Extracts

    A taste of the books worth reading in full — extracts from classic and contemporary Buddhist writing.

    Gentling the Bull | Chapter 7

    A reading from a foundational text about Zen training.

    The Zen Way

    Life in a Japanese Zen Monastery by Irmgard Schloegl

    This audio extract from Irmgard Schloegl’s book explores the daily routines of Zen monks and the entrance begging ordeal all aspiring monks must endure to.

    Mumonkan: The Gateless Gate

    By Mumon Ekai, with commentary by Soko Morinaga Roshi

    Soko Morinaga Roshi describes what it is like to experience the passions in a state of emptiness.

    Studies in the Lankavatara Sutra

    By D.T. Suzuki

    D.T Suzuki on the history and development of Mahayana Buddhism in China.

    Modern Man In Search of a Soul

    By CG Jung

    Influential Swiss Psychologist Carl Gustav Jung on life death and finding a purpose.

    Poems of the Japanese Zen Masters

    The Zen masters reveal some of the secrets of Zen practice through poetry.

    Daito Kokushi's Admonition

    Book Extracts

    Shūhō Myōchō known as Daito Kokushi (1283-1338) founded the great training monastery of Daitokuji in Kyoto. His memorial day is on 22nd November.

    The Zen Koan: Its History and Use

    Isshū Miura explains the secret to inducing kensho (sudden awakening) through development of the ‘great ball of doubt’.

    The Year of my Life

    A translation of Issa’s Oraga Haru

    Issa was not only a Buddhist priest but also one of Japan’s greatest Haiku poets. His verses featured in this extract are quite mysterious…

    The Eye and Treasury of the True Law

    By Dōgen Zenji

    Zen Master Dōgen Zenji on the correct form and practice for sitting Zazen (meditation).

    Extract | The Thousand-foot Cliff

    Book Extracts

    This infamous Zen proverb illustrates an aspect of attachment that we are mostly unaware of.

    Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist Path to Natural Awakening

    By Guo Gu

    Chan meditation master Guo Gu explains how to become the master of our own minds in this Book Extract