Customer Reviews

Zen Shin Talks

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An 18 Generation Shin (Pure Land) Buddhist priest, and a highly respected student of S. Roshi, the voice of this master of these Buddhist schools is both unique and familiar. Sensei Ogui has been Shin Buddhist priest for 35 years in the USA. The book is a wonderful collection of talks given over several years. I had the great pleasure of hearing him speak in Oregon recently. Afterwards the audience bought every book contained in the 2 boxes he carried with him. His ease, sense of humor and personableness makes one feel like that he has always known you and visa versa.

Religion is a "finger pointing to the beauty of the moon" (giving rise to feelings of joy and contentment). We humans need words, such as "moon," to convey concepts that may then be shared. But then we often become victims of words. The author says it is important to recognize our differences, understand, accept, respect them all. Although different, we are also "the beauty in the moon." This goes for parenting too. Men and women are different too. It is "difference that makes harmony possible." Such an outlook makes those around us "comfortable and thus joyful". He urges us to be careful not to focus on form (finger), lest we then become insecure. When we do often we then "force blind beliefs" on ourselves and others.

Master of both schools, Sensei Ogui quips of each that: Zen--Suzuki Roshi said, "don't worry about it--sitting dicipline will take care of it." And similarly of Shin, "Don't worry about it--The infinite wisdom and compassion of Amida Buddha will take care of it." They each share the wisdom of the "beauty of the moon." In this text the author offers insight into the practice of each school--practices that are definately not mutually exclusive.

Before buying all of his Zen Shin Talks stocks, the author offered this Zen koan to the audience--people of both schools who joyfully engaged with this master for 2 hours...

Blue sky cloud myself.

I am a person who is always in search of my spiritual being. I am not affiliated with any certain religion, but do have deep spirtual feelings within myself. This book introduced me to Buddhism in a way that was easy to understand. Reading this book has helped me to see things in a different way. Instead of always looking at problems in a negative light, this book taught me that there are no problems, only opportunies to learn. I am thankful for all it has taught me. This book has changed the way that I look at every facet of life, and has improved them all.

I became a member of Jodo Shinshu during an affirmation ceremony conducted by

Socho (Bishop) Ogui in Movember 2004 in Seattle.

Bishop Ogui is the same person who wrote this book. It is a collection of some of the short talks he gave at the Cleveland Buddhist Temple, when he was their minister or priest. Sensei Ogui was successful in bringing Anglos into his temple by starting a Zen sangha. I remember the one time I visited this temple that the service began with the Zen sangha chanting; there there was a short period of meditation; followed by a typical Shin service of gatha (hymn)singing and chanting parts of certain Pure Land sutras. And there was a sermon or talk.

If you are a seasoned Zen practitioner, you probably will find the Zen talks in this book --- rather elementary. However, for those unfamiliar with Buddhism including Zen --- you will find much accessible wisdom to use in your daily life between the covers of this book. It is very "friendly" and very practical.

Here are some snippets: "Simply do what you need to do." "The light of the universe is shining on the path of each one of us. So do not look for grace, nor the light of the universe! When do we become aware of this?"

"There is no such thing as what we conceptualize as enlightenment."

This is a wonderful, down-to-earth collection of short talks. I read one each day a a reminder of the wisdom found here.