ITHE COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO ZEN
The Complete Illustrated Guide to Zen offers a comprehensive overview of Soto Zen Buddhism in a delightfully captivating way. Complete with dynamic, detailed illustrations, Soto Zen Priest Seigaku Amato uses a semi-narrative style to take you on a visual tour of Buddhism and, using specifics to illuminate universals, dives deep into the practices and forms of Soto Zen.
Whether you are just taking your first step or have been practicing Zen for years, this creative and profound book will be a constant companion and guide on your journey as it explores topics such as:
A brief history of Buddhism
An iconographic overview of various buddhas and bodhisattvas
An introduction to the various practices of Zen including meditation (zazen), work practice (samu), and meditative eating (oryoki)
A what’s what of holidays, ceremonies, temple instruments, and religious vestments
A how-to guide for setting up a home altar
“This is a cute book! But it’s not just cute, it’s also deep and profound, and is one of the best guides to Zen practice I have ever come across. The illustrations are delightful and the written sections are clear and easy to understand. I give it a million zillion stars!”—Brad Warner, author of Hardcore Zen
“Seigaku Amato explains such characteristics in understandable way with lively illustrations. This book is a friendly, unique guide for those who are interested Soto Zen and wish to understand its history, teaching, and day-to-day practice.”- Shohaku Okumura Roshi, author of Realizing Genjokoan, and Living by the Vow