영성, 몸-마음, 젠더, 생태, 평화 Scapbook

2020/10/02

Crooked Cucumber: The Life and Teaching of Shunryu Suzuki

Crooked Cucumber: The Life and Teaching of Shunryu Suzuki eBook: Chadwick, David: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store

Shunryu Suzuki is known to countless readers as the author of the modern spiritual classic Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind. This most influential teacher comes vividly to life in Crooked Cucumber, the first full biography of any Zen master to be published in the West. To make up his intimate and engrossing narrative, David Chadwick draws on Suzuki's own words and the memories of his students, friends, and family. Interspersed with previously unpublished passages from Suzuki's talks, Crooked Cucumber evokes a down-to-earth life of the spirit. Along with Suzuki we can find a way to "practice with mountains, trees, and stones and to find ourselves in this big world."
---

Review

"Suzuki left a lasting legacy as the man who introduced the spiritual discipline of Zen to the West . . . and Crooked Cucumber affords a wonderful opportunity to meet him."
--Los Angeles Times
"A generous glimpse of the humanity and message of one of the great spiritual teachers of the modern world."
--Publishers Weekly

"A moving and eloquent biography of that quiet man who was to become the most widely revered Zen teacher in this country. Conveying his spirit lovingly and well, it becomes in itself a wonderful manifestation of his gentle teachings."
--Peter Matthiessen, author of At Play in the Fields of the Lord and The Snow Leopard

"It's impossible to imagine a better book about Suzuki-roshi. Its precise picture of Suzuki's values, hopes, and problems makes it a major primer of Zen itself."
--Robert Pirsig, author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

"A touching account of Suzuki-roshi's life, full of funny stories, brave and generous."
--Robert Bly, author of Iron John and The Sibling Society

"Shunryu Suzuki comes to life through these pages to a degree I would not have thought possible. Chadwick has produced a remarkable biography of a truly remarkable man."
--Huston Smith, author of The World's Religions --This text refers to the paperback edition.
----
From the Inside Flap

Shunryu Suzuki is known to countless readers as the author of the modern spiritual classic Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind. This most influential teacher comes vividly to life in Crooked Cucumber, the first full biography of any Zen master to be published in the West.

To make up his intimate and engrossing narrative, David Chadwick draws on Suzuki's own words and the memories of his students, friends, and family. Interspersed with previously unpublished passages from Suzuki's talks, Crooked Cucumber evokes a down-to-earth life of the spirit. Along with Suzuki we can find a way to "practice with mountains, trees, and stones and to find ourselves in this big world." --This text refers to the paperback edition.
Read more

Product details

File Size : 3710 KB
Word Wise : Enabled
Print Length : 465 pages
Publisher : Harmony; Reprint Edition (5 January 2011)

Customer Reviews: 4.9 out of 5 stars 70 ratings

Top reviews from other countries
Retiredguy
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Biography
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 March 2014
Verified Purchase
This is a warts and all biography of Suzuki.
Great teacher for sure, maybe not such a good family man.
The early background in Japan was fascinating.
Temple Zen as a family 'father to son' business.
Chadwick interviewed lots of people but the book really comes 'alive' after Chadwick joins the Zen centre and reports events through his own eyes.
First class, highly recommended.
One person found this helpful
---
Merlin
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 May 2008
Verified Purchase
Have really enjoyed reading about this man. Perhaps some areas could have been written in a better order as it gets a little bit confusing in places.

However this would not stop me buying this book. You come to love a great personality. Every time I put the book down I had a smile on my face. It is also a great account of the times Suzuki lived in, particularly the Second World War in Japan. An intriguing Man not failed at all by his biographer who gets across the motivations and flaws of Suzuki very well indeed.
2 people found this helpful
---
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 May 2013
Verified Purchase
For those of us who didn't get the opportunity to meet Shunryu Suzuki, this book is a captivating read about how Soto Zen became a World religion, rather than a purely Japanese practice.

----

Crooked Cucumber: The Life and Teaching of Shunryu Suzuki eBook: Chadwick, David: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store

Shunryu Suzuki is known to countless readers as the author of the modern spiritual classic Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind. This most influential teacher comes vividly to life in Crooked Cucumber, the first full biography of any Zen master to be published in the West. To make up his intimate and engrossing narrative, David Chadwick draws on Suzuki's own words and the memories of his students, friends, and family. Interspersed with previously unpublished passages from Suzuki's talks, Crooked Cucumber evokes a down-to-earth life of the spirit. Along with Suzuki we can find a way to "practice with mountains, trees, and stones and to find ourselves in this big world."
---

Review

"Suzuki left a lasting legacy as the man who introduced the spiritual discipline of Zen to the West . . . and Crooked Cucumber affords a wonderful opportunity to meet him."
--Los Angeles Times
"A generous glimpse of the humanity and message of one of the great spiritual teachers of the modern world."
--Publishers Weekly

"A moving and eloquent biography of that quiet man who was to become the most widely revered Zen teacher in this country. Conveying his spirit lovingly and well, it becomes in itself a wonderful manifestation of his gentle teachings."
--Peter Matthiessen, author of At Play in the Fields of the Lord and The Snow Leopard

"It's impossible to imagine a better book about Suzuki-roshi. Its precise picture of Suzuki's values, hopes, and problems makes it a major primer of Zen itself."
--Robert Pirsig, author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

"A touching account of Suzuki-roshi's life, full of funny stories, brave and generous."
--Robert Bly, author of Iron John and The Sibling Society

"Shunryu Suzuki comes to life through these pages to a degree I would not have thought possible. Chadwick has produced a remarkable biography of a truly remarkable man."
--Huston Smith, author of The World's Religions --This text refers to the paperback edition.
----
From the Inside Flap

Shunryu Suzuki is known to countless readers as the author of the modern spiritual classic Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind. This most influential teacher comes vividly to life in Crooked Cucumber, the first full biography of any Zen master to be published in the West.

To make up his intimate and engrossing narrative, David Chadwick draws on Suzuki's own words and the memories of his students, friends, and family. Interspersed with previously unpublished passages from Suzuki's talks, Crooked Cucumber evokes a down-to-earth life of the spirit. Along with Suzuki we can find a way to "practice with mountains, trees, and stones and to find ourselves in this big world." --This text refers to the paperback edition.
Read more

Product details

File Size : 3710 KB
Word Wise : Enabled
Print Length : 465 pages
Publisher : Harmony; Reprint Edition (5 January 2011)

Customer Reviews: 4.9 out of 5 stars 70 ratings

Top reviews from other countries
Retiredguy
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Biography
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 March 2014
Verified Purchase
This is a warts and all biography of Suzuki.
Great teacher for sure, maybe not such a good family man.
The early background in Japan was fascinating.
Temple Zen as a family 'father to son' business.
Chadwick interviewed lots of people but the book really comes 'alive' after Chadwick joins the Zen centre and reports events through his own eyes.
First class, highly recommended.
One person found this helpful
---
Merlin
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 May 2008
Verified Purchase
Have really enjoyed reading about this man. Perhaps some areas could have been written in a better order as it gets a little bit confusing in places.

However this would not stop me buying this book. You come to love a great personality. Every time I put the book down I had a smile on my face. It is also a great account of the times Suzuki lived in, particularly the Second World War in Japan. An intriguing Man not failed at all by his biographer who gets across the motivations and flaws of Suzuki very well indeed.
2 people found this helpful
---
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 May 2013
Verified Purchase
For those of us who didn't get the opportunity to meet Shunryu Suzuki, this book is a captivating read about how Soto Zen became a World religion, rather than a purely Japanese practice.
-----

Plum Village Tradition - Wikipedia

Plum Village Tradition - Wikipedia

Plum Village Tradition
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Part of a series on
Mahāyāna Buddhism

Unique Doctrines[show]

Key sūtras [show]

Mahāyāna schools [show]

Regional traditions[show]

v
t
e

Part of a series on
Zen Buddhism

Main articles[show]

Persons[show]

Doctrines[show]

Traditions[show]

Awakening[show]

Teachings[show]

Practice[show]

Schools[show]

Related schools[show]

v
t
e

Part of a series on
Buddhism

History [show]

Dharma
Concepts [show]

Buddhist texts [show]

Practices [show]

Nirvāṇa [show]

Traditions [hide]

Theravāda
Pāli
Mahāyāna
Hinayana
Chinese
Vajrayāna
Tibetan
Navayana
Newar

Buddhism by country [show]

Outline

Religion portal

v
t
e

The Plum Village Tradition is a school of Buddhism named after the Plum Village Monastery in France, the first monastic practice center founded by Thích Nhất Hạnh. It is an approach to Engaged Buddhism mainly from a Mahayana perspective, that draws elements from Zen and Theravada. Its governing body is the Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism.

It is characterized by the application of mindfulness to everyday activities (sitting, walking, eating, speaking, listening, working, etc.). These practices are integrated with lifestyle guidelines called the "five mindfulness trainings", which bring an ethical and spiritual dimension to decision-making and are an integral part of community life.

Contents
1Mindfulness Practices
1.1Daily Practices
1.2Physical Practices
1.3Relationship and Community Practices
1.4Five Mindfulness Trainings

2Plum Village movement
2.1Monasteries

3Distinguishing Characteristics
3.140 Tenets of Plum Village
3.2Community Structure

4See also
5References

Mindfulness Practices[edit]

The sangha is built around a common set of practices to be performed with mindfulness applied to sensory experiences (like listening to the sound of a bell) or activities, such as walking or eating in community. There are also formal ceremonial practices normally performed by the monastics (prostrations, recitations, chanting). Community practices are aimed at facilitating the release from suffering, increasing joy, and experiencing fully the present moment.

The mindfulness practices of the Plum Village Tradition are described on the Plum Village website[1] and the book Happiness by Thich Nhat Hahn.[2] To help cultivate these practices Plum Village encourages the use of Mindfulness apps, including its own for Android and IOS devices. These practices include:

Daily Practices[edit]

Breathing: focusing the attention on the breathing sensory experience.
Waking up: a daily vow to live fully the awake cycle of consciousness after exiting the sleep cycle.
Sitting meditation: suspension of bodily movements to focus on the inner cognitive processes through metacognition, and eventually transcend that.
Walking meditation: focus on the experience of the body movements when walking. Steps and breathing can be synchronized, or a simple mantra recited.
Bell of mindfulness: stopping to focus on the breathing sensory experience upon hearing a sound, normally of a bell.

Physical Practices[edit]

Resting: recognizing the natural needs of the body and take the necessary steps to attain rest.
Mindful Movement: ten body movements practised with conscious breathing to unite mind and body. Based on yoga and tai chi movement.[3]
Deep relaxation: a practice of lying down and totally letting go, using the breath as an anchor.

Relationship and Community Practices[edit]

Sangha body: learning to recognize what each individual needs to feel part of a community.
Sangha building: awareness of organic growth processes of communities.
Dharma sharing: express experiences as they were felt and cognized.
Service meditation: volunteering to menial maintenance tasks.
The Kitchen: food preparation as a meditative practice.
Eating together: focusing on the several aspects of consuming food (provenance, ethics, purpose, etc.) together with other people.
Tea meditation: being aware of all aspects of socializing (inner and interpersonal) while drinking tea.
Noble Silence: suspend or reduce verbal communication to focus on inner processes.
Beginning anew: reconciliation process after a conflict.

Five Mindfulness Trainings[edit]

The Five Mindfulness Trainings are Thich Nhat Hanh's formulation of the traditional Buddhist Five Precepts, ethical guidelines developed during the time of the Buddha to be the foundation of practice for the entire lay Buddhist community.[4]

In southern schools of Buddhism these precepts are typically expressed as undertakings to refrain from harm - not to kill, not to steal, not to lie, not to manifest inappropriate sexual behaviour and not to consume intoxicants. Nhat Hanh's innovation was to express these precepts with an emphasis on the cultivation of virtues on the one hand and as a practice of mindfulness on the other. Each "Mindfulness Training" has the form "Aware of the suffering caused by ----, I am committed to cultivating ----". Each training is thus an undertaking by the practitioner both to cultivate non-harming, generosity, responsible sexual behaviour, loving speech, and mindful consumption and to be mindful of the suffering caused to self and others when these virtues are absent.

Plum Village movement[edit]

As of 2017, the Plum Village movement comprises 589 monastics in 9 monasteries and 1271 communities of practice worldwide.[5] An important component of this tradition is the Order of Interbeing, which is a social network of monastics and lay people who have undertaken the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings.[6] There is also a community inspired by this tradition, aimed at young people between the ages of 18 and 35, called Wake Up.[7] Other initiatives include Wake Up Schools[8] and the Earth Holder Sangha.[9]

Monasteries[edit]

As of November 2018, there are 9 monasteries in the Plum Village Tradition.

United States
Blue Cliff Monastery, New York
Deer Park Monastery, California
Magnolia Grove Monastery, Mississippi

Europe
Plum Village Monastery, France
European Institute of Applied Buddhism, Germany
Healing Spring Monastery (and Maison de L'Inspir), France

Asia/Australia
Thai Plum Village, Thailand
Asian Institute of Applied Buddhism, Hong Kong
Stream Entering Meditation Center, Australia

Distinguishing Characteristics[edit]

40 Tenets of Plum Village[edit]

The 40 Tenets of Plum Village are an attempt by Thich Nhat Hanh to identify and define the teachings that are maintained, taught and transmitted in the Plum Village Tradition. They focus on the key relationship of this tradition to the various Buddhist schools and their teachings. [10] These tenets serve as the foundation for the Plum Village teachings for the Mindfulness Trainings undertaken by lay and monastic practitioners.

Community Structure[edit]

Another distinctive feature of the Plum Village Tradition is the community structure offered by the Order of Interbeing, whose aim is to apply the Bodhisattva ideal in daily life. Both monastic and lay practitioners who undertake the 14 Mindfulness trainings - an extension and modernization of Bodhisattva Precepts by Thich Nhat Hanh - can be members of the Order. In addition both monastic and lay practitioners can receive the Dharma transmission to become Dharma Teachers in this tradition.

References[edit]

^ "Plum Village - Mindfulness Practice".
^ Thich Nhat Hanh (2009). Happiness: Essential Mindfulness Practices. Parallax Press; 1st edition. ISBN 9781888375916.
^ Wietske Vriezen, Thich Hanh, Mindful Movements: Ten Exercises for Well-Being, Parallax Press, Jul 28, 2008
^ "מה זה מיינדפולנס (Mindfulness)". Saturday, 21 December 2019
^ "2016-2017 Annual Highlights from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation". Retrieved December 16, 2018.
^ "14 Mindfulness Trainings on the Order of Interbeing Web Site". Retrieved December 16, 2018.
^ "WakeUp". Retrieved December 16, 2018.
^ "Wake Up Schools". Retrieved December 16, 2018.
^ "Earth Holder Sangha". Retrieved December 16, 2018.
^ "40 Tenets of Plum Village". Retrieved December 16, 2018.

Categories:
Plum Village Tradition

Buddhist Boot Camp eBook: Hawkeye, Timber: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store

Buddhist Boot Camp eBook: Hawkeye, Timber: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store

Buddhist Boot Camp by [Timber Hawkeye]

Audible SampleAudible Sample

Follow the Author

Timber Hawkeye

Buddhism is all about training the mind, and boot camp is an ideal training method for this generation’s short attention span. The chapters in this small book can be read in any order, and are simple and easy to understand. Each story, inspirational quote and teaching offers mindfulness-enhancing techniques that anyone can relate to. You don’t need to be a Buddhist to find this book motivational. As the Dalai Lama says, “Don’t try to use what you learn from Buddhism to be a Buddhist; use it to be a better whatever-you-already-are.”

Whether it’s Mother Teresa’s acts of charity, Gandhi’s perseverance, or your aunt Betty’s calm demeanor, it doesn’t matter who inspires you, so long as you’re motivated to be better today than you were yesterday. Regardless or religion or geographical region, race, ethnicity, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, flexibility, or vulnerability, if you do good, you feel good, and if you do bad, you feel bad.

If you agree that Buddhism isn’t just about meditating, but also about rolling up your sleeves and relieving some of the suffering in the world, then you are ready to be a soldier of peace in the army of love; welcome to Buddhist Boot Camp!

Buddhist Boot Camp Kindle Edition

by Timber Hawkeye (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.8 out of 5 stars 1,406 ratings

Length: 163 pages Word Wise: Enabled Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled

Page Flip: Enabled Audible Narration: Ready Language: English

Product description

From the Inside Flap

Buddhism is all about training the mind, and boot camp is an ideal training method for this generation's short attention span. The chapters in this small book can be read in any order, and are simple and easy to understand. Each story, inspirational quote, and teaching offers mindfulness-enhancing techniques that anyone can relate to. You don't need to be a Buddhist to find the Buddha's teachings motivational. As the Dalai Lama says, Don't try to use what you learn from Buddhism to be a Buddhist; use it to be a better whatever-you-already-are.

So whether it's Mother Teresa's acts of charity, Gandhi's perseverance, or your aunt Betty's calm demeanor, as long as you're motivated to be better today than you were yesterday, it doesn't matter who inspires you. Regardless of religion, geographical region, race, ethnicity, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, flexibility, or vulnerability, if you do good you feel good, and if you do bad you feel bad.

Buddhism isn't just about meditating. It's about rolling up your sleeves to relieve some of the suffering in the world. If you are ready to be a soldier of peace in the army of love, welcome to Buddhist Boot Camp!

--This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

About the Author

Timber Hawkeye offers a non-sectarian approach to being at peace with the world, both within and around us. His intention is to awaken, enlighten, enrich, and inspire. --This text refers to the hardcover edition.

From the Back Cover

Buddhism is all about training the mind, and boot camp is an ideal training method for this generation's short attention span. The chapters in this small book can be read in any order, and are simple and easy to understand. Each story, inspirational quote, and teaching offers mindfulness-enhancing techniques that anyone can relate to. You don't need to be a Buddhist to find the Buddha's teachings motivational. As the Dalai Lama says, Don't try to use what you learn from Buddhism to be a Buddhist; use it to be a better whatever-you-already-are.

So whether it's Mother Teresa's acts of charity, Gandhi's perseverance, or your aunt Betty's calm demeanor, as long as you're motivated to be better today than you were yesterday, it doesn't matter who inspires you. Regardless of religion, geographical region, race, ethnicity, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, flexibility, or vulnerability, if you do good you feel good, and if you do bad you feel bad.

Buddhism isn't just about meditating. It's about rolling up your sleeves to relieve some of the suffering in the world. If you are ready to be a soldier of peace in the army of love, welcome to Buddhist Boot Camp!

---

Product details

File Size : 237 KB

Word Wise : Enabled

Publisher : HarperOne (19 February 2013)

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars

Top reviews from Australia

Kerry

5.0 out of 5 stars inspirational

Reviewed in Australia on 3 March 2015

Verified Purchase

I loved this book so much I am going to order a hard copy that I can refer easily refer to with highlighted extracts.

I especially loved all the quotes at the end of each section- they really resonated with me.

Thank you, Timber. Beautifully written and easy to read

pete white

4.0 out of 5 stars is an easy to read book that will brighten up the readers ...

Reviewed in Australia on 21 November 2014

Verified Purchase

Buddhist boot camp , is an easy to read book that will brighten up the readers daily life , if the very simple ideas that are put forward

are put into practice . The title may seem a little off putting with the Boot camp part , but this is a very misleading ploy .

In general a great book for all readers .

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

Janet Bowers

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read

Reviewed in Australia on 13 March 2017

Verified Purchase

I have really enjoyed reading this book. Sometimes personally confronting, it helped me look at myself and my thought patterns differently.

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

Amazon Customer

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read

Reviewed in Australia on 26 June 2018

Verified Purchase

I loved this book. Was so easy to read and practical.

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

Neene

4.0 out of 5 stars If you want understand the basics of being a good person

Reviewed in Australia on 7 November 2015

Verified Purchase

This book was easy to read

Made sense

Gave simple insights

Realistic lessons

And good reasons to be a good person

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

Melissa Atkinson

5.0 out of 5 stars I easy and plealsure read to assist you to get on ...

Reviewed in Australia on 5 November 2015

Verified Purchase

I easy and plealsure read to assist you to get on the Buddhist journey. I love the content to it was easy to devour.

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

Jenny Barlas

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book. What Buddhism and all faith systems should be.

Reviewed in Australia on 10 December 2014

Verified Purchase

Simple message that is easy to follow. Great book, have been reccomending it to others. Will be reading this book over and over.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

ANNEMARIE OGDEN

5.0 out of 5 stars None

Reviewed in Australia on 14 September 2014

this book simply changed my life. I know big statement but Timber explains things in such a way it is easy to bring them into everyday. I found myself questioning my views and thoughts and realized that by just standing back looking at others points of view that the peace I had been searching for was inside all along. Not a preachy book just a thought provoking little book. that i often return to.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

See all reviews

Top reviews from other countries

Ros

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 January 2017

Verified Purchase

This is a well written and easy book to read. Every page contains wisdom which makes you realise just how simple life really is (and should be) and how we have complicated it by being caught up in the materialistic rat race of what we have come to believe is life. A must read for all of us who feel swept away at times with the modern world. Thank-you Timber Hawkeye for reminding us of the wisdom that I think is already within each of us, but that we have forgotten exists in these modern times.

3 people found this helpful

Report abuse

Lee

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite books ever

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 August 2016

Verified Purchase

This book changed my life. This is the 4th I buy (the first one was for myself and the next were gifts). I love the simple texts that you can read with no specific order, but so meaningful. Don't let the small size and apparent simplicity of the texts fool you, it is a book that will touch you, your thoughts and your way of being in life.

3 people found this helpful

--

Emily Scott

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book So Far!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 June 2016

Verified Purchase

I bought this for my kindle, and I'm currently only up to Love and Relationships, and according to my kindle that's 23% through.. but already I'm in love with this book!

It's already taught me a load of things that I wouldn't have even thought of. I've always been interested in Buddhism, and yes I meditate but sometimes it's difficult what with my mind being so uncontrollable at times. However, reading just 23% of this book has made me realise that okay, my mind goes off on a tangent, but it's okay for me to just sit there and watch these thoughts fleet by!

I still have a long way to go before I finish this book but I already recommend this to anyway seeking some form of understanding.

Timber Hawkeye is a wonderful teacher.

--

Bowen

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read book for non religious budding Buddhists!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 March 2015

Verified Purchase

An amazing little book packed full of wisdom and common sense. I loved his down to earth approach without any of the usual hard sell preaching that most disciplines feel they have to project. I am not at all interested in any religion, but I felt that what Timber is talking about was using your own inner judgement on whether something was right or wrong. No one can make those decisions for you as it is your journey not theirs. I bought the kindle version and loved it so much I bought a couple of copies of the book as well to give as presents.

2 people found this helpful

--

Carole Howells

5.0 out of 5 stars Life changing

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 August 2018

Verified Purchase

I’ve bought this book SO many times, passed it on, given it as gifts, loaned to clients etc. And I still have 2 copies in the house atm. I just keep learning from it, I flick it open and help myself to a little slice of wisdom when I have a minute. Easy to dip in & out, easy to read in one sitting. Damn near perfect

Report abuse

The Novice: A Story of True Love by Thich Nhat Hanh | Goodreads

The Novice: A Story of True Love by Thich Nhat Hanh | Goodreads

The Novice: A Story of True Love

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Follow the Author

Thich Nhat Hanh
+ Follow

The Novice: A remarkable story of love and truth Kindle Edition
by Thich Nhat Hanh (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.7 out of 5 stars 11 ratings
Length: 162 pages Word Wise: Enabled Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
Page Flip: Enabled Language: English

A devoted student and diligent worker at the Dharma Cloud Temple monastery, Kinh Tam is not who he appears to be. And yet the novice's true identity cannot be revealed without Kinh paying a terrible price.

To continue on the path to enlightenment, Kinh must suffer false accusations, physical hardship and public humiliation without complaint. With absolute grace, astounding compassion and unwavering resolve, the novice perseveres in the face of every challenge. Ultimately, Kinh Tam's moving fate will transform lives and offer hope for us all.

In these pages, Zen master, poet and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh retells an ancient Vietnamese folk tale, sharing Kinh's story as a teaching and proposing a real way of being in the the world that is utterly relevant now, in the twenty-first century.

Product description

About the Author
Thich Nhat Hanh, a world-renowned writer, poet, scholar and Zen Buddhist monk, lives in the monastic communities he has founded in France and America. The author of the hugely popular Anger and the classic The Miracle of Mindfulness, as well as numerous other books, he conducts public workshops throughout the world and peacemaking retreats with Vietnam veterans, Palestinians and Israelis. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967. --This text refers to the paperback edition.
Review
One of our most treasured spiritual teachers tells a story that will touch your heart. So beautiful. -- Marianne Williamson, author of A Return to Love

Thich Nhat Hanh has given us a luminous book. The Novice is both instructive and haunting. Its heroine holds a lantern for all seekers. -- Julia Cameron, author of The Artist's Way

Thich Nhat Hanh is a holy man, for he is humble and devout. He is a scholar of immense intellectual capacity. His ideas for peace, if applied, would build a monument to ecumenism, to world brotherhood, to humanity. -- Martin Luther King, Jr., in nominating Thich Nhat Hanh for the Nobel Peace Prize

Thich Nhat Hanh shows us the connection between personal, inner peace and peace on earth. -- His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Thich Nhat Hanh writes with the voice of the Buddha. -- Sogyal Rinpoche, author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying --This text refers to the paperback edition.
Read more

Product details

File Size : 272 KB
Word Wise : Enabled
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Print Length : 162 pages
Enhanced Typesetting : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Publisher : Ebury Digit
Customer reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
Top reviews from other countries

robin
5.0 out of 5 stars A book of courageReviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 May 2014
Verified Purchase

I loved its simplicity.
The choice between right and wrong is sometimes not easy and it takes courage and inner strength to make the right decision. Sometimes the right decision can lead to painful consequences and this can make it all the more harder.
This book will bring comfort to anyone who inwardly can understand its message and is looking for inner courage necessary to make painful decisions.

One person found this helpfulReport abuse

Zubin
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration to BE!Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 September 2012
Verified Purchase

This is an amazing story and so well told. The two contributions at the end by Sister Chan Khong and by Thich Nhat Hanh show us so clearly how we too can rise above our 'conditioned self' to manifest who we really are, the Compassion and Divine Unity that we all really ARE. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone and have done so already. If you haven't got it ... GET IT! It's a book you will return to again and again ;D

2 people found this helpfulReport abuse

Kevin Glyn Hearth
5.0 out of 5 stars Simple yet elegantReviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 August 2014
Verified Purchase

As per my subject line. I found it naive in a positive sense. I like all of the books written by Thich Nhat Hanh that I have read, and this was no exception.
Report abuse

liz little
3.0 out of 5 stars Easy to readReviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 July 2013
Verified Purchase

I enjoyed reading this story but it wasn't my favourite book by Thich Nhat Hanh. My personal favourite is 'Peace is Every Step' which is wonderfully simple and yet very profound.
Report abuse

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars BrilliantReviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 February 2013
Verified Purchase

This book gives a lot of food for thought and if we could live our lives in this way then the world would be a much better place to live in.

One person found this helpfulReport abuse

4.02 · Rating details · 1,017 ratings · 133 reviews

Fans of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Peace is Every Step and Anger, and Deepak Chopra’s Buddha, will appreciate Hanh’s wisdom and storytelling in his novel The Novice, which contains universal themes that transcend all boundaries of faith, creed, country, and era.

Through the parable of a young woman who stays true to herself and her faith in the face of adversity, Vietnamese Zen Buddhist master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh enables readers to embark on their own path of introspection and self-discovery.

With his trademark insight, Hanh presents a path to greater awareness of the means to manifest peace both inside oneself and in the world at large. (less)

GET A COPY

KoboOnline Stores ▾Book Links ▾

ebook, 160 pages

Published August 23rd 2011 by HarperOne (first published August 18th 2011)

Original TitleThe Novice: A Story of True Love

ISBN006209257X (ISBN13: 9780062092571)

Edition LanguageEnglish

Other Editions (21)

The Novice: A Story of True Love

The Novice: A Story of True Love

The Novice: A Story of True Love

El monje. Una historia de amor verdadero

Wenn es auch unmöglich scheint: Eine Geschichte wahrer Liebe

All Editions | Add a New Edition | Combine

...Less DetailEdit Details

FRIEND REVIEWS

Recommend This Book None of your friends have reviewed this book yet.

READER Q&A

Ask the Goodreads community a question about The Novice

54355902. uy100 cr1,0,100,100

Ask anything about the book

Be the first to ask a question about The Novice

LISTS WITH THIS BOOK

The Quiet American by Graham GreeneBoot by Charles L. TempletonA Bright Shining Lie by Neil SheehanMatterhorn by Karl MarlantesDispatches by Michael Herr

Best Books on Vietnam

197 books — 148 voters

The Pocket Thich Nhat Hanh by Thich Nhat HanhWisdom Of Thich Nhat Hanh by Thich Nhat HanhThich Nhat Hanh by Thich Nhat HanhBreathe by Thich Nhat HanhWith Words of Thich Nhat Hanh by Thich Nhat Hanh

Best of Thich Nhat Hanh

100 books — 1 voter

More lists with this book...

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Showing 1-30

Average rating4.02 · Rating details · 1,017 ratings · 133 reviews

Search review text

English ‎(112)

More filters | Sort order

Sejin,

Sejin, start your review of The Novice: A Story of True Love

Write a review

Vicki

Jan 06, 2013Vicki rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorite-books, mindfulness

It is amazing how a book sometimes finds it way to you when you need it most. I've read other books by Thich Nhat Hanh so I knew this would be a great story but I didn't expect it to have such an impact on me, I read it in one sitting. I needed to be reminded of how important it is to forgive. The story line is simple and yet so thought provoking. A young woman who wishes to be a buddhist monk disguises herself as a young man and becomes a novice. Another young woman in the village accuses the "monk" of raping her and inpregnating her. Further complicating matters, the monk then begins raising the baby allegedly conceived by the rape. If the monk reveals her secret, she will no longer be able to be a monk and achieve the buddha nature she so longs for. If she says nothing, then she tacitly endorses injustice and the false accusation. I won't tell the whole story here. :)

In addition to being a wonderfully simple story that is well written, this reminds each of us to reflect on the daily injustices, judgements and wrongs that occur in our daily lives. It helps us to understand how we can respond to such issues tactfully, with grace, and in such a way that order is restored. This book is a lovely way to introduce yourself or someone else to the Buddhist concepts of loving-kindness and compassion. (less)

flag15 likes · Like · 1 comment · see review

Crystal Lacy

Oct 14, 2015Crystal Lacy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: things-on-the-shelf

I stumbled upon this book because I'm planning a short story collection based on Vietnamese folk stories and renovated operas centered around women, and wanted to see if anyone had written a story about Quan Am Thi Kinh in English yet. I was pleasantly surprised to find that one had been written by Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, whose name is famous within the Buddhist community. I ordered it immediately.

The volume is thin, but packs a punch. Anyone looking for a bit of spiritual wisdom will benefit greatly from reading this. Having grown up around the Thi Kinh legend, I didn't think this would be anything new. On some levels it's not--the story is well known and this version doesn't mess TOO much with the original material. However, Thich Nhat Hanh pays attention to all the minor characters that one doesn't really hear much about in most retellings, and does so in a compassionate way that highlights their humanity.

In reading this, one should keep in mind that the author is not a novelist and that the book's purpose is to convey Buddhist teachings to the reader. There's a lot of explanation about the teachings of Buddha, the writing style is pretty basic, and it can be a tedious read for someone who reads a lot of good fiction. You likely won't find anything very commendable about the prose itself; it's the lessons one learns from the book that are important. I definitely struggled to read through it because it was so preachy, but I was glad I did read it.

Overall, a good book to read if you're curious about Buddhism but can't stomach nonfiction. I am not very religious, but I felt significantly more reverent after reading this book.

(less)

flag6 likes · Like · 2 comments · see review

Monty

Jun 27, 2013Monty rated it really liked it

If Buddhism or Guan Yin are not of interest to you, then a two or three star rating would be in order. The story of Kinh Tam and how she became known as Quan Am Thi Kinh (Guan Yin) is elaborated on by Thich Nhat Hanh in an uncomplicated, easy manner, as if he were talking to young people. This teaching style is deceptively simple because it covers several Buddhist principals. I was surprised at the end of the story when I had tears in my eyes. I'm not sure where the tears came from though I suspect that at least, in part, they were stimulated by my attempts to grasp the true meaning or what it is like to accept all people, whether they let you down, falsely accuse you, belittle you, ignore you, treat you like a non-person, and more. Kinh Tam, who experienced those judgments from others was able to maintain equanimity towards all beings by practicing Buddhist principles of compassion and non-judgment.

The 100 page story was followed by an essay by Sister Chan Khong, an expatriate Vietnamese Buddhist nun and peach activist who has worked closely with Thich Nhat Hanh for over 50 years. Part of the essay includes examples of how Vietnamese Buddhist monastics and social workers were discriminated against and even murdered by those in power in both the 1960s and the 2000s. There is a brief essay at the end of the book by Thich Nhat Hahn where he explains how, no matter what is happening to us from the outside, we can always find refuge in the true home within ourselves.

This book is obviously not for everyone, though I would recommend it to those whose curiosity has been aroused. Here is a link that discusses Guan Yin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guanyin

(less)

flag4 likes · Like · 2 comments · see review

Kali Srikanth

Jun 07, 2020Kali Srikanth rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-changed-the-way-i-see-life, short-shots, feminism, spirituality

A Young woman (Kinh Tam) who wishes to be a Buddhist monk disguises herself as a young man and becomes a novice. Another young woman (Thi Mau) in the village accuses the "monk" of having a sexual affair that made her pregnant. If the monk reveals her secret, she will no longer be able to be a monk and achieve the Buddha nature she so longs for. If she says nothing, then she tacitly endorses injustice and the false accusation.

As intriguing as it may sound, the rest of the story doesn't really resonate with the story-conflict. Infact, it is more of a series of events that follow the secret life of Kinh Tam. On top of that, the Buddhist literature, the mantras & chants (My personal favourite The Great Bell Chant which you will find in Youtube) TNH tried to forcefully infuse into the story feels on the nose and out of place at times.

But having said so, there is something profound about the book that struck a chord in me, especially the bonus insight towards the end. Its relevance was only clear to me after reading it; the suppression of Buddhist religious leaders and followers by Police force & local Communists back in 1960s and how Thay and his student monks endured and fought back with loving-kindness and inclusiveness that resonated loudly in the book.

This is a small book, with a powerful message which is may well very-relevant to our times. Despite the shortcomings in its writing I still feel it's a beautiful read. 4/5

This World doesn't need more successful people. The World desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers and lovers of all kinds.

~Dalai Lama (less)

flag3 likes · Like · comment · see review

Karith Amel

Oct 28, 2018Karith Amel added it

Shelves: audio, santa-cruz

A book filled with gentle wisdom and true compassion. A small life - faithfully lived - made large by the transforming power of love.

Brief though it may be, this story is not allegory or parable or empty didacticism. The characters breathe with their own life and truth, and the power and relevance of their choices come holistically through the telling. Yet the greatest treasure is probably Sister Chan Kong's summary of Thich Nhat Hanh's life which follows the narrative, and lends depth and credibility to the truth it contains - the hope that it offers.

As a final note, I find Thich Nhat Hanh's complete disregard for gender utterly refreshing. A soul is a soul is a soul. There is an unaffected egalitarianism in his writing (and teaching) that one rarely finds within the leaders of my own tradition (something I find myself thirsting for desperately). (less)

flag3 likes · Like · comment · see review

♥ Ibrahim ♥

Oct 15, 2013♥ Ibrahim ♥ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: spirituality, thinkers-i-adore

I like the way the story of Kinh is told in a simple, clear and charming style. A child at any age as well as an adult can read or hear this story and enjoy it just as much. Because I am an Easterner, I can relate to that village girl Kinh and know how she exactly must have felt having to deal with frustrated hopes and aspirations and her only problem is that she is a girl in an Eastern society. I like the spiritual nuggets spread here and there as I keep reading the story. A story is meant to be a story, not a religion lesson, and indeed Thich does a marvelous job at that. Only Thích Nhất Hạnh has the amazing ability to teach you Buddhism through a story like this without letting you feel that you are being "taught". He is just having conversation and when he speaks, he does, indeed, speak to your heart.

Even though the novice, Kinh Tam, is falsely accused and beaten to the point of bleeding, he is able to maintain such carefree and tranquil composure. What was his secret? It is because he has learnt and is applying the practice of inclusiveness that he is able to avoid into falling into suffering and reproach. Practicing magnanimity brings us away from the shore of sorrows and over to the shore of freedom and happiness. Our goal is to be clear-minded, and those who are caught in cravings are no longer clear-minded. We have to magnanimously persevere, and then our hearts and minds will be at peace (See the collection on the Sixth Paramitas). When we truly practice looking deeply, then we have a chance to understand better and to be more accepting. Our hearts naturally open up, becoming vast like the oceans and rivers. In understanding the sorrows and difficulties of others, we are able to accept and feel compassion for them, even if they have caused us difficulties, treated us unfairly, brought disaster on us, or unjustly harrassed us.

Am I like the Earth which quietly receives everything without feelings of pride, grievance, or being humiliated? The Earth has the embracing capacity and has the ability to receive and transform whatever it takes in. Is my heart-mind boundlessly immense like water? Do I have the ability to receive and transform all injustices and grievances?

(less)

flag2 likes · Like · comment · see review

Yann

Mar 23, 2013Yann rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mindfulness

Unfortunately I have to agree with some of the reviewers that this book's writing is somewhat off-putting. TNH is one of my favorite authors, and I understand that this is meant as a Buddhist lesson. But still... I could never really get into the story because of the writing, so I might not have learned the lesson as well as I was supposed to... Not a bad book per se but I would basically recommend any other book by TNH rather than this one.

flag2 likes · Like · comment · see review

Shannon

Mar 08, 2012Shannon rated it really liked it

It is not a grand literary read.

However it is very peaceful, and quick and easy. One of those reads that really helps bring peace to the mind.

And it's great because one gets to learn about Vietnamese folk lore... I love to learn things.

flag2 likes · Like · comment · see review