Zen Pivots: Lectures on Buddhism and Zen

by Sokei-An Shigetsu Sasaki, Sokei-An, Mary Farkas, et al.

A companion to The Zen Eye, this volume continues the exploration of the vigorous and eloquent teachings of Sokei-An, one of the first masters to bring the living thought and practice of zen to the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0834804166
• ISBN13: 9780834804166
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Weatherhill
• Length: 190 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.3" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful Work

Sokei-An is astonishingly a very little known name to quite a few practitioners of Zen in the west; he was basically a pioneer in it's taking hold here as a valuable approach towards this very life. As Zen master Dae Gak reviewed earlier (a dharma heir of Zen master Seung Sahn), Sokei-An had the true heart of a bodhisattva. There are a lot of esoteric definitions in this work, however, and some background in Pali and Sanskrit will make this read even more worthwhile for you. Truly, it is a magnificent work on Zen. But it's no Compass of Zen (by Seung Sahn), that I must pronounce. So while you are destined to take a breadth of knowledge away from reading this book, I kind of disagree that it's for everyone (beginner and adept). Simply because some fundamental information into the meaning of many of the words he uses are required. Now, Mary Farkas does provide us with a word list in the ending pages of this book. That is to their credit. But occasionally it is nice to hear Zen put truly in American language, so as we don't need to know the definition of a definition, to see where an author is pointing us. Funny how I sound somewhat critical in these remarks, but my appraisal nonetheless is only that of applause. It's truly a wonderful book when approached with a clear and open mind.

Paradox comes to the west

Seemingly, like all Zen books, there are paradoxes in the writing. For example "For about twenty years I thought I was greatly benefited by Buddhism, but in the last twenty years I have been ungaining everything I learned. To gain nothing is always the conclusion of Buddhism". There were some rough lectures for my "beginner mind" but there are some real gems, particularly when imparting stories of the Buddha or monks. Sokei-an was one of the first Zen Masters to come to American, and some of the most fascinating lectures are those contrasting Buddhism and Christianity, such as the Triune Body of Buddha and the Christian Trinity. Even more striking is the lecture "The religion of North America" where he contrasts Tao and Christianity, wisdom and love.

Great Book, good for beginner and experienced Zen student.

This is a wonderful book. It is clear, incisive and I recommend Zen Pivots without hesitation or consideration. It is a welcome companion to Zen Eye. Sokei-An and his devoted student Mary Farkas have done a great service to those Zen practitioners in the West with their clarity, persistence and compassion. Sokei-An has a good understanding of Western culture and this, combined with his enlightened perspective are a trustworthy bridge from Zen in the East to Zen in the West. He finds that place where "East" and "West" no longer exist and articulates this wisdom brilliantly for all beings. A true bodhisattva. -- Zen Master Dae Gak