Travers christmas humphreys, qc 15 february 1901 april 1983 was a british barrister who prosecuted several controversial. The way of action a working philosophy for western life. He was the author of several books on mahayana buddhism and the founder of the buddhist society. On august 24, 2015 august 24, 2015 by stmoritznutritions in buddhism, philosophy, religion, zen buddhism zen philosophy teaches us peace, focus and awakening. See all 2 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. This one can still hold its own as a good basic introduction. The buddhist way of life book by christmas humphreys. Zen, however, is a subject extremely easy to misunderstand, and it is therefore important that the words of a qualified master should come readily to hand. Yet to get it across a most thoughtprovoking phrase some form is necessary, and in a book which is not merely about zen, but which attempts to transfer the life of zen to the receptive reader, a style must be devised to the occasion.
Teach yourself zen by christmas humphreys, stephen hodge. Written in the 6 th century, it is considered the first clear and comprehensive statement of zen. Alan watts the western buddhist who healed my mind. In 1924 he founded what became the london buddhist society, which was to. Christmas humphreys zen a way of life, full book audio. The author discusses the basic doctrine of buddhism and the expanded principles of mahayana buddhism. Christmas humphreys expounds with great clarity an often misinterpreted way of life. Buddhism is a system of thought, a religion, a form of mental science, and a way of life.
The buddhist field of knowledge is now so vast that few can master all of it, and the study and application of its principles must be a matter of choice. Zen, therefore, with its insistence on direct experience, unmindful of the forms of wisdom from which the life too swiftly ebbs away, was extremely acceptable to the chinese mind, and if this suitability has been emphasized it is because the chinese are in a way the british of the east, and most of the attributes above described might as well. Humphreys obviously thinks in absolutes, explains in absolutes, which poses a major problem when what one is trying to understand is a. A way of life teach yourself books humphreys, christmas on amazon. Zen meditation and mindfulness for health and wellbeing course is a part of a building a. At once a critical explication of the facets of zen and a meditation on the meaning of existence, essays in zen buddhism is an. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. A popular dictionary of buddhism christmas humphreys. Aug 24, 2015 zen way of life for the intellectuals and the pure souls. Christmas humphreys, one of the leading pioneers in the history of buddhism in britain, wrote that zen is a subject extremely easy to misunderstand. Collection universallibrary contributor universal digital library language english. His given name christmas is unusual, but, along with travers, had a long history in the humphreys family.
Christmas humphreys, born in london in 1901, is the descendant of a line of lawyers. He also wrote a number of works on mahayana buddhism and in his day was the bestknown british convert to buddhism. Included in this volume are suzukis famous study enlightenment and ignorance, a chapter on practical methods of zen instruction, the essays on satori the revelation of a new truth in zen buddhism and history of zen buddhism from bodhidharma to huining yeno, and his commentary on the ten cowherding pictures which have long been used in zen to illustrate the stages of. During this visit, suzuki met and entered into a lifelong friendship with christmas humphreys. One may choose the magnificent moral philosophy of theravada, the oldest school, or the zen training of japan. He was called to the bar on leaving cambridge, and in due course became senior prosecuting counsel at the old bailey, like his father before himself sat as a circuit judge from 1968 until his retirement in 1976.
Sometimes they ask me for a quick guidance into the zen way of life. A manual of mind development, and zen buddhism, and more on. Available from online booksellers including amazon. Nietzsche and the zen buddhists make some strikingly similar claims about life, death, suffering, illusion and reality, life after death, and the possible transformation of what it is to be human. Chapter 15 training for zen 3 this was from the 1974 edition published by teach yourself books, written by christmas humphreys who founded the. Christmas humphreys is currently considered a single author. Christmas humphreys the most eminent of 20th century. Yet to get it across a most thoughtprovoking phrase some form is necessary, and in a book which is not merely about zen, but which attempts to transfer the life of zen to. Travers christmas humphreys, qc 15 february 1901 april 1983 was a british barrister who prosecuted several controversial cases in the 1940s and 1950s, and later became a judge at the old bailey. An introduction and guide pelican by humphreys, christmas and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Zen buddhism by christmas humphreys, paperback barnes. Satori is a stage along the way, a gateless gate that must be entered on the path to enlightenment.
As this involves an approach illustrated by personal experience rather than the usual objectivity of scholarship, i have chosen as material the twin. When people become interested in zen they often think it is a way to be more relaxed and balanced. I think few people know and read christmas humphreys nowadays. Red wheelweiser imprints include conari press which publishes titles on spirituality, personal growth, relationships to parenting, and social issues. In his book zen comes west christmas humphreys answers to the question. The book covers the life of gautama buddha, his ministry and the rise of the main schools of buddhist thought.
Invitation to the buddhist way of life for western readers. Christmas humphreys 1901 1983 was one of the most famous british converts to buddhism of his generation, and. Travers christmas humphreys, qc 19011983 was a man whom many consider to be the most eminent of all the british buddhists of the 20th century. See all books authored by christmas humphreys, including concentration and meditation. All this is of vital value on the way, but it is on a much higher plane that hpb includes it in the plan and process of the universe. Spine and extreme edges of boards darkened, light bruising and rubbing to corners and spine ends, bookshop sticker to front pastedown, page lightly browned, otherwise a tight, unmarked vg copy.
This introduction explains and points the way to the experience of zen, bringing heightened consciousness, spiritual fulfillment, and enlightenment. Zen teaches the way for every living person, whether they be student, factory worker or executive, to find peace and freedom in everyday life. Suzuki, christmas humphreys in this collection of his most important essays, suzuki explores a variety of topics, including the history of buddhism, the daily life of a zen monk, and the path to enlightenment. Christmas humphreys 19011983 compiled by robert kitto, trustee, the blavatsky trust.
Zen philosophy teaches us peace, focus and awakening. Travers christmas humphreys, qc 15 february 1901 april 1983 was an english barrister who prosecuted several controversial cases in the 1940s and 1950s, and later became a judge at the old bailey. How christmas humphreys reinvented buddhism in his own image. Nevertheless, i will try to explain to you what is zen philosophy and. He was an enthusiastic shakespeare scholar and proponent of the oxfordian theory.
American buddhism as a way of life university unitarian church. Henry david thoreau, a week on the concord and merrimack rivers go forth on your journey, for the bene. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. His career as a barrister saw him prosecute several controversial cases in the. It seems clear, therefore, that meditation, using the term to summarize the last three stages of the path, is not merely an integral part of buddhism, but the very climax of its other doctrines, laws and practices. Humphreys was born in ealing, middlesex, the son of travers humphreys, himself a noted barrister and judge. Pdf zen meditation and mindfulness for modern times. The way of action a working philosophy for western life by humphreys, christmas. In this collection of his most important essays, suzuki explores a variety of topics, including the history of buddhism, the daily life of a zen monk, and the path to enlightenment. By christmas humphreys i have been invited to write on the secret doctrine and the contribution made by its author to world thought. With profound inspiration and consummate compassion, the founder of the. Essays in zen buddhism isbn 9780802151186 pdf epub. Zen buddhism 7 buddhism christmas humphreys penguin.
A way of life teach yourself books paperback august 1, 1992 by christmas humphreys author 5. This is the basis of zen itself that all life and existence is based on a kind of dynamic emptiness a view now supported by modern science, which sees phenomena at a subatomic level. Publication date 1960 publisher george allen amp unwin ltd. Some even get a bit angry if i tell them it is not something i. American buddhism as a way of life gary storhoff and john whalenbridge there is an orientalism in the most restless pioneer, and the farthest west is but the farthest east.
A western approach to zen, is published by theosophical publishing house wheaton, il 8006699425. The process of zen is a leap from thinking to knowing. How christmas humphreys reinvented buddhism in his own. Weiser books offers an entire spectrum of occult and esoteric subjects. Its very much written from a westernized perspectivechristiancentric is the only term i can think of that fits. Life is one, said the buddha, and the middle way to the end of suffering in all its forms is that which leads to the end of the illusion of separation, which enables man to see, as a fact as clear as sunlight, that all mankind, and all other forms in manifestation, are one unit, the infinitely variable appearance of an indivisible whole. The author, christmas humphreys, was a circuit judge and founder of the buddhist society in london in the 1920s and wrote several books on the buddhist way of life. Zen comes west the present and future of zen buddhism in britain by christmas humphreys. A landmark work in the history of the western discovery of zen. Mar 31, 2017 travers christmas humphreys, qc 15 february 1901 april 1983 was a british barrister who prosecuted several controversial cases in the 1940s and 1950s, and later became a judge at the old bailey. Exploring buddhism, christmas humphreys, jan 30, 2012, philosophy, 196 pages. Christmas humphreys president of the buddhist society, london 1948 editors note to second edition all references to the authors essays in zen buddhism, series one and two, and to his. Alan watts the western buddhist who healed my mind aeon. The writing is a mixture of edited christmas humphreys writings on zen who apparently was one of the first westerners to write on the subject and newly added text.
If youre interested in reading a stereotypical bourgeoisie white european mans understanding of zen buddhism, this is the book for you. Christmas humphreys primary author only author division. If one or more works are by a distinct, homonymous authors, go ahead and split the author. The author presents a very comprehensive idea of zen in all its aspects. Paperback, upper right corner crease, very light rubbing on edges. Living zen is that rare achievement, both a survey of the rich history of zen buddhism and a guide to the practice of this most demanding and effortless art of being.
Nov 12, 2012 the buddhist field of knowledge is now so vast that few can master all of it, and the study and application of its principles must be a matter of choice. American buddhism as a way of life a handful of leaves. Zen buddhism, christmas humphreys, 1961, zen buddhism, 175 pages. A way of life teach yourself books humphreys, christmas on. Zen to his daily life just as much as can the queen of england or the president of the united states. London buddhist society, christmas humphreys, says. There are men, and plenty of them, who think that when something has been classified in accordance with the prevailing system of filing, they know more about it. Christmas humphreys 1901 1983 was one of the most famous british converts to buddhism of his generation, and founder of the london buddhist society.
May 05, 2010 travers christmas humphreys, qc 19011983 was a man whom many consider to be the most eminent of all the british buddhists of the 20th century. Christmas humphreys the buddhist way of action 1989 page 76 thus there is wrong action everywhere, from murder to an unkind word, from a lustful thought to rape, from failure to pay the correct bus fare to robbing the bank of england. Oct 02, 2002 christmas humphreys, one of the leading pioneers in the history of buddhism in britain, wrote that zen is a subject extremely easy to misunderstand. Publication date 1971 topics zen buddhism, buddhism publisher baltimore, md. Friends, it is difficult for me to explain to you in words, what exactly is zen philosophy because words and speeches are inferior forms of communication. A couple of days before his death in 1983 christmas humphreys recounted to muriel daw, then editor of buddhist society journal the middle way, how having awoke in the night with the last line of a poem flaming in his mind, he had worked backwards, a line at a time, to complete progress, his last. A western approach to zen book, 1999 by christmas humphreys. Buy a cheap copy of the buddhist way of life book by christmas humphreys. The hsin hsin ming shinjinmei in japanese is a verse attributed to the third chinese chan zen patriarch sengtsan known as sosan in japan. Sep 21, 2012 the word zen is a japanese way of pronouncing chan, which is the chinese way of pronouncing the indian sanskrit dhyana or sunya, meaning emptiness or void. First published in unwin paperbacks in 1980, reissued 1988. The title is often translated as faith in mind, b ut john mcrae. It is one of those curiosities that the british barrister known as christmas humphreys 19011983, who is viewed as a cornerstone in the transmission of japanese zen buddhism to the west, has very little written about him in the japanese language christmas humphreys is written as.