The Zen Way to Martial Arts: A Japanese Master Reveals the Secrets of the Samurai

by Taisen Deshimaru, George Leonard (Introduction), Nancy Amphoux (Translator)

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780140193442
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	09/15/1992
Series:	Compass
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	569,378
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.17(h) x 0.36(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

George Leonard has introduced LET to more than 50,000 people in the United States and abroad. He is the author of a number of books on human possibilities and social change, including Mastery (Plume 1992), and lives in San Francisco, California.

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