What Book!?

May 4, 1998
This enigmatically titled anthology offers numerous delights and valuable evidence that great poetic variety, from haiku and witty two-liners to page-long discourses, has by now given distinct expression to Western Buddhism. The immigrant Buddhist teachers of the past century would indeed be amazed to see the range here. Yet, Gach's collection is also a disappointment, confused in its presentation and insufficient in its documentation. The goofy title, chosen out of admitted "laziness," is slim in implication--Gach misses the pun on "wat," Thai for Buddhist temple. The subtitle is worse, since this is not a collection about the Buddha as such. The collection also omits some classic poems like Gary Snyder's "The Blue Sky" and Jack Kerouac's "Mexico City Blues." Nor are the selections explained historically, linguistically or geographically. While the book's lighthearted presentation and eclectic inclusions will make it a valuable companion for devotees and sympathizing "night-stand Buddhists," Gach settles for scattershot idiosyncrasy and offers only casual insight into Buddhism and poetry.

July 1, 1998
The movement of Eastern religions to the West has been one of the most remarkable phenomena of the 20th century. Beginning in the mid-1950s and continuing into the late 1990s, the influence of Buddhism (along with other Eastern religions) has been evident, perhaps most strongly in the arts and particularly strongly in contemporary American poetry. Here is an enormous anthology of poetry celebrating that phenomenon. Gach has collected poems from a broad variety of sources--almost too broad--selecting works by greats like Allen Ginsberg, Mary Oliver, and Gary Snyder and mixing them with poems by children, elders, first-time poets, and Buddhist teachers such as Thich Nhat Hanh and Thomas Merton. Add poems by composers/performers Laurie Anderson, John Cage, and Yoko Ono, and the result is a splendid, flavorful and aromatic stew. One could argue that the book is way too long and that the editor has included too many mediocre poems. But the freshness and authenticity of even the most inexpertly written pieces is appealing. Highly recommended.--Judy Clarence, California State Univ. Lib., Hayward