Don't Be a Jerk: And Other Practical Advice from Dogen, Japan's Greatest Zen Master

  • Type: Books
  • By: Brad Warner
  • Age Category: Adults
  • Genre: Non-Fiction
  • Recommended by: Mac C.
  • ISBN/UPC: 9781608683888
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The wisdom of the great Zen monk, provided in a digestible form for contemporary westerners.

Soto Zen Priest, Brad Warner has several novels that attempt reveal the meaning and contemporary applicability of texts by historically great Zen masters. Dogen's "Shobogenzo" is a daunting philosophy text for the average westerner, who perhaps has a mild understanding of the basis of Zen buddhism. This book (and all of his others really) is Warner's attempt to make the "Shobogenzo" palettable for contemporary readers. In doing so, he is passing on valuable wisdom that could easily be disregarded or overlooked because of the orientalized standard understanding of Dogen and buddhist figures like him. I love the contemporary vernacular used in "Don't Be a Jerk" and this is why I personally was able to absorb the pragmatic wisdom contained within. If anything, it encouraged me to seek out a translation of the primary text and make of it what I can. A must-read for people trying to learn more about effective Zen practice.