Here is a comprehensive introduction to Zen Buddhism for those who don't know how or where to begin, nor what to expect once they have started prac...
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Oct 06, 2010
Lon
rated it: 
A very broad, not very deep, introduction. Really, much more of an orientation into Zen practice (sitting meditation, finding a community of practitioners and what to expect when you go to your first sesshin or meditation retreat, etc.) as it was an introduction into Buddhist beliefs and Zen Buddhism in particular. I think I would have preferred buying Suzuki's Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind instead; the stuff in this book could have been found in a half hour of Google surfing. Still, it delivered
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Dec 06, 2008
Justin
rated it: 
Great general introduction to the religion as well as a general description of some other schools of buddhist thought. I especially appreciated the comparison between Mahayana and Therevada Buddhism.
Apr 03, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
This was a Buddhist book that I really was able to get into. It was easy to read and accessible. It made Buddhism interesting and something I wanted to learn more about.
Jul 15, 2008
Haven't I read that before?: While Smith's book is a very good introduction to Zen for Americans who have no background in Buddhism, I have one complaint. In at least two sections, Smith quotes verbatim from her collection Zen 365, without acknowledging the original sources. In Beginners Introduction to Zen, it appears as Smith's own words. In Zen 365, these passages are attributed to someone else. Very disconcerting. Otherwise, it is a competent introduction and I enjoyed reading it.
Dec 16, 2009
Melissa
rated it:
Very practical easy to read introduction with a focus on the practice of Zen Buddhism in the United States.
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