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The Way of Zen

The Way of Zen

Amazon.com Review

After D.T. Suzuki, Alan Watts stands as the godfather of Zen in America. Often taken to task for inspiring the flimsy spontaneity of Beat Zen, Watts had an undeniably keen understanding of his subject. Nowhere is this more evident than in his 1957 classic The Way of Zen, which has been reissued. Watts takes the reader back to the philosophical foundations of Zen in the conceptual world of Hinduism, follows Buddhism's course through the development of the early Mahayana school, the birth of Zen from Buddhism's marriage with Chinese Taoism, and on to Zen's unique expression in Japanese art and life. As a Westerner, Watts anticipates the stumbling blocks encountered with such concepts as emptiness and no-mind, then illustrates with flawlessly apt examples. Many popular books have been written on Zen since Watts' time, but few have been able to muster the rare combination of erudition and clarity that have kept The Way of Zen in readers' hands decade after decade. --Brian Bruya

Product Details

  • Author: Alan W. Watts
  • Publication Date: 1999-01-26
  • Publisher: Vintage
  • Product Group: Book
  • Manufacturer: Vintage
  • Binding: Paperback, 256 pages
  • Features:
    • ISBN13: 9780375705106
    • Condition: New
    • Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
  • Package Dimensions:
    • Dimensions: 800L x 520W x 60H
    • Weight: 50
  • List Price: $13.95
  • ISBN: 0375705104
  • ASIN: 0375705104

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Customer Reviews

Average Amazon User Rating: 4.5 stars

5 stars A Brilliant Introduction 2010-05-10

Reviewer: Mr. Richard M. Klasen Jr.

This book was my introduction to Zen Buddhism, and it is an excellent starting point for beginners seeking to understand Zen from a "Western perspective."

5 stars I love this book 2010-04-17

Reviewer: Gerald Keith Zink Jr.

This Book is very nice. The shipping was fast and well packed. I would highly recomend this book as well as the seller to everyone.

2 stars The way of Zen 2010-03-09

Reviewer: Z. Works

I was really interested in hearing more from Alan Watts and his view on life. But once i got the CD's I found out that Alan Watts was only in for brief segments, and that the CD was actually narrated by another gentlemen. I've been searching for a long time for pieces of Alan Watts segments that he has in his life and I thought that "the way of zen" was an audio collection of his work, however, it only offers very small recordings here and there. I really do wish that there are CD's with his teachings and views on life where i can hear him speak, not someone narrating his voice and words.

5 stars This Book WILL Change Your Life 2010-01-18

Reviewer: Jeffrey Sherman

There are no words to express how important this book is. If you're a Westerner (as I am) this book will open up a new world, a new way of seeing for you. This is quite simply the most profound book I have read since I first read Jean Paul Sartre's "Existentialism and Human Emotions" when I was a teenager. BUY THIS BOOK and throw off the oppression of needless anxiety about life and it's "meaning".

5 stars Explaining The Unexplainable 2009-11-14

Reviewer: mp3support@wi.rr.com

Explaining Zen to a Western monotheistic and Christian audience is no easy task but Alan Watts did one hell of a job! I've read and re-read this masterpeice of a book many times! Don't be fooled by commercial ripoff titles such as "The Zen Of Career Advancement" or "Get Rich Through Meditation". Zen is not about self-improvement and there is nothing to be gained by reading this book. I speak only for my own experiences but studying Zen Buddhism is really a journey of self exploration. Finding yourself through Zen Buddhist Practices is really understanding yourself before you were disciplined, educated, scolded and civilized. You don't need to join a monastery. Mahayana Buddhism is really about becoming enlightened while living in the real world. If you're interested in starting such a journey or are just curious about Zen there is no better place to start than "The Way Of Zen".

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