Extraordinary Zen Masters: A Maverick, a Master of Masters, and a Wandering Poet Paperback – February 28, 2013

This book just didn't work for me, but to tell the truth I have put it out of my mind so completely that I no longer remember why reading it was so annoying. Maybe the fact that it is so forgettable speaks for itself.

Wonderful introduction to Ikkyu, Hakunin, and Ryokan

An informative and well written book, with interesting anecdotes and insight into the famous Japanese Zen masters Ikkyu and Hakuin.

Very good little biographies of three zen "masters".

Extraordinary Zen Masters is a slim paperback devoted to the three zen masters, Ikkyu, Hakuin, and Ryokan. Iconoclastic, funny, and artistically vital, these men represent that which drew many of us Westerners to Zen in the first place. John Stevens gives a neat, concise compilation of the traditional biographies of these men, culled from traditional biographical materials, autobiographical primary sources, and scholarly literature.What's not to like? Only for the description of Ikkyu did I want for a bit more description on who he really was. The brevity of the text leaves out some aspects of history, such as periods of sectarianism, that help you understand these men even more. Overall - this is a great resource! I keep it handy for inspiration.

I've read this book a bit at a time. Most mornings I wake up and reach over and read a few pages. Inevitably there is at least one nugget of wisdom that sticks with me through the day. But one of the things I really like about it, is the book is quietly inspiring. The book doesn't call attention to itself or the author, but as you move through it you realize the quiet dedication and effectiveness of the authors words. It also offers a great way to get Zen history. I like/liked it.

Stories of the masters can be both inspiring and lead to sloth, sloth you say ? How is this ? The inspiration part is easy the stories of their lives are often so hard and troublesome that it is easy to consider them remarkable men which they of course were, but on the other hand two things stand in your way one is the praise of remarkable men, the other is the recognition of some of their qualities inside yourself, both of these delusions interfere with proper practice. In fact the non-reading of just about anything is the best way to go because truth is present everywhere at all times and it is nowhere apart from here where you stand right now. Given these comments this book can be a useful ally for practice as long as it is read and forgotten ie the important aspects will be used when needed and that is all. It sounds good but can a person do such things easily, well not so easily. Try ? Why not ?

Absolutely wonderful!

Was leant this years ago, borrowed many times since and now purchased own copy.

This book is the neart of Zen.