How Long to Read The Other Side of Zen

How Long Does it Take to Read The Other Side of Zen?

It takes the average reader 4 hours and 24 minutes to read The Other Side of Zen by Duncan Ryūken Williams

Assuming a reading speed of 250 words per minute. Learn more

Description

Popular understanding of Zen Buddhism typically involves a stereotyped image of isolated individuals in meditation, contemplating nothingness. This book presents the "other side of Zen," by examining the movement's explosive growth during the Tokugawa period (1600-1867) in Japan and by shedding light on the broader Japanese religious landscape during the era. Using newly-discovered manuscripts, Duncan Ryuken Williams argues that the success of Soto Zen was due neither to what is most often associated with the sect, Zen meditation, nor to the teachings of its medieval founder Dogen, but rather to the social benefits it conveyed. Zen Buddhism promised followers many tangible and attractive rewards, including the bestowal of such perquisites as healing, rain-making, and fire protection, as well as "funerary Zen" rites that assured salvation in the next world. Zen temples also provided for the orderly registration of the entire Japanese populace, as ordered by the Tokugawa government, which led to stable parish membership. Williams investigates both the sect's distinctive religious and ritual practices and its nonsectarian participation in broader currents of Japanese life. While much previous work on the subject has consisted of passages on great medieval Zen masters and their thoughts strung together and then published as "the history of Zen," Williams' work is based on care ul examination of archival sources including temple logbooks, prayer and funerary manuals, death registries, miracle tales of popular Buddhist deities, secret initiation papers, villagers' diaries, and fund-raising donor lists.

How long is The Other Side of Zen?

The Other Side of Zen by Duncan Ryūken Williams is 257 pages long, and a total of 66,049 words.

This makes it 87% the length of the average book. It also has 81% more words than the average book.

How Long Does it Take to Read The Other Side of Zen Aloud?

The average oral reading speed is 183 words per minute. This means it takes 6 hours to read The Other Side of Zen aloud.

What Reading Level is The Other Side of Zen?

The Other Side of Zen is suitable for students ages 12 and up.

Note that there may be other factors that effect this rating besides length that are not factored in on this page. This may include things like complex language or sensitive topics not suitable for students of certain ages.

When deciding what to show young students always use your best judgement and consult a professional.

Where Can I Buy The Other Side of Zen?

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