Philip Kapleau, The Three Pillars of Zen

The Three Pillars of Zen by Philip Kapleau:

There is an insidious Paradox due to our intrinsic abyss: here is where everything is not what it is and everything is then what it is not! The problem is how to become who you are in spite of an insidious paradox due to this intrinsic abyss baffled? Well the problems inherent in 21C society are denied explicitly to be problems by hood winkers arrogant professionals exclusive money grubbers careerists discrediting as amateur every one else to purchase status. How to overcome this paradox is explained in this wonderfully informative book. Too start with here is a Koan; Too learn about oneself is to forget one self. To forget one self is to experience the world as pure object. To experience the world as pure object is to let fall one's own body and mind and the 'self-other' body and mind. The problem is we have to be very careful of the insidious paradox as the freedom of the Zen liberated person is real it is not the "freedom" of a Zen libertine. The Zen libertine is driven by uncontrolled selfish desires of a shopper. A truly enlightened person feels this precludes any self centred behaviour. Objectivity is a diabolical phenomena it is ensnaring it happens when your true nature is not known by you. Most people are then actually half crazed restless their anxious minds are all deluded and topsy-turvy. Life can only be purified with truth; truths are not mixed up with untruth. Thought disturbing the self's nature can not distinguish truth and untruth.

Types of Zen are described yes it covers a lot of ground : Bumpu Zen has no religious or philosophical content it is about concentration of mind and control of intellect, feeling and will developing in harmony a continuous redistribution. This is much better for you than the reading of countless books as they will never overcome the delusions of any individual. Gedo is the 'outside way' of Zen which includes yoga, sitting contemplation and concentration developing Joriki and then being able to walk on the blades of swords as I have seen done on stage needed in Bumpu and Gedo Zen. Shojo is the teaching that goes from a delusion to enlightenment it is an interest only in our own piece of mind. Your existence is then an inseparable whole as each of us then embraces the whole cosmos. Daijo is an awakening to your true nature. Enlightenment is going from illusion to absolute reality the more you experience it the more you will find it. Saijojo and Daijo go together so a true nature or a Buddha nature is reached it does not have to be strived for self consciously which is very handy.

The aim of ZaZen is actualization of your true nature an ability to act instantly so no slave too passions. Kensho Godo is to see your true nature and that of the universe. The end is not distinguished from the means Saijojo is the same thing as freedom of thought. Rinzai sect has Satori awakening as final aim continual practice and enlightenment of Koan study is then minimal. Dokusan is individual tuition so as to see if authentic practice has been attained. The saying of what is thought to be acceptable answer is not pure it is intellection. Irresponsible talk leads to harm so do not discuss koans with anyone. This is as any answer to a Koan must be your own or it is an insidious practice. Self transcendence is enlightenment manifesting itself. Cause and effect are simultaneous you are then not conscious of enlightenment, realizing it is some thing else again a distinct effect is what matters not cause and effect as one. A vital point as strong faith is needed to awaken yourself to your true nature.

Three essentials of Zen practice are as follows. 1; Strong faith much more than merely a belief as deeply rooted not supernatural or superstitious. Without faith Zen is only a philosophy. 2; feeling of strong doubt in proportion to faith, strong determination is needed too dispel doubt that the ordinary have. 3; Buddha nature is not anxious in striving for enlightenment. These three are essentials leading to enlightenment it will be found like a foot stamping will hit the ground.

People are deluded without Zen a spiritual practice. Koan MU is a determination to attain your true self. Mu is impervious to logic and reason.

Ideas are not mistaken for facts in China it is European abstraction that causes this error in thinking. All theory is frowned on against first hand experience. No "has" or "has not" that leaves you good as dead your Buddha life will vanish. It is infinite adaptability. You yourself are this Buddha nature. Zen can not be approached with logic. I not I a malignant growth it poisons the minds purity and stops fundamental wholeness.

Koan is a living unique expression indivisible Buddha nature which can not be grasped by bifurcating intellect. Profoundly meaningful spirit is above words in Zen this is bewildering to those whom have words above spirit. Koan throws sand in the eyes of the intellect to force us to opens our minds eye and see the world and everything undistorted by our concepts and judgement. Koan object has no value; stopping the intellect from anchoring in abstract concepts. The spiritual is against common sense and logic. Realizing ultimate truth is being liberated from the snare of language as that fits experience like a straight jacket. Lose dogma and prejudices; good is then not discriminated from bad there is no self or other. Koan is private opinion of an individual it has a spiritual source of complete transcendence and real emancipation a total penetration of ignorance as all delusion is gone with your own self knowledge. The timid are flabbergasted call Zen the instrument of the devil. To slay Buddha means to free your self of all attachments. Live innocently then like a child in play is the advice given in this excellent book.