A Flock of Fools: Ancient Buddhist Tales of Wisdom and Laughter from the One Hundred Parable Sutra

by Kazuaki Tanahashi, Peter Levitt (Translator)

“These teachings from the heart of Buddhism ring true . . . a sumptuous meal of wild and comic dharma. Enjoy!” (Enkyō O’Hara, Soto priest and teacher).   One hundred illuminating tales of the foibles and follies of everyday fools, this elegant, humorous, and masterful little book of wisdom is a welcome addition to the Buddhist canon.   “The One Hundred Parable Sutra” is known as the most humorous sutra in all of Buddhist literature. Here, Kazuaki Tanahashi, the celebrated translator, calligrapher, and Dōgen scholar, and Peter Levitt, an award-winning poet, storyteller, and Zen practitioner, have translated and retold these jewel-like parables with storytelling panache for students, teachers, and seekers everywhere. With appropriate commentary, each tale becomes a simple lesson for everyday living. From the potter who seeks fame to the woman who possesses great lust, these tales are told with a gentle clarity that magnifies our appetites and delusions. In doing so, they become an accurate mirror of the human condition.   Illustrated with seventeen original brushwork drawings by Tanahashi, A Flock of Fools is a perfect little book of wisdom, laughter, and compassion.   “Translator Kaz Tanahashi and storyteller Peter Levitt have given these stories a subtle American-Zen flavor, and although this collection has a 1500-year pedigree . . . its messages ring clear and true today.” —Shambala Sun   “Funny, strange, wise, informing, this marvelous book celebrates the wild heart of Buddhism.” —Roshi Joan Halifax, Zen Buddhist teacher   “Nothing breaks apart dualism and sanctimoniousness like a good laugh! . . . lively reminders of the power of humor to enrich our understanding, and to help us let go of our attachments.” — Enkyō O’Hara, Soto priest and teacher

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Zen

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 5, 2004

About the author

Kazuaki Tanahashi, born and trained in Japan and active in the United States since 1977, has had solo exhibitions of his calligraphic paintings internationally. He has taught East Asian calligraphy at eight international conferences of calligraphy and lettering arts. Also a peace and environmental worker for decades, he is a Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science.

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a very quick easy to read book of the 100 Buddhist sutras translated into English. Sutras are much like christian parables. The format is great the sutras are in groups of four and they are just little translated story blurbs with an explanation of the moral and how it relates to the Buddhist precepts or teachings. The book is also illustrated which makes it nice. I think this book is good for anyone wanting to learn more of the religious aspect of Buddhism as opposed to just the philosophy or zen sect without much religion. There are also great footnotes to explain all the Buddhist concepts a reader may not be familiar with. Whether you just want to experience readings from another culture or you want to deepen your practice and spirituality this book is an excellent read.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collection of aphorisms with succinct explanations.

[Derek · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this more. I love a good fable and a good story of someone acting the fool. But while the stories themselves were interesting and ripe for interpretation, the moral that followed each story usually seemed to have very little to do with the story itself. It got silly after a while.