{"product_id":"extraordinary-zen-masters-a-maverick-a-master-of-masters-and-a-wandering-poet-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 under-went 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 barri-ers that he had. Ryokan, in contrast, was a gentle, self-effacing recluse who never became an abbot but lived in quiet hermitages, savor-ing 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\u003eThese are three of the greatest Zen mas-ters 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\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\u003eReaders interested in related titles from John Stevens will also want to see: Abundant Peace (ISBN: 1626543232), Aikido: The Way of Harmony (ISBN: 1626543275), Sacred Calligraphy of the East (ISBN: 162654994X), Secrets of Aikido (ISBN: 1626543259), The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei (ISBN: 1626549958), The Philosophy of Aikido (ISBN: 1626549931 ).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Echo Point Books \u0026 Media","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50361025265938,"sku":"9781626549920","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_6ec4c939-3dc7-4a86-8b2f-d47e47300718.jpg?v=1728369808","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/extraordinary-zen-masters-a-maverick-a-master-of-masters-and-a-wandering-poet-9781626549920","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}