Follow the Author
Bret W. Davis
Follow
Zen Pathways: An Introduction to the Philosophy and Practice of Zen Buddhism Kindle Edition
by Bret W. Davis (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.8 out of 5 stars 13 ratings
Kindle
$17.77Read with Our Free App
Paperback
$52.26
7 New from $52.26
This book offers an in-depth introduction to the philosophy and practice of Zen Buddhism. Bret Davis explores the philosophical implications of Zen teachings and koans, comparing and contrasting these with other Asian as well as Western religions and philosophies. He relates traditional Zen teachings and practices to our twenty-first century lives.
In addition to being a scholarly and philosophical introduction to Zen, the book provides concrete instructions for beginning a practice of Zen meditation. Its twenty-four chapters treat such philosophical topics as the self, nature, art, morality, and language, as well as basic Buddhist teachings such as the middle way and karma. Davis introduces the Zen based philosophies of the Kyoto School and also engages in interreligious dialogue with Christianity and other religions, as well as with other schools of Buddhism. The concluding chapter reviews the path of Zen practice and enlightenment by way of commenting on the beloved Zen classic, The Ten Oxherding Pictures. The book can be read in its entirety as a coherently organized introduction to the philosophy and practice of Zen, or chapters can be read independently according to the reader's specific interests.
Read less
Print length
479 pages
Oxford University Press
Publication date
13 December 2021
Product description
Review
In Zen Pathways, Bret W. Davis pours several decades of personal experience, cultivated expertise, and diverse teaching skills that reflect his astute enthusiasm into a fascinating investigation of many different aspects of Zen theory and practice that are covered in two dozen concise chapters. The topics range from providing instructions and guidelines for concrete behavior to philosophical reflections on wide-ranging metaphysical and ethical issues informed by traditional sources and applied to contemporary situations in Japan and the West. Davis consistently enhances discussions with references to other spiritual traditions as well as various relevant cultural and intellectual resources. ― Steven Heine, Professor of Asian Studies at Florida International University, author of From Chinese Chan to Japanese Zen and Dogen: Japan's Original Zen Teacher
This refreshing book brings together authentic insight, reliable scholarship, and much-needed clarity about the teachings and practices of Zen Buddhism. Based on the decades-long engagement of a practicing philosopher and authorized meditation teacher, this work not only elucidates classical themes like koans and the ten oxherding pictures; it also shows what Zen has to teachand how it teachesabout matters of ethics and art, individuality and social responsibility, and our everyday living and learning to die. ― John C. Maraldo, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at University of North Florida, author of The Saga of Zen History and the Power of Legend
This is a comprehensive introduction to Zen teachings and practice by someone who is both an academic scholar of Zen and a long-term Zen practitioner. It is a personable and engaging overview of the tradition, and I'm pleased to recommend it highly. ― David Loy, Professor of Buddhist and comparative philosophy, Zen teacher, and author of A New Buddhist Path and Ecodharma: Buddhist Teachings for the Ecological Crisis
Bret W. Davis combines a rare expertise in both the theory and practice of Zen Buddhism. He brings together the skillful wisdom of the Kyoto school with the best spiritual insights of both eastern and western philosophy and religion. The book is keenly intercultural in its scope and reads like a river of deep thought. Pensive, passionate and persuasive, it invites us to change not only our minds but our lives. ― Richard Kearney, Charles B. Seelig Chair in Philosophy at Boston College, author of Anatheism: Returning to God After God and Reimagining the Sacred
This remarkable book succeeds in making Zen practice, Zen teaching, and Zen's vast cultural heritage accessible to audiences of diverse backgrounds today. But that's not all. It is no exaggeration to say that Zen Pathways marks a turn in comparative philosophy. With the nuance of a scholar-practitioner and the warmth of a good friend, Bret W. Davis makes the last hundred years of cross-cultural philosophy inside and outside of Japan relevant to our personal lives, our meditation practices, our spiritual striving and our public discourse. ― Leah Kalmanson, Associate Professor of Philosophy at University of North Texas, author of Cross-Cultural Existentialism
Bret W. Davis has crafted a rich and engaging introduction to Zen. Drawing from his scholarly expertise and many years of Zen practice, Davis strikes, as he puts it, "a middle way between Orientalist fantasy and ruthless debunking." Students and practitioners have needed this book for a long time, and they will benefit from his skillful presentation of complex Zen teachings and his situating Zen within the larger Buddhist tradition and in conversation with Western philosophy. ― Christopher Ives, Professor of Religious Studies at Stonehill College, author of Zen on the Trail and Imperial-Way Zen: Ichikawa Hakugen's Critique and Lingering Questions for Buddhist Ethics
Davis provides much more than a typical introductory work. Through a multifaceted treatment of theoretical and practical themes, he provides an overview of what a Zen life entails, drawing on the breadth of his historical understanding, depth of philosophical acumen, and rich personal experience. Davis brings to life the overall framework of Zen philosophy and a concrete sense of Buddhist practice in a manner that speaks to the engaged student in the West. He brings into relief what is invaluable yet often overlooked of Asian tradition, what can or needs to be adapted to the West, as well as innovations that continue to evolve the tradition. Highly recommended. ― Mark Unno, University of Oregon, author of Shingon Refraction
Equally skilled as a teacher about Zen and a teacher of Zen, Bret W. Davis introduces readers to Zen and its Buddhist origins with artisanal thoroughness and disarming directness. Turning skillfully away from the admitted pleasures of spiritual tourism and academic archeology, Zen Pathways draws readers into sharing conversations of sincerely liberating intent, orchestrating topical encounters with Zen exemplars―often in the company of Western philosophers and religious traditions―that reward readers with much more than a "glimpse" of Zen. Like the best intercultural cuisine, Zen Pathways offers a "taste" of Zen that brings out enlivening depths of flavor in the ever-evolving ordinariness of sentient presence. ― Peter Hershock, Director of the Asian Studies Development Program at the East-West Center, author of Public Zen, Personal Zen and Buddhism and Intelligent Technology
A rarity among those who write on Zen, Bret Davis is qualified to authoritatively explain the practice and philosophy as well as the history and culture of Zen. His insights draw on his deep roots in both Zen practice and academic erudition, nourished by the rich soil of both the Japanese and Western heritage. Yet, he focuses steadily on our concerns in the here and now. Remarkably accessible and captivating, while remaining uncompromisingly accurate, Zen Pathways sets a 21st-century standard for what a serious introductory text on Zen should be. ― Thomas P. Kasulis, Ohio State University, author of Zen Action/Zen Person and Engaging Japanese Philosophy --This text refers to the hardcover edition.
About the Author
Bret W. Davis is Professor and Thomas J. Higgins, S.J. Chair in Philosophy at Loyola University Maryland, where he teaches classes in Western, Asian, and cross-cultural philosophy, and where he directs The Heart of Zen Meditation Group. In addition to publishing more than seventy-five scholarly articles, he has authored, edited, and translated a number of books, including Japanese Philosophy in the World (in Japanese), Heidegger and the Will: On the Way to Gelassenheit,Martin Heidegger: Key Concepts, Japanese and Continental Philosophy: Conversations with the Kyoto School, Engaging Dogen's Zen: The Philosophy of Practice as Awakening, The Oxford Handbook of Japanese Philosophy, and Bipedal Philosophers (in Japanese). In 2001, he obtained a Ph.D. in philosophy from Vanderbilt University. He lived in Japan for more than a dozen years, during which time he studied Buddhist thought at Otani University, and Japanese philosophy at Kyoto University, while practicing Zen at the monastery of Shokokuji in Kyoto. He is fluent in Japanese, semi-fluent in German, and proficient in reading Classical Chinese. In 2010, he was formally recognized as a Teacher (Sensei) and Director of a Zen Center by Kobayashi Gentoku Roshi, the current abbot of Shokokuji. --This text refers to the hardcover edition.
Product details
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Sticky notes : On Kindle Scribe
Print length : 479 pages
4.8 out of 5 stars 13 ratings
======
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Follow
Bret W. Davis
Bret W. Davis, Ph.D., is Professor and Higgins Chair in Philosophy at Loyola University Maryland, where he teaches courses in Asian, Western, and cross-cultural philosophy, and where he directs The Heart of Zen Meditation Group. In addition to attaining a Ph.D. in philosophy at Vanderbilt University, he has studied and taught in Germany and Japan. While living in Japan for more than a dozen years, he studied Buddhist thought at Otani University and Japanese philosophy at Kyoto University while practicing Rinzai Zen at Shōkokuji monastery. He writes on Zen Buddhism, on the Kyoto School of modern Japanese philosophy, on Western philosophers such as Martin Heidegger, and on issues in cross-cultural philosophy and comparative philosophy of religion.
Top reviews
Top reviews from other countries
William Duckworth
5.0 out of 5 stars Great bookReviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 27 August 2022
Verified Purchase
This book is unique (as far as I know) in what it adds to the English Zen library, and the author brings a unique set of experiences as well.
The author combines three very different perspectives on Zen: as a university professor teaching this topic to American undergraduates, as a Philosophy professor with a background, and considerable publications, in Western philosophy, and as someone who liven in Japan for over a decade, practicing Zen and Koans at Shokokuji and Philosophy at Kyoto University.
The book would make an excellent text for a course in Zen at a university, though it is not written as a textbook per se. Each chapter picks a single topic and offers a combination of introduction to that topic, discussion from the author's perspective, and fairly extensive quotes by, and references to, famous teachers and texts that touch on that topic.
For instance, chapter 5 is "The Buddha's First and Last Lessons: The Middle Way of Knowing What Suffices" and
chapter 15: "The Dharma of Karma: We Reap What We Sow."
There's not an attempt to start with a didactic list of definitions, or background about the place and time of ancient India, rather each topic and topic is pretty independent of the others, except that the earlier ones are simpler to jump into.
The text is very readable, with the author inserting occasional jokes, or relating his own experiences and personal anecdotes as relevant. If I was recommending a first book for a high school student I might choose something shorter or simpler, but for a second book, or someone who wants to dig in a bit more this is the perfect text.
Read less
One person found this helpfulReport abuse
michael l jones
5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative yet nonetheless easy to read & understand regardless of reader's experience level
The text is very readable, with the author inserting occasional jokes, or relating his own experiences and personal anecdotes as relevant. If I was recommending a first book for a high school student I might choose something shorter or simpler, but for a second book, or someone who wants to dig in a bit more this is the perfect text.
Read less
One person found this helpfulReport abuse
michael l jones
5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative yet nonetheless easy to read & understand regardless of reader's experience level
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 14 December 2022
Verified Purchase
The practice/philosophy of Zen Buddhism is undoubtedly tough to explain in detail to an introductory audience, but with a wide range of personal experience ranging from several years of practice in Japan to years of teaching the content in the West at a collegiate level, Bret Davis does a nice job of keeping the information easy to digest while at the same time getting into the details of several different topics. The book is also set up in a wonderful fashion that allows for somebody to jump into any chapter without necessarily having to read the prior chapter(s). That being said, the book does have a flow from one chapter to the next, but yet one chapter is not completely necessary for another.
Verified Purchase
The practice/philosophy of Zen Buddhism is undoubtedly tough to explain in detail to an introductory audience, but with a wide range of personal experience ranging from several years of practice in Japan to years of teaching the content in the West at a collegiate level, Bret Davis does a nice job of keeping the information easy to digest while at the same time getting into the details of several different topics. The book is also set up in a wonderful fashion that allows for somebody to jump into any chapter without necessarily having to read the prior chapter(s). That being said, the book does have a flow from one chapter to the next, but yet one chapter is not completely necessary for another.
