WAY OF ZEN - Hardcover

The Way of Zen provides a practical insight into the history and development of Zen from the Buddhist tradition on which it is founded to the practice in daily life on which it depends; and from the cultural arts that it has inspired to its contemporary situation and future in the West. The Way of Zen is of value to any reader interested in the broad dimensions of Zen, while for those wishing a deeper understanding the book also provides insights into the day-to-day reality of Zen training. This combined exoteric/esoteric approach is based on the dual experiences of the authors, one grounded in a long traditional monastic training, the other in lay practice. The book recommends itself to new and seasoned practitioners and to readers who wish to explore beneath the surface of this seemingly enigmatic but in reality very direct tradition. The book is illustrated with reproductions of Zen Buddhist drawings and paintings and pictures of life in monasteries

Charles Tenshin Fletcher has practiced Zen Buddhism for twenty-three years, sixteen of these spent living at Zen Center of Los Angeles and practicing with the late Maezumi, Roshi. Since Maezumi's passing he has been the acting abbot and resident teacher at Zen Mountain Center (Yokoji temple), a formal mountain training centre in Southern California. He also leads groups in England and Mexico. He is a member of the Japanese Soto School and is currently translating Japanese and Chinese Soto texts into an American version, which will be used by most Soto Zen groups.