An Introduction to Zen Buddhism

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D.T. Suzuki (1870-1966) is usually credited with introducing Zen Buddhism to America, & in AN INTRODUCTION TO ZEN BUDDHISM he covers Zen in a scholastic & erudite fashion. Suzuki's use of English is extremely complex, but his style gets information across very well. While expounding on the basics of Zen, he's always quick to respond to questions the reader might have. He dedicates an entire chapter to countering the oft-heard argument that Zen is nihilistic. The final chapter covers daily life for Zen monks, giving Westerners a glimpse of what is common knowledge for Japanese--or was several generations ago. The book is not perfect, however. Suzuki covers only the Rinzai school of Japanese Buddhism, leaving the Soto school out in the cold. Also, like any Japanese Zen scholar, he tends to do a little Theravada bashing, claiming that it's primitive & unrefined.