Shohaku Okumura

Very cool conceit — 2 generations of teachers providing commentary on brief teachings of a third. A teaser for the humble teachings of Uchiyama Roshi, but particularly for those of Sawaki Roshi, whose contrasting ardent clarity of vision and sense of humor is refreshing.

This book is a treasure. If you want to understand zen and how to practice zazen, this beautiful small book is unmatched. It is put together by Okumura Roshi, a great zen master, and translator and student of Kosho Uchiyama. This book has many sections in it from Eihei Dogen's writings, such as from the Shobogenzo, as well as sayings about zen from Kodo Sawaki. This book gives very specific instructions how to practice zazen from the words of these great zen masters. It is expensive for such show more a small book, but it is a book to keep with you and reread reread passages from it. I think this book along with Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, might be the two best foundation books on zen for beginners and more advanced practitioners. show less

An interesting, informative and well written guide to the Soto 'branch' of Zen Buddhism. As well as explaining the practice of Zazen, both why it is done and the practicalities of how to sit and how to behave in a Zendo (meditation hall), there is a history/introduction to Soto Zen, that includes historical writings from Zen masters.

Shohaku is the foremost Dogen translator and scholar in the country. Eihei Dogen was the founder of Soto Zen in Japan. This book is about one of Dogen's most popular texts, the Genjokoan.