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Being Upright: Zen Meditation and the Bodhisattva Precepts
by
Reb Anderson
Being Upright takes us beyond the conventional interpretation of ethical precepts to the ultimate meaning that informs them. Reb Anderson first introduces us to the fundamental ideas of Zen Buddhist practice. Who was Shakyamuni Buddha and what was his central teaching? What does it mean to be a bodhisattva and take the bodhisattva vow? Why should we confess and acknowledge...more
Hardcover, 256 pages
Published
January 1st 2001
by Rodmell Press
(first published September 1st 2000)
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This was a great, albeit sometimes quirky, book. Perhaps quirky is the wrong word - in hearing Anderson's description of picking up a gun in the park off a corpse, keeping it for a lengthy time, flashing it at a later point.... it's one of those idiosyncratic moments where I honestly can't say how I'd act (the whole series of events is fairly rare), yet also can't fully relate too because I'm not sure that what Reb, being fully Reb, chose to do is what I would do. And that's okay, and *definitel...more
Mar 25, 2010
Frank Jude
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Those curious about a Zen understanding of ethical teaching.
Shelves:
buddhism,
philosophy-ethics
Reb Anderson's commentary on the Bodhisattva Precepts creatively follows the structure of the Bodhisattva Initiation Ceremony. He writes, "When you practice the precepts, meditation comes alive. This integration of precept practice and meditation practice, whether on your cushion, at the workplace, or in a relationship, is what I mean by 'being upright.'"
While much of what he says is clear, and often beautiful, he cannot help himself from falling into zen obscurantism at times. Also, some sectar...more
While much of what he says is clear, and often beautiful, he cannot help himself from falling into zen obscurantism at times. Also, some sectar...more
I just participated in a 3 day meditation retreat and had the opportunity to talk with him about his book.
I found Being Upright to be a very insightful look into the Bodhisattva vows that serve as the ethical underpinning of Zen Buddhism. I would say that the book probably is of most interest to those who are actually considering taking these vows, as I am. Each Chapter breaks down both the conventional and ultimate meaning of such vows such as, "Do not kill", and "Embrace and sustain all being...more
I found Being Upright to be a very insightful look into the Bodhisattva vows that serve as the ethical underpinning of Zen Buddhism. I would say that the book probably is of most interest to those who are actually considering taking these vows, as I am. Each Chapter breaks down both the conventional and ultimate meaning of such vows such as, "Do not kill", and "Embrace and sustain all being...more
I really can't recommend this book enough. It has the best explanation of the Bodhisattva Precepts from a Zen perspective that I have read or heard in dharma talks.
If you are interested in understanding the Zen view on the precepts check this one out.
If you are interested in understanding the Zen view on the precepts check this one out.
view all 5 comments
When I started reading "Being Upright" I felt that Reb had written it directly for me. He answered my questions and encouraged me to move ahead in my practice. If you're wondering about taking the bodhisattva vows, read it, then do it.
The anecdotes were good. The point of the chapters could have been made in a single paragraph, and there was a lot of abstract concepts and wordiness going on. I did get something out of it, though.
This book was OK, wasn't fantastic though. Most of the koans/stories represented in the book I've read in the past. The premise of this book was great - that is, the overview of the precepts. My main issue with the book was that it was incredibly redundant. Some redundancy is OK, but this book was entirely too long given what was covered. One really nice thing that I did like about this book was the fact that it covered a lot about the SFZC- as well as some of the politics that happened there. I...more
I liked this book. I didn't love it. I'm glad I borrowed it from the library. For more:
http://satia.blogspot.com/2010/05/bei...
http://satia.blogspot.com/2010/05/bei...
An essential text for anyone following the path of jukai, aka. the taking of the precepts.
This isn't an autobiography but is it too much to ask that Reb be more transparent about his motivation for stealing the gun from the dead man he encountered that day while jogging? Isn't a violation of the precepts to take what is not given? I can relate to some of what he says about this episode. It's hard to come clean about something so weird and embarrassing. But it would be the upright thing to do.
This offers an in-depth look at the great bodhisattva precepts, not just by the vows alone, but how to effectually enact them in all aspects of life.
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