THE METHOD OF ZEN
EUGEN HERRIGEL
Edited by Hermann Tausend
Translated by R.F.C. Hull
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Eugen Herrigel, a German professor who taught philosophy at the University of Tokyo between the wars, is one of the Westerners who has penetrated deeply and personally into the theory and practice of Zen Buddhism. In endeavoring to become a Zen mystic, he subjected himself to the rigorous discipline of training with a Zen master for six years. An account of this experience is given in his now classic little book, Zen in the Art of Archery.
Professor Herrigel died in 1955. Among his papers were found voluminous notes on various aspects of Zen. These have been selected and edited by Hermann Tausend, in collaboration with Mrs. Gusty Herrigel, the author’s wife, and were published in German under the title Der Zen-Weg. The English version has been revise and edited by R.F.C.Hull and Alm W. Watts.
CONTENTS
Introductory: The way to Zen Buddhism
Zen and the classic methods of meditation
Zen contrasted with European mysticism
Zen as it appears to Western eyes
Training in Zen Buddhist monasteries
Breathing exercices
The Koan
Satori
Further Koan meditations
How the Master sees whether the pupil has Satori
Remarks on Japanese acting
Transformation of the pupil by Satori
Zen painting
Satori in poetry
Speculation on the basis of Satori
The role of thought in Zen
Zen in practical life
Zen priests
The center of being
Man’s fall and fulfillment
Higher stages of meditation
Enlightenment, rebirth, Buddha nature
Communication with the whole of being
The art of Compassion