From Library Journal
In spite of the repressive efforts of Chairman Mao and his successors, religion still lives and flourishes in China. The author of numerous literary biographies (Always Merry and Bright: The Life of Henry Miller) and other books, Martin, who teaches government at Claremont McKenna College, takes us with him to the sixth-century monastery of Guo Qing in east central China. He spends more than a month at the monastery, not as a casual visitor but as a monk, following all the monastic rituals and rules although he is not Chinese but American, not a celibate monk but a married layman, and not even Buddhist but Catholic. Monastic life has universal appeal, and Martin's account is full of interesting observations about Chinese people and places while also being attentive to Buddhist monastic spirituality. The book suffers a bit from the author's self-focus, but this is a minor complaint. Well written and intelligent, it will appeal both to casual readers and to specialists. Recommended for both academic and public libraries, especially those with large collections in religion. James F. DeRoche, Alexandria, VA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Product Description
During his 1998 pilgrimage to the ancient Buddhist monasteries of southern China, the author was transformed by the rich inner life of dedicated Buddhists. Meeting with great spiritual masters, he asked searching questions and received simple and remarkable answers, full of the illumination he yearned for. In his journey, he also met dozens of other memorable Chinese, funny, wise, and unscrupulous, including the boatman who took him to a desolate pilgrimage site in the South China Sea, then demanded an exorbitant ransom for a return trip.
