Books Feb 15, 2020
'Introduction to Zen Training': Sogen Omori's road map to enlightenment
by Steve John Powell
An introduction to Zen practice, by one of Japan's leading practitioners.
Books / Reviews | RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOKS ABOUT JAPAN Dec 14, 2019
'Zen in Japanese Culture': An astute explainer of Japan's spiritual aesthetics
by Iain Maloney
With "Zen in Japanese Culture," Gavin Blair deftly sidesteps superficial how-tos and Orientalism to deliver a in-depth explainer that leaves readers wanting to dig even deeper.
Books Apr 13, 2019
'Zen: The Art of Simple Living': Habits, ideas and hints for living a happy life
by Kris Kosaka
"Zen: The Art of Simple Living" is a profoundly beautiful work, easy to read, encouraging deep thought and reflection, but most importantly, acting as a practical guide to Zen action.
National / Social Issues | Regional voices: Chubu Feb 4, 2019
Zen Buddhist priest touched by kindness in Nepal offers shelter to those seeking refuge in Japan
One day in January, in a quiet Zen temple on a hill in Nagoya's Tenpaku Ward, a priest offered a Nigerian visitor okaki (rice crackers). "Can you eat (this)?" the chief priest of Tokurinji temple asked him in English. The man, who came to Japan to ...
Voices | FOREIGN AGENDA May 23, 2018
by Damian Flanagan
Can the success of Alex Ferguson's 'kids' and Arsene Wenger's 'Invincibles' be linked to Buddhist philosophy? It's worth a try.
Books / Reviews Dec 30, 2017
This no garden variety book on Zen practice
by Stephen Mansfield
The over-application of the term Zen to describe everything from interior design to restaurant menus pored over by celebrities and fashionistas to the expression a "Zen moment" can be tiresome. Zen Gardens and Temples of Kyoto, by John Dougill, Photography by John Einarsen. 144 pages TUTTLE PUBLISHING, ...
Books / Reviews | ESSENTIAL READING FOR JAPANOPHILES Oct 28, 2017
by Tyler Rothmar
Good books on Zen urge you to put them down and start meditating, but the best ones make you actually want to. Opening the Hand of Thought: Foundations of Zen Buddhist Practice, by Kosho Uchiyama, Translated and edited by Tom Wright, Jisho Warner ...
People | WHY DID YOU LEAVE JAPAN? Aug 5, 2017
Zen monk Seigaku: A life with less can be so much more
by Verena Dauerer
Japanese monk Seigaku lives a Zen life with as little money as possible in Berlin.
Travel Apr 14, 2017
Among the monks: Dipping a toe in Zen at Shinshoji Temple
by Steve John Powell
When was the last time you sat in silence, without fretting about the things you ought to be doing or gazing at a screen of any kind? When was the last time you didn't think anything at all? If this is something you do regularly, ...
Food & Drink | TOKYO FOOD FILE Apr 1, 2017
Hayashi: Ponder the sound of one man slurping
by Robbie Swinnerton
The ticket machine at the door to Hayashi looks more like a Zen riddle than a method of ordering noodles. The columns and rows of buttons stand empty and blank, mocking all illusion of choice: egg or no egg; standard or extra grilled pork (options ...
Books / Reviews | ESSENTIAL READING FOR JAPANOPHILES Nov 5, 2016
'Crooked Cucumber': The Life and Zen Teaching of Shunryu Suzuki
by Stephen Mansfield
Shunryu Suzuki, author of the influential "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind," is credited with introducing Zen to the West and founding California's first Zen Buddhist monastery. Crooked Cucumber, by David Chadwick.468 pagesHarmony, Nonfiction. In David Chadwick's biography of Suzuki, "Crooked Cucumber," he mentions an incident that deftly ...
Commentary / Japan Sep 1, 2016
The usefulness of Zen in management culture
by Didier Andre Guillot
Zen should be an integral part of educational curricula and an inspiring driver of business practices.