Asking About Zen: 108 Answers

by Jiho Sargent

A user-friendly introduction to Zen Buddhism by an American Zen priest presiding over a temple in Japan. Sargent covers all the bases -- teachings, practice, the priesthood, temples & temple life, religious services, Zen etiquette, & general characteristics of Japanese Buddhism. The question-&-answer format makes the book highly accessible to the novice, yet Sargent goes into considerable detail when appropriate, providing an insider s look at Zen life & practice that will illuminate even the advanced Zen student. Illustrations.

Genres: Nonfiction

188 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2001

Reviews

[Talbot Hook · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the author is clearly knowledgeable about her life's pursuit, she manages to take something profound and make it seem uninspired and borderline pretentious. And Zen is hard to approach even without pretense. The book also sells itself as an intro guide, and about half of it is; but, for those with absolutely no experience in zazen, roughly half the book would fail to have meaning. There is very little that can be gained simply by reading this book, and the amount one can derive from it, I'm sure, depends on how long one has practiced 'just sitting.' I also feel as though this book skirted around more profound topics, like actually describing zazen and personal experience, and filled too many of its pages describing Buddhist funerals and cleric rites. Perhaps I am mistaken, but a person wishing to learn about Zen would rather read about shikantaza than about priestly robes. (Both are fascinating, but this book did not maintain the two in balance.)

I did learn from this book, but I feel like I could (and should) have been provided more opportunities for meaningful learning, considering its length. Ah well, off to meditation tomorrow.