In memory of the late and much-beloved Zen teacher, Robert Aitken — click here for a brief obituary — we present his teaching from the pages of Buddhadharma.
Caught in Indra’s Net – If you want to understand the full truth of “form is emptiness; emptiness is form,” Aitken Roshi said, you must go beyond the Heart Sutra to philosophical texts like the Huayan Sutra, which unpack and elaborate this profound paradox.
Click through for additional links related to Aitken Roshi, and an extensive bibliography of his written works.
Links (open in new windows):
- Buddhist Peace Fellowship: The vital, socially-engaged organization of which Aitken was a co-founder.
- Aitken’s website and blog
- Diamond Sangha: the Honolulu-based Zen sangha founded by Aitken
Online tributes:
Bibliography:
- A Buddhist Bible
(original edition published in 1932; Aitken provided a foreword for later editions)
- Zen Training: A Personal Account (1960)
- A Buddhist Reader (1961)
- A Zen Wave: Basho’s Haiku and Zen
(1978)
- Taking The Path Of Zen
(1982)
- The Mind of Clover: Essays in Zen Buddhist Ethics
(1984)
- A Zen Harvest
(1988)
- The Gateless Barrier: The Wu-Men Kuan (Mumonkan)
(1990)
- Dragon Who Never Sleeps
(1990)
- Encouraging Words: Zen Buddhist Teachings for Western Students
(1993)
- The Ground We Share: Everyday Practice, Buddhist and Christian
(with David Steindl-Rast; 1994)
- The Practice of Perfection: The Paramitas from a Zen Buddhist Perspective
(1994)
- Original Dwelling Place: Zen Buddhist Essays
(1996)
- The Roaring Stream
(foreword; 1996)
- Buddhist Peacework (contributor; 2000)
- Zen Master Raven
(2002)
- The Morning Star: New and Selected Zen Writings
(2003)
- Sitting with Koans: Essential Writings on Zen Koan Introspection (contributor; 2006)
- Vegetable Roots Discourse: Wisdom From Ming China on Life and Living
(with Daniel W.Y. Kwok; 2006)
- Miniatures Of a Zen Master
(2008)
- A Buddhist Response to the Climate Emergency (contributor; 2009)
(original edition published in 1932; Aitken provided a foreword for later editions)
(1978)
(1982)
(1984)
(1988)
(1990)
(1990)
(1993)
(with David Steindl-Rast; 1994)
(1994)
(1996)
(foreword; 1996)
(2002)
(2003)
(with Daniel W.Y. Kwok; 2006)
(2008)More on Shambhala SunSpace:
This a wonderful resource and guide. Thank you so much for taking the time to document this wonderful Zen teacher and his work.
can anyone tell me what is the meaning of "sweeping the dust , push the dirt"?