One Bird, One Stone: 108 American Zen Stories (Paperback)

by Sean Murphy (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Zen is famous for its delightfully perplexing stories, and now Sean Murphy has taken the tales of American Zen and woven them into this venerable tradition. Murphy, a Zen student and accomplished writer, immersed himself in the history of American Zen, conducting numerous personal interviews and distilling from them 108 pithy stories of foreign and domestic masters in America. The stories could stand on their own as an American version of Zen Flesh, Zen Bones, but Murphy goes a step further. He adds what we wish were there for the old Zen stories: the history behind the tales. The players range from masters Suzuki, Maezumi, Seung Sahn, Robert Aitken, and Philip Kapleau to earnest students Gary Snyder, Alan Watts, and Philip Whalen. In addition to the big names, Murphy includes the less well known but equally interesting Tsung Tsai, Deh Chun, and others. Full of humor, history, and tantalizing takes on reality, One Bird, One Stone stands as a genuine Zen classic. --Brian Bruya

Review
"A first-rate contribution to out understanding of the American history of Zen...Well-researched...lively...Highly recommended." -- Peter Haskel, Zen Notes

"The reader will be delighted and entertained...and this beautifully written book will open the Zen world to everyone." -- Natalie Goldberg, author of Writing Down the Bones

"The reader will be delighted and entertained...and this beautifully written book will open the Zen world to everyone." --Natalie Goldberg, author of Writing Down the Bones "A first-rate contribution to out understanding of the American history of Zen. . .Well-researched. . .lively. . .Highly recommended." --Peter Haskel, Zen Notes -- Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Renaissance Books; 1 edition (April 20, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580632211
• ISBN-13: 978-1580632218
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #275,074 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars two hands clapping, July 30, 2002

By	Richard D. Shewman "rshewman" (Erie, PA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

One Bird, One Stone takes on three tasks. It provides an overview of the history of Zen in the United States. It introduces the reader to some of the more influential persons who contributed to the history of Zen in the United States. It offers a large number of anecdotes that together give the reader a feel for what Zen is in its North American incarnation.

This is an easy book to read (or to listen to if you have the audio edition). It is not a cold and abstract exposition of Zen philosophy. Rather, it is warm. It is a sharing of stories about people the author knows and admires.

While I approach meditation/contemplation from within the Christian tradition, it is not difficult to appreciate the compassion and grace to be found in Zen, as presented by this author. It is a good book and is worth reading.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars now and zen, June 29, 2002

By A Customer

One Bird, One Stone joins my list of favourite Zen books, along with Suzuki's 'Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind' and George Crane's 'Bones of the Master'.

Sean Murphy has written a beautiful, illuminating, funny book that resonates with the power of fresh Zen thinking. He's gathered stories from an impressive range of American Zen teachers, including a few who are famously reticent about giving interviews.

I love the stories about Bernie Glassman (in his red suspenders printed with daisies), Hung Ju's illicit berry pie and the one where Issan Dorsey is on his deathbed. When a friend says he's going to miss him, Issan asks, 'Are you going somewhere?' This is typical of the humour that runs through the book and serves to highlight the teachings.

The book gives some great details about how Beat poets discovered Zen, from Kerouac and Ginsberg to Philip Whalen. There's also a story about Zen's influence on John Cage's compositions.

This is a wonderful, inspiring book for anyone who's interested in Zen's impact on America.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take heart..., July 6, 2002

By	Vaunceil Kruse (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

Carefully researched, and written in a fresh, engaging style, Murphy's book puts a human face on the American Zen movement. Framed with the author's narrative of his quest for the roots of American Zen, the multi-typeface layout offers the reader the option of random meditative reading. Suitable for experienced Zen practitioners or people like me, heartened by these stories of clarity, compassion, and humor, a quiet respite from our "noisy years."