Thich Nhat Hanh brings his warmth and clarity to this unique explication of Zen Buddhism. Beginning with a discussion of daily life in a Zen monast...
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reviews
Mar 14, 2011
Mqcarpenter
rated it: 
A great look at the foundations of Zen, its basic practices, and its purpose. Hanh offers a very easily read piece that even Westerners with no Buddhist understanding can follow. T
hich Nhat Hanh is a Vietnamese Zen master, poet, and spokesman for the Vietnamese Buddhist peace movement. In 1967 he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King Jr. He is the author of several books, including Peace is Every Step, The Miracle of Mindfulness, and Being Peace.
Thich More...
hich Nhat Hanh is a Vietnamese Zen master, poet, and spokesman for the Vietnamese Buddhist peace movement. In 1967 he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King Jr. He is the author of several books, including Peace is Every Step, The Miracle of Mindfulness, and Being Peace.
Thich More...
Jan 09, 2010
Sean
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If you have not yet, I might recommend reading some of Thich Nhat Hanh's other works before getting to this one. If you're looking for one to start with, The Miracle of Mindfulness is perfect: very practical no matter your own traditions and great to return to again and again. After several years of learning from some of his other books and enjoying my own practice of mindfulness, I was ready to read this one which deals more about the history of Zen practice. It is unlike other books I have
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Nov 06, 2009
D_Davis
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Started reading Zen Keys, by Thich Nhat Hanh this morning on the bus. It was a transcendent experience.
Last night I went to hear a wonderful lecture given by a Jesuit on atheism and religion in the 21st century. He implored religious people to take seriously the talk of Dawkins, Hitchens et al. because, while they are not really saying anything new, they are asking tough questions in provocative ways that demand respect and deep thought. It is through men like them that faith really More...
Last night I went to hear a wonderful lecture given by a Jesuit on atheism and religion in the 21st century. He implored religious people to take seriously the talk of Dawkins, Hitchens et al. because, while they are not really saying anything new, they are asking tough questions in provocative ways that demand respect and deep thought. It is through men like them that faith really More...
Aug 03, 2007
Ian
rated it:
for the most part i enjoyed this book, and it helped a lot to explain some concepts i have read about in other books but was never really clear on. for example, the meaning of all those koans, or at least why i don't get them, and the whole no mind non-being thing. there were a few chapters on the history of the various schools of buddhism and the beginnings of zen that i found somewhat hard to follow, but overall it was definitely worth the time to read.
it was also brutally honest about More...
it was also brutally honest about More...
Jul 29, 2011
Really clear and straight forward writing to help you understand these seemingly complex yet deceptively simple mindsets and mentalities of Zen Buddhists. goes fairly deep into the history, complete with long-hard-to-pronounce names. Very inyteresting read though, really got my brain thinking at moments.
Apr 18, 2011
Stephanie
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I enjoyed this book by Thich Nhat Hanh but not as much as his others. Some of the chapters I found a little difficult to digest, though I thoroughly enjoyed the koans in the last chapter. I borrowed this book from the library, but would consider purchasing it just to have access to the koans.
Feb 15, 2009
Rebecca
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It does its best to be clear about zen and does suceed in some respects on conveying the history of the practise, but to be honest, it wasn't really worth the read. Some of the practises are still confusing, and with life and time so short, reading time should be devoted to better or clearer books.
Dec 17, 2009
Marion
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I love Thich Nhat Hanh and found much wisdom in this book, in which Thich Nhat Hanh tells about the history and practice of Zen in all its forms. To be honest, I got a bit bored with some of the historical information, but I still felt that I got a lot from this book.
May 12, 2007
Michael
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I liked this book, but it was substantially harder to get through than some of his other work. It just wasn't as enjoyable to read as other books on Buddhism I've read. Overall, though, I really like Thich Nhat Hanh's approach to Buddhism and his zen teachings.
Mar 18, 2008
Kyle
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This is practical and wonderful introduction and overview into the practice and philosophy of Zen Buddhism. It provides tangible ways to introduce and practice Zen in one's life--a great starter book for the novice Eastern thinker.
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