Sit Down and Shut Up

February 26, 2007
Warner, a Zen priest, author (Hardcore Zen
) and former punk rock bassist, has a very distinctive voice. It may be off-putting to some to think about Buddha and a bunch of Zen masters, including esteemed 13th-century Japanese Zen master Dogen, as dudes riffing on "whiz-bang-with-cheese-on-top-enlightenment." But for the patient, curious and those for whom Warner's slash-the-crap style is their cup of green tea, this Zen punk book offers provocation and reward. Warner ambitiously presents something close to textual commentary on a key text by Dogen while teaching on anger, sex, loving-kindness, dependent arising and other familiar Buddhist themes. The topical chapters are tied together by Warner's narration of a punk band reunion. The author's knowledge of Japanese from his years of living in Japan adds to his credibility, since it allows him to better explore the nuances of Japanese Zen. Though he might be disappointed to hear it, Warner is probably less provocative than some of the first-generation Asian teachers who transplanted Zen to America. Still, Buddhism has long enjoyed baffling "crazy-wisdom" teachers and paradoxical koans, and Warner's punk iconoclasm fits in nicely.

March 1, 2007
Warner, a Zen priest and filmmaker now living in Los Angeles, was also a member of an obscure punk band named Zero Defectshence the subtitle of his new book. Although it is a kind of sequel to Warner's "Hardcore Zen", it may even better address the growing interest in accessible, contemporary reality-friendly Buddhism. Warner's chapters address subjects such as God, death, sex, anger, and evil from the perspective of ancient master Dogen but with a hip and modern twist. Warner's intimate, funny, conversational style goes a long way toward imparting his many sensible messages. Deserving of a wide audience; for most collections.

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.