To Meet the Real Dragon

To Meet the Real Dragon
by Gudo Nishijima

To Meet the Real Dragon
List Price: $11.95
Our Price: $10.94
You Save: $1.01 (8%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $9.34 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions


or

Book Summary Information

Author: Gudo Nishijima
Contributor: Jeffrey Bailey
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-08-03
ISBN: 0956299903
Number of pages: 246
Publisher: Dogen Sangha Publications

Book Reviews of To Meet the Real Dragon

Book Review: Spend Time With an Inquisitive Mind
Summary: 5 Stars

The chief virtues of this book are the author's intriguing perspective on Western thought, his alternative slants on traditional Buddhist doctrine, and the generally welcoming tone of his teachings. In one chapter, the author conducts an impressive survey of philosophy from Plato forward, with comments on how Western thought diverges or intersects with Buddhist philosophy. It's of necessity a broad brush discussion, and may well draw scorn from scholars, but it's an interesting exercise nevertheless.

Another chapter contains a novel (to me at least) interpetation of the Four Noble Truths, based upon Gudo's readings of the Sutras and the writings of Dogen. He unabashadley reveres Dogen. Whether his interpretations of Dogen's writings is right or wrong is up for grabs, but it's thought-provoking nonetheless.

Those looking for another guidebook on practicing Zen might find this a disappointing read. Gudo is interested in the place of Zen in the world of thought, not just cheerleading for those who need inspiration for their practice. There's enough of that, as well, but what makes this book stand out is Gudo's willingness to examine Zen's broader implications. He might be right or he might be wrong, but you'll be forced to grapple with a new look at Zen.

Summary of To Meet the Real Dragon

Buddhist masters of the past have explained the relationship between Buddhist theory and the Truth by way of a simple metaphor. The Truth, they say, is like the distant moon. Ideas, theories, and explanations are merely fingers pointing at that far-away goal. They are not, and can never be, the moon itself. So this book is one such finger, a finger pointing at the moon, but the moon itself can be touched by you alone... The Buddhism which emerges from To Meet the Real Dragon is Buddhism for real people: ordinary human beings with ordinary human problems. It is humanistic Zen--Zen for human beings. Here are a few of the topics covered by this very readable book: What is Religion, Meeting a True Master, Master Dogen, Science and Buddhism, Idealism and Materialism, Gautama Buddha, The Four Noble Truths, The Transmission of the Truth, Cause and Effect, Not Doing Wrong, Action: The Center of Buddhism, Zazen, The Four Philosophies.

Buddhism Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in Buddhism Books
Zen Buddhism: A History;  Vol. 2: Japan  (Nanzan Studies in Religion and Culture) ImageZen Buddhism: A History; Vol. 2: Japan (Nanzan Studies in Religion and Culture)
by Heinrich Dumoulin
Macmillan Pub Co; Published: 1989-12; Hardcover; Book
Price in other shops: $35.00
History Zen Buddhism 2 Volume ImageHistory Zen Buddhism 2 Volume
by Dumoulin
Macmillan Library Reference; Published: 1990-06-18; Paperback; Book
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Zen Living ImageThe Complete Idiot's Guide to Zen Living
by Gary McClain, Eve Adamson
Alpha; Published: 2000-11-26; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.15
Price in other shops: $16.95
365 Dalai Lama: Daily Advice from the Heart Image365 Dalai Lama: Daily Advice from the Heart
by Dalai Lama
Element Books Ltd.; Published: 2003-05-25; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $46.95
The Power of Compassion ImageThe Power of Compassion
by Tenzin Gyatso
Thorsons; Published: 2002-03; Audio Cassette; Book
Price in other shops: $15.95
No Beginning, No End: The Intimate Heart of Zen ImageNo Beginning, No End: The Intimate Heart of Zen
by Jakusho Kwong, Peter Levitt
Harmony; Published: 2003-03-11; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $53.80
An End to Suffering: The Buddha in the World ImageAn End to Suffering: The Buddha in the World
by Pankaj Mishra
Picador; Published: 2005-10-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.28
Price in other shops: $18.00
Zen 24/7: All Zen, All the Time ImageZen 24/ 7: All Zen, All the Time
by Philip T. Sudo
HarperSanFrancisco; Published: 2001-04-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.94
Price in other shops: $14.00
Zen 24/7: All Zen, All the Time ImageZen 24/ 7: All Zen, All the Time
by Philip T. Sudo
HarperOne; Published: 2005-01-18; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.81
Price in other shops: $14.00
Buddha Is as Buddha Does: The Ten Original Practices for Enlightened Living ImageBuddha Is as Buddha Does: The Ten Original Practices for Enlightened Living
by Lama Surya Das
HarperSanFrancisco; Published: 2007-04-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $2.70
Price in other shops: $23.95
Similar Books and other products
Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate: A Trip Through Death, Sex, Divorce, and Spiritual Celebrity in Search of the True Dharma ImageZen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate: A Trip Through Death, Sex, Divorce, and Spiritual Celebrity in Search of the True Dharma
by Brad Warner
New World Library; Published: 2009-02-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.99
Price in other shops: $14.95
Not Always So: Practicing the True Spirit of Zen ImageNot Always So: Practicing the True Spirit of Zen
by Shunryu Suzuki, Edward Espe Brown, Zen Center San Francisco
HarperOne; Published: 2003-05-27; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.92
Price in other shops: $13.99
Master Dogen's Shobogenzo, Book 2 ImageMaster Dogen's Shobogenzo, Book 2
by Gudo Nishijima
BookSurge Publishing; Published: 2005-09-20; Paperback; Book
Best price: $19.93
Price in other shops: $23.99
Moon in a Dewdrop: Writings of Zen Master Dogen ImageMoon in a Dewdrop: Writings of Zen Master Dogen
by Eihei Dogen
North Point Press; Published: 1995-10-31; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.98
Price in other shops: $17.00
Three Philosophies and One Reality & NHK Radio Talks ImageThree Philosophies and One Reality & NHK Radio Talks
by Gudo Wafu Nishijima
Dogen Sangha Publications; Published: 2009-08-24; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.09
Price in other shops: $8.95
Sit Down and Shut Up: Punk Rock Commentaries on Buddha, God, Truth, Sex, Death, and Dogen's Treasury of the Right Dharma Eye ImageSit Down and Shut Up: Punk Rock Commentaries on Buddha, God, Truth, Sex, Death, and Dogen's Treasury of the Right Dharma Eye
by Brad Warner
New World Library; Published: 2007-04-13; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.74
Price in other shops: $14.95
Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies and the Truth About Reality ImageHardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies and the Truth About Reality
by Brad Warner
Wisdom Publications; Published: 2003-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.99
Price in other shops: $14.95
Sex, Sin, and Zen: A Buddhist Exploration of Sex from Celibacy to Polyamory and Everything in Between ImageSex, Sin, and Zen: A Buddhist Exploration of Sex from Celibacy to Polyamory and Everything in Between
by Brad Warner
New World Library; Published: 2010-08-31; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.91
Price in other shops: $14.95
Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way: Nagarjuna's Mulamadhyamakakarika ImageFundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way: Nagarjuna's Mulamadhyamakakarika
by Nagarjuna
Monkfish Book Publishing; Published: 2011-10-25; Paperback; Book
Best price: $11.41
Price in other shops: $18.95
Master Dogen's Shobogenzo, Book 1 ImageMaster Dogen's Shobogenzo, Book 1
by Gudo Nishijima
BookSurge Publishing; Published: 2006-05-24; Paperback; Book
Best price: $19.93
Price in other shops: $23.99