Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by versmonesprit
Now and Zen: Notes from a Buddhist Monastery: with Illustrations by Eiyû Murakoshi
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
I began reading this book at a time I felt very angry. It was a good decision, because soon the compassion and tenderness with which Murakoshi wrote brought me a sense of calm.
This book, filled with so much love and humour but also wisdom and knowledge, is a must read. At surface level, it’s an introductory text to Zen Buddhism, and practitioners must surely readily know these. But I can’t say they won’t find value in this book, because I think they will. In all his candour, Murakoshi laces his informative ‘essays’ with his own experiences at the monastery, as well as anecdotes of his rōshi’s teachings.
Murakoshi himself is an excellent teacher, because his approach to breaking down complex ideas helps you understand them. His tone is not didactic, which makes the reading experience more enjoyable. He also does not begin with a history lesson — that small but comes much later in the book — which is a rare approach in informative books. Instead, you’re plunged straight into the world of Rinzai teachings.
I’d recommend this book to everyone, but especially those who would like to find a new perspective in life through the wisdom of generations. What you’ll learn from this book is far more than the facts of Zen Buddhism which you can easily access in our day and age through the internet.
This book, filled with so much love and humour but also wisdom and knowledge, is a must read. At surface level, it’s an introductory text to Zen Buddhism, and practitioners must surely readily know these. But I can’t say they won’t find value in this book, because I think they will. In all his candour, Murakoshi laces his informative ‘essays’ with his own experiences at the monastery, as well as anecdotes of his rōshi’s teachings.
Murakoshi himself is an excellent teacher, because his approach to breaking down complex ideas helps you understand them. His tone is not didactic, which makes the reading experience more enjoyable. He also does not begin with a history lesson — that small but comes much later in the book — which is a rare approach in informative books. Instead, you’re plunged straight into the world of Rinzai teachings.
I’d recommend this book to everyone, but especially those who would like to find a new perspective in life through the wisdom of generations. What you’ll learn from this book is far more than the facts of Zen Buddhism which you can easily access in our day and age through the internet.