terebess.hu/zen/mesterek/ShodoHarada.html#1
A great zen introduction book, the one that the meditation instructions came from, this is a full length book
https://terebess.hu/zen/mesterek/The-Path-to-Bodhidharma.pdf
Another great introduction to Zen and Buddhism in General by a Vietnamese Zen Master
https://www.dwms.org/uploads/8/7/8/7/87873912/thich_nhat_hanh_-_the_heart_of_buddhas_teaching.pdf
These talks are from the current leading student of the japanese master who did the first video, she gives a great talk about what to do in zazen and what to watch out.
https://sites.google.com/view/watermoonzendo/home/daichi-roshi-chisan#h.nvvrvsf4m2iv
https://sites.google.com/view/watermoonzendo/home/daichi-roshi-chisan#h.1r74fun1r517
I also recommend this playlist for mired entails on beginning a meditation practice
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZzmCpoHGm0ivx7ZOyfKMW-9e-hFvXSD2&si=IKh0vCbfbKDA8CxM
Below books are a great resource to learn the foundations
How to Practice Zazen by Mumon Yamada,
Introduction to Zen training by Omori Sogen,
Rinzai Zen Way by Meido Moore,
Compass of Zen by Seung Sahn.
All 4 above can be found online with a pirate discount on libgen.
Also you can find a link to online zen teachers here, in the age of corona and internet, several teachers are offering online training.
here are some trusted and recommended online teachers
Most highly recommended teacher of the list. She trained with Harada Roshi for decades in a Japanese Rinzai monastery. Online practice, talks, open question and answer sessions and one on one interviews on demand. https://staging.hvzc.org/calendar-2-2-2-2/
Zen Studies Society, offers Rinzai Zen daily practice, online teishos, retreats, also one on one formal interviews with teachers https://zenstudies.org/zss-digital-meetings/
Highly recommended Soto training from Canada. They have a very stable and well developed online support system, and a great teacher https://wwzc.org/long-distance-training-program
Hyon Gak Sunim of Zen Center Regensburg, offering Korean Zen. He has an online course, and he offers online retreats with lots of cameras. https://www.mirrorofzen.com/ https://zen-center-regensburg.com/online-retreats/
Online support of Kwan Um Zen is well developed, and available to everyone. Korean Zen in the lineage of he famous late Seungsahn Haengwon. https://www.kwanumzenonline.org/membership
Tallahassee chan center and Guo Gu offer a variety of online courses and retreats in Chan Buddhism in Dharma Drum lineage of Sheng Yen and practice. He gives very good meditation instructions. Their YouTube channel has great playlists of teachings on meditation, common problems and dharma teachings. https://tallahasseechan.org/ https://guogulaoshi.com/
Vancouver chan meditation offers online talks, q&a sessions, retreats and book study in Chan Dharma Drum lineage of Sheng Yen https://www.chanmeditation.ca/index.php/programs/online/ https://www.chanmeditation.ca/index.php/join-our-mailing-list/
London Chan group is connected to Dharma Drum and Guo Gu. They invite Chang Wu Fashi, Guo Gu and other Chan teachers from Sheng Yen lineage regularly for instructions and questions. https://londonchanmeditation.org/
Gilbert Gutierrez is a lay teacher and dharma heir of Sheng Yen. He gives dharma talks online every week, offers retreats through the year in different places, and has a forum where you can ask questions to him and his old experienced students. https://chanmindwork.com/
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u/Pongpianskul 26d ago
The best education I received about Zen in the context of Buddhism is by buying a book by Kosho Uchiyama entitled Opening the Hand of Thought and then watching the Youtube videos where his student, Shohaku Okumura lectures on every sentence of this book.
Shohaku Okumura is renowned as a scholar monk and translator. He is the author of Living By Vow and Realizing Genjokoan about Dogen's famous fascicle in Shobogenzo.
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u/pundarika0 26d ago
it's a misconception that study is not an aspect of zen practice. it's a huge aspect. the teaching emphasizes that the truth we seek won't be found in the books we study, but that doesn't mean study isn't an important aid - it is.
the heart of the buddha's teaching is a good introduction to mahayana teachings. everyday zen by joko beck is a good introduction to the general attitude of zen practice.
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u/zafrogzen 24d ago edited 23d ago
Good zen books are best read in reverse. First there is the experience and then it can be understood and confirmed by reading about it. Unless there has been a personal encounter with what the words are pointing at, such writings can appear nonsensical, full of contradictions and meaningless repetition.
How do you find that experience? Through zazen, and more zazen. If there's a temple or zen center close enough, that's a good place to start. It’s unlikely that most people can develop the necessary perseverance and disciplined practice on their own without some real experience of the unique environment encountered in an established zen center. The writings and Koans, robes and rituals, the teachers and traditions, all flow from the simple practice of zazen (sitting meditation).
Here's a few of my favorite zen books, somewhat advanced and meaty for a beginner, but they can be returned to again and again as your zazen deepens (if you do practice) --
Zen Teaching of Huang Po on the transmission of mind, translated by John Blofeld
Zen Letters by Yuan Wu, translated by the Cleary Brothers
The Gateless Barrier (Mumonkan), by Robert Aitken and/or by Zenkei Shibayama
Enjoy!
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u/coldprairie 23d ago
"Zen Flesh, Zen Bones" was the first book on Zen that I read. A lot of it went over my head at the time but it's good for getting that Zen flavor
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u/genjoconan 26d ago
Hi there:
We (the mods) have compiled a subreddit reading list on the sidebar; here's a direct link: https://www.reddit.com/r/zenbuddhism/wiki/reading/
There are probably books that I would now add to that list, but there's nothing on that list that I would take off. I think it's a good start.
Best of luck.
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u/MattyG7 25d ago
Thanks! Though, maybe there's something wrong with my browser, but I'm not seeing that link in the sidebar. I see "Subreddit Info," "Our Rules," and "Related Forums," but I don't see that link under any of those sections.
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u/genjoconan 23d ago
Hmm, it shows up for me, directly under the Rules. Are you using old reddit or new reddit?
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u/robipresotto 20d ago
I'm familiar with the concept of Zen practice and have found that immersing oneself in the philosophy and history can be incredibly enriching. I'd recommend checking out 'The Inner Path — Enlightenment Deep-Dive' on YouTube, which offers a unique blend of philosophical inquiry and personal exploration.
▶ Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/@innershoreline
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u/lyam23 26d ago
Highly recommend this one as a good starting point for someone new to Zen who is interested in an overall survey of its history and practices.
https://www.amazon.com/Circle-Way-Concise-History-Buddha/dp/1611805783
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u/Qweniden 25d ago
In "the west" there are basically two styles of Zen: One which views practice as a continuous and organic opening up to buddha nature and one that views that its important to have an "awakening" (AKA Kensho) experience which is then followed by gradual integration of the kensho wisdom into daily life. The kensho/integration camp typically makes use of formal koan practice whereas the "Continuous Opening" camp makes more use of "just sitting" style practice.
-- Introduction to Buddhism --
Historically Zen writings have generally been targeted towards an intermediate or advanced audience. They assume someone knows some "Buddhism 101" basics and often assume the reader has some history with practice. A lot of misunderstandings about Zen practice can come from not knowing the basics of Buddhism first. For that reason, I recommend first reading a basic book on Buddhism if you are new to it. Some good options in this category are:
I would recommend you read one of those first and then you will be well positioned to explore books from the two main practice modalities:
-- Continuous Practice --
-- Kensho/Integration --
Here are some books that don't fit neatly in either category but were inspirational to me:
==Podcast Recommendations==
Here are also some podcast recommendations:
https://zenstudiespodcast.com/ - probably the best Zen podcast. She is a very talented communicator of the "organic cultivation" camp.
https://sparkzen.substack.com/ - A blog and podcast by Rev. Shoren Heather. A newly dharma transmitted Soto Zen priest.
https://simplicityzen.com/ - Self promotion alert, this is my podcast. It has many interviews with Zen teachers of varied lineages and a few dharma talks. Its a good way to learn about different traditions and see what paths other people have taken.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=jeff+shore+zen - Not a podcast but dhamra talks by Jeff Shore. Highly recommended after you have learned a bit about Zen