An inspiring guide to the practice of the Buddhist paramitas or "perfections" from respected American Zen master Reb Anderson.
REB ANDERSON came to San Francisco from Minnesota in 1967 to study
and train in Zen Buddhism with Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, who ordained
him as a priest in 1970. Since then, Reb has continued to study at
San Francisco Zen Center, which includes Beginner's Mind Temple at
The City Center (San Francisco), Green Dragon Temple at Green Gulch
Farm (near Muir Beach, California), and Zen Mind Temple (Carmel
Valley, California). Reb served as abbot from 1986 to 1995 and is
now a senior dharma teacher. His previous books are Being Upright-
Zen Meditation and the Bodhisattva Precepts, Warm Smiles from Cold
Mountains- Dharma Talks on Zen Meditation, and The Third Turning of
the Wheel- Wisdom of the Samdhinirmocana Sutra.
For more information visit www.rebanderson.org.
“This book offers highly practical and accessible guidance for
everyday bodhisattva life dedicated to fostering an awakened,
compassionate world. It is also deeply grounded in traditional
Buddhist texts and philosophy. Based on his many decades of
teaching, Tenshin Anderson Roshi graciously explores the six
transcendent bodhisattva practices, sharing illuminating stories
both from his residential community and his personal life. Reb
reveals Intimacy, with self and others and all beings, as the heart
of ultimate awareness.
These teachings unravel expectations, as when he indicates that
true generosity may include welcoming acceptance of our own
embarrassing, ungenerous responses. Reb expresses the value of
patience amid the processes of frustration and challenge. In truly
practicing effort, overwork may reflect laziness. The essence of
concentration involves letting go of discursive thinking, not
suppression of thoughts. This lively, insightful work elaborates
these and many other helpful encouragements to radically realize
our own deep selves, and thus to develop our beneficial connection
with all beings. Going beyond all these practices, perfect wisdom
returns to joyfully renew wholehearted commitment to compassionate
engagement. This book will be a valuable resource for both
beginning and experienced practitioners or students.”—Taigen Dan
Leighton, author of Faces of Compassion and Just This Is
It
“One can feel Reb Anderson practicing the six perfections in the
writing and offering of Entering the Mind of Buddha. Guiding us
through these teachings, Reb generously, joyously, patiently
interweaves traditional and contemporary Zen stories from a life of
teaching and living in community, as well as his personal family
life—thus clarifying the heroic path of the Bodhisattva and
encouraging us to open to the real possibility of walking this path
starting now.”—Linda Ruth Cutts, Senior Dharma Teacher, San
Francisco Zen Center
“Inspiring, warm-hearted, and wise, Reb Anderson’s book is true to
the timeless teachings and true to twenty-first-century life.
Focusing on the root practice instructions of Mahayana Buddhism, he
seamlessly brings together the wisdom and stories of a life of Zen
practice with a profound knowledge of Dharma.”—Ben Connelly, author
of Inside Vasubandhu’s Yogacara and Mindfulness and Intimacy
“Entering the Mind of Buddha is a dharma jewel offered by Tenshin
Anderson Roshi as a fruit of more than fifty years of studying,
practicing, and teaching at a Zen community. This book is
readable, practical, and profound.”—Shohaku Okumura, author of
Living by Vow and Realizing Genjokoan
“This exquisite exploration of the interconnections among the six
paramitas reveals new aspects of their mutually intensifying effect
on each other and opens them up for use as powerful tools in daily
life.”—Konjin Gaelyn Godwin, abbot of the Houston Zen Center and
director of the Soto Zen Buddhism International Center
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