Don't Be a Jerk

February 22, 2016
The Shobogenzo (SBGZ) by Eihei Dogen is considered one of the masterpieces of Zen literature, but its length and the many opaque, philosophical koans often prevent general readers from approaching the text. Warner (Sit Down and Shut Up), a Soto Zen priest, popular blogger at www.hardcorezen.info, and punk bassist, offers a spiritual summary of the first 21 chapters of the SBGZ for those unfamiliar with it but interested in an exploration of the work. He maintains a consistent structure throughout: a short introduction to each chapter, a rephrasing of the text in modern language, and then commentary and reflection. Warner gives readers the rich historical and textual history of the SBGZ, covering times when the Japanese Soto School shrouded the work in secrecy and also providing a brief synopsis of its translation history. Due to his spiritual proximity to his teacher, Gudo Nishijima, Warner's rephrasing looks often to the classic Nishijima and Cross translation of the SBGZ, but Warner's voice is unique and sometimes irreverent. His liberal attempts to paraphrase the text can be jarring and awkward, including strained references to pop culture (the Flintstones, Twinkies, etc.). Despite some awkward choices in wording and oddly timed tangents, Warner renders the esoteric SBGZ into a fun, readable text, conveying its spirit with humor and deep respect. The self-serious aside, those interested in a preliminary romp through the SBGZ should find this an enjoyable read.

March 15, 2016
Don't be a jerk. That's an example of how author Warner seeks to make the writings of a highly influential but sometimes inscrutable thirteenth-century monk and Japanese Zen master accessible to a modern audience. Rather than a straight translation, this offers a chapter-by-chapter paraphrase of The Shobegenzo (translated as The Treasury of the True Dharma Eye), an 800-year-old-classic written by Dogen, aiming to capture its spirit and essence. Each chapter opens with a passage from the original, which is then carefully and often humorously unpacked. The book provides plenty of resources in case readers want to subsequently dive into the original work, and Warner clearly explains why he chose some words over others. His tone is direct and engaging, and his paraphrases bring Dogen's thoughts to life for a modern audience. Although the tone may be irreverent and humorous, the book shows the utmost respect for the monk, who has influenced so many over the centuries.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)