Manual of Zen Buddhism's main object is to inform the readers to various literary materials relating to the monastery life. It also tells us about those edicts which the Zen monks read before the Buddha in daily service in the different quarters of institution.

"These two books, bound in one volume, are especialy written for those altogether new to the study of Zen. The first book starts the beginner, the second gives him the next steps. These books are written by the greatest Zen master of our time. In his long life of 95 years (1870-1966) Dr. Suzuki was universally considered the greatest authority in the world on Zen Buddhism and Buddhist philosophy. He was also the pioneer teacher of the subject outside of Japan. Dr. Suzuki first came to America in 1897 and lived here until 1909, writing and translating. During the next forty years in Japan he wrote almost as often in English as in Japanese. He came back to America in 1949 and spent much of his time here until he finally returned to Japan at the age of 94"--Publisher's description, p. [2] of dust jacket.

Over 1,700 alphabetically-arranged entries cover the beliefs, practices, significant movements, organizations, and personalities associated with Zen Buddhism.

WABA is J. Marvin Spiegelman's mnemonic for the various manifestations of the experience of the divine: Within, Among, Between, and Around. He details how Zen Buddhism, Hinduism, and the Kabbalah exemplify the divine within/ the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca clearly illustrates the divine among/ the Alchemical model exemplifies the divine between/ and the numinous experiences we find in nature, art, and synchronicity reveal the divine around us. Using his vast knowledge of symbolism and his desire for an ecumenical approach to religion, Spiegelman unfolds the fascinating images of the world's major spiritual traditions and how they relate to each other. There are chapters devoted to The Zen Ox-Herding Pictures, the Kundalini Path of Hinduism, and the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. He further explores the rosary and its symbolism of the Christian mysteries, women's mysteries as illustrated in the Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii, and the path of the shaman.

Religiously-inspired novels, inspirational writings and biographical works on people who are models for spiritual growth are among the recommendations found in this reference.