In describing al-Wabil al-Sayyib; here translated into English for the first time as Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya on the Invocation of God; the author says; 'We have mentioned [in it] nearly one hundred benefits of remembrance of God [dhikr]; and the secrets of remembrance...This is a book of great usefulness.' Written in the fourteenth century by the renowned theologian Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya; this treatise movingly details the many blessings of the remembrance of God. Through discussions of the ego; the nature of the body; the ephemerality of the world; the degrees of prayer; fasting; charity; and the purification of the heart; this beautifully written work is a genuine contribution to Muslim spirituality. What makes Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya on the Invocation of God of great interest is that it illustrates the spiritual life of Ibn Qayyim and of his teacher; the Hanbalite reformer Ibn Taymiyya (1263AH/1328AD).
#1191556 in Books World Wisdom 2005-08-16Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.96 x 1.54 x 6.08l; 1.61 #File Name: 0941532909520 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent; As AlwaysBy Zen ElderI already had Dumoulin's book on India and China; so I knew what I was getting. There have been further findings since he wrote Zen Buddhism: A History (Japan); but the basics are there; and it's readable. Glad this got updated and printed again.4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Still; an essential reference for all Zen students/practitionersBy Ted BiringerAn essential reference for all Zen students/practitionersThis book along with its companion volume (Zen Buddhism: A History; Vol. 1 - India China); also by Heinrich Dumoulin; is unique in offering the only extensive single-set history of Zen Buddhism available.As such it is an essential reference for all Zen students; teachers; and practitioners. It also has plenty to offer students of Buddhism of all traditions; especially those of Mahayana.While not as informative as its companion: Zen Buddhism; Volume 1: A History - India and China; it does offering an extensive overview of the rise and development of Zen in Japan.After furnishing the reader with an overview of the spiritual landscape of the Japan during the time of its incorporation of Zen; Heinrich Dumoulin examines the lives and teachings of the major figures associated with the transmission of Zen from China.Dumoulin then traces the developments of the two major sects of Zen Buddhism as they developed and competed for recognition and authority. While many of the details fail to acknowledge recent scholarship; Dumoulin's work still manages to provide readers with a general overview of these schools.Providing both; historical and traditional accounts and information concerning the more influential Japanese Zen masters; Dumoulin offers readers some insights into the elements that distinguish the Ch'an of China from Zen Buddhist schools of Japan.While this book; in offers an extensive overview; it does not offer in-depth examinations; unlike Volume One; some of the out-dated material is at significant odds with recent scholarship.Nevertheless; with all the trimmings; front and back matter of quality scholarship (notes; detailed index; glossary; etc) this second of the two-volume history of Zen offers plenty of unique material that will be welcomed by Zen students for many generations to come.2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. From its inception to its expansion during the middle ages and modern Zen movementsBy Midwest Book ReviewZen Buddhism: A History Japan is the new edition of volume two of Zen scholar Dumoulin's classic two-volume reference of the history of Zen. Specifically focusing upon the development of Zen in Japan from its inception to its expansion during the middle ages and modern Zen movements; Zen Buddhism: A History Japan has now been enhanced with notes by James W. Heisig of the Nanzan Institute for Religion and Culture and a new introduction by Victor Sogen Hori of McGill University. Zen Buddhism: A History Japan is an extensive; in-depth; scholarly; superbly written and presented resource and reference; intended especially for scholars; historians; and students of Zen Buddhism due to its thorough detail.
