Abstract Buddhist traditions entering a new cultural sphere undergo a broad array of developments, some quite profound. This chapter examines how engaging Sōtō Zen monastic discipline in America functions for Western practitioners. Tassajara Zen Mountain Center serves as a case study of this phenomenon. A basic description of monastic training is offered in terms of the dynamics of its...
Abstract The scientific study of Buddhist and Buddhism-derived practices such as mindfulness meditation has accelerated dramatically since the start of the twenty-first century, and this dramatic increase in research emerges from a vibrant community of inquiry that often adopts the moniker of “contemplative science.” This chapter begins with a brief history of contemplative science, focusing on...