The Beginner's Guide to Zen Buddhism

This guide assumes no previous knowledge of Zen Buddhism. It provides the fundamentals of meditation practice, basic teachings and major texts, a description of the teacher/student relationship, and a history of Zen from the founding of Buddhism to its major schools in the West today. There are chapters on what you will find when you visit a zendo, the benefits of practice, koan study, answers to frequently asked questions, a glossary, a listing of American Zen resources and centers by geographic region, and an annotated reading list. Although written with the newcomer in mind, the book is filled with practical information and interesting anecdotes that will appeal to even advanced students of Zen.