The texts from the Dunhuang Caves, discovered in the mid-twentieth century, are the Zen equivalent of the Dead Sea Scrolls--early texts previously unknown for centuries.Ceasing of Notionsis one such text. The text takes a unique form: a a dialogue or series of questions and answers between two imaginary figures, master Nyuri and his disciple Emmon, in which the disciple boldly and tenaciously asks follow-up question after follow-up question. And these questions prove to be the reader’s very own. Morinaga makes this brilliant and pithy text even more accessible to readers who, like the student in the dialogue, have many questions to ask about their own search for the Way of the Buddha, and their possible attainment of enlightenment. This volume also includes a generous selection from Morinaga’s autobiography. In this very personal, sometimes humorous and ironical reflection, Morinaga Roshi explains why and how, as a young man full of doubt and uncertainly, he chose to devote himself to the Zen monastic practice. In that practice he did not find immediate enlightenment but through long hours of meditation, self inquiry, and the guidance and stimulus of his teacher Zuigan Roshi he came to see that he might, after all, let cease his delusive thinking and awaken to Truth.

Everybody loves Novice to Master! As you'll see in the glowing endorsements and reviews included below, this modern spiritual classic has been embraced by readers of all types. In his singularly humorous and biitingly direct way, Zen abbot Soko Morinaga tells the story of his rigorous training at a Japanese Zen temple, his spiritual growth and his interactions with his students and others. Morinaga's voice is uniquely tuned to the truth of the condition of the human mind and spirit and his reflections and interpretations are unvarnished and succinct. His great gift is the ability to lift the spirit of the reader all the while exposing the humility and weakness in the lives of people, none more so than his own. Read on to see what everyone from Publishers Weekly to well-known Buddhist figures and even New York Times bestselling author Anthony Swofford have to say about this one of a kind book!

This new book, Eloquent Silence, brings depth and breadth to our knowledge and appreciation of this historic figure. For the first time, we can read Nyogen Senzaki's commentaries on the complete Gateless Gate, as well as on several cases from the Blue Rock Collection and the Book of Equanimity; and transcriptions of his talks on Zen, esoteric Buddhism, the Lotus Sutra, what it means to be a Buddhist monk, and many other subjects. Eloquent Silence also includes poems in Nyogen Senzaki's beautiful calligraphic hand (and his own translations); two early letters to his teacher, Soyen Shaku (who represented Japan at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893), as well as a partial autobiography of Soyen Shaku; a series of letters in response to an article by Nyogen Senzaki that was severely critical of the Japanese Zen establishment; and rare photographs. Roko Sherry Chayat has edited Nyogen Senzaki's words with sensitivity and grace, retaining his wry, probing style yet bringing clarity and accessibility to these remarkably contemporary teachings.

The Way to Buddhahood is a compendium of two thousand years of Chinese practice in assimilating and understanding the Buddhist experience of enlightenment. It is the first in-depth explanation of Chinese Buddhism by Yin-shun, the greatest living master of the Chinese scholar-monk tradition. The master's broad scope not only includes the traditional Chinese experience but also ideas from the Tibetan monastic tradition. This is one of those rare classic books that authentically captures an entire Buddhist tradition between its covers.

The notion of 'view' or 'opinion' (ditthi) as an obstacle to 'seeing things as they are' is a central concept in Buddhist thought. Through its argument this book makes a valuable addition to the study of Buddhist philosophy.

For over thirty years, Opening the Hand of Thought has offered an introduction to Zen Buddhism and meditation unmatched in clarity and power. This is the revised edition of Kosho Uchiyama's singularly incisive classic. This new edition contains even more useful material: new prefaces, an index, and extended endnotes, in addition to a revised glossary. As Jisho Warner writes in her preface, Opening the Hand of Thought "goes directly to the heart of Zen practice... showing how Zen Buddhism can be a deep and life-sustaining activity." She goes on to say, "Uchiyama looks at what a person is, what a self is, how to develop a true self not separate from all things, one that can settle in peace in the midst of life." By turns humorous, philosophical, and personal, Opening the Hand of Thought is above all a great book for the Buddhist practitioner. It's a perfect follow-up for the reader who has read Zen Meditation in Plain English and is especially useful for those who have not yet encountered a Zen teacher.

The writings of Zen master Dogen are among the highest achievements not only of Japanese literature but of world literature. Dogen's writings are a near-perfect expression of truth, beautifully expressing the best of which the human race is capable. In this volume, Francis Cook presents ten selections from Dogen's masterwork, the Shobogenzo, as well as six of his own essays brilliantly illuminating the mind of this peerless master.