BOOK RELEASE!
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"Zen Koans for the Unenlightened: Conversations with Taui Elliston Roshi
By Katsuryu Bill Cooper and Taiun Michael Elliston"
Available on Amazon
Engaging and sincere conversations by two experienced Zen practitioners of the old text, "Book of Serenity," translated by Thomas Cleary, published by Shambhala.
When I first began meeting by Zoom with Elliston Roshi, he suggested I narrow our work, have a project. I had been mystified by Zen stories, or koans, for years, so I suggested we study a few from "The Book of Serenity." This is a book dense with Buddhist teaching and poetic imagery often leading the reader to a strong intuitive sense or feeling. We understand, but words and logic often fail.
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For instance, the Introduction in "Four Sections of the Enlightenment Sutra" offers this guidance to us:
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"A manifest koan [our daily life] depends solely on right now.
The absolute manner distinguishes only itself.
If you try to set up gradations or intentionally strive
then all of this is painting eyebrows on chaos, or attaching a
handle to a bowl. So how is tranquility achieved?" (page 150)
​​​​How indeed. We each will have our answer. But we should have an answer.
"Zen Koans for the Unenlightened" is a wonderful handbook of Zen Dharma, filled with teaching that Michael Elliston and I hope will clarify and support you on the Path.
Elliston Roshi is the Abbot of Atlanta Soto Zen Center and the Silent Thunder Order. He has been a Zen practitioner and leader since the 1960s. He is a dharma heir to Shohaku Okumura Roshi and Soyu Matsuoka Roshi. It has been an honor to write this book with him.
Gassho, Katsuryu Bill Cooper