{"product_id":"9781626549920","title":"Extraordinary Zen Masters: A Maverick, a Master of Masters, and a Wandering Poet","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eExtraordinary Zen Masters: A Maverick, a Master of Masters, and a Wandering Poet\u003c\/i\u003e tells the life stories of Ikkyu (1394-1481), Hakuin (1686-1768), and Ryokan (1758-1831). Each was an outstanding figure who manifested Zen in his own way. Ikkyu was unconventional and uncompromising, a relentless enemy of the sham and hypocrisy that pervaded the religious circles of his day. Hakuin under­went a lengthy and strenuous apprenticeship to become a Master Teacher of Zen, training hundreds of disciples and insisting that they endure the same trials and surmount the same massive barri­ers that he had. Ryokan, in contrast, was a gentle, self-effacing recluse who never became an abbot but lived in quiet hermitages, savor­ing nature and writing poetry. All three were artists of the highest order, employing brush, ink, and paper as a means of transmitting Zen teachings and creating unique works of art.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese are three of the greatest Zen mas­ters in history-each unique, each an outstanding artist, and each a teacher of future generations. The biographies of these three men, in one volume, constitute an enlivening reading experience, full of insight on leading a meaningful life.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJohn Stevens lived in Japan for thirty-five years, where he was a professor of Buddhist studies at Tohoku Fukushi University in Sendai. Stevens is a widely respected translator, an ordained Buddhist priest, a curator of several major exhibitions of Zen art, and an aikido instructor. He has authored more than thirty books and is one of the foremost Western experts on aikido, holding a ranking of 7th dan Aikikai. Stevens has also studied calligraphy for decades, authoring the classic \u003ci\u003eSacred Calligraphy of the East\u003c\/i\u003e. Other John Stevens titles that are likely to be of interest include \u003ci\u003eThe Philosophy of Aikido,\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Echo Point Books \u0026 Media","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47052904792304,"sku":"9781626549920","price":15.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781626549920_p0.jpg?v=1763866458","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781626549920","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}