Zen Is Right Here: Teaching Stories and Anecdotes of Shunryu Suzuki, Author of Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

By David Chadwick and Shunryu Suzuki

Book Overview

Shunryu Suzuki's extraordinary gift for conveying traditional Zen teachings using ordinary language is well known to the countless readers of Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind. In Zen Is Right Here, his teachings are brought to life powerfully and directly through stories told about him by his students. These living encounters with Zen are poignant, direct, humorous, paradoxical, and enlightening; and their setting in real-life contexts makes them wonderfully accessible.

Like the Buddha himself, Suzuki Roshi gave profound teachings that were skilfully expressed for each moment, person, and situation he encountered. He emphasized that while the ungraspable essence of Buddhism is constant, the expression of that essence is always changing. Each of the stories presented here is an example of this versatile and timeless quality, showing that the potential for attaining enlightenment exists right here, right now, in this very moment.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1611809487
• ISBN13: 9781611809480
• Release Date: July 2021
• Publisher: Shambhala
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 7.1"

Customer Reviews

Short Stories of Zen Moments

These are short paragraphs of Shunryu Suzuki's encounters with people seeking his knowledge. A fast read that puts a smile on your face.

Suz;uki Roshi live and in color

ZEN IS RIGHT HERE IS FUNNY AND PROFOUND AND JUST THE RIGHT LENGTH. IT BEARS READING OVER AND OVER AND THE QUOTES AND ENCOUNTERS GIVE THE REAL TEACHING OF ZEN BUDDHISM. THEY STICK EASILY IN THE MIND AND ARE AVAILABLE FOR USE WHENEVER YOU NEED THEM.

Like Being In Dokusan

Dokusan usually refers to a private meeting between a student and the Zen master. "Zen Is Right Here" gave me the feeling that I was in dokusan with Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. This is a wonderful collection of teaching stories and anecdotes that need no embellishment. They are short and sweet and to the point. Much like good haiku. A brief example: A student asked in dokusan, "If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it, does it make a sound?" Suzuki Roshi answered, "It doesn't matter." This is a delightful book that I will read again and again. I keep it on my night table. Indeed, Zen is right here!

Same book different name

If you already own To Shine One Corner of the World, this is the same book. This wonderful glimpse of the wisdom of Shunryu Suzuki is a collection of short stories and responses to questions, as retold by his students. Reading this book made me think I would have liked Suzuki as a teacher. He had the ability to get right to the point in a humorous way. You can feel his compassion and empathy for his student's questions in his responses.