Did you know that green tea was used by Zen monks to keep awake during zazen meditation practice? Are your familiar with Daruma dolls? Eric Chaline lived for seven years in Japan where he was introduced to the teachings of the Soto Zen school. In this beautifully designed and illustrated hardcover book, he presents an introduction to Zen with a look at some of its colorful teachers, interesting practices, and fascination with the arts. By the way, he explains that Daruma dolls are used as good luck charms in Japan. They have limbless torsos with unpainted eyes: “Those wishing to accomplish a difficult task will purchase a Daruma doll, dedicate themselves to the task by painting in one of the eyes, and paint the second pupil only when they have achieved the task.”
Check out the life and work of Ikkyu, a poet and calligrapher who was famous for his unusual behavior. “On the New Year’s Day holiday in 1440, he appeared in the streets of Kyoto carrying a bamboo pole with a skull on the top, and crying, ’Beware! Beware!’ When citizens reproached him, he answered, ‘Reminders of death should not spoil your celebrations. I am celebrating, too.” By keeping people off balance, especially those who think they have things under control and all figured out, Zen masters court mystery. Like Dogen who claimed that the desire for enlightenment is a hindrance to its attainment. Or Ryokan, who loved the life of a hermit and left behind some haunting poetry. These treats all await those who choose to open this book.
