Tofu Roshi—the fictional "Dear Abby" of Zen Buddhism—counsels his readers about their spiritual problems in this hilarious spoof of America's search for enlightenment. Selections from his advice column alternate with commentary from narrator and disciple Ichi Su.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
This collection of spiritual advice from Tofu Roshi of the No Way Zen Center, including a running commentary from narrator and disciple Ichi Su concerning her complicated relationship with the master (she is not even sure if Tofu is a man or a woman), pokes gentle fun at New Age believers. In his answers to readers' letters, Tofu gives out free-wheeling counsel that ranges from the practicalfor the concerned parents whose daughter is trying to convert their cat to a strict vegetarianto questions of deep philosophical nature: "Why is there something, rather than nothing?" and "What is the meaning of life?" Tofu has remedies for everyone in this diverting book, but often, "like a basketball that teeters a long moment on the rim, only to fall outside the Hoop of True Understanding," it is difficult to ascertain just what Tofu has prescribed. There is a breath of scandal here, too, because in the sacred bowels of the No Way Zen Center, Ichi Su and Tofu are discovered passionately shaving each other's heads. Moon is coauthor of Risking Peace. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
About the Author
Susan Moon is a writer and longtime Zen Buddhist who teaches popular writing workshops, mostly in California. She is the former editor of Turning Wheel: The Journal of Socially Engaged Buddhism. She lives in Berkeley, California.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Zen parody hits home,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Life and Letters of Tofu Roshi (Paperback)
Tofu Roshi is the alter ego of Susan Moon, a longtime Zen practitioner and writer living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Tofu Roshi's advice to the lovelorn, instructions on meditation, and overall guidance on life gave me many, many belly laughs. Roshi's words are complimented by photos of his (or is it her? Tofu Roshi's gender is rather questionable!) students hard at work to get enlightened. If you know anything about Buddhism, or are involved in a Buddhist group {sangha), and are prone to taking yourself and the practice too seriously, this book is just the right medicine for you.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining book about meditation,
This review is from: The Life and Letters of Tofu Roshi (Paperback)
This book was a very entertaining story about the No Way Zen Center. Tofu Roshi and his two students' rivalries carry the story through instructive chapters and humorous accounts of their lives. Nonetheless, their spiritual journies move them along their paths. As Tofu Roshi says "Life is like a washing machine-it is a transforming process. And like a washing machine, you do not always get out of it what you put into it."
7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
That's some Spicy Tofu,
By tofu roshi (Next to Godliness Laundromat, Berkley, California) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Life and Letters of Tofu Roshi (Paperback)
The interesting thing about Zen is that a humor book about Zen can be just as enlightening as a normal book about Zen. Zen has a strong tradition of humor and self-parody. Susan Ichi Su Moon has a warm heart which shows through her gentle and hilarious book. I couldn't have said it better myself.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
In this first chapter, Roshi answers some of the common questions people have about problems they face during meditation. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Tofu Roshi, Heart Sutra, Mendocino County, Overseer of the Shoe Rack, Unique New York, Bush Wak, Next-to-Godliness Laundromat, Almond Sunset, Beany Ross, United States New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
In this first chapter, Roshi answers some of the common questions people have about problems they face during meditation. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Tofu Roshi, Heart Sutra, Mendocino County, Overseer of the Shoe Rack, Unique New York, Bush Wak, Next-to-Godliness Laundromat, Almond Sunset, Beany Ross, United States New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
4
books
cite this book:
- Warm Smiles from Cold Mountains: Dharma Talks on Zen Meditation by Reb Anderson in Back Matter
- Not Turning Away: The Practice of Engaged Buddhism by Susan Moon in Back Matter
- The Wonder of Presence: And the Way of Meditative Inquiry by Toni Packer in Front Matter
- The Best of the Best American Humor: The Funniest Cartoons, Columns, and Essays from The Funny Times Newspaper by Funny Times Editors in Back Matter
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