The Three Pillars of Zen: Teaching, Practice, and Enlightenment

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Exploring the three pillars of Zen—teaching, practice, and enlightenment—the founder of one of the most influential Zen centers in the U.S. gives readers invaluable advice on how to develop their own practices.

“The Three Pillars of Zen has been the wellspring of Zen teachings for practitioners in the West, remaining as vital and fresh today as it was when it was originally published. It truly ranks among the timeless classics of Zen Buddhism.” —Roshi John Daido Loori, Abbot, Zen Mountain Monastery

Roshi Philip Kapleau, founder of the eminent Rochester Zen Center, offers a personal account of his own experiences as a student and teacher, and in so doing presents a comprehensive overview of Zen Buddhism that includes practical guidance, insights from Zen masters, integration of Eastern and Western perspectives, and inspiration for personal transformation. 

A moving and eye-opening work in eleven sections, including Yasunati-roshi’s Introductory Lectures on Zen Training and Commentary on the Koan Mu, The Three Pillars of Zen is the definitive introduction to the history and discipline of Zen.

Revised and updated, this 35th anniversary edition features new illustrations and photographs and a new afterword by Sensei Bodhin Kjolhede (who succeeded Kapleau as spiritual director of the Rochester Zen Center), in addition to the following features:

• Foreword by Huston Smith, Professor of Philosophy at MIT
• Preface by Philip Kapleau
• Notes on the Anniversary Edition by Kenneth Kraft
• Notes on Zen Vocabulary and Buddhist Doctrine

From the Publisher

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vintage
Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 27, 1989
Edition ‏ : ‎ Updated,Anniversary
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0385260938
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0385260930
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.17 x 1.04 x 7.99 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #47,704 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #28 in Zen Spirituality #29 in Zen Philosophy (Books) #1,242 in Personal Transformation Self-Help
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