Zen and the Way of the Sword: Arming the Samurai Psyche - Hardcover

King, Winston L.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195068106 ISBN 13: 9780195068108

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1993

Synopsis

Zen and the Way of the Sword An examination of the heart of the samurai ethos known as the "cult of the sword" and its relationship to Zen Buddhism. Surveying the origins of the warrior class, Zen meditation techniques and aspects of the Japanese martial arts, the author explains how this unusual alliance came about. Full description

About this title

Review:

`A superb analysis..........Daring and stylish - a true Zen\samurai stroke o freligiouos scholarship'Kircus Reviews

King includes a fascinating discussion of Zen in relation to Buddhist ethics and the life-and-death combat language of the writings on Zen swordmanship ... I would recommend this book for the clarity and detail of the material in the first two sections. (SOAS Bulletin)

Synopsis:

Zen and the Way of the Swod goes to the heart of the samurai ethos by examining the traditional cult of the sword and its relationship to the beliefs and practices of Zen Buddhism. The sword, King demonstrates, was seen as the soul of the samurai, and swordmanship was both a fine art and a spiritual discipline, the practice of which could lead to superhuman concentration of mental and physical energy and absolute indifference in the face of death. King here presents a detailed analysis of how Zen meditation techniques helped the samurai achieve iron discipline of mind, body and emotion and how the Zen doctrine of the "Great Death" of the self harmonized with the warrior's need to be ready for death at every moment. Surveying the origins and history of the warrior class and the ancient traditions of the sword and sword-making, King reveals how the surprising alliance between Zen and the Samurai came about, and how Zen rationalized its disregard of the ancient Buddhist tradition of non-violence. His conclusions raise important questions about the ethical status of Zen and its relation to society and shed new light on the values of Japanese culture.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0195068106
• ISBN 13: 9780195068108
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 280