The Complete Book of Zen

Drawing upon the fundamental teaching of Hui Neng's "Platform Sutra", considered by many to be the "bible" of Zen Buddhism, Wong Kiew Kit explains the philosophy and principles that lie behind Zen practice. The text also provides practical exercises to improve physical and mental well-being. This text explains what Zen is and how you can experience it irrespective of your religious beliefs. It explains the history of Zen systematically, tracing its Indian origins through Chinese flowering to its spread to Japan and Vietnam. Drawing upon the fundamental teaching of Hui Neng's "Platform Sutra", considered by many to be the "bible" of Zen Buddhism, Wong Kiew Kit explains the philosophy and principles that lie behind Zen practice. In addition to explaining the history and theories of Zen, there are practical exercises to improve physical and mental well-being. What is Zen?; non-Buddhist and debased forms of Zen; the benefits of Zen; the characteristics of Zen; the background of Zen; Zen as cosmic reality; the spread of Zen from India; early history of Zen in China; Zen of the sixth patriarch; fundamental concepts in Zen Buddhism; the Zen of sudden enlightnement; the flowering of Zen in China; Zen goes east to Japan; the quiet grandeur of Vietnamese Zen; understanding Zen in the arts and culture; prerequisites for Zen training; Zen of strength and movement; Zen for health, internal strength and vitality; the Zen of highest attainment; illogical Zen - or so it seems; the Zen of compassion; developmental stages and crucial questions in Zen cultivation; Zen in daily life.