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Zen Meditation in Plain English Paperback – June 15, 2002

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 67 ratings

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An excellent, practical introduction to Zen meditation. Written in a warm and easily accessible style, this book appeals to anyone with an interest in meditation, Zen, or, as is often the case today, a combination of the two. The book emphasizes the importance of receiving good instruction and of finding groups to practice with, yet it lays out the necessary steps to practice Zen meditation on your own. The book includes easily followed exercises to help the reader along. For anyone looking to uncover a clear and insightful path into the philosophy and practice of Zen meditation, this book represents the culmination of that search.
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The jolt of confidence you get when discussing a day's performance with a seasoned veteran can take any activity to a higher level. In his concise and informative Zen Meditation in Plain English, meditation veteran John Daishin Buksbazen gives detailed directions for each step of Zen-style meditation, from getting into the different postures and developing breath concentration, all the way up to intensive training periods. With only one short chapter on what the mind should be doing while "sitting" (as they say in Zen), his focus is on getting the fundamentals right. He also offers a rare introduction to the importance and mechanics of group practice and a well-selected "Frequently Asked Questions" section at the end. While Buksbazen repeatedly says that there is no substitute for a good teacher, until you find one, Zen Meditation in Plain English will do nicely. --Brian Bruya

From Publishers Weekly

Buksbazen, a psychotherapist who was ordained a Zen priest in 1968 and is affiliated with the Zen Center of Los Angeles, offers practical and down-to-earth advice about the specifics of Zen meditation. He begins by encouraging readers to get involved with meditation and not just read books about Buddhism: "After all, cookbooks are fun to read, but... they are most helpful to somebody who is actually involved in cooking." The bulk of this short primer is concerned with introducing the basics of zazen, or seated meditation: how to position the body, particularly the legs; how and when to breathe; what to think about. Helpful diagrams illustrate the full lotus, Burmese, kneeling (seiza) and other positions. Buksbazen even provides a "zazen checklist" to help beginners remember all of the steps involved in zazen, which as he notes is more difficult than it appears. What distinguishes this book from any number of Zen self-help books is its final section, which focuses on community. Arguing that "true Zen practice cannot be fully experienced in all its diversity and richness by just one person alone," Buksbazen builds a strong case for the powerful effect of being involved with a community of other practitioners. He follows this ideological argument with concrete information about group practice, including meditation retreats and other intensive training periods. In all, this is a fine introduction to Zen meditation practice, grounded in tradition yet adapted to contemporary life.

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0861713168
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wisdom Publications; 1st edition (June 15, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780861713165
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0861713165
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.4 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 67 ratings

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4.3 out of 5 stars
67 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2002
    This book has been a blessing for me. My organization provides a prison outreach program for inmates,who want to learn meditation,and this is the guide we will be putting in their hands. Daishin has provided the tools that any person, beginner or experienced practioner can use. His list of Frequently Asked Questions addresses those points that some people may feel shy in asking and his illustrations of sitting positions and exercises are most useful When you read the book, you feel he is talking directly to you. His use of quotes from his teacher, the late Maezumi Roshi,brings a deeper understanding of what Zen and the practice of meditation is all about. If you could only choose one book on meditation, I would advise you to give this one serious consideration.
    32 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2014
    Very easy read. I have tried several books on Zen philosophy and practice, and most of them are impenetrable. This book is true to its title: it explains the core structure and purpose of Zen practice in very plain -- non-flowery -- language.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2005
    It is practical guide for beginners who are interested in

    meditation. It shows the precise way to sit. The supplementary exercises written in the appendices are indeed very useful. It limbers up and allows one to sit longer. Secondly, it is written in simple English. Anyone who does not have a glossary of Buddhist Terminology can understand. Thirdly, it teaches one to be aware and mindful - sitting is just sitting; be it a "good" or "hard" sitting.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2014
    pretty good. keeps it simple. an easy read.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2021
    Great info especially for beginners.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2018
    Book was recommended by a friend. Easy to follow in simple terminology. I learned a LOT from this book.
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2016
    Just like a hundred others
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2014
    It's a 101 book, for very beginners. I'm not a total beginner, although I just started reading more consistently about Zen buddhism, and this book is a little too basic for me. I find it not as compelling as the other one I'm reading at the same time, "Taking the path of Zen", by Robert Aitken. Both books are very clear about one essential thing though: Zen is about practicing and nobody can do it for you, you need to find out by yourself what fits you best. These books help you find out, they give you key principles, advice, and a taste of the spirit of Zen (especially Aitken's in my opinion). They are a complement to the practice, not the other way around.
    I would recommend, for total beginners, to maybe start with this book and read Aitken's right after, or read both at the same time. Another great book to grasp the spirit of Zen is Eugen Herrigel's "Zen in the Art of Archery". All 3 books are very short and simple. The first 2 can be read partially, as guides or manuals. Herrigel's has a narrative form, he tells his own experience as a Zen student and takes you with him on his beautiful and transformative journey.
    Needless to say that none of these books are "religious", they don't profess any particular faith, even if they can describe the cultural and historical background of buddhism.
    9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • MR R PYE
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 20, 2015
    short .helpful beginners guide
  • William Neville
    2.0 out of 5 stars More "initial" than I thought it would be
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 31, 2020
    It was OK but if you are NOT a beginner then this is quite quite basic. I will be putting it into my charity shop box having read it once