Among Buddhist traditions; Zen has been remarkably successful in garnering and sustaining interest outside the Buddhist homelands of Asia; and “zen†is now part of the global cultural lexicon. This deeply informed book explores the history of this enduring Japanese tradition—from its beginnings as a form of Buddhist thought and practice imported from China to its reinvention in medieval Japan as a force for religious; political; and cultural change to its role in Japan’s embrace of modernity. Going deeper; it also explores Zen through the experiences and teachings of key individuals who shaped Zen as a tradition committed to the embodiment of enlightenment by all. By bringing together Zen’s institutional and personal dimensions; Peter D. Hershock offers readers a nuanced yet accessible introduction to Zen as well as distinctive insights into issues that remain relevant today; including the creative tensions between globalization and localization; the interplay of politics and religion; and the possibilities for integrating social transformation with personal liberation. Including an introduction to the basic teachings and practices of Buddhism and an account of their spread across Asia; Public Zen; Personal Zen deftly blends historical detail with the felt experiences of Zen practitioners grappling with the meaning of human suffering; personal freedom; and the integration of social and spiritual progress.
#1012904 in Books Family Tree Books 2011-02-27Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.13 x .90 x 7.00l; 1.14 #File Name: 1440310866320 pages
Review
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Civil War Era Daily LifeBy Mary ContraryI bought this for my husband because when he got it at the library he couldn't put it down. He finished the library copy; then immediately began reading the copy I purchased for him. He has about 100 Civil War books in his collection.9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Life in Civil War AmericaBy JuneIt is apparent that the author; Michael Varhola; did extensive research. There are many wonderful details in this book--slang and idioms; food; education; religion; clothing and military equipment; etc. The one criticism I have is that the author gives information going into the 1870s. Since the war ended in 1865; and my area of concentration is the Civil War years; I didn't find the information following the war very useful. Overall; I found the book a valuable source on how the people of the north and south lived during those difficult times.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Helpful guideBy Pecan CornerThis is a helpful guide to everyday life during the civil war times. It gives a broad overview of many topics that spark places for further research to understand how daily life differed from our own; as well as seeing how much is not so different after all.A great resource for use as a textbook for Junior High through High School College; as well as a handy reference for the home library.
