The Zen Way to Martial Arts

A Japanese Master Reveals the Secrets of the Samurai

Part of Compass

Introduction by George Leonard
Translated by Nancy Amphoux
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At last: a book on the martial arts from a true Zen master. Taisen Deshimaru was born in Japan of an old samurai family, and he recieved from the Great Master Kodo Sawaki the Transmission of Mind to Mind when Sawaki died. In 1967, Deshimaru-Roshi went to France and taught as a missionary general of the Sato Zen School until his death in 1982. In Europe he learned how to make Oriental concepts understandable to the Western mind. One of the results of that experience was this book: a series of lessons, question-and-answer sessions, and koans (riddles or anecdotes that point out general principles) that provide practical wisdom for all students of the martial arts--kendo, aikido, iai-do, jodo, or archery--as well as for the general reader interested in Zen.
Taisen Deshimaru (1914–1982) was a Japanese Zen Buddhist teacher, and founder of the Association Zen Internationale and La Gendronnière. Deshimaru trained many pupils and was the catalyst for the creation of a huge multitude of practice centers around the globe. He is the writer of Questions to a Zen Master, Ring of the Way, The Zen Way to Martial Arts, The Way of True Zen, The Voice of the Valley, and Sit.  View titles by Taisen Deshimaru
The Zen Way to the Martial Arts - Taisen Deshimaru Preface and Acknowledgments
Introduction
Bushido: The Way of the Samurai
Strength and Wisdom
The Noble Struggle of the Warrior
Seven Principles
Three Stages
Secret of Budo, Secret of Zen
Directing the Mind
Here and Now
Mondo
Bun Bu Ryodo: The Twofold Way
Sky and Earth in Harmony
Ki: Energy
What is the Practice of Zen?
Mind and Body One
Unmoving Wisdom
Let Go
Not-Think
Mondo
Life and Death
Instruction of a Samurai
Glossary

About

At last: a book on the martial arts from a true Zen master. Taisen Deshimaru was born in Japan of an old samurai family, and he recieved from the Great Master Kodo Sawaki the Transmission of Mind to Mind when Sawaki died. In 1967, Deshimaru-Roshi went to France and taught as a missionary general of the Sato Zen School until his death in 1982. In Europe he learned how to make Oriental concepts understandable to the Western mind. One of the results of that experience was this book: a series of lessons, question-and-answer sessions, and koans (riddles or anecdotes that point out general principles) that provide practical wisdom for all students of the martial arts--kendo, aikido, iai-do, jodo, or archery--as well as for the general reader interested in Zen.

Author

Taisen Deshimaru (1914–1982) was a Japanese Zen Buddhist teacher, and founder of the Association Zen Internationale and La Gendronnière. Deshimaru trained many pupils and was the catalyst for the creation of a huge multitude of practice centers around the globe. He is the writer of Questions to a Zen Master, Ring of the Way, The Zen Way to Martial Arts, The Way of True Zen, The Voice of the Valley, and Sit.  View titles by Taisen Deshimaru

Table of Contents

The Zen Way to the Martial Arts - Taisen Deshimaru Preface and Acknowledgments
Introduction
Bushido: The Way of the Samurai
Strength and Wisdom
The Noble Struggle of the Warrior
Seven Principles
Three Stages
Secret of Budo, Secret of Zen
Directing the Mind
Here and Now
Mondo
Bun Bu Ryodo: The Twofold Way
Sky and Earth in Harmony
Ki: Energy
What is the Practice of Zen?
Mind and Body One
Unmoving Wisdom
Let Go
Not-Think
Mondo
Life and Death
Instruction of a Samurai
Glossary