Reading List

Introduction to Zen Buddhism books

	The Zen Classic that spawned a generation of seekers. This is a must read for newcomers and seasoned practitioners as well. I must have gone through at least a dozen copies of this book in the last 25 years. This is it, the most concise and direct teaching of Sakyamuni Buddha ever penned in the twentieth century. It is necessary to read and reread this book because it is difficult to attain it's pure simplicity. One of the best Zen Books written in the English Language. Dochong popsa-nim
	Kapelau Roshi was one of the pioneers of American Zen Practice mapping roads for later students to find their way on this path called Zen. This exploration of Zen and Practice in Japan is full of information and teaching. It is the perspective of a Business Man cum Zen Master who abandons the Western Way in order to find his true self. The book emphasizes several aspects of Zen that may mislead the new zen student, so be wary and read with an open mind. The technical descriptions of ritual and form are exquisite; just don't attach to them or think that Zen has anything to do with these things. Also, it is not necessary to work on the 'mu' koan for twenty or thirty years, and kensho isn't an experience that needs to be celebrated. Despite its short comings, it is a good historical look into the spirit of 'Rinzai Zen.' Dochong popsa-nim
	Charlotte Joko Beck's definitive book on Nanquan's Everyday Mind. This no frills, no nonsense approach to Zen practice has helped countless people cut through the 'stink' of Zen and get to the heart quite quickly. It is Joko's insight and wisdom that comes through on every page. Joko Beck was once a student of Maezumi Roshi and had a falling out with her teacher, which doesn't in any way dilute the integrity or importance of this beautiful work on bare bones Zen Practice. If you haven't read this book, it should be added to your reading list. Dochong popsa-nim
	Zen Master Seung Sahn (Sungsan) had a knack of simplifying every complex Buddhist Teaching ever penned to paper. If you want to read the words of Bodhidharma or Mazu coming from a practitioner of 20th Century Chinese Chan Buddhism, then this is the primer for a lifetime course in getting rid of any ideas you might have. In this compilation of talks and interviews, the editor, our beloved scholar Stephen Mitchell, manages to capture the purity of Sonsa-nim's only go straight approach to Zen Practice. As an accessible treatise to newer Zen Students, there is perhaps none that captures the true spirit and ferocity of Linji's Chan while also embodying the silver tongued eloquence of Zhaozhou's Lightening Chan. It is necessary to read this book at least once a year, it's subtle simplicity can only slowly seep into our psyche's. Dochong popsa-nim
	One of the early works on Zen Buddhism. An interesting attempt to cut through to the heart of the practice. Many of the early books on Zen were inspired by the Beat Generation which tried to embody what they believed to be the essence of Zen Practice. Only a few of these Beat's ever tried it out on Zen's home turf. This is an excellent and beautiful example of West meets East. Add it to your library, you'll be glad you did. Dochong popsa-nim