thezensite
http://www.thezensite.com
a site dedicated to a better understanding of Zen, its history, its teachings and its philosophy; new additions to the site are linked to this feedenthezensitehttp://www.thezensite.com/graphics/Daruma_Hakuin1.gif
http://www.thezensite.com
"The Emperor's New Clothes: The Buddhist Military Chaplaincy in Imperial Japan and Contemporary America"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/CriticalZen/Buddhist_Military_Chaplaincy.pdf
thezensite: Zen Essays; Critical Zen page Victoria looks at how the Buddha Dharma is interpreted to allow Buddhist chaplains to emgage on the battlefield in both Japan and contemporary American armed forces.]]>
"An Ethical Critique of Wartime Zen:"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/CriticalZen/An_Ethical_Critique_of_Wartime_Zen.pdf
thezensite: Zen Essays; Critical Zen page Brian explores the ethical implications of Japanese Zen masters during (and before) the Pacific War and questions the validity of the Zen school as part of Buddhism, given the appaling behaviour of so many prominent Japanese Zen masters. from Journal of the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies, Vol. 9]]>
"Reflections of a Zen Buddhist Nun"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenBookReviews/Reflections_of_a_Zen_Buddhist_Nun.pdf
thezensite: Zen Books Reviewed Page This book by Kim Iryop is reviewed by Eric S Nelson; from: Philosophy East and West, Vol. 66, No. 3 ]]> "The Buddhist Refusal of Theism"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/Philosophical/Buddhist_Refusal_of_Theism.html
thezensite: Zen Essays; Philosophical pageKapstein looks at the Buddhist attitude towards a God Creator and notes that Buddhists consider it "to be no more than an irrelevant distraction from the practical problem posed by the experience of suffering in our world." Diogenes 2005; 52; 61 ]]> "Paradox, Breakthrough and the Zen Koan"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenTeachings/KoanStudies/ParadoxBreakthroughAndTheZenKoan.pdf
thezensite: Zen Essays; Koan Studies Page This is a brief excerpt from John Tarrant's book Bring Me the Rhinoceros (Harmony, 2004) ]]> "Did the Buddha Believe in Karma and Rebirth?"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/Philosophical/Did_the_Buddha_Believe_in_Karma.pdf
thezensite: Zen Essays; Philosophical Page Bronkhorst investigages the early sayings of the Buddha to try to determine the Tathagata's position on these two key concepts. from the Journal of International Association of Buddhist Studies, Volume 21 • Number 1 • 1998 ]]> "Dogen's Raihaitokuzui and Women Teaching in Sung Ch'an"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/DogenStudies/Dogens_Raihaitokuzui.pdf
thezensite: Zen Essays; Dogen Studies page Levering explores Dogen's relationship regarding women in the sangha and the role women played in Chinese Chan. from Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies Volume 21 • Number 1 • 1998 ]]>
"The Hermeneutics of Chan Buddhism: Reading Koans from The Blue Cliff Record"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenTeachings/KoanStudies/Hermeneutics_of_Chan_Buddhism.pdf
thezensite: Zen Essays; Philosophical page This paper explores the inner logic of Chan cognition and behaviour to try to make koans understandable to general readers. Are enlightened masters the only ones to adequately interpret an encounter or a Chan text? from Asian Philosophy Vol. 21, No. 4, November 2011, pp. 373–393 ]]>
"Easternization of the East? Zen and Spirituality as Distinct Cultural Narratives in Japan"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/Philosophical/zen-and_spirituality.pdf
thezensite: Zen Essays; Philosophical page This article aims to investigate how and to what extent "Zen" and "spirituality" are related as narratives and religious practices in a contemporary Japanese context. While there are overlaps, it is argued that the two domains are separate and that such a division is based on general differences in culturally constrained narratives (Western/Japanese, Zen/spirituality). Besides focusing on a concrete Japanese context, the article also contributes to research on global and transnational (Zen) Buddhism as well as to the field of comparative spirituality. from Journal of Global Buddhism Vol. 16 (2015): 70-93 ]]>
"The Dragon Girl and the Abbess of Mo Shan"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/HistoricalZen/The_Dragon-Girl-and-the-Abbess-of-Mo-Shan.pdf
thezensite: Zen Essays; Historical Zen page Levering looks at the attitude towards women in the Ch'an (and Zen) tradition. While some thought women incapable of full enlightenment, masters such as Ta-hui Tsung-kao and Dogen disagreed with this assertion. from The Journal Of The International Association Of Buddhist Studies, Vol 5, No. 1, 1982 ]]>
"Putting a Price on Zen: The Business of Redefining Religion for Global Consumption"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/Miscellaneous/putting-a-price-on-zen.pdf
thezensite: Zen Essays; Miscellaneous page Irizarry looks at how the term 'zen' has been turned into a marketing tool. He outlines "the historical and cultural factors which have contributed to the dramatic semiotic transformation of Zen in the popular imagination and international media" resulting in "Zen becoming an ideal marketing byword—one that is freely appropriated and commoditized in a manner that differentiates Zen from almost all other religious traditions." from JOURNAL OF GLOBAL BUDDHISM Vol. 16 (2015): 51-69 ]]>
"The Role of History in Chan/Zen Enlightenment"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/HistoricalZen/Role_of_History_in_Chan.pdf
thezensite: Zen Essays; Historical Zen page Tao discusses Zen enlightenment as a historical narraative by analysing Dale Wright's book Philosophical Meditations on Zen Buddhism. ]]>
"The First Buddhist Council"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/Historical Zen/First_Buddhist_Council.html
thezensite: Zen Essays; Historical Zen page Suzuki taps into a variety of ancient Chinese sources to give a summary of the historical First Buddhist Council led by Mahakasyapa. Originally published in The Monist, 1904.]]>
"MINDFULNESS AND MINDLESSNESS IN EARLY CHAN"
http://buddhiststudies.berkeley.edu/people/faculty/sharf/documents/Sharf_Mindfulness%20and%20Mindlessness.pdf
thezensite: Historical Zen page Sharf investigates early Chan meditation practice. As he points out, "It may ... come as a surprise to learn just how little is known about the meditation techniques associated with the "founders" of this tradition"]]>
"Dogen Casts Off "What": An Analysis of Shinjin Datsuraku"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/DogenStudies/Dogen_Casts_Off_What.html
thezensite: Zen Essays; Dogen Studies page Heine does a critical analysis of Dogen's 'casting off body and mind (shinjin datsuraku)' questioning, did Dogen's teacher, Ju-ching, really say this or did Dogen mis-hear what his teacher said? from The Journal Of The International Association Of Buddhist Studies Vol 9, 1986 No. 1 Highly recommended.]]>
"Violence-Enabling Mechanisms in Buddhism"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/CriticalZen/Violence-Enabling_Mechanisms.pdf
thezensite: Zen Essays; Critical Zen page Brian Victoria looks at how certain religious doctrines, including Buddhism, can be manipulated to justify violence. The article offers "a challenge to all who believe that Buddhism is solely a religion of peace." ]]>
"Human Actions Illustrated in Zen's Ox-Herding Pictures"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/Philosophical/HumanAction_in_Ox-Herding_Pictures.pdf
thezensite: Zen Essays Philosophical page Yong Zhi explores the famous Ten Ox_Herding pictures. ]]>
"Study On The Philosophy And Architecture Of Zen Buddhism In Japan: On syncretism religion and monastery arrangement plan"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/Miscellaneous/Study_Philosophy_and_Architecture_Zen_Buddhism_Japan.pdf
thezensite: Zen Essays Miscellaneous page During the process of spreading of Zen Buddhism there were influences experienced by two Chinese great religions, Tao and Confucian. This study discusses the philosophy and architectural aspects of the Zen monastery arrangement plan. Zen Buddhism is syncretism from Taoism and Confucianism. The layout plan of the Zen monastery temple principally was placed on a single axis and facing south. The typical layout plan was borrowed from the architecture of the Chinese monastery. from Dimensi Teknik Arsitektur Vol. 30, No. 1, Juli 2002: 54 - 60 ]]>
"Zengo Nyumon: An Introduction to Zen Words and Phrases"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenTeachings/KoanStudies/Zengo.pdf
thezensite: Koan Studies page This text consists of 100 words and phrases selected by Dr. Kusumoto for exegesis from a variety of sources, but particularly from classic koan collections like the Blue Cliff Record, the Gateless Barrier, and the Book of Serenity, as well as from the collected writings or sayings of renowned Zen Masters from both China and Japan, like Zen Masters Linji and Dogen, or, again, from the poetry of such as Han Shan (Cold Mountain) and others. A useful guide. ]]>
"Beautiful Women Dig Graves": Richard Baker-roshi,Imported Buddhism, and the Transmission of Ethics at the San Francisco Zen Center"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/CriticalZen/Beautiful_Women_Dig_Graves.pdf
thezensite: Critical Zen page Bivins re-visited the well-documented case of Richard Baker-roshi's misbehaviour at the San Francisco Zen Center and proffers the theory that American Zen has not adopted Zen ethics within its practice. ]]>
"The Existential Moment:Rereading Dogen's Theory of Time"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/DogenStudies/Raud_The_Existential_Moment.pdf
thezensite: Dogen Studies page Tackling one of Dogen's most philosophical writings, his theory on time, Uji, Raud reinterprets Dogen's Uji "with stress on the momentary rather than the durational" aspects of Dogen time. A challenging but rewarding essay. ]]>
"Inside the Concept: Rethinking Dōgen's Language"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/DogenStudies/Inside_the_Concept_Rethinking_Dogen_Language.pdf
thezensite: Dogen Studies page This article places Dōgen's writing technique in the context of the linguistic changes that were taking place both in China and Japan at the time of his writing as well as the general attitude of Chan/Zen thinkers toward language, arguing that the Chan/Zen critique was not pointed to language as such, but its reified and alienated forms. Dōgen's concept-making could accordingly be seen as an effort to keep language 'alive.' ]]>
"Zen Koans as Myths"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/Philosophical/ZenKoans_as_Myths.pdf
thezensite: philosophical essays page Jungian psychotherapist Shields looks at how "Jung's methods of seeking wisdom in myth are applied to Zen koans to explore the process of individuation." ]]>
"The Zen of Anarchy: Japanese Exceptionalism and the Anarchist Roots of the San Francisco Poetry Renaissance"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/Miscellaneous/The_Zen_of_Anarchy.pdf
thezensite: miscellaneous Zen essays page Brown explores the political origins and implications of Beat Zen anarachism focusing on the writings of Gary Snyder, Philip Whalen, Alan Watts and D. T. Suzuki. ]]>
"Zen Masters on the Battlefield"
http://japanfocus.org/-Brian-Victoria/4145
thezensite: critical zen essays page In this second of two parts, Brian Victoria, author of Zen at War, looks at the actions and attitudes of Zen Master Nakajima Genjō (1915-2000) towards war. ]]>
"Zen Masters on the Battlefield"
http://japanfocus.org/-Brian-Victoria/4133
thezensite: critical zen essays page In the first of two parts, Brian Victoria, author of Zen at War, looks at the actions and attitudes of Sawaki Kōdō Roshi towards war. ]]>
"The Adaptation of Max Weber's Theories of Religion in Japan"
http://www.thezensite.com/non_Zen/weber.pdf
thezensite: non-zen essays page Makoto and Hiroshi look at the influence the German philosopher/sociologist had on religious theories in Japan in three distinct eras: Pre-WW II, Post WW II to the 1960's and from the 1970's to the present as well as who the major players were in these eras. ]]>
"Matsumoto Shirõ's Transition from "Critical Buddhism" to "Critical Theology""
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/CriticalZen/After_the_Storm-Heine.pdf
thezensite: Critical Zen Although nominally a review of Matsumoto Shirō’s Dōgen shisō ron (Studies of Dōgen’s thought)Heine covers much more ground, giving a good outline of the Critical Buddhism debate and history. If you are interested in the 'critical Buddhism' debate, a worthy read. ]]>
"A Zen Nazi in Wartime Japan: Count Durckheim and his Sources;D.T. Suzuki, Yasutani Hakuun and Eugen Herrigel"
http://japanfocus.org/-Brian-Victoria/4063
thezensite: Critical Zen This is the final of a three part series by Brian Victoria (author of Zen at War) that examines in some detail D. T. Suzuki's relationship with with fascism and Nazi Germany. A searing indictment of one of Zen's most beloved proselyter. ]]>
"Particular and Universal: Problems posed by Shaku Soen's "Zen""
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/HistoricalZen/ProblemsPosedbyShakuSoensZen.pdf
thezensite: Historical Zen This examines the mystical teachings of one of Zen's most important proselytizers. Soen brought Zen to America at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893 and was a teacher of DT Suzuki. Thompson explores Soen's 'mystical' side. ]]>
"Japanese Zen Schools and the Transition to Meiji: A Plurality of Responses in the Nineteenth Century"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/HistoricalZen/Japanese_Zen_Schools.pdf
thezensite: Historical Zen This article scrutinizes the lives of specific figures affiliated with the three main Zen traditions; it presents firsthand information on their activities from the end of the Tokugawa period through the first decades of the Meiji era. ]]>
"The Essence of Mahayana Practice"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenTeachings/Translations/Essence-of-Mahayana-Practice.pdf
thezensite: Translations & Sutras This is a fundamental teaching by Boddhidharma and includes notes and gathas. ]]>
"The Tathāgatagarbha Theory Reconsidered: Reflections on Some Recent Issues in Japanese Buddhist Studies"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/HistoricalZen/Tatagatagarbha-Theory-Reconsidered.pdf
thezensite: Historical Zen Jikidõ gives a brief, albeit highly technical, exposition of some of the controversies surrounding The Tathāgatagarbha Theory and he gives a background to its creation. ]]>
"Buddhacarita: In Praise of Buddha's Acts"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenTeachings/Translations/Buddhacarita_2009.pdf
thezensite: Translations & Sutras This 272 page pdf document is part of the BDK English TripiPaka Series conducted by the Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research. The Buddhacarita (Buddha's Acts) is a complete biography of Śākyamuni, from his birth until after his death, when his relics were distributed. ]]>
"Christianity is for rubes; Buddhism is for actors": U.S. media representations of Buddhism in the wake of the Tiger Woods' scandal
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/Miscellaneous/US_Media_Representations_of_Buddhism.pdf
thezensite: Miscellaneous Essays Mitchell examines the U.S. media's reporting of Buddhism in the light of Tiger Woods' sexual scandal and finds "...that during the Woods affair, Buddhism was deployed in the service of a pre-existing narrative of conflict between conservatives and liberals that permeates the current U.S. media landscape." ]]>
Nagarjuna And The Ratnavali:New Ways To Date An Old Philosopher
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/Nagarjuna/Nagarjuna-and-the-Ratnavali.pdf
thezensite: Nagarjuna Walser tries to find the historical Nagarjuna amongst all the hagiography and legends that surround this mysterious Chan master. ]]>
The Formation of the Linji lu: An Examination of theGuangdeng lu/Sijia yulu and Linji Huizhao Chanshi yulu Versions of the Linji lu in Historical Context
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/HistoricalZen/The_Formation_of_the_Linji_lu.pdf
thezensite: Historical Welter examines the origins of the teachings of the Chan master Linji and the construction of the Linji lu, the record of Linji's teaching. "What is highlighted ... is that which is deemed most important, and that which is deemed as most important is a function of the time and circumstances under which the compilation took place." ]]>
Buddhism and Semiotics
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/Philosophical/Buddhism_and_Semiotics.html
thezensite: Philosophy Rambelli explores some of the basics of Buddhist language, its role in building and articulating perceived reality. If, as stated in some Buddhist sutras, the words of ordinary language are related to superficial aspects of phenomena, uttered in dreams, conditioned by fallacious attachment to wrong ideas, and forever conditioned by the seeds of suffering, what is the status of the words of the Buddha? ]]>
Imperial-Way Zen: Ichikawa Hakugen's Critique and Lingering Questions for Buddhist Ethics
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenBookReviews/ZenMastersofJapan.html
thezensite: Zen Book Reviews This is another book which looks into Zen Buddhism role in supporting Japanese imperialism during what is known in East Asia as the Fifteen-Year War (1930-1945). "Ives's delicate yet critical reflection on this question emerges through a sustained discussion of the life and work of Ichikawa Hakugen (1902–1986), the Zen priest, professor and activist who was also the foremost critic of so-called "Imperial-Way Zen" (kōdōzen)." ]]>
D.T. Suzuki, Zen and the Nazis
http://japanfocus.org/-Brian-Victoria/4019
thezensite: Critical Zen This is the first part of a three-part examination of the activities and writings of D. T. Suzuki during the Second World War. Part II of this series on Suzuki is A Zen Nazi in Wartime Japan: The Formation and Principles of Count Dürckheim’s Worldview and his interpretation of Japanese Spirit and Zen by Karl Baier. ]]>
Science Through Buddhist Eyes
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/Miscellaneous/Science_through_Buddhist_eyes.html
thezensite miscellaneous essays page Verheven takes a crtical stance against the popular view that Buddhism and modern science are converging in a simple harmony. "...we might better advance the discussion not by highlighting where Buddhism and science see eye-to-eye, but precisely where they do not, perhaps forcing each to confront its own contradictions and shortcomings." ]]>
Zen Sourcebook: Traditional Documents from China, Korea, and Japan
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenBookReviews/Zen_Sourcebook.html
thezensite: Zen Book Reviews This is book tries to cover the major historical figures and text from Chinese Chan, Japanese Zen and Korean Son but is let down by its lack of solid scholarly grounding in Chan/Zen studies. ]]>
Zen Masters of Japan: The Second Step East
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenBookReviews/ZenMastersofJapan.html
thezensite: Zen Book Reviews This is the second in a trilogy by McDaniel tracing the movement of Zen from China to America via Japan through stories of some of the most important and iconic Zen masters. ]]>
NoticeThis website will not be updated for the next 3 months as I will be overseas. Please enjoy browsing the site until then. Thank you all for your support.
The Linji lu and the Creation of Chan Orthodoxy: the Development of Chan's Records of Sayings Literature
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenBookReviews/Linji_Lu_and-Chinese_Orthodoxy.pdf
thezensite: Zen Book Reviews Stuart Young, of St Lawrence University, gives a detailed review of this important monograph by respected Zen scholar Albert Welter ]]>
Stripping the Gurus: Sex, Violence, Abuse and Englightenment
http://www.thezensite.com/non_Zen/Stripping_the_Gurus.pdf
thezensite: Non-Zen Miscellaneous This free 534-page .pdf book by Geoffrey D Falk, author of The Science of the Soul: On Consciousness and the Structure of Reality; "Norman Einstein": The Dis-Integration of Ken Wilber; and Hip Like Me: Years in the Life of a "Person of Hair, covers a wide variety of 'gurus' and movements and cults and, as the title suggests, digs up the dirt. Zen is not the only group to be tainted by scandal and bizarre behaviour. A light-weight but entertaining read. ]]>
Particular and Universal: Problems posed by Shaku Soen's "Zen"
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/Philosophical/Problems-posed-by-Shaku-Soens-Zen.pdf
thezensite: Philosophical Page John Thompson of Christopher Newport University looks at Shaku Soen's Zen from a mystical viewpoint, pointing out that "it becomes evident that in ignoring him [Soen], scholars have overlooked a significant source of material for the academic study of mysticism." Thompson also briefly covers Soen Roshi's militarism. ]]>
If You're Lucky, Your Heart Will Break: Field Notes from a Zen Life
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenBookReviews/If_Youre_Lucky.html
thezensite: Zen Books Reviewed James Ishmeal Ford is a senior minister at the First Unitarian Church of Providence, Rhode Island, as well as Zen teacher with Boundless Way Zen. He received inka from John Tarrant and this is his second book. This book is full of anecedotes of his long years of Zen practice and offers much wisdom and laughter. A unique exposition of what it takes to practice Zen. Recommended. ]]>
This Truth Never Fails: a Zen memoir in four seasons
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenBookReviews/This_Truth_Never_Fails.html
thezensite: Zen Books Reviewed David Rynick is one of the four leaders of the Boundless Way Zen Center in Worcester, Massachuesetts. This book is a collection of short anecdotes of his day-to-day life. ]]>
Poisoned Pen Letters? D.T. Suzuki's Communication of Zen to the West
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/CriticalZen/Poisoned_Pen_Letters_Suzuki_Communication_of_Zen.pdf
thezensite: Critical Zen D. T. Suzuki's reputation as a Zen teacher has been under attack for quite a while now. This essay is a part of that critique. Dharmachāri Nāgapriya is scathing of Suzuki's approach to Zen Buddhism, finding it is "both highly sectarian and fatally flawed". There are a number of other essays at thezensite: Critical Zen This issue is worth exploring further, given Suzuki's undoubted influence on Western Zen. ]]>
Koan, Hua-t'ou, and Kensho
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenTeachings/Ama_Samy_Koan_Huatou_Kensho.pdf
thezensite: Commentaries and Teishos page Amy Samy has been teaching Zen for decades. He was authorized to teach by Yamada Ko'un of Sanbo Kyodan and carries on his teaching at Bodhi Zendo in Perumalmalai, India. Samy also travels regularly to Europe, the U. S. and Australia. In this essay he discusses some of the history of koan practice and focusses on two major problems with contemporary koan practice. Samy is crtical of the methods and techniques of Dahui as being "inadequate and wanting in authentic awakening and realization" as well as "the experience" many students have when engaging in koan practice. Samy believes the "pre-requisites for zen practice and awakening are ... Great Doubt, Great Faith and Great Effort". ]]>
The Ceasing of Notions
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenBookReviews/The_Ceasing_of_Notions.html
thezensite: Zen Books ReviewedThis ancient text has been translated into English by Ven. Myokyo-Ni (irmgard Schloegl) and Michelle Bromley, published by Wisdom Publications, reviewed by Vladimir K. The text is an early dialogue between two obviously fictional characters, a teacher and student. This was a central text in the Ox-head School of early Ch'an. ]]>
A Response to Zen Has No Morals!
http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/CriticalZen/A_Reply_to_Christopher_Hammacher.html
thezensite: Critical ZenGregory Wonderwheel looks closely at Christopher Hamacher's article 'Zen Has No Morals!' and finds it lacking some essential elements. While Wonderwheel examines many aspects of Hammacher's article, he is most critical of Hamacher's assertion that it is "the structure and teaching of Zen Buddhism itself that lie at the root of the problem" of cultic behaviour in Zen sanghas. Wonderwheel disputes this, asserting that it is not Zen that is at fault here but "founder's syndrome" that can cause cultic tendencies as exmplified in Hamacher's two examples, Eido Shimano and Dr. Klaus Zernickow (Sotetsu Yuzen). Read both and make up your own mind. ]]>