Philip Kapleau - The Three Pillars of Zen (pdf)

Philip Kapleau - The Three Pillars of Zen (Beacon Press, 1967). 364 pages.

Searchable pdf (clearscan), derived from another scan. Quality is not perfect, but it's pretty good and quite readable. Has contents in bookmarks, accurate metadata and pagination, etc.


Classic work on Zen by an American roshi.


description:

Through explorations of the three pillars of Zen--teaching, practice, and enlightenment--Roshi Philip Kapleau presents a comprehensive overview of the history and discipline of Zen Buddhism.

about the author:

Philip Kapleau (August 12, 1912 ΓÇô May 6, 2004) was a teacher of Zen Buddhism in the Sanbo Kyodan tradition, a blending of Japanese Soto and Rinzai schools.

Kapleau transcribed other Zen teachers' talks, interviewed lay students and monks, and recorded the practical details of Zen Buddhist practice. His book, The Three Pillars of Zen, was published in 1965, has been translated into 12 languages, and is still in print. It was one of the first English-language books to present Zen Buddhism not as philosophy, but as a pragmatic and salutary way of training and living.

Kapleau was an articulate and passionate writer. His emphasis in writing and teaching was that insight and enlightenment are available to anyone, not just austere and isolated Zen monks. Also well known for his views on vegetarianism, peace and compassion, he remains widely read, and is a notable influence on Zen Buddhism as it is practiced in the West. Today, his dharma heirs, descendants and former students teach at Zen Centers around the world.