BoodahSmokah

If you are at least slightly interested in zen, or even common buddhism, I strongly advise you to read books by this man and forget about anybody else. This man is a genius, I dont know any other author being able to understand zen in its purest form and simultaneously describe it to western minds in such a precise way, as far as one can describe it anyway.
If I hadn't picked up his book Introduction to Zen those two years ago by chance, I dont even wanna think about where I'd stand right now..
Folks, just read it.

~boodah~

The Stoned Philosopher

Also check out books by Alan Watts. Also you should read anything done by Timothy Leary and Terrance Mckenna

The Stoned Philosopher

BoodahSmokah

never heard about Terrance McKenna, but thanks anyway! I'm concentrating just on asian masters at the moment, actually it was only japanese masters until recently, at the moment I'm reading chen-chi chang who is a remarkable person as well, though I still prefer suzuki's way and style.
those 3 you named definitely get on my list

~boodah~

The Stoned Philosopher

Well Timothy Leary is a good read,for some material on Leary and McKenna check out http://deoxy.org (a awesome site btw)
And what books by suzuki do you recommend? And have you read Musashi's "Book of the five rings" yet?

The Stoned Philosopher

BoodahSmokah

yo sorry for the late response man, really..

virtually anything by Suzuki is worth reading but as a first read I'd recommend Introduction to Zen buddhism, then what I find especially interesting is "Mushin - the Zen doctrine of no mind", and his books about "Shunyata" and "Prajna", I dont know the exact english name of those books, but the first one is about the emptiness of existence, and prajna is the highest truth of buddhism.

and no, havent read anything by Musashi yet, thanks for that one too.

what do you think of Hakuin? I havent found the opportunity to read anything by him either

~boodah~

Nickel

BoodahSmokah,

I appreciate your enthusiasm, but to say forget everyone else is a little extreme - especially given the topic and its inherent non-duality. I can mention another Suzuki that had nearly as big of an impact on Amercian Buddhism - Shunryu Suzuki. While he may not have been has profound as DT, he did set up the *first* Zen monistary in the United States. I recommend reading his 'Zen Mind, Beginners Mind'. Also, if you want to know more about the man, read his biography, 'Crooked Cucumber: The Life and Zen Teaching of Shunryu Suzuki' by David Chadwick.

Don't forget Thich Nhat Hanh either, a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist. One of the best books I have ever read is 'Peace is Every Step'. His new book, 'Anger: Wisom for Cooling the Flames' is great too.

Also, if you want to stip away all the language, focusses of the lineages, and the culture attached to it, I recommend reading 'Buddhism Plain and Simple' by Steve Hagn. It cuts Straight to the heart of Buddhism

I'm not preaching here, I hope this doesn't come off that way. I'm just trying to say - what if someone interested in Zen hears that DT is the only one to read and they don't connect with him?

Also, I've never read 'Introduction to Zen buddhism' , BUT I will since you recommend it Glad to hear it has such a positive impact on you.

Peace.


"In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, in the experts mind there are few." - Shunryu Suzuki

Bongzilla

I've read a few of those Intro to Buddhism books at a Buddhist library downtown, awesome stuff. But the best Buddhist read is of course the Dhammapada

BoodahSmokah

@Nickel: ..teehee.. well yeah somehow I tend to be extreme in what I say, and exaggerate, on purpose anyway, which admittedly has started one or two flame wars in the past but I can assure you I just wanted to express my admiration and enthusiasm for Suzuki and his works, although I'm aware that there are other excellent zen authors..
however among them d.t. suzuki certainly belongs to the most precise and brilliant in my opinion.
I also admire shunryu suzuki and thich nhat hanh a lot, but then, what else can you have for these men than deep respect..

oh and if you're already somewhat familiar with the nature of zen perhaps "Introduction to zen" will bore you as it's obviously for beginners, though I like to open it up and read some lines from it frequently.. helps me get back into focus sometimes.. but anyway there are many great books by d.t.s.


oh I'm pleasantly high at the moment

~boodah~

Nickel

expressing admiration and enthusiasm: I hear that! There certainly isn't enough of that in the world - congrats to you for laying some down! I think I'll still try to read "Introduction to Zen" though - I don't think one can have too much respect for the ground floor

Also, I know what you mean about getting back into focus - 'Peace is Every Step' did tht for me until I let a friend borrow it and never got it back. Oh well, I guess I was too attached to it!

Peace to you: All the way from Columbus to Vienna.


Bongzilla700,

Any specific authors? It doesn't even have to be Zen specific... What did you think of what you read?




<- Hey is this embarrassment because of a fart, or is it a smiley breathing out smoke... haha!

bonghits4christ

Yeah I read suzuki's zen buddhism. Good writer. I think he also wrote the book Mysticism: Christian and Buddhist. that's also pretty good, but not as good as zen.