Yet to get it across a most thoughtprovoking phrase some form is necessary, and in a book which is not merely about zen, but which attempts to transfer the life of zen to. Zen philosophy teaches us peace, focus and awakening. There are men, and plenty of them, who think that when something has been classified in accordance with the prevailing system of filing, they know more about it. Exploring buddhism, christmas humphreys, jan 30, 2012, philosophy, 196 pages. May 05, 2010 travers christmas humphreys, qc 19011983 was a man whom many consider to be the most eminent of all the british buddhists of the 20th century. First published in unwin paperbacks in 1980, reissued 1988. London buddhist society, christmas humphreys, says. If one or more works are by a distinct, homonymous authors, go ahead and split the author. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. Sep 21, 2012 the word zen is a japanese way of pronouncing chan, which is the chinese way of pronouncing the indian sanskrit dhyana or sunya, meaning emptiness or void.
Aug 24, 2015 zen way of life for the intellectuals and the pure souls. This introduction explains and points the way to the experience of zen, bringing heightened consciousness, spiritual fulfillment, and enlightenment. A western approach to zen book, 1999 by christmas humphreys. Henry david thoreau, a week on the concord and merrimack rivers go forth on your journey, for the bene. Nov 12, 2012 the buddhist field of knowledge is now so vast that few can master all of it, and the study and application of its principles must be a matter of choice.
A popular dictionary of buddhism christmas humphreys. Alan watts the western buddhist who healed my mind aeon. The word zen is a japanese way of pronouncing chan, which is the chinese way of pronouncing the indian sanskrit dhyana or sunya, meaning emptiness or void. How christmas humphreys reinvented buddhism in his own image. Christmas humphreys the most eminent of 20th century. The title is often translated as faith in mind, b ut john mcrae.
Travers christmas humphreys, qc 15 february 1901 april 1983 was a british barrister who prosecuted several controversial cases in the 1940s and 1950s, and later became a judge at the old bailey. Invitation to the buddhist way of life for western readers. Spine and extreme edges of boards darkened, light bruising and rubbing to corners and spine ends, bookshop sticker to front pastedown, page lightly browned, otherwise a tight, unmarked vg copy. Satori is a stage along the way, a gateless gate that must be entered on the path to enlightenment. By christmas humphreys i have been invited to write on the secret doctrine and the contribution made by its author to world thought. Buy a cheap copy of the buddhist way of life book by christmas humphreys. The author discusses the basic doctrine of buddhism and the expanded principles of mahayana buddhism. Christmas humphreys primary author only author division. Suzuki, christmas humphreys in this collection of his most important essays, suzuki explores a variety of topics, including the history of buddhism, the daily life of a zen monk, and the path to enlightenment. Living zen is that rare achievement, both a survey of the rich history of zen buddhism and a guide to the practice of this most demanding and effortless art of being. Zen meditation and mindfulness for health and wellbeing course is a part of a building a. With profound inspiration and consummate compassion, the founder of the. The author, christmas humphreys, was a circuit judge and founder of the buddhist society in london in the 1920s and wrote several books on the buddhist way of life.
Yet to get it across a most thoughtprovoking phrase some form is necessary, and in a book which is not merely about zen, but which attempts to transfer the life of zen to the receptive reader, a style must be devised to the occasion. As this involves an approach illustrated by personal experience rather than the usual objectivity of scholarship, i have chosen as material the twin. Written in the 6 th century, it is considered the first clear and comprehensive statement of zen. This is the basis of zen itself that all life and existence is based on a kind of dynamic emptiness a view now supported by modern science, which sees phenomena at a subatomic level. Christmas humphreys, one of the leading pioneers in the history of buddhism in britain, wrote that zen is a subject extremely easy to misunderstand. Christmas humphreys the buddhist way of action 1989 page 76 thus there is wrong action everywhere, from murder to an unkind word, from a lustful thought to rape, from failure to pay the correct bus fare to robbing the bank of england.
American buddhism as a way of life gary storhoff and john whalenbridge there is an orientalism in the most restless pioneer, and the farthest west is but the farthest east. The buddhist field of knowledge is now so vast that few can master all of it, and the study and application of its principles must be a matter of choice. The book covers the life of gautama buddha, his ministry and the rise of the main schools of buddhist thought. Travers christmas humphreys, qc 19011983 was a man whom many consider to be the most eminent of all the british buddhists of the 20th century. An introduction and guide pelican by humphreys, christmas and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Oct 02, 2002 christmas humphreys, one of the leading pioneers in the history of buddhism in britain, wrote that zen is a subject extremely easy to misunderstand. At once a critical explication of the facets of zen and a meditation on the meaning of existence, essays in zen buddhism is an. Essays in zen buddhism isbn 9780802151186 pdf epub.
Its very much written from a westernized perspectivechristiancentric is the only term i can think of that fits. Christmas humphreys, born in london in 1901, is the descendant of a line of lawyers. He was called to the bar on leaving cambridge, and in due course became senior prosecuting counsel at the old bailey, like his father before himself sat as a circuit judge from 1968 until his retirement in 1976. His given name christmas is unusual, but, along with travers, had a long history in the humphreys family. It is one of those curiosities that the british barrister known as christmas humphreys 19011983, who is viewed as a cornerstone in the transmission of japanese zen buddhism to the west, has very little written about him in the japanese language christmas humphreys is written as. Zen buddhism, christmas humphreys, 1961, zen buddhism, 175 pages. This one can still hold its own as a good basic introduction. Alan watts the western buddhist who healed my mind. I think few people know and read christmas humphreys nowadays.
Zen to his daily life just as much as can the queen of england or the president of the united states. A way of life teach yourself books humphreys, christmas on. Mar 31, 2017 travers christmas humphreys, qc 15 february 1901 april 1983 was a british barrister who prosecuted several controversial cases in the 1940s and 1950s, and later became a judge at the old bailey. When people become interested in zen they often think it is a way to be more relaxed and balanced. If youre interested in reading a stereotypical bourgeoisie white european mans understanding of zen buddhism, this is the book for you. American buddhism as a way of life a handful of leaves. Christmas humphreys is currently considered a single author. He was the author of several books on mahayana buddhism and the founder of the buddhist society. Available from online booksellers including amazon.
The way of action a working philosophy for western life by humphreys, christmas. Weiser books offers an entire spectrum of occult and esoteric subjects. The way of action a working philosophy for western life. Travers christmas humphreys, qc 15 february 1901 april 1983 was an english barrister who prosecuted several controversial cases in the 1940s and 1950s, and later became a judge at the old bailey. A way of life teach yourself books paperback august 1, 1992 by christmas humphreys author 5. The distinguished belgian scholar robert linssen offers a sage corrective to the idea that the zen way is available only to those prepared to sit life out under the bhoditree. Christmas humphreys expounds with great clarity an often misinterpreted way of life. The process of zen is a leap from thinking to knowing. A manual of mind development, and zen buddhism, and more on. Pdf zen meditation and mindfulness for modern times.
In this collection of his most important essays, suzuki explores a variety of topics, including the history of buddhism, the daily life of a zen monk, and the path to enlightenment. Nevertheless, i will try to explain to you what is zen philosophy and. Humphreys was born in ealing, middlesex, the son of travers humphreys, himself a noted barrister and judge. Included in this volume are suzukis famous study enlightenment and ignorance, a chapter on practical methods of zen instruction, the essays on satori the revelation of a new truth in zen buddhism and history of zen buddhism from bodhidharma to huining yeno, and his commentary on the ten cowherding pictures which have long been used in zen to illustrate the stages of. Publication date 1971 topics zen buddhism, buddhism publisher baltimore, md. Christmas humphreys president of the buddhist society, london 1948 editors note to second edition all references to the authors essays in zen buddhism, series one and two, and to his. Life is one, said the buddha, and the middle way to the end of suffering in all its forms is that which leads to the end of the illusion of separation, which enables man to see, as a fact as clear as sunlight, that all mankind, and all other forms in manifestation, are one unit, the infinitely variable appearance of an indivisible whole. Christmas humphreys zen a way of life, full book audio.
It seems clear, therefore, that meditation, using the term to summarize the last three stages of the path, is not merely an integral part of buddhism, but the very climax of its other doctrines, laws and practices. Christmas humphreys 19011983 compiled by robert kitto, trustee, the blavatsky trust. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. Humphreys obviously thinks in absolutes, explains in absolutes, which poses a major problem when what one is trying to understand is a. American buddhism as a way of life university unitarian church. Friends, it is difficult for me to explain to you in words, what exactly is zen philosophy because words and speeches are inferior forms of communication. In 1924 he founded what became the london buddhist society, which was to. Publication date 1960 publisher george allen amp unwin ltd. Zen, therefore, with its insistence on direct experience, unmindful of the forms of wisdom from which the life too swiftly ebbs away, was extremely acceptable to the chinese mind, and if this suitability has been emphasized it is because the chinese are in a way the british of the east, and most of the attributes above described might as well. A western approach to zen, is published by theosophical publishing house wheaton, il 8006699425. Buddhism is a system of thought, a religion, a form of mental science, and a way of life. He was an enthusiastic shakespeare scholar and proponent of the oxfordian theory. Sometimes they ask me for a quick guidance into the zen way of life.
A landmark work in the history of the western discovery of zen. Nietzsche and the zen buddhists make some strikingly similar claims about life, death, suffering, illusion and reality, life after death, and the possible transformation of what it is to be human. On august 24, 2015 august 24, 2015 by stmoritznutritions in buddhism, philosophy, religion, zen buddhism zen philosophy teaches us peace, focus and awakening. Paperback, upper right corner crease, very light rubbing on edges. Zen buddhism 7 buddhism christmas humphreys penguin. How christmas humphreys reinvented buddhism in his own. The writing is a mixture of edited christmas humphreys writings on zen who apparently was one of the first westerners to write on the subject and newly added text. Zen teaches the way for every living person, whether they be student, factory worker or executive, to find peace and freedom in everyday life. Zen buddhism by christmas humphreys, paperback barnes. The buddhist way of life book by christmas humphreys. In his book zen comes west christmas humphreys answers to the question. Zen comes west the present and future of zen buddhism in britain by christmas humphreys. Some even get a bit angry if i tell them it is not something i. A way of life teach yourself books humphreys, christmas on amazon.
Christmas humphreys 1901 1983 was one of the most famous british converts to buddhism of his generation, and founder of the london buddhist society. Red wheelweiser imprints include conari press which publishes titles on spirituality, personal growth, relationships to parenting, and social issues. A couple of days before his death in 1983 christmas humphreys recounted to muriel daw, then editor of buddhist society journal the middle way, how having awoke in the night with the last line of a poem flaming in his mind, he had worked backwards, a line at a time, to complete progress, his last. He also wrote a number of works on mahayana buddhism and in his day was the bestknown british convert to buddhism. See all books authored by christmas humphreys, including concentration and meditation.
Zen, however, is a subject extremely easy to misunderstand, and it is therefore important that the words of a qualified master should come readily to hand. During this visit, suzuki met and entered into a lifelong friendship with christmas humphreys. The hsin hsin ming shinjinmei in japanese is a verse attributed to the third chinese chan zen patriarch sengtsan known as sosan in japan. Christmas humphreys 1901 1983 was one of the most famous british converts to buddhism of his generation, and. An invitation to the buddhist way of life for western readers. See all 2 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Teach yourself zen by christmas humphreys, stephen hodge. All this is of vital value on the way, but it is on a much higher plane that hpb includes it in the plan and process of the universe.
Chapter 15 training for zen 3 this was from the 1974 edition published by teach yourself books, written by christmas humphreys who founded the. The author presents a very comprehensive idea of zen in all its aspects. Travers christmas humphreys, qc 15 february 1901 april 1983 was a british barrister who prosecuted several controversial. One may choose the magnificent moral philosophy of theravada, the oldest school, or the zen training of japan. His career as a barrister saw him prosecute several controversial cases in the.