The Elements of Zen

by David Scott, Tony Doubleday

The Zen way to self-knowledge is a search beyond the fetters of a logical mind toward an understanding of our own true selves. Through meditation techniques and the study of koans-startling paradoxes which cannot be solved by rational thought-a Zen student can produce calmness, clarity, and concentration which ultimately leads to enlightenment.

The Elements of Zen explains:
- The essence of Zen and how it developed
- Its meditation and unique teaching methods
- The energy, freedom, and wit of this widely practiced branch of Buddhism
- The koans and stories of the Zen masters that express its non-intellectual, no-mind approach
- Zen in daily life and in the martial arts

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Philosophy, Zen, Buddhism

136 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Note: There are more than one authors named "David Scott". This is David 9^ Scott (9 blanks)

Reviews

[Adriana Scarpin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edição de Elementos do Zen com figuras e tudo com figuras é mais bacana.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're looking to study the beginnings and nature of Zen this would be a good book to pick up. It seems to be mainly for study though it reads like a textbook. I think the purpose of this is to help anybody to understand the nature and what it means to bring. This book tries to take away the assumptions that come with many people thinking that by practicing Zen they can make a major change in their life (i.e. become a better person, release anxiety, enduce happiness) when this book stresses, while it does tend to help in these matters, that this isn't the essential goal of practicing Zen.

Great to pick up for reference. Not formatted to keep one completely interested but a really good source of information especially for beginners or those just curious about the way of Zen.

[Jared · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay-ish, albeit redundant Zen primer in the Harada-Yasutani lineage. Taking the Path of Zen by Robert Aitken or Three Pillars of Zen by Koun Yamada and Philip Kapleau give the same information with more gravitas and detail. Also, I’m pretty sure the authors’ Dharma grandfather Taizan Maezumi Roshi wrote several introductory texts, making this work all the more superfluous.

I’ll give the authors the benefit of the doubt in regards to their teacher Dennis Merzel. This book was published years before his sex scandal and Big Mind™ hooey.

[Andrea Ratti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Piccolo manuale introduttivo al vasto mondo dello Zen; il tema del Buddismo Zen viene affrontato da un punto di vista leggero e scorrevole, facilmente comprensibile da qualunque "occidentale medio". L'impronta data dal testo, �� sicuramente orientata alla corrente Soto, mantenendo comunque alcune tracce fondamentali di Rinzai. Tuttavia, come ogni manuale, "Lo Zen" deve essere considerato come una semplice introduzione, lasciando a testi pi�� specifici e profondi lo studio ulteriore del Buddismo Zen.

[Chris Power · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for a book to help me understand what Zen was all about. I don't really have a desire to dedicate myself to Zen, but I did want to understand it better. This book took me through the basics of za-zen and more. It's a good introduction to Zen philosophy, but will not satisfy your palate for anything beyond that. It's an easy read, though a bit dry now and again. I think it accomplishes what it set's out to do: help you become familiar to the elements of Zen.

[Morgan.elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wanted to get a background on the history and practice of zen. This book was similar to a philosophical textbook with confusing metaphors and anecdotes. Regarding the actual practice of zen, this book does give a nice overview for an introduction. Would recommend to those wishing to understand the practice, but to learn the history/purpose of zen I would look to other sources.

[Daniel Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compared to other books I've read on zen and inner wisdom and guidance, this is sort of middle of the road. However, it has enough to get one thinking and contemplating. It is written more like an introduction and wet's the appetite just fine for more.

[Zia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent summary of main principles and ideas, according to my opinion quite suitable for someone who never heard of them but is interested.

[Hollie Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic introduction to the concepts and practices of Zen Buddhism.