The Laughing Buddha of Tofukuji: The Life of Zen Master Keido Fukushima (Spiritual Masters) [Paperback]

Ishwar C. Harris (Author), Jeff Shore (Foreword)

Book Description

Series: Spiritual Masters | Publication Date: September 21, 2004

Harris' book serves as a fresh introduction to Zen for Western readers which never fails to convey the radiant spirit of one of the most remarkable spiritual masters of our time.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book is a very legible, un-idealized, honest and reliably experiential account of traditional Zen training by the distinguished Zen -- Frederick Franck

This delightful volume, The Laughing Buddha of Tofukuj: The Life of Zen Master Keido Fukushima, introduces us to one of -- Alfred Bloom

From the Publisher

Whether you have known Keido Fukushima for decades or are encountering him for the first time through the pages of this intimate portrait, we all have the pleasure of meeting him as if he were an old and dear friend. Samples of his calligraphy provide further glimpses into the heart and mind of a leading Zen master of the modern world. Roshi Fukushima, as the Japanese Zen master is called, is generally sparing with personal details of his life. Even old friends of his, however, will be surprised by some of the revelations Professor Ishwar Harris has managed to uncover and share with us in this volume. Through these intimate details the reader can feel the pulse of a Zen master as a flesh-and-blood human being. We can see into the heart of a man who happens to be a Zen master. This approach provides an extraordinary occasion to come into touch with Zen Buddhism through one modern master’s life, love, and laughter. The Zen Buddhist tradition, as Professor Harris mentions, is said to begin with the selfless smile of Buddha’s disciple Mahakasyapa. Zen springs to life when we share the joy of this "open secret." See if you don’t find yourself breaking into a broad smile and beaming with delight every now and then as you read through this account.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: World Wisdom (September 21, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0941532623
• ISBN-13: 978-0941532624
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,649,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #99 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( B ) > Buddha

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very Disappointing, November 18, 2009

By 

D. Hess "dhessdc" (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Laughing Buddha of Tofukuji: The Life of Zen Master Keido Fukushima (Spiritual Masters) (Paperback)

This book purports to be a biography, but instead it includes only an extremely brief biographical sketch of the Zen Roshi Keido Fukushima. The sketch is little more than a lionization of the man. This is followed by some essays on Zen by the author that are supported, only partially, by some quotes from the Roshi. Sadly, the essays read not like the thoughts or point of view of the Zen master, but of this student who is struggling to understand Zen through a Western psychological framework (i.e., with no real background in Buddhism that would help the reader) and includes only trite insights (e.g., that consumerism is a problem). What is worse, the author makes serious incorrect statements about Zen. For instance, that it is similar to Theravadan Buddhism. Eh, gads! Where were the editors?

The book is also extremely brief and is padded with several introductions and additional pages of low-value content to make it surpass what would otherwise be just about 120 pages of materials.

This is a purchase I regret.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enlightening insight into the inspirational life and practices of Keido Fukushima, April 4, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Laughing Buddha of Tofukuji: The Life of Zen Master Keido Fukushima (Spiritual Masters) (Paperback)

The Laughing Buddha Of Tofukuji: The Life Of Zen Master Keido Fukushima by Ishwar C. Harris (Synod Professor of Religious Studies at the College of Wooster) is an enlightening insight into the inspirational life and practices of Keido Fukushima. As a biographical documentation as well as an intuitive balance of humor and Zen teachings, The Laughing Buddha Of Tofukuji is an informed and informative look into one of the most influential and progressive spiritual masters of his time. Very strongly recommended for the non-specialist general reader with a interest in Eastern Philosophy in general, and students of the Zen and Buddhist practices in particular, The Laughing Buddha Of Tofukuji is a truly memorable read.