Kyle’s Reviews > Manual of Zen Buddhism > Status Update
Kyle
is on page 72 of 192
All joking aside, the tone of Suzuki's analysis and presentation of the Sutras matches the depth and unfathomable thoughts on reality, being and the many opposites that are all not what the Buddha means. Finding a middle path through these examples takes several lifetimes to fully grasp, made all the more confusing with the way the get-out-of-every-evil Kwanzeon Bosatsu get mentioned, yet Tathagata remains a mystery.
— Nov 06, 2017 10:24PM
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Kyle’s Previous Updates
Kyle
is on page 186 of 192
I can see why Suzuki and Jung hit it off so well that the latter would write such a glowing foreword to Daisetsu’s Introduction, seeing as how both of them include imagery for their readers’ contemplation. The final chapter of the Manual has sketches of what to expect to see when visiting a Zen temple in Japan, but rather than explaining everything, hints are dropped about each image’s significance.
— Nov 17, 2017 09:48AM
Kyle
is on page 152 of 192
There is much that I have to learn about the origins of Buddhism in India, China, Tibet and Korea, but it feels like the most fertile ground for Zen practices is found in Japan, with the three masters Dai-o, Daito and Kwanzan poetically pondering the imported meditation practices, admonishing their monks for complicating matters. Muso and Hakuin keep the Zen incense smouldering with the simple life in garden temples.
— Nov 16, 2017 09:20PM
Kyle
is on page 144 of 192
Much like the lesser prequels to a beloved film trilogy, one has to honour and understand the vision of the authors that came before. Chinese Zen Buddhists have plenty of intriguing conversations (and sketches of oxherding) for the mysterious ways and no-ways that would be left behind while Zen goes to Japan. The translated texts here give a fuller picture of the anecdotes presented in Suzuki’s Introduction.
— Nov 15, 2017 05:51PM
Kyle
is on page 23 of 192
Even Suzuki himself seems a bit puzzled by the presence of the Dharanis in Zen Buddhism, claiming it to be a hold-over from the Chinese Zen masters that has no direct relation to Zen practiced in Japan. Reading over the mostly English translation, these prayers for protection from evil spirits seem a little too much rah-rah Buddha than the quiet contemplation over a garden spade one may or may not have in one’s hand.
— Nov 05, 2017 09:58PM
Kyle
is on page 20 of 192
Going beyond a scholarly understanding of the names of those who receive praise and prayers, the first section of this book goes ahead and presents as many of the recitations translated into English, except where only Sanskrit seems to fit. Don’t know what a Sangha is or how many times to adore Kwanzeon? Too bad since you’re not going to learn any more about them in this chapter! Past and future, however, are viewed.
— Nov 04, 2017 11:39AM
Kyle
is on page 12 of 192
After a very insightful lecture at a local Sangha temple, outlining the way in which Buddha awoke, and having read the companion book, Suzuki’s Introduction to Zen Buddhism, it is time to delve a bit deeper into the many ways that have sprung from the Eight-Fold Path. Once again Suzuki is inviting Westerners into understanding the method of monks and how they meditate but seems to be holding back key points.
— Nov 02, 2017 06:46PM
