The most important book about Zen in the West

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  • Taigu
    Blue Mountain White Clouds Hermitage Priest
    • Aug 2008
    • 2710

    The most important book about Zen in the West

    Yes, guys, a book. Just a simple book. I am thrilled. Cannot explain. I could have written so many pages, I could have never dreamt of so many other pages...Taigen, Taigen Dan Leighton is a great sitter, an inspired translator but this is really for all of us, not Dogen for dummies, not Dogen for University professors, not a fancy Dogen or a Japanese one (can they really read Dogen, I mean understand the implications of its poetic-junk-funk???) ( yes, guys, provocative thought, japanese guys don't really understand Dogen, they repeat empty forms...come and check for yourself!) , a book about Dogen alive here and now in you and me.Just open it, open it at any page, read and you will understand.
    Please open this treasure. Not to treasure it, just to really rock!
    Just pick up this and listen: Rumi, Thoreau, Dogen, Mary Oliver... a feast of guests from all walks of life, time and space, all gathered to break open your heart. BREAK OPEN YOUR HEART!!!

    this book is : Zen questions, Zazen, Dogen, and the spirit of Creative Inquiry...Yes , I know, the title sucks . This is the book i would take to a desert island. I mean it. Get it. Chew it. Make it your own. See the moon, get a real taste of what matters beyond all the would be kenshos and awakenings that are now advertised everywhere.

    You and only You are the one that can make this real. Give it a chance. Come on!

    Up to you, now.

    gassho


    Taigu

    PS: One more thing, the dance of compassion and wisdom is amazing here. Wit and heart: sharp and broad words flow freely and yet with great precision. Everything is taken care of. Just right.
    Last edited by Taigu; 07-18-2012, 03:22 PM.
  • Kaishin
    Member
    • Dec 2010
    • 2322

    #2
    Well that's quite a recommendation! I'll take your word for it--book ordered!

    Thanks,
    Kaishin (開心, Open Heart)
    Please take this layman's words with a grain of salt.

    Comment

    • Shohei
      Member
      • Oct 2007
      • 2854

      #3
      on my list!

      Gassho
      Shohei

      Comment

      • Hans
        Member
        • Mar 2007
        • 1853

        #4
        Gee, just when I wanted to burn them all

        Gassho and thank you for your endorsement.

        All the best and gassho,


        Hans Chudo Mongen
        Last edited by Hans; 07-18-2012, 03:34 PM.

        Comment

        • Jundo
          Treeleaf Founder and Priest
          • Apr 2006
          • 40729

          #5
          I recently read it, and second the recommendation. In fact, it is on our recommended book list!

          SUGGESTED BOOK LIST for TREELEAF SANGHA
          Hi, The following is a recommended book list for our Sangha. It covers a variety of works on Zen, life, “Just Sitting” Shikantaza Zazen, Master Dogen and Buddhism in general. Thank you to all who provided input, and the list is still open to new suggestions and additions. Please email or PM me (Jundo) with any


          Many of the essays in the book are available online too, and we refer to some of them for guidance maybe almost every week it seems!

          Gassho, J
          ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

          Comment

          • Seimyo
            Member
            • Jan 2012
            • 861

            #6
            Thank you for the recommendation Taigu. I'll get it ordered.

            Gassho,
            Chris

            明 Seimyō (Christhatischris)

            Comment

            • Shokai
              Dharma Transmitted Priest
              • Mar 2009
              • 6417

              #7
              Thank you Taigu
              合掌,生開
              gassho, Shokai

              仁道 生開 / Jindo Shokai

              "Open to life in a benevolent way"

              https://sarushinzendo.wordpress.com/

              Comment

              • Rich
                Member
                • Apr 2009
                • 2614

                #8
                Downloaded Just in time for vacation, thanks.
                _/_
                Rich
                MUHYO
                無 (MU, Emptiness) and 氷 (HYO, Ice) ... Emptiness Ice ...

                https://instagram.com/notmovingmind

                Comment

                • Seisou
                  Member
                  • May 2012
                  • 93

                  #9
                  Thank you Taigu. I have been chewing on "Dogen's Extensive Record: A Translation of the Eihei Koroku" for some time. Leighton is a wonderful translator and commentator. This book is about to be downloaded.
                  Gassho
                  Jeff
                  Last edited by Seisou; 07-19-2012, 11:09 AM.
                  Seisou - Noble/Vital Grass (or just Jeff)

                  Comment

                  • Mp

                    #10
                    Wonderful, thank you Taigu.

                    Gassho
                    Michael

                    Comment

                    • Heisoku
                      Member
                      • Jun 2010
                      • 1338

                      #11
                      Thank you Taigu I will definitely look into this.
                      Heisoku 平 息
                      Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home. (Basho)

                      Comment

                      • Rich
                        Member
                        • Apr 2009
                        • 2614

                        #12
                        Read two chapters. Have never read anything like this. Has touched me deeply. Thanks taigu.
                        _/_
                        Rich
                        MUHYO
                        無 (MU, Emptiness) and 氷 (HYO, Ice) ... Emptiness Ice ...

                        https://instagram.com/notmovingmind

                        Comment

                        • Jiken
                          Member
                          • Jan 2011
                          • 753

                          #13
                          well then...done!

                          Gassho,

                          Daido

                          Comment

                          • Taigu
                            Blue Mountain White Clouds Hermitage Priest
                            • Aug 2008
                            • 2710

                            #14
                            You are welcome Rich and when you ll get to the Dogen part and Taigen s insight about Genjokoan, you will be amazed. And his take of the Gyobutsu Igi is simply mind-blowing. Going beyond Buddha as the way to reach Buddha- a-sis, reality as-is...I wish guys here will study and practice this, same water that Jundo and I are selling and sailing, but I just love the landscape of his writing.

                            Gassho

                            Taigu
                            Last edited by Taigu; 07-19-2012, 03:34 AM.

                            Comment

                            • Dennis
                              Member
                              • Jul 2012
                              • 47

                              #15
                              I take it you folks like it?

                              Quite a recommendation... I'll have to look that one up!

                              Gassho,

                              Dennis

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