I read "Hardcore Zen'' in a bookstore over a week because I could not afford to buy it. I was living in a homeless shelter and because Brad explained the act of sitting meditation,(zazen) and because it was possible to do in a dorm with 50 other guys snoring and farting, it is THE text I refer to in matters of Zen. Without postures of intellect or arrogance I will see if I can sum it up: Try zazen, if your life improves, keep doing it. Thanks Brad.
Having watched this video over two years ago I just wanted to say thanks for the recommendations. 'Living by vow" by Shohaku Okumura is very clear in its explanation of the Three Refuges and the Bodhisattva Vows. Also the chapter on the Heart Sutra is exceptional. Although you did not mention it 'Realizing Genjokoan, the key to Dogen's Shobogenzo' also by Shohaku Okumura is inspiring and beautiful to read. I found both 'Opening the hand of thought' and 'The Zen teachings of homeless Kodo' full of straight forward advice with great depth and I never tire of reading and contemplating their contents.
The first two books, I had back in high school. The Suzuki talks were given in Los Altos. I grew up there, and when I read that, I flipped. I’d met Kobun in a Zazen class offered by Foothill college. I found his phone number in the phone book and called him. After meeting him in his home, I joined the Haiku Zendo (in a beautifully converted garage zendo). Unusui, had me sold on going to Japan and becoming a monk!! I have many of those on you list. Thanks!🙏🙏🙏
Of those that I have read they are among my favorites. I've read them all except for the illustrated books, the Sasaki book and Embracing Mind which I just got from San Francisco Zen Center. You can order it there and they send it pretty fast.
I just saw the cover of "punk rock, commentaries on buddha" and you are right a great cover does make a difference, great work. I'm definitely getting a copy.
for some reason I can't stop watching your videos, man.......... you must have a lot of them, cause I'm still coming across stuff I have yet to watch. I think what I like about it is that you seem to always give your honest opinion about stuff, regardless of what people might think of it
Brad - I would love to see you cover a guide to key Zen texts in English - source texts like Blue Cliff Record, etc. all the way to Dogen and others who are key successors to him. In French there seems to be a nice set of key foundational texts... the French are so good at doing these sets. But I don't read French that well. I know there is a lot out there. Ordered a complete set of Dogen's Shobogenzo Nishijima/Cross version per your recommendation. Thank you!!
GREAT LIST! Okumura and Uchiyama Roshi’s work have been transformative for me - I worry that Okumura is the last great Japanese Zen teacher we’ll see in my lifetime. Is anyone “up and coming”? Jundo Cohen’s new book about Dogen is really good too - finishing it now.
Some of my favorites...anything by Steve Hagen (Buddhism Plain And Simple; and, Meditation Now Or Never), Toni Packer's The Wonder Of Presence: And The Way of Meditative Inquiry (and other books by her), Alan Watts' The Way Of Zen, and Zen Mind Beginner's Mind by Suzuki.
"opening the hand of thought" "the open hand of thought" the idea of thought opening up itself is sure difficult to describe "the opening hand of thought" yeah, i think that's it
I’ve read every book you have ever recommended and I just ordered “Buddha the center of gravity “ on Amazon and btw “in the belly of the dragon” is excellent. I live in MS and have been to the New Orleans zen center.
@@HardcoreZen just got an email saying the book was back ordered and might take 6 to 12 weeks, that is not what they advertised, however they said they would keep me up to date and if there was an issue they would give me a refund. I’m okay with that. Erasmus says if you have money, buy books.
Cheers, Brad! My favourite Zen books are ‘Buddhism from within’ for beginners, and ‘Buddha recognises Buddha’ for more advanced Zen students (for lack of a better word). Hardcore Zen is up there too! I’ve read that a bunch of times. Then it would be books like Shobogenzo, the diamond sutra and the Avatamsaka sutra; deeper, yet not as easy to read, especially the Avatamsaka sutra!
Unsui is a subtle masterpiece! I still own my original copy that I bought in the early 80s....however the newer printings are not good. The original book is water colours and black and white inks. The newer printings are photocopied and in black and white and look dreadful compared to the original. The book in and of itself is a beautiful love letter to Zen, I just wish the current published would use the original art with colour....
Thanks Brad Have you done a talk about the Cat Koan , cutting a kitty in two? Is this Zen gone bad or am I missing something? Apologies if this lays outside your lineage and prefer not to discuss .
Thanks a lot for the video and the helpful recommendations. About the Uchiyama book, did you say 思うの手放し or 思い手放し? I tried to google it but seem to be unable to find anything.
But I don't remember where I saw that. I think maybe it was in an article or interview with Shohaku Okumura in which he explained the origin of the phrase "opening the hand of thought."
Brad, is there a reason you never seem to mention that Kobun Chino was Steve Jobs’ Zen teacher? Kobun Chino even performed Job’s wedding ceremony....just wondering...
actually its interesting how people steer clear of the lives of "'zen heroes" because if you examine them they generally turn out to be bad tragedies or bad farces dogen spending ten years dying of TB in an ill suited climate, kobun stony broke forever with a family to support and drowned with his daughter because he never learnt to swim, sawaki a japanse nationalist working as a police chaplin in WW2 , alan watts, an alcoholic, maezumi roshi, seducer of young women and drowned drunk in a bath tub, sasaki roshi, embezzler and sexual abuser, the list is endless, nishijima and joko beck with dementia you look at the lives of these people and think 'what the fock" i'm not trusting a word they say
I usually forget that he was Steve Jobs' teacher. It wasn't ever important to me. When I first heard about Kobun, I didn't even know who Steve Jobs was. But I have mentioned it elsewhere when I remember it.
Buddha is the center of gravity, you can have it ridiculous overpriced at Amazon or eBay. If you think Dogen "expensive" record is overpriced, brace yourself...
i didn't make the complaint but it was noticeably repetitive and disparaging of the audience and off putting, the complainant was doing brad a favour which he is slow in picking up let me guess you're another with no real life zen or meditative experience with the usual dunning kruger blindness
@@osip7315 ufff it's a freaking intro! several words. holly sh*t do people get upset easily, stop thinking you're entitled to everything. Where I come from, they would say that your heart is to close to your asss
zen is a book its different chapters fantasy historical drama endless bad fiction the final chapter insanity at last i feel we have arrived somewhere real
I read "Hardcore Zen'' in a bookstore over a week because I could not afford to buy it. I was living in a homeless shelter and because Brad explained the act of sitting meditation,(zazen) and because it was possible to do in a dorm with 50 other guys snoring and farting, it is THE text I refer to in matters of Zen.
Without postures of intellect or arrogance I will see if I can sum it up: Try zazen, if your life improves, keep doing it.
Thanks Brad.
@Rig'dzin That was 16 years ago. Now I have a home, am a self employed artist and enjoy good health. Thanks for your kind thoughts.
Gosh! Thanks!
@@HardcoreZen your book's a finger pointing toward the moon. (if I have understood the metaphor correctly)
@@blackbird5634 Or a finger pointing at Keith Moon!
Having watched this video over two years ago I just wanted to say thanks for the recommendations. 'Living by vow" by Shohaku Okumura is very clear in its explanation of the Three Refuges and the Bodhisattva Vows. Also the chapter on the Heart Sutra is exceptional. Although you did not mention it 'Realizing Genjokoan, the key to Dogen's Shobogenzo' also by Shohaku Okumura is inspiring and beautiful to read. I found both 'Opening the hand of thought' and 'The Zen teachings of homeless Kodo' full of straight forward advice with great depth and I never tire of reading and contemplating their contents.
Thanks for the video! Buddha Is the Center of Gravity is my favorite dang Zen book.
The first two books, I had back in high school. The Suzuki talks were given in Los Altos. I grew up there, and when I read that, I flipped. I’d met Kobun in a Zazen class offered by Foothill college. I found his phone number in the phone book and called him. After meeting him in his home, I joined the Haiku Zendo (in a beautifully converted garage zendo). Unusui, had me sold on going to Japan and becoming a monk!! I have many of those on you list. Thanks!🙏🙏🙏
You met Kobun? I AM NOT WORTHY!!!!
Of those that I have read they are among my favorites. I've read them all except for the illustrated books, the Sasaki book and Embracing Mind which I just got from San Francisco Zen Center. You can order it there and they send it pretty fast.
I just saw the cover of "punk rock, commentaries on buddha" and you are right a great cover does make a difference, great work. I'm definitely getting a copy.
for some reason I can't stop watching your videos, man.......... you must have a lot of them, cause I'm still coming across stuff I have yet to watch. I think what I like about it is that you seem to always give your honest opinion about stuff, regardless of what people might think of it
Brad - I would love to see you cover a guide to key Zen texts in English - source texts like Blue Cliff Record, etc. all the way to Dogen and others who are key successors to him. In French there seems to be a nice set of key foundational texts... the French are so good at doing these sets. But I don't read French that well. I know there is a lot out there. Ordered a complete set of Dogen's Shobogenzo Nishijima/Cross version per your recommendation. Thank you!!
GREAT LIST! Okumura and Uchiyama Roshi’s work have been transformative for me - I worry that Okumura is the last great Japanese Zen teacher we’ll see in my lifetime. Is anyone “up and coming”? Jundo Cohen’s new book about Dogen is really good too - finishing it now.
Okumura Roshi may, indeed, be the last great Japanese Zen teacher.
@@HardcoreZen *sad face*
Some of my favorites...anything by Steve Hagen (Buddhism Plain And Simple; and, Meditation Now Or Never), Toni Packer's The Wonder Of Presence: And The Way of Meditative Inquiry (and other books by her), Alan Watts' The Way Of Zen, and Zen Mind Beginner's Mind by Suzuki.
I just had a look on ebay and finally found a 2nd hand copy of “meet the real dragon” and it’s the original cover! On its way to my home now :)
"opening the hand of thought"
"the open hand of thought"
the idea of thought opening up itself is sure difficult to describe
"the opening hand of thought"
yeah, i think that's it
Picked up copies of To Meet the Real Dragon, NHK Talks and intro to Buddhism and the practice of Zazen
I’ve read every book you have ever recommended and I just ordered “Buddha the center of gravity “ on Amazon and btw “in the belly of the dragon” is excellent. I live in MS and have been to the New Orleans zen center.
Oh my gosh! There are a few copies on Amazon, starting at $75!
@@HardcoreZen just got an email saying the book was back ordered and might take 6 to 12 weeks, that is not what they advertised, however they said they would keep me up to date and if there was an issue they would give me a refund. I’m okay with that. Erasmus says if you have money, buy books.
@@ronmcbee4743 Interesting. What does "back ordered" mean when the book has been out of print for ages? I hope you get it!
@@HardcoreZen yeah, I thought the same thing. Maybe it’s a koan?
"Opening the Hand of Thought" was the book that made me realise I am a buddhist.
Likewise. I was practicing, but that's it. I ordered a paperback and got the sample Kindle edition. That changed everything.
ua-cam.com/video/jVxyG_oq0zU/v-deo.html
Isnt there a chapter of the shobogezo about the meaning of clothing? Something about the kesa? Could be the same with books...
I’ll buy your next book for you. Keep reading and keep talking. It makes me think and sometime think less. That is worthwhile.
Thank you!
Cheers, Brad!
My favourite Zen books are ‘Buddhism from within’ for beginners, and ‘Buddha recognises Buddha’ for more advanced Zen students (for lack of a better word).
Hardcore Zen is up there too! I’ve read that a bunch of times. Then it would be books like Shobogenzo, the diamond sutra and the Avatamsaka sutra; deeper, yet not as easy to read, especially the Avatamsaka sutra!
nice video
Should check out "Meditating Selflessly" by Dr. James H. Austin. He's a neurologist btw.
Unsui is a subtle masterpiece! I still own my original copy that I bought in the early 80s....however the newer printings are not good. The original book is water colours and black and white inks. The newer printings are photocopied and in black and white and look dreadful compared to the original. The book in and of itself is a beautiful love letter to Zen, I just wish the current published would use the original art with colour....
Thanks
Good afternoon Homie! Thank you for the thrilling video! I’m 10sec in lol. Anyway, good tidings from Lansing Michigan🙏🏼
I just bought “Saffron Days in L.A.” by Bhante Walopa Piyananda, I am excited to print out the Center of Gravity book… sincere thank you🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
ua-cam.com/video/jVxyG_oq0zU/v-deo.html
Thanks Brad
Have you done a talk about the Cat Koan , cutting a kitty in two? Is this Zen gone bad or am I missing something? Apologies if this lays outside your lineage and prefer not to discuss .
Zen will never be understood by reading .. zen is experienced
Thanks a lot for the video and the helpful recommendations. About the Uchiyama book, did you say 思うの手放し or 思い手放し? I tried to google it but seem to be unable to find anything.
It was 思うの手放し
But I don't remember where I saw that. I think maybe it was in an article or interview with Shohaku Okumura in which he explained the origin of the phrase "opening the hand of thought."
@@HardcoreZen Thank you
Have you done a video on what Dogen has to say about compassion? Where does it come from?
Steven Hagen?
I'm upset that you switched it up! Whatcha gonna do now??? :)
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle. by Robert M. Pirsig . its what is all about.
Overday!
my teacher was MAURINE STUART. i'm an 80 year old recluse with an invisible zen practice. mirror mind. 🕸
Brad, is there a reason you never seem to mention that Kobun Chino was Steve Jobs’ Zen teacher? Kobun Chino even performed Job’s wedding ceremony....just wondering...
actually its interesting how people steer clear of the lives of "'zen heroes" because if you examine them they generally turn out to be bad tragedies or bad farces
dogen spending ten years dying of TB in an ill suited climate, kobun stony broke forever with a family to support and drowned with his daughter because he never learnt to swim, sawaki a japanse nationalist working as a police chaplin in WW2 , alan watts, an alcoholic, maezumi roshi, seducer of young women and drowned drunk in a bath tub, sasaki roshi, embezzler and sexual abuser, the list is endless, nishijima and joko beck with dementia
you look at the lives of these people and think 'what the fock" i'm not trusting a word they say
I usually forget that he was Steve Jobs' teacher. It wasn't ever important to me. When I first heard about Kobun, I didn't even know who Steve Jobs was. But I have mentioned it elsewhere when I remember it.
bro you didnt show the big books
You could add if it appeals to you the book: “Zen Keys” by Thich Nhat Hanh . It’s pretty good.
You've stopped saying "thrill-seekers"! I'm upset! :p
I went back to "thrill seekers."
Always ask...where will this book be in a hundred years?
Will it still be published?
Will it stand the test of time?
Buddha is the center of gravity, you can have it ridiculous overpriced at Amazon or eBay.
If you think Dogen "expensive" record is overpriced, brace yourself...
Or you can find a pdf version of it here: terebess.hu/zen/mesterek/Joshu-Sasaki-Roshi-Buddha-is-the-Center-of-Gravity.pdf
ua-cam.com/video/jVxyG_oq0zU/v-deo.html
Just to finish the thread. The book dealer gave me a refund. I found the book for free in pdf. All praise to Allah lol
it's very antizen to get upset because you use thrill seekers xD
i didn't make the complaint but it was noticeably repetitive and disparaging of the audience and off putting, the complainant was doing brad a favour which he is slow in picking up
let me guess you're another with no real life zen or meditative experience with the usual dunning kruger blindness
@@osip7315 ufff it's a freaking intro! several words. holly sh*t do people get upset easily, stop thinking you're entitled to everything. Where I come from, they would say that your heart is to close to your asss
@@enterthevoidIi where do you come from ?
ua-cam.com/video/jVxyG_oq0zU/v-deo.html
zen is a book
its different chapters
fantasy
historical drama
endless bad fiction
the final chapter
insanity
at last
i feel we have arrived
somewhere real
zen is a potato and we are all french fries!!
@@blackbird5634 well the "insanity" part checks out
@@osip7315 I say silly not insane, . and who doesn't love french fries?
@@blackbird5634insane came to mind when i looked at the picture in your profile
@@osip7315 I am old for a potato, but as a mountain I have not yet begun to grow!