The Way of Zen
First edition
AuthorAlan Watts
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
SubjectZen Buddhism, Philosophy, Mahayana Buddhism
GenreNon-fiction
Published1957
PublisherVintage Books
Media typePrint
ISBN978-0375705106

The Way of Zen is a 1957 non-fiction book on Zen Buddhism and Eastern philosophy by philosopher and religious scholar Alan Watts. It was a bestseller and played a major role in introducing Buddhism to a mostly young, Western audience.[1][2]

Content

The Way of Zen is divided into two sections, the first which deals with the background and historical development of Zen Buddhism, and the latter which focuses on the principles and practices. The second half has sections that include "Empty and Marvelous," "Sitting Quietly, Doing Nothing," "Za-zen and the Koan," and "Zen and the Arts."[3]

Watts traces the origin of Zen Buddhism as a synthesis of Chinese Taoism and Mahayana Buddhism. Watts introduces the reader to a variety of Eastern philosophical concepts such as wuwei, Middle Way and anatman. Watts portrays the western philosophical tradition as being intrinsically limited by the strict adherence to logical structures as opposed to eastern philosophy which is not bound by these structures.

References

  1. ^ Timothy Miller, ed. (1995). America's Alternative Religions. State University of New York Press. p. 164. ISBN 978-1438430935.
  2. ^ Kevin Starr (2009). Golden Dreams: California in an Age of Abundance, 1950-1963. Oxford University Press. p. 420. ISBN 978-0195153774.
  3. ^ Watts, Alan (1957). The Way of Zen. New York City: Pantheon Books.


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