What Is Zen?: Plain Talk for a Beginner's Mind

An accessible and enjoyable introduction to Zen Buddhist practice-in a reader-friendly question-and-answer format-by two highly regarded teacher-writers

This unique introduction to Zen teaching and practice is structured as a Q&A, making it a most useful reference for new and seasoned practitioners to look things up. The questioner (Susan Moon) and the answerer (Norman Fischer) are Buddhist teachers and old friends, each with a unique gift for articulation. Their friendly conversation covers not only the basics of Zen Buddhism but a range of issues unique to Zen in America in the twenty-first century, including:

• What is zazen and how do you do it?
• Where did Zen start and where did it come from?
• Will I have an enlightenment experience?
• What is the law of karma in a nutshell?
• What do Zen Buddhists say about rebirth?
• How do you recognize a good, solid Zen teacher?

Moon and Fischer's conversations are both humorous and informative, providing a good basic education in Zen-not only the history, theory, and practice but also contemporary issues such as gender inequality, sexual ethics, and the tension between Asian traditions and the modern American reality.