This book offers an in-depth introduction to the philosophy and practice of Zen Buddhism. Bret Davis explores the philosophical implications of Zen teachings and koans, comparing and contrasting these with other Asian as well as Western religions and philosophies. He relates traditional Zen teachings and practices to our twenty-first century lives.

In addition to being a scholarly and philosophical introduction to Zen, the book provides concrete instructions for beginning a practice of Zen meditation. Its twenty-four chapters treat such philosophical topics as the self, nature, art, morality, and language, as well as basic Buddhist teachings such as the middle way and karma. Davis introduces the Zen based philosophies of the Kyoto School and also engages in interreligious dialogue with Christianity and other religions, as well as with other schools of Buddhism. The concluding chapter reviews the path of Zen practice and enlightenment by way of commenting on the beloved Zen classic, The Ten Oxherding Pictures. The book can be read in its entirety as a coherently organized introduction to the philosophy and practice of Zen, or chapters can be read independently according to the reader's specific interests.

Zen Pathways: An Introduction to the Philosophy and Practice of Zen Buddhism, Bret W. Davis, Oxford University Press, Paperback, 480 pages, $29.95

Bret W. Davis is Professor and Thomas J. Higgins, S.J. Chair in Philosophy at Loyola University Maryland, where he teaches classes in Western, Asian, and cross-cultural philosophy, and where he directs The Heart of Zen Meditation Group. In addition to publishing more than seventy-five scholarly articles, he has authored, edited, and translated a number of books, including Japanese Philosophy in the World (in Japanese), Heidegger and the Will: On the Way to Gelassenheit, Martin Heidegger: Key Concepts, Japanese and Continental Philosophy: Conversations with the Kyoto School, Engaging Dogen's Zen: The Philosophy of Practice as Awakening, The Oxford Handbook of Japanese Philosophy, and Bipedal Philosophers (in Japanese). In 2001, he obtained a Ph.D. in philosophy from Vanderbilt University. He lived in Japan for more than a dozen years, during which time he studied Buddhist thought at Otani University, and Japanese philosophy at Kyoto University, while practicing Zen at the monastery of Shokokuji in Kyoto. He is fluent in Japanese, semi-fluent in German, and proficient in reading Classical Chinese. In 2010, he was formally recognized as a Teacher (Sensei) and Director of a Zen Center by Kobayashi Gentoku Roshi, the current abbot of Shokokuji.

CONTENTS: Zen Pathways
Preface: Why Write or Read this Book?		xi
Acknowledgments		xix
1.	What Really is Zen? Recovering the Beginner's Open Mind	1
2.	Previewing the Path of Zen: Know Thyself, Forget Thyself, Open Thyself	20
3.	Zen Meditation as a Practice of Clearing the Heart-Mind	32
4.	How to Practice Zen Meditation: Attending to Place, Body, Breath, and Mind	49
5.	The Buddha's First and Last Lesson: The Middle Way of Knowing What Suffices	67
6.	The Buddha's Strong Medicine: Embracing Impermanence	78
7.	The True Self is Egoless	89
8.	We are One: Loving Others as Yourself	103
9.	But We Are Not the Same: Taking Turns as the Center of the Universe	117
10.	Who or What is the Buddha?	131
11.	Mind is Buddha: So, if You Encounter the Buddha, Kill Him!	143
12.	Dying to Live: Zen, Pure Land Buddhism, and Christianity	154
13.	Zen as Trans-Mysticism: Everyday Even Mind is the Way	174
14.	Engaged Zen: From Inner to Outer Peace	186
15.	The Dharma of Karma: We Reap What We Sow	196
16.	Zen and Morality: Following Rules to Where There Are No Rules	209
17.	Being in the Zone of Zen: The Natural Freedom of No-Mind	222
18.	Zen Lessons from Nature: Samu and the Giving Leaves	236
19.	Zen and Art: Cultivating Naturalness	248
20.	Zen and Language: The Middle Way Between Silence and Speech	261
21.	Between Zen and Philosophy: Commuting with the Kyoto School	275
22.	Soto and Rinzai Zen Practice: Just Sitting and Working with Koans	290
23.	Death and Rebirth--Or, Nirvana Here and Now	302
24.	Reviewing the Path of Zen: The Ten Oxherding Pictures	320
Discussion Questions		339
Notes		349
Index		435