Contents
Author's Preface Editors' Note
Part I: Living Zen in America
What Is Zen Toward a Meaning of Buddhism for Americans Waking Up with Zen Why Buddhism? Of the Same Root: Animals and Our Relationship with Them Valuing Life Thanksgiving: A Life of Gratitude Common Questions about Zen
Part II: Ethics, Responsibility, Practice
On an Ethical Way of Life: Commentary on Some of the Buddhist Precepts Commentary on the First Buddhist Precept: To Cherish All Life Responsibility and Social Action Pain, Suffering, and Resistance to Practice The Artful Use of Pain in Zen Diet and Zen Practice Mind-Altering Drugs: Commentary and Reflections Repentance and Problems of Sex: The Third Buddhist Precept Buddhist Ethics and Abuses of Power
Part III: Zen Training/Zen Teaching
Dokusan: A Private Encounter with the Roshi Pilgrimage as Training and Practice The Enlightened One Discipline and Naturalness Impatience in Practice Devotion
Part IV: On Illness, Dying, and Death
Illness, Dying, Caregiving, and Families: A Conversation in West Berlin Dying: A Conversation with Jon Sheldon, M.D. Death and Dying: A Conversation with Penny Townsend, R.N. On Confronting a Chronic Illness
Part V: Suffering and Meaning
An Age of Destruction and Spiritual Resurgence: A Conversation with Vondell Perry Man's Justice and God's Justice Epilogue: Practical Zen -- a Conversation with Kenneth Kraft