ePub Whatever It Took by Kenneth LaMascus in History

Description

Extraordinary Zen Masters: A Maverick; a Master of Masters; and a Wandering Poet tells the life stories of Ikkyu (1394-1481); Hakuin (1686-1768); and Ryokan (1758-1831). Each was an outstanding figure who manifested Zen in his own way. Ikkyu was unconventional and uncompromising; a relentless enemy of the sham and hypocrisy that pervaded the religious circles of his day. Hakuin under­went a lengthy and strenuous apprenticeship to become a Master Teacher of Zen; training hundreds of disciples and insisting that they endure the same trials and surmount the same massive barri­ers that he had. Ryokan; in contrast; was a gentle; self-effacing recluse who never became an abbot but lived in quiet hermitages; savor­ing nature and writing poetry. All three were artists of the highest order; employing brush; ink; and paper as a means of transmitting Zen teachings and creating unique works of art. These are three of the greatest Zen mas­ters in history-each unique; each an outstanding artist; and each a teacher of future generations. The biographies of these three men; in one volume; constitute an enlivening reading experience; full of insight on leading a meaningful life. John Stevens lived in Japan for thirty-five years; where he was a professor of Buddhist studies at Tohoku Fukushi University in Sendai. Stevens is a widely respected translator; an ordained Buddhist priest; a curator of several major exhibitions of Zen art; and an aikido instructor. He has authored more than thirty books and is one of the foremost Western experts on aikido; holding a ranking of 7th dan Aikikai. Stevens has also studied calligraphy for decades; authoring the classic Sacred Calligraphy of the East. Other John Stevens titles that are likely to be of interest include The Philosophy of Aikido; and The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei.