Walden and the Art of Zen. Speaks of Henry David Thoreau
If I were asked who my favourite Western Zen philosopher was, without any
hesitation, I would declare it to be Henry David Thoreau. Although he knew in translation
the religious writings of the Hindus, it may be unlikely that Henry David Thoreau ever
studied the teachings of the Zen Masters. Even then, the insight within his own personal
writings would irrefutably make him master of his own temple. The wisdom found within
Thoreau's Walden can …
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…great Zen master declared that 'The purpose of Zen is the perfection of
character'. Keeping that in mind, I believe that Walden has secured Henry David
Thoreau's place as one of the greatest Zen philosophers.
WORKS CITED
Schiller, David, trans. and ed. , The Little Zen Companion. New York: Workman, 1994.
Schloegl, Irmgard, trans. and ed. , The Wisdom of the Zen Masters. New York: New Directions Books, 1976.
Wood, Ernest, Zen Dictionary. Japan: Charles E. Tuttle Co., 1973.
ENDNOTES
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