A Flower Does Not Talk: Zen Essays

by Zenkei Shibayama

These essays by a prominent Zen master are a classic introduction to Zen Buddhism, specifically written for Westerners.

The former abbot of Nanzenji Monastary in Kyoto, the Reverend Zenkei Shibayama, understood Western ways, and, in the early 1970s, prepared these introductory essays for English speakers.

In A Flower Does Not Talk , the author describes the basic characteristics of Zen, the training it calls for, and the Zen Personality, before presenting three typical Zen writings accompanied by informative notes. This book is beautifully illustrated with drawings, photographs of Zen inspired flower arrangements, and paintings by Zen Master Hakuin, is a classic introduction to the core of Buddhist teachings, which provide the basis for the happiness of mankind.

Genres: Buddhism, Zen, Philosophy, Spirituality, Religion, Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Zenkei Shibayama (柴山 全慶 Shibayama Zenkei, 1894 - 1974), a former Abbot of Nanzen-ji, was a Japanese Rinzai master well known for his commentary on the Mumonkan. One of his better-known students is Keido Fukushima, abbot of Tōfuku-ji. Shibayama also taught at Otani University and was the head abbot of the entire Nanzenji Organization, overseeing the administration of over five hundred temples. Due to a number of lecture tours he undertook to the United States in the 1960s, and the translation of several of his books into English, Shibayama was a significant contributor to the establishment of Zen in America.

(from WIkipedia)

Reviews

[Lori Shinkō Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that you will realize now, or try again later. I did both and it was instrumental in my understanding of reflection in koan study and sutra reading. Outstanding. If you don’t get it, just move to what works and come back.

If you read one book as an advanced student, wanting to inquire deeper of the history of Masters knowledge, make it this one.

[Alex Blumenthaler]

Shibayama outlines Zen Buddhism as accessibly as possible, through timeless koans and essays regarding its practice and history. Especially interesting is the commitment of Zen to transcend one set of practices or dogma - one can easily find Zen concepts within Abrahamic religions as they can with Hinduism and Taoism.

Anyone interested in Buddhism, meditation, religion, or mysticism/spirituality will enjoy this.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept on my shelves for 12 long years until my eyes were opened enough to see it, to hear it, to appreciate it. Marvelous, wondrous, words of an enlightened master.

[Frankie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A breath of fresh air.

[Ruskoley · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a sea of "Zen/Zen Buddhism" manuals and guides, this small work manages to stand out. There ends up being a lot of repetition in texts on Zen - every writer/expert/sensei et al. feels they have to re-hash the same key phrases and anecdotes. Or we are given yet another interpretation of very familiar koans or quotes. However, THIS text somehow stands out among all the heaps of others.

The thing that makes this work unique is, I think, the clarity with which the author wrote. He very nicely bridged the gap between esoteric personal experience and the universal experience of Zen. He also very carefully wove these teachings in and around modern religious zeitgeist. Its not overdone, it is very subtle. But the insights here are not belligerent or evangelical, and are probably the most inclusive I've seen in any religious writing in awhile.

Two concepts most emphasized in this are: enlightenment takes lots of work (Cp. Rinzai) and there is a oneness.

[Nelson]

This was, honestly, quite the book I needed to read. It managed to reach me on a fundamental level as someone who reads and attempts to understand Zen and Zen Buddhism and there were passages that fundamentally changed my perception of the world for the better and for my own personal life as well. I was able to let go of a lot of things and heal myself having read this book and I think I'm all the better for it.

[glazeit420 · Rating 5 out of 5]

solid intro to the zen philosophy.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published in the 1960s. Shibayama submits that Zen Buddhism aims at "the innermost spirituality of mankind". He explains how, along its path, the tradition involves particular forms of discipline and relationship, supporting a particular type of character development — "creating firm and sound personalities". Shibayama opined that Zen would be contributive to a planetary human spirituality.

[Jan van Leent · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the excellent introduction to Zen Buddhism.

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