In this work Jacob Yuroh Teshima juxtaposes two religions whose origins are completely different: Zen Buddhism and Hasidic Judaism. The purpose of this comparative study is not to determine which religion is superior, but rather to compare their functional equivalents. After presenting backgrounds of the two religions, Dr. Teshima examines the Zen Buddhist practice of zazen and Hasidism's devequth, or meditation on God. He then discusses how each religion comes to terms with the major obstacle in the practice of comtemplation: distracting thoughts. Teshima compares conceptions of man offered by the two religions, making clear their fundamental differences concerning the nature of selfhood and source of fulfillment. The study concludes with an examination of how the two religions come to terms with the insecurity of life and what it is that gives life meaning and significance. Contents: Introduction to Zen Buddhism and Hasidism; Zazen and Devequth; The Problem of "Strange Thoughts"; Annihilating Selfhood and Attaining Ecstasy; The Concept of Man; Insecurity of Life: The Hasidic Approach to Exile and the Zen Approach to Birth and Death.
"Zen and Hasidism presents a comparative study of Zen and Hasidism, and suggests ways in which Jewish spiritual life can be enriched by a knowledge of Zen meditation practices - while remaining Jewish." "In this quest, the author, a well-known author and playwright, has collected sources on Zen and Judaism, both Hasidic and non-Hasidic, dividing them into four sections: "The Monastery and the Yeshivot", "The Virtue of Sitting" on Meditation, "Can a Jew Practice Zen and/or Buddhism and Still Remain a Jew?", with an overview. Among the contributors are such noted Jewish scholars as Louis Ginzberg, Jiri Langer, Hyman G. Enelow, Rivka Schatz-Uffenheimer, Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and others." "Jiri Langer's account of his life in a Belzer yeshiva, coupled with John Blofeld's Life in a Zen Monastery, Rivka Schatz's study of The State of Nothingness and Contemplative Prayer, coupled with Self-Extinction in Zen and Hasidism, by Jacob Yuroh Teshima, along with two dozen other selections, provide a wide-ranging and balanced account of the similarities and differences between the two mystical traditions."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved
For Jews, Zen students, "JuBus," and other open-minded seekers--a guide to authentic Jewish and Zen practice and how they illuminate, challenge, and enrich each other. Books like the Jew in the Lotus have helped to define the intersection of Jewish and Zen experience and custom. Now, in the first guide to the practice of both Judaism and Zen, Dr. Brenda Shoshanna, a long-time practitioner and student of both, shares her insights with over one million people who identify as "JuBus," as well as Jews, Zen students, non-Jews, and everyone in the interfaith community who seeks understanding, meaning, and a life grounded in these authentic faiths. Each chapter of Jewish Dharma focuses on common issues that introduce disorder to our lives, using personal narrative, parables, quotations from both Jewish and Zen scriptures, anecdotes, and exercises. Specific guidelines and exercises help readers integrate both practices into their everyday lives--and thereby gain deeper understanding and happiness. A long term Zen student and practicing Jew (who cannot let go of either), Dr. Shoshanna explores the ways in which Zen and Judaism practice illuminate and enrich one another. Zen deepens Jewish experience and Jewish practice provides the warmth and relationships that can get lost in the Zen. Zen is based on radical freedom, individuality, being in the present and nonattachment. Judaism comes rooted in relationships, family, love, prayer to a Higher power and the instruction to always remember. A Jewish heart is warm, giving, human, and devoted to family and friends. A Zen eye is fresh, direct, spontaneous and planted in the present moment. Together they are like two wings of a bird, both are needed to be able to fly. The book includes stories, discussion, information and wonderful exercises. It has been highly endorsed by Rabbis, Zen teachers, and others. "I couldn't put it dwn. ...Dr Brenda Shoshanna guides us into the heart of Jewish and Zen practice which enrich one another in ways that enhance....A must read for anyone who wishes to explore Zen meditatin and Jewish life." --Rabbi Marcia Prager, author The Path of Blessng "Brenda Shoshanna's book tells a story of a woman's coming to terms with the deepest part of each tradition - she is creating a unique path. I highly recommend this book to anyone." --Rodger Kamenetz, author The Jew in The Lotus "Dr Shoshanna's vision embrances both traditions with fidelity and beauty." --Robert Kennedy, S.J. Roshi, author Zen Gifts for Christians "Her good heart and wisdom mind shine through in this delightful, interesting, psychologically astute and practical book. Anyone intersted in finding deeper understanding and meaningful puprose in life will be rewarded by reading any one of the pages." --Lama Surya Das, author Awakening the Buddha Within
In this work Jacob Yuroh Teshima juxtaposes two religions whose origins are completely different: Zen Buddhism and Hasidic Judaism. The purpose of this comparative study is not to determine which religion is superior, but rather to compare their functional equivalents. After presenting backgrounds of the two religions, Dr. Teshima examines the Zen Buddhist practice of zazen and Hasidism's devequth, or meditation on God. He then discusses how each religion comes to terms with the major obstacle in the practice of comtemplation: distracting thoughts. Teshima compares conceptions of man offered by the two religions, making clear their fundamental differences concerning the nature of selfhood and source of fulfillment. The study concludes with an examination of how the two religions come to terms with the insecurity of life and what it is that gives life meaning and significance. Contents: Introduction to Zen Buddhism and Hasidism; Zazen and Devequth; The Problem of 'Strange Thoughts'; Annihilating Selfhood and Attaining Ecstasy; The Concept of Man; Insecurity of Life: The Hasidic Approach to Exile and the Zen Approach to Birth and Death.
Famous Zionist philosopher Martin Buber introduces the Western audience in his modern masterpiece. This book is a result of forty years of study, and Buber interprets the ideas and motives that underlie the great Jewish religious movement of Hasidism and its creator, Baal-Shem. Buber’s interpretation of Hasidic stories and teachings influenced the revival of it’s practices in a new generation to turn to Hasidic teachings, and his collection Hasidism continues to affect Jewish scholarship worldwide. With his lasting work in both Hasidism and Zionism, Buber imagined a renewal in the Jewish faith, and his philosophies and idealisms enrich the pages of this book, making it a must-read for any Jewish or religious scholar.
In this book Martin Buber completed his great lifework of recreating and interpreting Hasidism. Here he makes explicit the place of Hasidism among world religions, and its significance for the modern world, by a series of illuminating contrasts with Biblical prophecy, Spinoza, Freud, Sankara, Meister Eckhart, Gnosticism, Christianity, Zionism and Zen Buddhism. -- From publisher's description.
Based on Trevor Carolan's interviews, profiles, and essays from the past twenty years, this book offers a fascinating and intimate look at many of the Buddhist (and Buddhist-inspired) spiritual and cultural leaders who have shaped our time. Drawn from the global mosaic of the arts and humanities, environmentalism, and governance, Carolan's collaborators include Buddhist teachers, poets, writers, activists, and even a politician. Readers will encounter Red Pine, Maxine Hong Kingston, Gary Snyder, Robert Aitken-Roshi, Jerry Brown, the Dalai Lama, Allen Ginsberg, along with many others. They explore engaged practice, East-West ethics, the role of dharma-influenced literature, Beat literature, social and political activism, and more. A rich resource for anyone interested in Buddhism, New World Dharma reveals a Buddhist consciousness responding to the challenge of rethinking what citizenship, community, and the sacred might mean in a global age.
The Tales of the Hasidic Masters Can Become a Companion for Your Own Spiritual Journey. "The wisdom of the Hasidim is earthy, realistic, rooted in the simplicity of the heart. It is alive with the awareness of the holiness of Creation and the boundlessness of God's mercy, and is utterly honest about the necessity of living such awareness in loving service to all beings. It is a wisdom that fuses the highest mystical initiations with the most down-home celebration of life and a rugged commitment to social and political justice in all its forms. In other words, it is a wisdom that is never, as my old prep school headmaster would put it, "too divine to be of any earthly use." --from the Foreword by Andrew Harvey Martin Buber, author of Tales of Hasidim, was the first to bring the Hasidic tales to life for modern readers in the middle of the twentieth century. His groundbreaking work was the first time that most readers had ever encountered the lives and teachings of these profound and enigmatic spiritual masters from Eastern Europe. In Hasidic Tales: Annotated & Explained, Rabbi Rami Shapiro breathes new life into these classic stories of people who so marvelously combined the mystical and the ordinary. Each demonstrates the spiritual power of unabashed joy, offers lessons for leading a holy life, and reminds you that the Divine can be found in the everyday. Without an expert guide, the allegorical quality of Hasidic tales can be perplexing. But Shapiro presents them as stories rather than parables, making them accessible and meaningful. Now you can experience the wisdom of Hasidism firsthand even if you have no previous knowledge of Jewish spirituality. This SkyLight Illuminations edition offers insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that explains theological concepts, introduces major characters, offers clarifying references unfamiliar to most readers and reveals how you can use the Hasidic tales to further your own spiritual awakening.
This book tries to clarify a Buddhist view of interfaith dialogue from various points of view. It discusses how the Buddhist notion of Sunyata (Emptiness) works dynamically for mutual understanding and transformation of world religions. It also analyzes dialogue between Buddhism and Contemporary Christian theology, especially that of Paul Tillioh and Langdon Gillay.
"Among the foremost Catholic philosophers of his generation. He has utilized the fullness of the Catholic intellectual tradition to brilliantly take the measure of modern philosophical thought . . . This volume is an expression of Robert Wood's singular philosophical outlook." -Jude Dougherty, dean emeritus, school of philosophy, The Catholic University of America
