Extraordinary Zen Masters: A Maverick, a Master of Masters, and a Wandering Poet

by John Stevens

Extraordinary Zen Masters: A Maverick, a Master of Masters, and a Wandering Poet tells the life stories of Ikkyu (1394-1481), Hakuin (1686-1768), and Ryokan (1758-1831). Each was an outstanding figure who manifested Zen in his own way. Ikkyu was unconventional and uncompromising, a relentless enemy of the sham and hypocrisy that pervaded the religious circles of his day. Hakuin under-went a lengthy and strenuous apprenticeship to become...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1626549923
• ISBN13: 9781626549920
• Release Date: February 2013
• Publisher: Echo Point Books & Media
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Try ? Why not ?

Stories of the masters can be both inspiring and lead to sloth, sloth you say ? How is this ? The inspiration part is easy the stories of their lives are often so hard and troublesome that it is easy to consider them remarkable men which they of course were, but on the other hand two things stand in your way one is the praise of remarkable men, the other is the recognition of some of their qualities inside yourself, both of these delusions interfere with proper practice. In fact the non-reading of just about anything is the best way to go because truth is present everywhere at all times and it is nowhere apart from here where you stand right now. Given these comments this book can be a useful ally for practice as long as it is read and forgotten ie the important aspects will be used when needed and that is all. It sounds good but can a person do such things easily, well not so easily. Try ? Why not ?