SO TO ZEN - Shasta Abbey

FOREWORDZen Buddhism, a religion which originated in India, hasshown a rich development as a result of its contact with theintellectual culture of India, the practical culture of China andthe artistic culture of Japan. Although it is a religion, its influencehas been extended to fields outside pure religion. Buddhistmeditation is the basis for Oriental culture. The simple butprofound characteristics of this meditation can be seen everywhereand have played an important role in helping humanbeings realize their innate adequacy. Buddhism has been introducedto Europe and America, attracting the attention of manyintellectuals. Conspicuous progress has been made by the materialisticcivilization of the West, but this has unfortunatelyresulted in the enslavement of modern man by machinery. Menare never free from unrest and uneasiness. Machines are nothingbut a means and are not the goal. Only when man is themaster of himself can he live a true, meaningful life. Japan hasimported advanced science from Europe and America. Science,beyond doubt, is one of the essential elements of present civilization.Although we cannot afford to ignore science, we alsocannot allow science to go its own way without regard for thewelfare of mankind. Science should be guided and directed by areligion based upon morality.xiii