- 218 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
About this book
A look at the Ten Grave Precepts of Zen Buddhism, the core of Zen ethics, and how they apply to modern Western society.
"As an American who has trained in Zen practice for many years Aitken Roshi has a special understanding of the problems and questions which plague Western students of Zen." —Yamada Koun Roshi
In Taking the Path of Zen, Robert Aitken provided a concise guide to zazen (Zen meditation) and other aspects of the practice of Zen. In The Mind of Clover he addresses the world beyond the zazen cushions, illuminating issues of appropriate personal and social action through an exploration of the philosophical complexities of Zen ethics.
Aitken's approach is clear and sure as he shows how our minds can be as nurturing as clover, which enriches the soil and benefits the environment as it grows. The opening chapters discuss the Ten Grave Precepts of Zen, which, Aitken points out, are "not commandments etched in stone but expressions of inspiration written in something more fluid than water." Aitken approaches these precepts, the core of Zen ethics, from several perspectives, offering many layers of interpretation. Like ripples in a pond, the circles of his interpretation increasingly widen, and he expands his focus to confront corporate theft and oppression, the role of women in Zen and society, abortion, nuclear war, pollution of the environment, and other concerns.
The Mind of Clover champions the cause of personal responsibility in modern society, encouraging nonviolent activism based on clear convictions. It is a guide that engages, that invites us to realize our own potential for confident and responsible action.
"As an American who has trained in Zen practice for many years Aitken Roshi has a special understanding of the problems and questions which plague Western students of Zen." —Yamada Koun Roshi
In Taking the Path of Zen, Robert Aitken provided a concise guide to zazen (Zen meditation) and other aspects of the practice of Zen. In The Mind of Clover he addresses the world beyond the zazen cushions, illuminating issues of appropriate personal and social action through an exploration of the philosophical complexities of Zen ethics.
Aitken's approach is clear and sure as he shows how our minds can be as nurturing as clover, which enriches the soil and benefits the environment as it grows. The opening chapters discuss the Ten Grave Precepts of Zen, which, Aitken points out, are "not commandments etched in stone but expressions of inspiration written in something more fluid than water." Aitken approaches these precepts, the core of Zen ethics, from several perspectives, offering many layers of interpretation. Like ripples in a pond, the circles of his interpretation increasingly widen, and he expands his focus to confront corporate theft and oppression, the role of women in Zen and society, abortion, nuclear war, pollution of the environment, and other concerns.
The Mind of Clover champions the cause of personal responsibility in modern society, encouraging nonviolent activism based on clear convictions. It is a guide that engages, that invites us to realize our own potential for confident and responsible action.
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Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Yes, you can access The Mind of Clover by Robert Aitken in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Theology & Religion & Buddhism. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright Notice
- Dedication
- Acknowledgments
- Epigraphs
- Chapter One: The Nature of the Precepts
- Chapter Two: The First Grave Precept: Not Killing
- Chapter Three: The Second Grave Precept: Not Stealing
- Chapter Four: The Third Grave Precept: Not Misusing Sex
- Chapter Five: The Fourth Grave Precept: Not Lying
- Chapter Six: The Fifth Grave Precept: Not Giving or Taking Drugs
- Chapter Seven: The Sixth Grave Precept: Not Discussing Faults of Others
- Chapter Eight: The Seventh Grave Precept: Not Praising Yourself While Abusing Others
- Chapter Nine: The Eighth Grave Precept: Not Sparing the Dharma Assets
- Chapter Ten: The Ninth Grave Precept: Not Indulging in Anger
- Chapter Eleven: The Tenth Grave Precept: Not Defaming the Three Treasures
- Chapter Twelve: Eating the Blame
- Chapter Thirteen: A Note on Samu
- Chapter Fourteen: The Self
- Chapter Fifteen: The Search for the Mind
- Chapter Sixteen: Bringing Forth the Mind
- Chapter Seventeen: The Mind of Clover
- Chapter Eighteen: The Morning Star
- Chapter Nineteen: The Way and Its Virtue
- Chapter Twenty: Religious Activism and the Tao
- Chapter Twenty-One: Gandhi, Dōgen, and Deep Ecology
- Appendix: The Diamond Sangha Ceremony: On the Death of an Unborn Child
- Table of Chinese-Japanese Equivalents
- Notes
- Glossary
- About the Author
- Also by Robert Aitken
- Newsletter Sign-up
- Contents
- Copyright