The Three Pillars of Zen

Teaching, Practice, and Enlightenment

By: Roshi Philip Kapleau

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

In this classic work of spiritual guidance, the founder of the Rochester Zen Center presents a comprehensive overview of Zen Buddhism. Exploring the three pillars of Zen - teaching, practice, and enlightenment - Roshi Philip Kapleau, the man who founded one of the oldest and most influential Zen centers in the United States, presents a personal account of his own experiences as a student and teacher, and in so doing gives listeners invaluable advice on how to develop their own practices. Revised and updated, this edition features a new afterword by Sensei Bodhin Kjolhede, who succeeded Kapleau as spiritual director of the Rochester Zen Center. A moving, eye-opening work, The Three Pillars of Zen is the definitive introduction to the history and discipline of Zen.

©2000 Roshi Philip Kapleau (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"For anyone seriously interested in Zen - this book will be invaluable." ( The Times Literary Supplement)

Narrator insufferable

Good book ruined by the affectations of the narrator. Too bad, I had hoped for a usable audio version.

The most useful book about Zen I've read

The most interesting parts were the dokusan and personal kensho descriptions. The details of sesshin gave me the a sense of monotonity, which might be a general phenomenon in Zen in order to "ripen" the mind. This phenomenon might be the reason why books on Zen keep repeating the same ideas; this book is no exception, but I don't see this as a problem any more (it bothered me when I read Beginner's Mind). I think this book encourages the reader to start practicing without thinking too much about the details and excuses.

go for it

Very good book to understand basics of theory, posture and experiences of practitioners. veey well read too. Enjoyed it immensely

An incredible introduction into Zen

At over 14 hours this book goes beyond an introduction and was a joy to listen to. Not only does it provide an in depth analysis of zazen but has many stories of students reaching enlightenment. I have read many books on Buddhism but this is in my top 3.

Zen explained for the west. Classic Japanese Zen.

I have read many books on Buddhism with a special focus on the practice of Zen. There are many forms of Zen Buddhism depending what traditional beliefs were already in place in the place when Monks came they appreciate tradition so, practices were adjusted, but the same basic message was always the same. We are all Buddha. This book is a translation from one of the last classic Zen Masters in Japan after World war 2. He did a splendid job of explaining what the difference between meditation and Zazen is. and his teachings get deeper and he tells storys that westerners can relate to. My Sanga uses the teachings of this book as the guide for our practice.
The reader was wonderful. he went slow and his perfect pronounciation of the Japanese made it very easy to follow the different name references as well as the formal and informal traditions. I will look for more books read by this person.
The basic core training practices are introduced and explained rather well. A good job was done to stay on point even while in deep dissertation regarding an in depth topic.
this book is my favorite purchase of a digital book and I listen to it often.