Philip Kapleau
Biography
Philip Kapleau (1912-2004) was a prominent American Zen Buddhist master and author, instrumental in bringing Zen practice to the West. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, he initially pursued a career in law and served as a court reporter during the Nuremberg Trials, which profoundly impacted his worldview. He began his Zen training in Japan in the 1950s under renowned masters such as Harada-roshi and Yasutani-roshi. After decades of intensive practice, he was sanctioned to teach and founded the Rochester Zen Center in New York in 1966, one of the oldest and most influential Zen centers in the United States. His seminal work, 'The Three Pillars of Zen,' demystified Zen practice for Westerners, offering practical guidance and personal accounts of enlightenment experiences. He emphasized zazen (seated meditation) and the importance of a living master.
Selected Thoughts
«To be fully present is to be fully alive.»
«Zen is not some fancy intellectual philosophy. It is an experience, an intuitive grasp of the truth, which comes from deep meditation.»
«The essence of Zen is to live in the present moment, totally and completely, without being bound by the past or worried about the future.»
Writing Style
Kapleau's writing style is direct, clear, and practical, blending experiential insight with traditional Zen teachings. He aimed to demystify complex Buddhist concepts for a Western audience, using straightforward language and often incorporating dialogues, personal anecdotes, and koans. His prose is didactic yet deeply spiritual, focusing on the 'how-to' of Zen practice while conveying its profound philosophical underpinnings. He is known for his ability to translate subtle meditative states into accessible terms, making Zen less intimidating for newcomers.