Sermons of a Buddhist abbot;: Addresses on religious subjects, including the Sutra of forty-two chapters

Rating:
Summary: Sermons of a Buddhist Abbot
Review: Originally published in 1906, this book is still one of the best introductions to Zen Buddhism. Soyen Shaku gave these lectures in the U.S. during 1905 and 1906, with translations by D.T. Suzuki. These lectures make Zen understandable and approachable for readers coming from a cultural background based on Christianity. In particular, the chapter "Reply to a Christian Critic" bridges these religions. It is a letter from Soyen Shaku in response to Dr. John Barrows' 1896 lecture on Buddhism at Chicago University. This book was also published as "Zen for Americans," and was printed in paperback under both titles. It has been used as a textbook on the subject for university courses, so it is somewhat available. The book ranges from the basic introduction to the somewhat technical and esoteric discussion of "The Sutra of Forty-two Chapters." Overall, the book is direct and straightforward without over-simplification, and I give it the highest recommendation.