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Zen Ritual : Studies of Zen Buddhist Theory in Practice by Steven Heine and Dale S. Wright is a religious work available to read on EtoBox.

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When books about Zen Buddhism began appearing in Western languages just over a half-century ago, there was no interest whatsoever in the role of ritual in Zen. Indeed, what attracted Western readers' interest was the Zen rejection of ritual. The famous 'Beat Zen' writers were delighted by the Zen emphasis on spontaneity as opposed to planned, repetitious action, and wrote inspirationally about the demythologized, anti-ritualized spirit of Zen. Quotes from the great Zen masters supported this understanding of Zen, and led to the fervor that fueled the opening of Zen centers throughout the West. Once Western practitioners in these centers began to practice Zen seriously, however, they discovered that zazen - Zen meditation - is a ritualized practice supported by centuries-old ritual practices of East Asia. Although initially in tension with the popular anti-ritual image of ancient Zen masters, interest in Zen ritual has increased along with awareness of its fundamental role in the spirit of Zen. Eventually, Zen practitioners would form the idea of no-mind, or the open and awakened state of mind in which ingrained habits of thinking give way to more receptive, direct forms of experien

Who reads Zen Ritual : Studies of Zen Buddhist Theory in Practice?

Author

Steven Heine and Dale S. Wright

Publisher

Oxford University Press, USA

Published

2008

Language

EN

ISBN

9780195304688

Category

religious

Subjects

Buddhism, History, Philosophy

Rating

3.69 / 5 (13 ratings)

Updated

2026-03-14