Zen Master Who?: A Guide to the People and Stories of Zen

This book is a comprehensive resource covering the various lineages and notable Zen teachers in Zen Buddhism, particularly in the modern era. It does have a few discrepancies in areas, however. For instance, on page 115 it says that the Zen Studies Society was founded by Sokei-an. I'm unsure how such an error could occur, as the Zen Studies Society was founded by Cornelius Crane in 1956--eleven years after Sokei-an's death. Furthermore, the society was designed to help promote the works of Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki--whom Sokei-an held in low regard (documented in the book "Zen Pioneer: The Life & Works of Ruth Fuller Sasaki" by Isabel Stirling). I have encountered a few other minor errors, though this one is the biggest. In most areas the book is accurate and reliable, although I would recommend using other sources in conjunction with this work, i.e. "How the Swans Came to the Lake" by Rick Fields, "Luminous Passage" by Charles S. Prebish (and others by Prebish), "The Awakening of the West" by Stephen Batchelor, and even "Engaged Buddhism in the West" by Christopher S. Queen. By utilizing all of these sources, you will be able to identify errors in one when all others point elsewhere. Despite my criticism, this book is a virtual "Who's Who?" of Zen Buddhism and deserves five stars. I won't let one major error taint my critique of the book. Ford knows what he is talking about in here, and this work only contributes further to the field of Buddhist studies. Do not buy this book, however, if you are looking for a book that expounds on some of the more intricate details of Zen philosophy. There are plenty such books available here and elsewhere that will do the trick in that regard. If you are doing a research paper or thesis on Buddhism or Zen Buddhism specifically, pick this one up. It will prove invaluable.

Before I start reading a book I don't know if I'll be moved to write a review. But when I find myself making notes in the margins as I read (as I did with this one), there's a good chance that I'll review the book to help others decide if the book will be useful to them. James Ishmael Ford's fine book "Zen Master Who?" is worth reading if you want a bit of information about who's who in the Western Zen Buddhist world, how it got the way it is and where it might be heading. It's written in three parts. The first restates what he calls the Buddhist founding "myths". The second tries to to give us a feel for the story of the people who brought Zen to the West from China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam, concentrating a bit more on Japan, as to-date the Japanese have had the most visible impact on establishing Zen in the West. The third and shortest part discusses the directions in which Zen in the West may be headed. My most serious criticism? I felt that Ford's description of the last few generations of Zen Masters was not even-handed. I didn't appreciate how the serious character failings (e.g., inappropriate sexual relationships, substance abuse, financial misdeeds) of some Zen Masters were described in some depth while others were only mentioned in passing and those of many others (including his teachers) were omitted completely. In the same vein, he glosses over the critical discussion of what "enlightenment" means in the context of unethical behavior by simply saying that Zen Masters are not perfect masters, not "gurus" and are subject to the same desires and temptations that all of us face. We would have been better served if he'd spent a few more pages (or a chapter) discussing how one can be an fully awakened master and still be an alcoholic, an adulterer, a supporter of national violence on an international scale, or financially irresponsible to friends, family and sangha. In the recent history of Zen, some of the best known Masters suffered these serious failings. There are lots of very odd people in the Zen world, and to choose a teacher one must know and understand this. In his discussion of Christianity and Judaism in Zen, he misses an obvious disparity. We find Christian clergy from many different backgrounds (spanning the range from Jesuit Catholics to Unitarian Universalists and everything in between) becoming Zen lay-people, teachers and masters. In severe contrast, though many notable teachers and lay-folk in Western Zen come from Jewish backgrounds, they almost invariably are secular or non-religious Jews. There are essentially no traditionally religious Jews associated with (much less teaching) Zen in the West, and certainly no traditionally observant rabbis. Isn't this disparity worth some discussion? I enjoyed his concise formulation of the Second Truth, of how suffering as the result of clinging is related to the co-arising of all things. His very short (three page) appendix on "What to Look For When Looking f

Among the rash of current historical/biographical Zen offerings, James Ford's Zen Master Who stands out as one of the more informative and certainly one of the most enjoyable reads. He starts with a focused reprise of the key historical Zen myths, and includes not only the thematic essentials but also by anecdote gives these stories a human dimension. He then moves on to his main subject, profiling a prodigious number of notable individuals and trends in recent and current Western Zen evolution, in a style both informative and enjoyable to read. Ford's wry humor, insight and compassion are apparent on every page, and the effect is engagingly conversational and personal. Another unique element of this book is the summary and discussion of the implications of all this material; where it might be leading us, and where we might try leading it. Not surprisingly, given that Ford is not only a Dharma heir but also a Unitarian Universalist minister, he evokes some intriguing possibilities for a liberal Western Zen of focused practice combined with committed social action, in a community of responsible and open-minded mutual support and self-determination. Altogether a lively and thought-provoking work.

I found this book a very useful and entertaining survey. It covers the most seminal figures of the East Asian Zen traditions that are now found in North America and there is a very clear exposition of the practices of shikan taza (just sitting) and koan introspection. The capsule biographies of the many men and women who were instrumental in establishing Zen in North America were very interesting and really helped me to understand who was who, what was what, and most importantly of all what is out there now for someone who wants to take up Zen practice. The last part of the book goes over important issues concerning the continuing adaptation of Zen outside its original East Asian setting. There is also an appendix containing advice on what a beginner should look for in a Zen teacher, which I think would help save many people unecessary grief. All in all it is a great book for beginners, and even those who have been involved in Zen for awhile might find this a helpful summary and overview of the many traditions (including Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese lineages that are now in America in addtion to the Japanese lines which themselves crisscross).

James Ford has written a book that serves multiple purposes and done it with a clear, warm and inviting voice. If I weren't already practicing, this book would have served to nudge me along to seek out the Way that Ford lovingly has laid out for us. Zen Master Who contains a straightforward introduction to the basics of Buddhism and of Zen. It covers the basic practices of Zen, providing lucid explanations of the various meditation methods pursued by Zen practitioners -including koan practice. It also traces the history of Zen in in the West and talks about both the early pioneers and the present day schools, including his own. The book is worth it simply for the advice on how to choose a Zen teacher. Zen Master Who works as a book for someone completely new to Zen and for those who have practiced for years and who wonder about what is going on in practice centers across North America.