Sitting with Koans: Essential Writings on Zen Koan Introspection

By John Daido Loori

The Zen tradition has just two main meditative practices: shikantaza, or "just sitting"; and introspection guided by the powerful Zen teaching stories called koans. Following in the tradition of The Art of Just Sitting (endorsed as a "A book we have needed for a long, long time"), this new anthology from John Daido Loori illuminates the subtle practice of koan study from many different points of view.

Includes writings by:

• Robert Aitken
• William Bodiford
• Robert Buswell
• Roko Sherry Chayat
• Francis Dojun Cook
• Eihei Dogen
• Heinrich Dumoulin
• Hakuin Ekaku
• Victor Sogen Hori
• Keizan Jokin
• Philip Kapleau
• Chung-fen Ming-Pen
• Taizan Maezumi
• Dennis Genpo Merzel
• Soen Nakagawa
• Ruth Fuller Sasaki
• Sokei-an Sasaki
• Nyogen Senzaki
• Zenkei Shibayama
• Eido Shimano
• Philip Yampolsky
• Hakuun Yasutani
• Wayne Yokoyama
• Katsushiro Yoshizawa

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wisdom Publications
• Release date: Jun 4, 2012
• ISBN: 9780861717644

John Daido Loori

John Daido Loori was, until his death in 2009, the spiritual leader and abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery in Mt. Tremper, New York. Trained in koan Zen as well as in the subtle school of Master Dogen's Zen, he was the Dharma heir of Hakuyu Taizan Maezumi Roshi. Devoted to maintaining authentic Zen training, he developed a distinctive style, called the Eight Gates of Zen, based on the noble eightfold path. Drawing on his background as scientist, artist, naturalist, and Zen priest, Abbot Loori was an American master who spoke directly to students from the perspective of a common background. His books include Mountain Record of Zen Talks and The Heart of Being.