Zen Ritual Studies of Zen Buddhist Theory in Practice

This book addresses a significant new trend in thinking about Zen theory and practice. When books on Zen Buddhism began to appear in Western languages just over a half century ago, what attracted interest among Western readers was the Zen rejection of ritual. Famous "Beat Zen" writers were delighted by the Zen emphasis on spontaneity and wrote inspirationally about the demythologized, anti-ritualized spirit of Zen. Quotes from the great Zen masters supported this understanding of Zen and fed the excitement that surrounded the opening of "Zen centers" throughout the West.

Steven Heine is Professor of Religious Studies and History and Director of the Institute for Asian Studies at Florida International University. Dale S. Wright is David B. and Mary H. Gamble Professor of Religious Studies and Asian Studies at Occidental College. They are the coeditors of The Koan, Zen Canon, and Zen Classics.