Sit: Zen Teachings of Master Taisen Deshimaru

Rating:
Summary: The Look of the Buddha
Review: Here, from Taisen Deshimaru, who helped to bring Buddhism to Paris from the Orient, comes a unique teaching of Soto Zen. Philip Coupey, one of his most ardent students and translators, has compiled this book of teachings from Deshimaru's seshins near the Loire Valley in France. Deshimaru had the look of the Buddha when he sat in zazen, and his teachings reflected a deep wisdom and understanding of the cosmos which is in more our bellies, less our minds.

John Stevens, currently a Buddhist Monk in Paris, knows Monsieur Coupey and attends and helps with the seshins regularly, even though Deshimaru has passed away. While Mr. Stevens is not in this book, his example of selflessness, his sense of humour, and his dedication to zazen as outlined here by Deshimaru, has led me to this wonderful book of zen wisdom.

Rating:
Summary: Don't sit it out...
Review: One of his best works. Glad I bought it, it has all his fundamental philosophy and practice, plus his view of Dogen.

While having reading the "Shobogenzo" by the latter which is beautiful but tedious, this work has a much more modern and pragmatic application. I recommend it to anyone who is searching for zen practice who wants to live it instead of ruminate upon it like another koan.

Kwat!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Don't sit it out...
Review: This is a great book. A collection of the retreat teachings of Zen master Taisen Deshimaru that hits like a shot of sharp sun! Lovingly edited by Deshimaru's long-time student, Philippe Coupey, page after page reveals the Soto master at the apogee of his deep success, awaking and always wakening; for a practitioner, it's a joy to experience the thunder of Deshimaru's method, his keen intellect placed full in the service of waking up, and the bright shafts of his profound religiousness. As the retreat progresses, the pages are increasingly (and successfully) penetrated with descriptions of the physical aspects of meditation in the dojo in the mountains of Val d'Isere, in France- the flowing water outside the zendo, the natural sounds of the sangha. It's really a beautiful and remarkable book, much in the line of Shunryu Suzuki's teaching, and what's finer than that?! Deshimaru says: Zazen is dry wood without thinking. The deep wisdom arises. The blue mountain stands alone. Looking like a modern day Bodhidharma (there are some excellent photos inside the book!), the best and deepest sense of Deshimaru the buddha never leaves you, from the instant you start reading, indeed, for that matter, even once you've finished. Perfectly useful spiritual reading.

Rating:
Summary: Kwatz!
Review: This is a great book. A collection of the retreat teachings of Zen master Taisen Deshimaru that hits like a shot of sharp sun! Lovingly edited by Deshimaru's long-time student, Philippe Coupey, page after page reveals the Soto master at the apogee of his deep success, awaking and always wakening; for a practitioner, it's a joy to experience the thunder of Deshimaru's method, his keen intellect placed full in the service of waking up, and the bright shafts of his profound religiousness. As the retreat progresses, the pages are increasingly (and successfully) penetrated with descriptions of the physical aspects of meditation in the dojo in the mountains of Val d'Isere, in France- the flowing water outside the zendo, the natural sounds of the sangha. It's really a beautiful and remarkable book, much in the line of Shunryu Suzuki's teaching, and what's finer than that?! Deshimaru says: Zazen is dry wood without thinking. The deep wisdom arises. The blue mountain stands alone. Looking like a modern day Bodhidharma (there are some excellent photos inside the book!), the best and deepest sense of Deshimaru the buddha never leaves you, from the instant you start reading, indeed, for that matter, even once you've finished. Perfectly useful spiritual reading.