An Introduction to Zen Buddhism

The recurring problem with books on buddhism, and zen in particular, is the axiomatic view of mistaking the finger pointing to the moon for the moon. By abhorring explanation and with striving to become enlightened being a major obstacle preventing it, it seems always that the more you try to grasp it, the more it slips away, rendering the very existence of these books paradoxical. Suzuki attacks this problem head on in a way that's less slippery than in many other books on the topic and for a half century old book it still feels fresh as it refutes common criticisms (that are still levied against zen half a century later, so perhaps not so definitively).
Stressing the inter-compatibility of zen with other beliefs is a defensive stance show more that's perhaps less required these days as buddhism seems less 'alien' to the west. But as much as "mindfulness" has become a business friendly meme, it's also become too surface level to engage with the goals of zen as expressed in the Satori chapter. Familiarity has come at the cost of assimilation into a culture of self-help where any higher goals of the practice beyond 'feeling better' also disappear (McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became the New Capitalist Spirituality covers this).
In that environment this very short introduction is a helpful finger pointing at the deeper meaning of the practices we ape. show less

‘An absolute affirmation must rise from the fiery crater of life itself.’

I liked the bit where, just to make a point, a Zen master cut a cat in half because a couple of the fellas couldn’t decide which side of the Monastery it should belong to. At least we’re reassured by Suzuki that the cat is surely on its way to Buddhahood.... I wonder where that cat is now.

If you are expecting a logical explanation of Zen Buddhism in this book you will be sorely disappointed. Suzuki doesn't even attempt to do that (nor should he, in my opinion). Zen does not make sense at all if you approach it that way.

This book is a classic, but I don't recommend reading it as the first book on Zen (Herrigel's approach would probably be more useful for the Western readers), nor do I think it should be read as the last book. It is, after all, an introduction and doesn't try to be more than that.

Very influential in popularizing Zen in the west. From my further reading I feel it represents very much Suzuki's personal interpretation of the Zen tradition, but it has its own place in religious history for introducing many westerners to Zen

One of the world’s leading authorities on Zen Buddhism, D. T. Suzuki was the author of more than a hundred works on the subject in both Japanese and English, and was most instrumental in bringing the teachings of Zen Buddhism to the attention of the Western world. Written in a lively, accessible, and straightforward manner, An Introduction to Zen Buddhism is illuminating for the serious student and layperson alike. Suzuki provides a complete vision of Zen, which emphasizes self-understanding and enlightenment through many systems of philosophy, psychology, and ethics. With a foreword by the renowned psychiatrist Dr. Carl Jung, this volume has been generally acknowledged a classic introduction to the subject for many years. It show more provides, along with Suzuki’s Essays and Manual of Zen Buddhism, a framework for living a balanced and fulfilled existence through Zen. show less

I thought Christopher Hitchens’ book needlessly ripped into some religions, but after reading this junk I can understand the impulse. Neither the writing nor the philosophy as described seem all that worthy. I could be wrong. There’s probably a good book out there that makes Zen make sense. This ain’t it.

(Full review at my blog)

With an introduction from Dr. Jung, a small text in itself. To Suzuki's brilliant text. It is my understanding that this introduction by Dr. Jung is consider a classic for Zen in general. Suzuki does write this text for the beginner.

Explains the oriental mind, along with the proncipals of Zen. In such a way, that we of western thought actually have a chance to relate to what is required in our quest to understand Zen Buddhism. This book is for the lay-person and the philosophy major. This book provides a very complete outline of Zen.