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Fire Monks: Zen Mind Meets Wildfire at the Gates of Tassajara
The "vivid" and "electrifying" true story of how five monks saved the oldest Zen Buddhist monastery in the United States from wildfire (San Francisco Chronicle).
When a massive wildfire surrounded Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, five monks risked their lives to save it. A gripping narrative as well as a portrait of the Zen path and the ways of wildfire, Fire Monks reveals...more
When a massive wildfire surrounded Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, five monks risked their lives to save it. A gripping narrative as well as a portrait of the Zen path and the ways of wildfire, Fire Monks reveals...more
Hardcover, 272 pages
Published
July 7th 2011
by Penguin Press HC, The
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Great book covering several interesting topics. I read the book as one who is interested in Zen Buddhism and also as a former firefighter. It was fascinating to get the inside view of decision making in a Zen monastery while the residents were facing potential tragedy. Ms. Busch does an excellent job at capturing many aspects of wildland firefighting - foremost that oftentimes the theme of any major wildland fire is "hurry up and wait." Although I appreciate the monks' desire to protect their pr...more
My home state saw more than half a million acres hit by wildfire this year, so when I saw "Fire Monks" at the library, I picked it up. In addition to a longtime fascination with how wildfire is portrayed in the media, I'm interested in how groups of people make decisions. I am also interested in Buddhism, but I'm not a practicing Buddhist. This book is at the confluence of those interests.
The author interviewed dozens of people after a California wildfire nearly destroyed Tassajara Zen Mountain...more
The author interviewed dozens of people after a California wildfire nearly destroyed Tassajara Zen Mountain...more
In June, 2008, when wildfires threatened Tassajara Zen Mountain Center - the oldest Zen monastery in the U.S., founded by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi - monks and guests were evacuated. Five monks turned around and went back to fight the fire, and this book tells a version of their story.
Before proceeding, it is important to note that this book is not what it claims to be. It is presented as a work of nonfiction, but it is actually fiction. Although it is based, perhaps closely, on actual events, it is...more
Before proceeding, it is important to note that this book is not what it claims to be. It is presented as a work of nonfiction, but it is actually fiction. Although it is based, perhaps closely, on actual events, it is...more
Hm. Well, this was an experiment that just did not work for me. When I saw the book listed in an offering from the fine folks at TLC Tours, I decided to take a chance, because I do like to challenge myself and try things that are out of my normal comfort zone. Earlier this year I read, and thoroughly enjoyed a non-fiction tale of a plane crash and I had hoped that I would have the same enjoyment from Fire Monks.
Unfortunately, for someone like me who knows next to nothing about Buddism, who has n...more
Unfortunately, for someone like me who knows next to nothing about Buddism, who has n...more
I was drawn to this book for two reasons - I live with a Buddhist and fire is a big, big issue in these parts. In the summer it sometimes surrounds us. When you live in the forest you learn to live with fire. Hubby is going to read it now that I'm done.
The book tells the tale of the big California wildfires in 2008 that were all over the news. I remember watching them from here and thinking there but for the grace of God and all that. Lightening strikes and a dry forest and all hell breaks loose...more
The book tells the tale of the big California wildfires in 2008 that were all over the news. I remember watching them from here and thinking there but for the grace of God and all that. Lightening strikes and a dry forest and all hell breaks loose...more
“Fire Monks: Zen Mind Meets Wildfire at the Gates of Tassajara “ by Colleen Morton Busch is the non-fiction account of the 2008 California fire which almost destroyed the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. The story is told from the perspective of those who stayed behind to protect Tassajara.
A massive wildfire has surrounded Tassajara Mountain Center. So massive that even the fire crews have decided that it would be wiser not to fight it.
Five monks stayed behind to try and save...more
A massive wildfire has surrounded Tassajara Mountain Center. So massive that even the fire crews have decided that it would be wiser not to fight it.
Five monks stayed behind to try and save...more
What an interesting book! This is a NON-Fiction account of the 2009 fires in California,particularly those in the Big Sur area, especially near the Tassajara Zen Center. Not written in especially grand fashion (written by a practitioner rather than an accomplished author), the story line and development of characters and situations is very well done. Busch has her heart in the story, she knows the characters, and her attachment made the reading intimate and connected. I found myself anxious to k...more
Surprisingly, it is a page-turner. I learned not only about the event, but much about how individuals practiced their beliefs by responding to the situations, both physical and personal. I do agree with other reviews that question the decision of the monks to stay and try to save the Tassajara, but the book is about the reasons for their decision, what happened and how they viewed it post-fire. It definitely is not a manual for how to go against the advice of the "authorities", but it does have...more
A great story about the Basin fire that raged through California in 2008 and became the 3rd largest in history. What sets this apart is the fight to save the Tassajara Zen Center in the center of the inferno, despite the Forest Service's refusal to prioritize structure protection. You learn a great deal about Zen in America, the politics of small businesses, Fire policy & politics, and the personalities of the people at the core of the fight to save Tassajara. It occasionally reads like long...more
If I could give a book 10 stars, this would be it. Non fiction, about how the monks at the Tassajara Zen Monastery in California prepared themselves and the monastery for the great fire of 2008 and how Zen prepared the monks to meet the fire, it is a compelling and thoughtful book. I read it in 24 hours - could not put it down.
The author's close familiarity with Zen Buddhism is clear in the skillful way she introduces the reader to elements of Zen Buddhism that made the monks uniquely qualified...more
The author's close familiarity with Zen Buddhism is clear in the skillful way she introduces the reader to elements of Zen Buddhism that made the monks uniquely qualified...more
This is an interesting book about 5 monks who defy an order to evacuate their Zen retreat center and instead stay to protect the center against the onset of a massive forest fire. The fire envelops the mountain and they successfully protect most of the structures with a system of "dharma rain." (a sprinkler system that needed manual support to run).
Many metaphysical questions about impermanence but the take away for me is if I'm caught in a raging forest fire, Zen monks are not bad companions fo...more
Many metaphysical questions about impermanence but the take away for me is if I'm caught in a raging forest fire, Zen monks are not bad companions fo...more
Interesting. The monastery where this fire happened is the place where the famous Tassajara book of bread baking came from. And this fire chronicled (2008)in this account wasn't the first fire to threaten the monastery and it wasn't the first time monks stayed to fight the flames. But, the first full written account. The book is a blending of accounts from past and present fires; it also gets inside the heads of the monks who stayed to fight the fire. Being more familiar with Buddhism than firef...more
Fire Monks is a book about the California wild fires that swept through the state in 2008, and the defense of a Zen retreat called Tassajara by the small group of monks that remained behind even after they were ordered to leave by authorities.
Tassajara is a retreat maintained by the San Francisco Zen Center, one of the oldest Zen Centers in the United States. Founded by Suzuki Roshi when he came over from Japan to teach, it is probably one of the most renowned as well. This particular retreat is...more
Tassajara is a retreat maintained by the San Francisco Zen Center, one of the oldest Zen Centers in the United States. Founded by Suzuki Roshi when he came over from Japan to teach, it is probably one of the most renowned as well. This particular retreat is...more
Ok, so this book reads from different perspectives and gives lots of "tense style" news flashes that really aren't that tense. If you get past the style - it is a good read on how monks fight to preserve their temple, and how their Zen teachings have prepared them for it. I am always amazed by other religions or schools of thought. What a good way to understand their dedication and I kinda want some of those values myself.
Not an easy read - not a gripping novel. But enjoyable!
Not an easy read - not a gripping novel. But enjoyable!
This was an interesting book...the true story of how a small group of Zen Buddhists stayed behind at their monastery. to battle the California wildfires in the summer of 2008. Very informative concerning the nature of fire and firefighting. Long lead up to the actual fire hitting the monastery though riveting description once it gets there. The book itself was a bit dry but still a good account of a truly amazing stand by five monks in the face of a devastating fire.
Suzuki Roshi is someone who plays in my mind, knowing I will never meet him. I am envious of those that were in that right place at the right time. I never, although I lived right there, visited Zen Center - I was too shy, but I felt good knowing they were there. Green Gulch and Tassajara seemed for those that were serious students and the rich who play at being serious students - both not me. I read this because I relish Zen, adore Suzuki and was curious. It satisfied that.
like into thin air, this book provokes a reader into ethical thought. I practice buddhism. I don't understand why property was worth risking five lives. The monks lived by God's grace, not by any thing they did or thought or believed.
The writing is very skillful, the segues between description of the events and commentary and so on elegant at times.
The writing is very skillful, the segues between description of the events and commentary and so on elegant at times.
An enjoyable read, nice view into how some long time zen students from the San Francisco Zen Center think and work. The author does zazen and had done retreats at Tassajara, her understanding of how Tassajara normally operated was beneficial in helping me to see the fire through the eyes of a person that was familiar with the center. I would recommend it as a read for someone wanting to read a "lite" zen book, as nice break from reading sutras and teaching books
Morton Busch quotes the Buddha, who said "the world is on fire," and this steady meticulous books charts the decision-making process of a Buddhist community in California preparing for and meeting a wildfire. I was sometimes impatient with the names and opinions of the many local officials and firefighting experts, but I appreciated the back-stories of the Zen residents and the sense of communal Buddhist living. By no means is it a romantic telling of saints in the woods; it's a book about peopl...more
Sep 21, 2011
Anne-Marie
added it
successfully walks the challenging balance of adventure, personal story, and buddhist practice. both a great read, a great story about practice and an inspiration. Thanks to colleen and everyone involved in tassajara and the book
It is a bit strange to think of five monks who are supposed to be unattached to physical things risking their lives to save buildings. I admit that I mainly read it to see if Bob was mentioned. He wasn't.
I didn't get into much of the Zen stuff in this book but as a firefighter in Calif. and having been involved on this fire, I enjoyed the recounting of the defense of the monastery.
Was a great read. I would have considered another star up or down - as much as I enjoyed this book, I think it meant more to me as a zen practitioner than it might to the broader public.
The story of the fire monks is amazing but the way it was intertwined with stories of other wildfires, USFS and CALFIRE was just a mish mosh mess and if she wanted to include them, they should have been separated by chapters.
I wanted more zen and less minutiae. The names and details of the individuals in the planning room was tedious.
Turns out Zen monks make excellent firefighters, as demonstrated when the monks of Tassajara Monastery had to face the California wildfires of 2008. Necessarily a little slow at times, since it took several weeks for the fire to arrive and most of the time was spent preparing and waiting. But there are some nice insights into the role awareness plays in the Zen, firefighting, and life in general.
awesome.
I would like to think I would have been as brave at them...
I would like to think I would have been as brave at them...
- available in SG NLB 363.37097947 (Sengkang)
great! hard to put down.
Reconsidering my life just now.
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Colleen Morton Buschs nonfiction, poetry, and fiction have appeared in a wide range of publications, from literary magazines to the San Francisco Chronicle and Yoga Journal, where she was a senior editor. Busch has been a Zen student since 2000. She is the author of Fire Monks: Zen Mind Meets Wildfire at the Gates of Tassajara.
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