The Flatbed Sutra of Louie Wing: The Second Ancestor of Zen in the West

A book on the real Blood and Guts of Zen Finally! A contemporary Zen book that cuts straight to the heart of the authentic message of Zen, and provides modern readers with an inside view of the nature and essence of the enlightened mind. This book does not dodge the difficult issues faced by modern students and seekers concerning the great questions, but dives purposely in. Going right after the blood and guts of Zen's teachings on the true nature of life and death, of good and evil, of suffering, delusion, and the meaning of enlightenment, Ted Biringer's presents the essential teachings of Zen in lucid and readable format. Part 1 Begins with a straightforward introduction to the essential teachings of Zen, then gradually unfolds to reveal the Zen message of inherent enlightenment. Using original analogies and insightful commentaries Biringer creatively guides us to the Zen perspective of seeing beyond the concepts of Zen doctrines to the reality they represent. Using modern terms and ideas, "The Flatbed Sutra of Louie Wing" conveys the ancient wisdom of the Zen masters in a way that is both profoundly informative and irresistibly entertaining. While the subject of the book (Zen) continuously directs our awareness to our own inherent wisdom, the characters who illustrate the Zen teachings (The fictional "Louie Wing" and his students) evoke joy and sadness, curiosity and insight, anger and amusement. Part 2 presents a remarkably intriguing commentary on the Zen classic, "Genjokoan." Approaching this profoundly enlightening Zen text as a "Skeleton Key" to the teachings of the great Zen master, Eihei Dogen, Biringer reveals the marvelous implications of Zen concerning the nature of the universe, of time and existence, cause and effect, and the meaning and function of life in the here and now. As is true throughout the book, the reader is gradually led to the subtler depths of the profound Zen teachings on the nature of reality. Part 2 also presents a traditional commentary on the koan that is case 1 of the classic Blue Cliff Record: Bodhidharma's Vast Emptiness. While Biringer's commentary on this koan (as with any koan commentary) cannot "solve" it for the reader, it certainly offers us a few gaps to get our teeth into. Part 3 is a treasure trove of traditional Zen wisdom presented by short stories and anecdotes featuring "Louie Wing" interacting with his friends and students. These stories are presented in a variety of the teaching styles of many of the great Zen masters. Informative and entertaining, you will find yourself coming back again and again to the stories and dialogues of this section, which are convieniently arranged alphabetically by topic. Finally, the book is rounded off with all the helpful supplementary material of quality publications: an index, notes, a glossary, an appendix with the full translation of Genjokoan, a list of histor

Here is some simple advice: Get this book! The Flatbed Sutra of Louie Wing may be the most unique book of its genre to be published in our contemporary era. The author has masterfully spun and woven a magical narrative that is equal parts mythology, scholastics, instructional, humor and most importantly, relevancy. Ted Biringer (author), has extracted the elixir of the great tales, legends and myths and expresses what has been expressed and most significantly, expresses what has yet to be expressed in a deeply dynamic modern setting. Through the teachings of Louie Wing, Ted Biringer brings to life the teachings of the sages and ancestors. The depth and breadth of "traditional" zen literature found in this novel is quite astonishing. Within this sutra you will not only learn and read "The Genjokoan," you will be treated to a refreshing commentary on it. Ted uses the vast arsenal of koans to elucidate the meaning(s) present in Dogen's famous fascicle." Not only is the Genjokoan thoroughly explored, he gives a fascinating view of "Bodhidharma's Vast, Unnameable, Fathomless Void", along with a question and answer session on "The Five Ranks," and "Four Prajnas." My favorite part of the book is the "Sayings and Doings of Louie Wing." In this section, Louie comes alive as he tackles the issues that have always confronted humankind. I leave you with a little bit of Louie Wing's wisdom. "Do you want to know what awakening to the vast, unnamable, fathomless void is? It is the certain realization that you are, always have been, and always will be the entire universe and everything in it."

Ted Biringer's "The Flatbed Sutra of Louie Wing Second Ancestor of Zen in the West" is a great introduction to Zen with modern sensibilities and humor. Prior to reading the book I had no knowledge of Zen other than from a few articles in newspapers or tidbits from TV or movies. I had no expectations when I started to read this book. At first I found the the ideas hard to digest. I kept over-thinking what was presented. Finally, I surrendered to just the reading experience. I kept reading, kept pushing on, and I was rewarded! Louie Wing helps bring a level of understanding/awareness to those people without prior knowledge of Zen, by using old teachings with a modern twist. Lots of common sense and humor throughout the book, help to keep us interested, while at the same time helping to get across the ideas that Louie Wing is trying to deliver. Biringer's "Flatbed Sutra" is highly recommended. I enjoyed it very much!

As a person for whom the subject of Zen has always seemed exotic, esoteric and out of reach I found The Flatbed Sutra of Louie Wing to be a fascinating read. With discussions of ancient texts balanced with examples of the present world I live in I feel as if Zen has been made more accessible. I especially appreciate Ted Biringer's sense of humor; it really made the book enjoyable to read. I recommend this book to anyone and especially to someone like me that is curious about Zen but does not have a much of a back round in the subject. Noah Landau

PURPOSE: Following a life-altering event, Ted Biringer experienced "the source of authority" behind the teachings of the great Zen masters. The purpose of this book is to communicate, as best as stories and words can, the nature of his experience, the nature of that source, and to provide practices for realization of that source. Reading this book is itself a practice that can awaken one to the nature of mind. THEME: Cessation of conceptualization is a major theme. "Your own mind is the vast unnamable fathomless void. Cessation of conceptualization is awakening to the fact." LOUIE WING: Biringer created Louie Wing to personify the true nature of your mind: "the mystery, wonder, and infinite potential of the unnamable dimensionless void." Louie, a 6'6" farmer of Italian ancestry, unloaded a shipment of berries and then stumbled into self-realization. His autobiography closely parallels the famous autobiography chapter in The Platform Sutra of Huineng, except that it includes locations such as Seattle and names such as Donna and Daniel. Louie's autobiography, like every chapter that follows, is packed with unpackings, pointings, uncoverings, questions, acknowledgements of truth, revelations of meaning, koans, and instructions. If you love Zen, if you love expressions of truth regardless of the tradition, you will be enriched by Louie Wing. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FLATBED: Louie's platform is a flatbed truck. Flatness signifies that the teachings are for everyone. The wisdom of Zen, the knowledge of your true nature, can be gained by anyone. It doesn't matter whether or not you hold to a tradition, or what your intelligence or background are. Nor do you have to change your lifestyle at all. The practices are for everyone. Flattened out, as well, are all spiritual traditions and doctrines. The author tells us, "For Louie Wing, claims of superiority of one doctrine over another are meaningless; only direct personal experience can bring true realization. ... He asserts that reality cannot be contained by words and, therefore, any claim of superiority is pointless." TRADITION IS IMPORTANT: You can read this book without feeling that you must sign-up with a Zen monastery and undergo lengthy involvement. However, the tradition of Zen is kept in front of you throughout your reading. It has already been mentioned that Biringer's chapter entitled Autobiography closely matches the chapter with the same name in The Platform Sutra. Tradition gives this book gravity and, quite simply, Zen tradition is presented in a clear and satisfying way. Regarding tradition, the book says, "The actual practice of meditation or Zazen is a vital and integral part of practice and enlightenment, However, without the doctrines expressed through texts and teachers, you could not even learn how to meditate." The author suggests that the greatest contribution of this book is the extensive commentary on Shobogenzo (Treasury of the True Dharma-Eye), composed by Dogen