John Daido Loori Books

A collection of three hundred koans compiled by Eihei Dogen, the thirteenth-century founder of Soto Zen in Japan, this book presents readers with a uniquely contemporary perspective on his profound teachings and their relevance for modern Western practitioners of Zen. Following the traditional format for koan collections, John Daido Loori Roshi, an American Zen master, has added his own commentary and accompanying verse for each of Dogen’s koans. Zen students and scholars will find The True Dharma Eye to be a source of deep insight into the mind of one of the world’s greatest religious thinkers, as well as the practice of koan study itself.

Maps and guideposts are helpful when we undertake a journey. The ten Ox-Herding Pictures, the accompanying ancient poems, and a modern commentary by John Daido Loori, sketch the spiritual path encountered in Zen training, a path of exhaustive study of the self and the realization of the ultimate nature of reality. The Ox-Herding Pictures can be our companion on the Way of self-discovery, our compass and perspective when we need one. They are a bottomless source of mysterious wisdom to which we can return again and again for inspiration, and they translate easily into the gritty reality of spiritual practice that emerges from and grounds us in the inescapable relevance of our daily lives.The exquisite versions of the pictures found in the book are traditional Chinese nanga brush paintings by Gyokusei Jikihara Sensei, a modern Japanese master of calligraphy and a teacher in the Obaku School of Zen. The traditional verses accompanying them have been translated by John Daido Loori and Kazuaki Tanahashi, translator and editor of Enlightenment Unfolds: The Essential Teachings of Zen Master Dogen.

Focusing on the integration of Zen Buddhism into daily life, this book presents a comprehensive program that extends beyond meditation to include ethical living, artistic expression, and work. American Zen teacher John Daido Loori emphasizes that Zen practice encompasses all aspects of existence, encouraging a holistic approach. The text introduces the Eight Gates, which serve as a framework for understanding and applying Zen principles in various contexts, making it an accessible guide for both beginners and those seeking deeper insight into Zen practice.

The book explores the often-overlooked relationship between meditation and moral conduct in Zen practice. John Daido Loori, a prominent Zen teacher, emphasizes that ethical precepts are integral to Zen training and personal growth. By examining these principles, he aims to deepen the reader's understanding of Zen beyond mere meditation, highlighting the importance of ethical living in achieving a more profound spiritual experience.

Dharma combat is a distinctive Zen practice where students engage with their teacher in a live setting, challenging each other with questions. This dynamic exchange occurs in a meditation hall, fostering a vibrant dialogue that serves as a collective teaching experience. The interactions are not only confrontational but also deeply enlightening, benefiting both the participants and the audience. This practice highlights the essence of Zen learning through direct engagement and the art of questioning.

The Zen tradition has just two main meditative 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

Exploring the intersection of Zen principles and creativity, John Daido Loori reveals how the Zen arts can unlock artistic expression and spiritual freedom. By merging art with spirituality, he encourages readers to embrace spontaneity and grace in their lives. This work delves into aspects of Zen that have remained underexplored in the West, offering insights into finding peace and meaning through simplicity. Loori's approach invites a transformative experience, bridging the gap between creative endeavors and deeper existential understanding.

One of the simplest, easiest-to-understand guides to Zen meditation--with audio exercises to serve as meditation companions. Through Zen meditation it is possible to find stillness of mind even amidst our everyday activities--and this book reveals how. With easy-to-understand instructions, practical lessons, and short-but-sweet tid-bits of useful information, beloved Zen master John Daido Loori shares the way of Zen meditation in terms that even those starting from the very beginning can understand. Guided audio instructions--available for download online--supplement the teachings throughout the book, giving beginners the tools they need to take that first step into Zen practice and meditation.

This book offers essential guidance from the Buddha and Bodhidharma, from Chinese and Japanese Zen's most influential masters, and from many of modern Zen's preeminent teachers.

Spiritualität und Kreativität finden in Zen-Künsten wie Kalligraphie, Tuschmalerei, Dichtkunst und Tee-Zeremonie zu einer einzigartigen Verschmelzung. Authentische Einblicke in die Geheimnisse dieser Verschmelzung gibt John Daido Loori in seinem neuen Buch. Der Autor – selbst Künstler und Zen-Meister – lässt den Leser in seine künstlerisch-spirituelle Werkstatt blicken und an seinem Schaffensprozess teilhaben. Darüber hinaus leitet er in zahlreichen Übungen dazu an, die Wurzeln der eigenen Kreativität zu entdecken und das eigene schöpferische Potenzial kennen zu lernen und auszuschöpfen. Die Essenz des Zen – die unmittelbare Erfahrung des Augenblicks – wird in Looris Buch zu einem ästhetischen Erlebnis. Eine Einführung in die Zen-Künste und eine Einladung, sie als einen Weg zur Entwicklung der eigenen Kreativität zu entdecken. Mit zahlreichen Abbildungen aus der reichen Kultur des Zen.