Toward a Philosophy of Zen Buddhism

by Toshihiko Izutsu

Zen experience defies all thinking and linguistic description and simply affirms what is evidently real: "The ordinary way—that precisely is the Way." After questioning the nature of reality, the Zen student discovers that what remains is what is. Although it seems that Zen would not lend itself to philosophical discussion, that all conceptualization would dissolve in light of this empiricism, in this volume, the author demonstrates that the "silence" of Zen is in fact pregnant with words.

A variety of topics are discussed: the experience of satori, ego and egolessness, Zen sense and nonsense, koan practice, the influence of Zen on Japanese painting and calligraphy and much more.

Genres: Philosophy, Buddhism, Zen, Religion

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Toshihiko Izutsu was a university professor and author of many books on Islam and other religions. He taught at the Institute of Cultural and Linguistic studies at Keio University in Tokyo, the Imperial Iranian Academy of Philosophy in Tehran, and McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

Reviews

[Chant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite being a tradition that could be said to be "anti-philosophy" or "anti-intellectual", Izutsu does the unthinkable (no pun intended) and makes it a rich philosophical/metaphysical system. An absolute gem of a book that is not "pop Eastern philosophy" or oversimplified, which is a godsend for academic philosophers.

[Yvonne Mairinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book on zen philosophy ever - a MUST read!

[Carlos Alberto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spanish edition: Very good book, amazing actually!

[Natan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.