The Life and Letters of Tofu Roshi

by Susan Moon

Tofu Roshi—the fictional "Dear Abby" of Zen Buddhism—counsels his readers about their spiritual problems in this hilarious spoof of America's search for enlightenment. Selections from his advice column alternate with commentary from narrator and disciple Ichi Su.

Genres: Buddhism, Humor, Religion, Spirituality

96 pages, Paperback

First published October 12, 1988

Reviews

[Rachael Hartin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enlightened sense of humor that made me laugh my Shusansaki off, figuratively speaking.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in the waiting room at the doctors and laughed out loud a few times. Indeed, I must have been the most cheerful person in the clinic, and that’s joyful zen for you. Hilarious, satirical, and somehow makes a zen lot of sense!

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cheerful break from the serious and deep never ending Zen reading list, while still remaining connected to the lessons.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't my cup of tea.

[Kurt Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I initially loved it then almost quit reading it then settled in and finished it. The form bothered me in the second half of the first chapter but then I realized it was a light hearted romp of a satire. After that I accepted the book and enjoyed it. It's a light appertiff before rereading Blood Meridian!

[Kitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the foreword by Gahan Wilson: "Many teachers in their pride, vainly boast that they know nothing, but it is Tofu alone who has truly succeeded in achieving total ignorance"