The Way of Zen by Alan W. Watts Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Way of Zen
Book Review: Watts enlightens
Summary: 5 Stars
It is unfortunate in my view that the word Zen gets attached to the most frivolous things. You see books with titles such as "The Zen of Motorcycle Repair" or "The Zen of Making Big Fat Wads of Cash". As Lao Tzu says, "Those who speak do not know; those who know do not speak". With that in mind, it's clear that the modern fad of Zen-everything is not really the way of Zen. Which raises the question - what is the way of Zen? Alan Watts recognises the difficulty in explaining the concept of Zen to the West, and freely admits he's not the world's foremost expert on the subject. However humble he may have been, Watts certainly seems to know what he's talking about. "The Way of Zen" traces the origins of this non-religion/philosophy/ideology from ancient China and India, to its uptake in the rest of Asia (notably Japan). There's even a few chapters on Zen in the Arts, discussing the idea of haiku and how it aspires to be Zen-in-motion. Watts is lucid in his approach, and always takes the time to explain even the most perplexing concepts. Overall if you want to get one step closer to understanding the inscrutable Zen, let Watts enlighten you (pun intended).Book Review: Worth a couple dozen other books on Zen Buddhism
Summary: 5 Stars
This can be seen as a significant book in the transmission of the dharma to the Western world, even though, or perhaps especially because, it is written by a Westerner. Consistently admired since its first publication in 1957, and reprinted many times, The Way of Zen is that rarest of books, a popular and academic success. You will not read far before seeing why. Watts's style is reasoned and reasonable, clear and authoritative, but without a hint of affectation. Watts knows what he is talking about and to whom he is speaking. Because of his perspective between two worlds, he is, more than almost any other writer on Zen, able to match the ideas of the East to the mind of the West, and in doing so make the broader outlines of Zen as clear as the polished, dustless mirror.The book is divided into two parts, "Background and History" and Principles and Practice," each with four chapters. There is a bibliography also divided into two parts, the first referring to original sources and second to general works on Zen in European languages. There are 16 pages of Chinese Notes in calligraphy keyed to the text, and an Index.
"The Way" in the title refers to the "watercourse way" from Taoism, a philosophy to which Zen owes much, as Watts makes clear in the first two chapters, "The Philosophy of the Tao" and "The Origins of Buddhism." The first chapter is one of the best on Taoism that I have ever read, replete with insight and wisdom. Throughout, Watts expresses himself in an infectious style, even in the very scholarly chapters on the history of Buddhism where he traces Zen from its origin in India, through the Buddha under the Po tree, to Ch'an in China, and finally into Japan. Parallels between the unforced, natural way of Taoism and the spontaneity of Zen Buddhism are explored in a most convincing and engaging manner. Along the way we learn a little about Hinduism and Confucianism.
The chapters on the principles and practices of Zen, comprising a goodly portion of the book are nothing short of marvelous, full of wit and sly observations, revealing Watts's thorough knowledge of Zen and his deep appreciation. Here are some examples of Watts at work:
Referring obliquely to the rise of communism (a word he never uses in the book) he writes, "When the throne of the Absolute is left vacant, the relative usurps it..." (p. 11) Perhaps Watts is also indicating why he believes that humanism is not a complete answer.
On the cosmology of the Tao: "...the natural universe works mainly according to the principles of growth...If the universe were made, there would of course be someone who knows <how> it is made..." He adds, "...the Tao does not <know> how it produces the universe..." (pp. 16-17)
"Since opposed principles, or ideologies, are irreconcilable, wars fought over principle will be wars of mutual annihilation. But wars fought for simple greed will be far less destructive, because the aggressor will be careful not to destroy what he is fighting to capture." (pp. 29-30)
"Hindu philosophy has not made the mistake of imagining that one can make an informative, factual, and positive statement about the ultimate reality." (p, 34)
"Buddhism has frequently compared the course of time to the apparent motion of a wave, wherein the actual water only moves up and down, creating the illusion of a <piece> of water moving over the surface. It is a similar illusion that there is a constant <self> moving through successive experiences, constituting a link between them in such a way that the youth becomes the man who becomes the graybeard who becomes the corpse." (p. 123)
In his exploration of koans used by the Rinzai School of Zen, it becomes clear that one of the purposes of the koan is to put doubt into the mind of the young aspirant that he knows anything at all. From that redoubtable position, real learning can begin. I was reminded of a saying attributed to baseball's Earl Weaver, the very successful manager of the Baltimore Orioles in their glory years: "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."
Here is a story from the Ch'uan Teng Lu, told by Watts about "a fascinating encounter between Tao-hsin and the sage Fa-yung, who lived in a lonely temple on Mount Niu-t'ou, and was so holy that the birds used to bring him offerings of flowers. As the two men were talking, a wild animal roared close by, and Tao-hsin jumped. Fa-yung commented, <I see it is still with you!>--referring, of course, to the instinctive <passion> (klesa) of fright. Shortly afterwards, while he was for a moment unobserved, Tao-hsin wrote the Chinese character for <Buddha> on the rock where Fa-yung was accustomed to sit. When Fa-yung returned to sit down again, he saw the sacred name and hesitated to sit. <I see,> said Tao-hsin, <it is still with you!> At this remark Fa-yung was fully awakened...and the birds never brought any more flowers." (pp. 89-90).
While this is an excellent introduction to Zen--and more--for the educated person, it is especially a delight for those of you who have already read a few books on Zen. There is no other book that I know of that goes as deeply into Zen as agreeably as does The Way of Zen.
Book Review: Zen Content, Zen Form, sort of...
Summary: 5 Stars
I think the principal virtues of this text are simplicity, directness and clarity. Watts seems to have considerable intellectual understanding of Zen, and equally importantly, intuition about its inner content. He writes about Zen in a somewhat Zen-like way; not with a series of enigmas and paradoxes, but with a simple and direct narrative that covers the essential history and practice of Zen, illustrated with numerous relevant and potent quotes, and conveyed throughout with an intuitive immediacy that is refreshing and indeed uplifting. It's a good book.Book Review: Zen Through Christian Eyes
Summary: 4 Stars
So, what is a southern Christian man doing with a book about a Buddhist belief system? Well, I needed some perspective. The Christian teaching that is most familiar to me is that which says, "Do your best. Work hard. Don't quit trying." Only, I took this to the extreme. With new ideas coming into my head at a rapid pace I struggled to write them down and struggled even more to put them into action. I know I should be developing my ideas to be published, drawing the picture I have in my head, or even becoming a more proficient cyclist, but when I don't have the time, I get frustrated. The result? A car spinning its tires. "Why haven't I written that yet? Why haven't I learned to paint? Why haven't I competed in a bike race?!" All of these things are goals that I wanted to complete last week not next year. I knew Zen was a way I could learn to be more passive in my thought processes so I read it.
Zen does not look at life as something to be built like a house or attained like a graduate degree, but rather it looks at life as a flower that grows from a tiny seed. This was what I needed to hear. Instead of running and pursuing things now, I let them happen through my daily practices of writing, sketching, and cycling. Growth, inspiration, and achievement happen over time. I also wanted to read this book with my Christian glasses on. I am now interested in Biblical teachings on growth as it relates to the teachings of Zen.
Book Review: Zen made simple
Summary: 5 Stars
Zen is one of those things that defies description but which people want to describe anyway. Alan Watts is such a brilliant writer/teacher that he actually succeeds. In addition to an excellent discussion of the eastern theological traditions which gave rise to Zen Buddhism, he discusses Zen concepts in such a way that they make sense. But don't make sense, if you know what I mean. I am not a believer in reading about Zen, but this is one book that I recommend to anyone who is interested in Zen practice. Using prose that sets a new standard for elegance and simplicity, Watts will lead you down a lovely pathway, explaining just enough as you go along to help you appreciate what you are exploring. The book also makes a great reference, if you want to have just one title in your library about Zen.