Zoketsu Norman Fischer's commentary on Mumonkan Case 14: Nanchuan's Cat. The Case Nanchuan saw the monks of the eastern and western halls fighting over a cat. Seizing the cat, he told the monks: "If any of you can say a word of Zen, you will save the cat." No one answered. Nanchuan cut the cat in two. That evening Zhaozho returned to the monastery and Nanchuan told him what [...]
About Norman Fischer
Life is Tough. Here Are Six Ways to Deal With It
An ancient set of Buddhist slogans offers us six powerful techniques to transform life’s difficulties into awakening and benefit. Zen teacher Norman Fischer guides us through them. Illustrations by Keith Abbott. There’s an old Zen saying: the whole world’s upside down. In other words, the way the world looks from the ordinary or conventional point of view is pretty much the [...]
The Sorrow of an All-male Lineage
Zen teacher Norman Fischer discovers the life-changing — and society-changing — power of really knowing other people’s pain. The most profound awakening I have ever experienced happened when I was abbot at Green Gulch Zen Center. In those days it was my daily practice to sit in my room conducting interviews in the early morning hours, while the community did zazen and [...]
What Is Your Body?
It’s less than we think. It’s far more than we know. It’s who we are but it’s not. Contemplate the deeper reality of the body with Buddhist teacher Norman Fischer. We think about our bodies all the time. How do they look? What is their state of health? Are they aging? Are they sufficiently strong, attractive, impressive? These questions churn out an almost [...]
What Is Zen Buddhism and How Do You Practice It?
Zen teacher Norman Fischer takes you through the principles and practices of the major schools of Zen. Includes specially selected articles for further reading. What does “Zen” mean? The word “Zen” is the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese “Ch’an,” which means “meditation.” Ch’an came to Japan and became “Zen” around the eighth century. Today, the word “Zen” is in more [...]
Buddhism’s New Pioneers
It’s possible that most Western Buddhists are “unaffiliated.” That is, they practice alone or in small informal groups not listed in the phone book or on the web. There is therefore no record, no official trace, of their activity. They practice off the books. If you’re unaffiliated, maybe you became interested in Buddhism through reading, or in school, or maybe you met a [...]
Four Reflections That Strengthen Your Intention to Practice
Norman Fischer on four contemplations that will turn your mind toward positive thought and strengthen your intention to practice. Read Fischer's full teaching on the practice of intention. Every time we sit in meditation, every time we turn the mind toward positive thought and action to benefit others, we are strengthening our intention, our commitment, and our vow to [...]
Stand Against Suffering: A Call to Action by Buddhist Teachers
Thirteen prominent teachers explain why Buddhists need to be be politically engaged at this crucial time in the country’s history, in this statement published in Lion’s Roar magazine and co-signed by more than 140 Buddhist leaders. As long as a society protects the vulnerable among them, they can be expected to prosper and not decline. —The Buddha, in the Mahaparinirvana [...]
Topsy-Turvy World
The strength of mind that comes from meditation, says Norman Fischer, can help us end the denial that keeps a world of problems spinning. There’s an old Zen saying: “The world is topsy-turvy.” In other words, it’s an upside-down, crazy world. This may seem like an extreme statement, but only for a minute. If craziness means that we keep doing dysfunctional and destructive [...]
Making Friends on the Buddhist Path
Because we are fundamentally alone when we meditate, it’s easy to think of Buddhism as a solitary path. That’s a mistake, says Zen teacher Norman Fischer. He extols the beauty and benefit of spiritual friendship. Once the Buddha’s disciple Ananda asked him about friendship. Ananda knew that having good and encouraging friends was very important for the path. He even [...]
