The Hazy Moon of Enlightenment: Part of the On Zen Practice collection - Softcover

Maezumi Roshi, Taizan; Glassman, Bernie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0861713141 ISBN 13: 9780861713141

Publisher: Wisdom Publications, 2007

Synopsis

The Hazy Moon of Enlightenment takes the reader to the next level of Zen practice, exploring some of the more subtle and sophisticated topics in Zen.

The first two parts of the book explore enlightenment and delusion: What is nature of enlightenement? What does it mean to describe enlightenment as sudden or gradual? What is the nature of delusion, and how can watch out for the particular delusion that masquerades as enlightenment? The third part looks at "enlightenment in action"--what it means for someone to living and acting in order with the deep wisdom of enlightenment, and how we can practice learning "learning how to be satisfied" and enjoy serenity and transquility. The final section is a moving and powerful firsthand account of one woman's solitary realization of the deepest truths--a story that can become an inspiration for all of us. The contributors to this volume include some the pioneering masters who were seminal in helping Zen take firm root in American soil.

About this title

About the Author

Hakuyu Taizan Maezumi (1931-95) was a Japanese Zen Buddhist teacher and roshi, and lineage holder in the Soto, Rinzai and Harada-Yasutani traditions of Zen. He combined the Rinzai use of koans and the Soto emphasis on shikantaza in his teachings, influenced by his years studying under Hakuun Yasutani in the Harada-Yasutani school. He founded or co-founded several institutions and practice centers, including the Zen Center of Los Angeles, White Plum Asanga, Yokoji Zen Mountain Center, and the Zen Mountain Monastery. Taizan Maezumi left behind twelve Dharma successors, appointed sixty-eight priests and gave Buddhist precepts to more than five hundred practitioners. Along with Zen teachers like Shunryu Suzuki-roshi, Seung Sahn Dae Soen Sa Nim, and Venerable Hsuan Hua, Maezumi greatly influenced the American Zen landscape. Several Dharma Successors of his-including Tetsugen Bernard Glassman, Dennis Merzel, John Daido Loori, Jan Chozen Bays, Gerry Shishin Wick, Charlotte Joko Beck, and William Nyogen Yeo-have gone on to found Zen communities of their own. Maezumi died unexpectedly while visiting Japan in 1995.

Sensei Daishin was born in London, England, to a Jewish-Christian family of Eastern European backgrounds. He began Zen practice in Philadelphia in 1967, receiving both lay and Priest ordination in the Korean Chogye Order of Zen from the Venerable Seo Kyung-bo. He later practiced with (then) Maezumi Sensei at the Zen Center of Los Angeles (ZCLA), where he was in residence until 1979. He served as pastoral counselor, and was publishing editor of the ZCLA Journal and the Zen Writings Series. In 1999, Daishin renewed his Priest vows with Sensei Yoshin Jordan, and returned to ZCLA to study with Roshi Egyoku. In 2003 he received Preceptor Transmission and was empowered as Dharma Holder, and subsequently received Dharma Transmission in June 2008. Sensei Daishin has a PsyD in Psychology from the Southern California Psychoanalytic Institute. He is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private clinical practice. He leads an affiliated sitting group, the Ocean Moon Sangha, in Santa Monica and teaches Buddhist psychology and zazen to mental health professionals. Daishin is the author of To Forget the Self and Zen Meditation in Plain English (Wisdom, 2002) and is co-editor with Roshi Egyoku of the On Zen Practice collection). He is married to Concetta Getsuren Alfano, a Zen practitioner, psychoanalyst and co-founder of the Center for Mindfulness and Psychotherapy. Daishin has one son.

Review

"The Venerable Taizan Maezumi Roshi's teaching has caused true Zen to penetrate into people's minds and has cut through the trappings of their ego-oriented intentions. Through his wisdom, Buddhadharma will shine into the world, dispelling the darkness of samsaric confusion and bringing the gentle rain of compassion." Author: Chogyam Trungpa, author of Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism, from the foreword

"Understanding of the nature of enlightenment and delusion are of prime importance to all spiritual seekers. Maezumi Roshi and Bernie Glassman clearly illuminate these topics in their book The Hazy Moon of Enlightenment. Their profound insight shines through the words in this classic book and will bring peace to those who fathom the depths of their teachings." Author: Gerry Shishin Wick, Roshi, PH.D., Abbot of Great Mountain Zen Center and author of The Book of Equanimity and The Great Heart Way

"Maezumi Roshi was a remarkable teacher: subtle, meticulous and unpredictable. He had a depth and breadth of understanding that opened the hearts and minds of his students to the vast, mysterious web of existence and to the simplicity and wonder of our everyday lives. The Hazy Moon of Enlightenment is rich with brilliance and accessibility." Author: Nicolee Jikyo McMahon Roshi, Three Treasures Zen Community

Edition details

• Publisher: Wisdom Publications
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0861713141
• ISBN 13: 9780861713141
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 224
• Editor: Nakao Wendy Egyoku, Buksbazen John Daishin