The Method of Zen

romanticized western intrepretation of zen

from cover

'When Eugen Herrigel died in 1955 he had published only one book, but it was a classic of its kind, Zen in the Art of Archery. He also left volumniuous notes describing his six years of training iunder a Japanese Zen Master. These, edited and revised by Alan Watts and others, form The Method of Zen...even surpassing Herrigel's earlier work.' --San Francisco Chronical

'A more charmingly written, informative and important primer on any subject, let alone one as obscure as Zen, is hard to come by.' --Faubion Bowers, The New York Times Book Review

'Probably the most lucid popular account yet published in English of the methods and training in Zen Buddhism...An excellent treatise on a subject of great interest.' --Library show more Journal

Eugen Herrigel, a German professor who taught philosophy at the University of Tokyo between the wars, is one of the Westerners who has penetrated deeply and personally into the theory and practice of Zen Bhddhism. In endeavoring to become a Zen mystic, he subjected himself to the rigorous discipline of training with a Zen master for six years. An account of this experience is given in his now classic book, Zen in the Art of Archery, also available in Vintage Books.

Professor Herrigel died in 1955. Among his papers were found voluminous notes on various aspects of Zen. These have been selected and edited by Hermann Tausend, in collaboration with Mrs. Gusty Herrigel, the author's wife, and were published in German under the title Der Zen-Weg. This version has been revised and edited by R.F.C. Hull and Alan Watts.

Contents

Introductory: The Way to Zen Buddhism
Zen and the Classic Methods of Meditation
Zen Contrasted with European Mysticism
Zen as It Appears to Western Eyes
Training in Zen Buddhist Monasteries
Breathing Exercises
The Koan
Satori
Further Koan Meditations
How the Master Sees Whether the Pupil Has Satori
Remarks on Japanese Acting
Transformation of the Pupil by Satori
Zen Painting
Satori in Poetry
Speculations on the Basis of Satori
The Role of Thought in Zen
Zen in Practical Life
Zen Priests
The Center of Being
Man's Fall and Fulfillment
Higher Stages of Meditation
Enlightenment, Rebirth, Buddha Nature
Communication with the Whole of Being
The Art of Compassion show less

A precise description of the techniques used in Zen training.