ZEN NOTES: 53 Issues

New York: The First Zen Institute of America, Inc, 1961. Wraps. Very good. The First Zen Institute of America was founded in 1930 by the Zen master Sokei-an to bring the tradition and practice to the West. Sokei-an, heir to the Ryomokyo-kai traditions as taught by Soyen Shaku and his disciple Sokatsu Shaku, was the first Zen master to settle permanently in the United States. Following his death in 1945, shortly after his release from a Japanese internment camp, Zen Notes was established to keep his insights and perspectives alive.

For most of its first four decades, Zen Notes was edited by Mary Farkas, who presided over the institutes during its formative years. In addition to publishing transcripts of Sokei-an's lectures, she also wrote about visiting Japanese Zen masters and, through excerpts from Ruth Fuller's Letter from Kyoto, she kept readers informed about Zen practice in Japan and the growth of Zen in America.

This collection includes: Vol. I, No. 1-12; Vol. II, No. 2-8, 10-12; Vol. III, No. 2-12; Vol. IV, No. 1-4, 6-12; Vol. VI, No. 7; Vol. VII, No. 4-6, 8-12; and Vol. VIII, No. 1-7.

Early issues are exceedingly uncommon. From the library of Buddhist scholar Robert P. Jackson (1930-2014), with his typed mailing address on most issues. A longtime resident of Marysville, California, Jackson was a frequent contributor to The American Buddhist. Most notably, he wrote the often-quoted article "Buddhism and the Beat Generation" (1957).

Photomechanically reproduced on light gray paper. All issues measure 7" x 8 ½" and consist of 4 or 6 pages. Most have been folded into thirds for mailing, with occasional cellophane tape shadows wear the issue was sealed. Mild staining to one issue, with light toning and soiling to others. Overall, very good.