The Art of Just Sitting: Essential Writings on the Zen Practice of Shikantaza

by John Daido Loori (Editor), Taigen Dan Leighton (Introduction)

Overview

Shikantaza—or "just sitting"—is one of the simplest, most subtle forms of meditation, and one of the most easily misunderstood. This peerless volume brings together a wealth of writings, from the Buddha himself to Bodhidharma and Dogen and many of modern Zen Buddhism's most influential masters, all pointing directly to the heart of this powerful practice. Edited by one of America's pre-eminent Zen teachers, this book is a rich resource for wisdom seekers and scholars alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780861713943
Publisher:	Wisdom Publications MA
Publication date:	06/15/2002
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

John Daido Loori was, until his death in 2009, the spiritual leader and abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery in Mt. Tremper, New York. Trained in koan Zen as well as in the subtle school of Master Dogen's Zen, he was the Dharma heir of Hakuyu Taizan Maezumi Roshi. Devoted to maintaining authentic Zen training, he developed a distinctive style, called the Eight Gates of Zen, based on the noble eightfold path. Drawing on his background as scientist, artist, naturalist, and Zen priest, Abbot Loori was an American master who spoke directly to students from the perspective of a common background. His books include Mountain Record of Zen Talks and The Heart of Being.

Table of Contents

	Editor's Preface	vii
	Acknowledgments	xi
	Introduction: Hongzhi, Dogen, and the Background of Shikantaza	1
	Editor's Note	11
	Guidepost of Silent Illumination	13
	Cultivating the Empty Field	15
	Zazengi: Rules for Zazen	19
	Fukanzazengi: Universal Recommendations for Zazen	21
	Zazenshin: Lancet of Seated Meditation	25
	Zazen Yojinki: What To Be Aware of in Zazen	41
	Shikantaza	51
	The Tenzo Kyokun and Shikantaza	55
	The Wholehearted Way	63
	No Dualism	67
	Commentary on Fukanzazengi	71
	How to Sit	95
	To Live Is Just to Live	101
	To Study the Self	105
	On "Silent Illumination"	117
	Nanyue Polishes a Tile	127
	Yaoshan's Non-Thinking	135
	Suzuki Roshi's Practice of Shikantaza	145
	A Coin Lost in the River Is Found in the River	149
	Just Sitting	155
	Will You Sit with Me?	161
	Yangshan's State of Mind	167
Appendix	Foundational Texts
	Satipatthana Sutta: The Foundations of Mindfulness	177
	Bloodstream Sermon	187
	The Fundamental Expedient Teachings for Calming the Mind That Attains Enlightenment	191
	Treatise on the Essentials of Cultivating the Mind	205
	The Platform Sutra	219
	Jewel Mirror of Samadhi	223
	Who's Who	227
	Permissions Credits	233
	Index	237

Editorial Reviews

"This is the single most comprehensive treasury of writings on the subject in English. It is likely to remain the most important collection for many years to come. Often misunderstood, the practice of shikantaza is authoritatively presented and carefully examined in two dozen essays by Chinese, Japanese, and American masters, along with an appendix of six seminal classic texts. This volume, spanning the centuries since Shakymuni Buddha to the present day, will prove indispensable to meditators and scholars alike. Roshi John Daido Loori has given us a rare treasure."

John Daishin Buksbazen

"Wisdom is putting out good, interesting books, and here is one devoted to the meditation of just sitting, edited by John Daido Loori, who has done a fair amount of it. It's a cool book, an anthology drawing from a variety of authors, and it takes the risk of going deep."

John Tarrant

"A valuable collection from an authority on this subtle and profound form of Zen. We have needed a book like this for a long time."

Professor Francis Dojun Cook

"At last a book that brings together writings on the subtlest and most fundamental Zen practice: just sitting. For the first time, now gathered in one volume, we can read 1500 years of the discovery of true path of discovery and realize what it means to be truly present for life as it is. Zen Master Daido Loori has gathered the essence of true meditation into this jewel of a book. We should not miss it."

Joan Halifax Roshi

"'Just sit' is one of the most commonly heard —and least understood—phrases associated with Zen Buddhism. And yet 'just sitting,' or shikantaza—along with koan practice—is one of the two primary methods of Zen meditation. Zen master John Daido Loori brings together teachings of some of the most prominent ancient and modern teachers, including Dogen Zenji, Shunryu Suzuki, Sheng-yen, and Maezumi. The book also includes an appendix of foundational texts relating to the practice of shikantaza."

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