Is this worth reading? - "Zen at War"

**Hiro Protagonist** · Posted On: 12/11/2011 8:03pm

Hi,

I have lately been interested in learning about Zen philosophy.

Is this here something that I could enjoy?

http://www.amazon.com/Zen-at-War-Dai.../dp/0834804050

Zen at War offers a penetrating look at the close relationship that existed between Zen Buddhism and Japanese militarism prior to World War II. Using the actual words of leading Japanese Zen masters and scholars, the author shows that Zen served as a powerful spiritual and ideological foundation for the fanatic and suicidal spirit displayed by the imperial Japanese military. At the same time, the author tells the dramatic and tragic stories of the handful of Buddhist organizations and individuals that dared to oppose Japan's march to war. He follows this history up to the recent apologies of several Zen sects for their support of the war, and the reemergence of what he calls corporate Zen in postwar Japan.

Since I am generally interested in the topic, should I try books by D. T. Suzuki, or is that too elevated for someone who is only casually interested in the topic? (Like, I enjoy reading about philosophy, but, to me, Schopenhauer is still more effective than
any sleeping pill.)

Yours,

Rafe

**DCS** · Posted On: 12/11/2011 8:14pm

Originally Posted by Terror Tamale

Hi,

I have lately been interested in learning about Zen philosophy.

Is this here something that I could enjoy?

http://www.amazon.com/Zen-at-War-Dai.../dp/0834804050

Yes. Worth reading.

Since I am generally interested in the topic, should I try books by D. T. Suzuki,

Very cautiously.

I'd suggest you to go to http://www.thezensite.com/index.html

There's a lot of good info (not new age zen bs) available there and pay special attention to the contents of http://www.thezensite.com/MainPages/critical_zen.html

**Hiro Protagonist** · Posted On: 12/11/2011 8:28pm

Cool, many thanks! :) You have recommended me some very cool stuff in the past, so I take your word for it! :)

**Eddie Hardon** · Posted On: 12/12/2011 5:26pm

DT Suzuki. Hmm. I was put on to him by my Tai Chi teacher. I've got a DVD of him (Suzuki) somewhere (from my Tai Chi teacher).

For DCS. Thanks for the link. I shall have a look - carefully in case it fogs my Brain.

**Eddie Hardon** · Posted On: 12/12/2011 5:30pm

Trevor Leggett was a legend in UK Judo and was in Japan during WW2. He had a deep interest in Zen and I've got a couple of his books. One of them was a compact hardback and EXPENSIVE. Still, I'm glad I've got it (but can't remember the title). OTOH, I've also got "The Dragon Mask" (somewhere) and that's a gentle intro.

Here's his website, which may interest.

http://www.leggett.co.uk/books/dmsk.htm

**Moenstah** · Posted On: 12/14/2011 3:28am

I read the book cover to cover. I wholeheartedly recommend it!

It gave a nice overview why and how buddhist sects got entangled in the ultranationalist and militarist period of Japan.