Description
In 2003, Brad Warner blew the top off the Buddhist book world with his irreverent autobiography/manifesto, Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies, and the Truth about Reality. Now in his second book, Sit Down and Shut Up, Brad tackles one of the great works of Zen literature, the Shobogenzo, by thirteenth-century Zen master Dogen.
Illuminating Dogen’s enigmatic teachings in plain language, Brad intertwines musings on sex, meditation, death, God, sin, and happiness with an exploration of the punk rock ethos. In chapters such as “Evil Is Stupid,” “Kill Your Anger,” and “Enlightenment Is for Sissies,” Brad melds the antiauthoritarianism of punk with that of Zen, mixing in a travelogue of his triumphant return to Ohio to play in a reunion concert of Akron punk bands. For those drawn to Buddhist teachings but scared off by their stiff austerity, Brad writes with a sharp smack of truth, in teachings and stories that cut to the heart of reality.
Illuminating Dogen’s enigmatic teachings in plain language, Brad intertwines musings on sex, meditation, death, God, sin, and happiness with an exploration of the punk rock ethos. In chapters such as “Evil Is Stupid,” “Kill Your Anger,” and “Enlightenment Is for Sissies,” Brad melds the antiauthoritarianism of punk with that of Zen, mixing in a travelogue of his triumphant return to Ohio to play in a reunion concert of Akron punk bands. For those drawn to Buddhist teachings but scared off by their stiff austerity, Brad writes with a sharp smack of truth, in teachings and stories that cut to the heart of reality.
Endorsements
“Brad Warner cuts through the bullshit and writes with simple clarity, common sense, and humor about the most
misunderstood of all spiritual paths.”
— John Horgan, author of Rational Mysticism
“Brad Warner resuscitates the words of Dogen Zenji in playful, provocative prose. Fresh, edgy, and insightful.”
— Stephen Batchelor, author of Buddhism Without Beliefs
“Zen is a philosophy you do rather than read about, so it makes sense that Sit Down & Shut Up reads more like an adventure than a tome. Brad Warner’s book is rebellious and real.”
— Helen Jupiter, managing editor of Suicidegirls.com
misunderstood of all spiritual paths.”
— John Horgan, author of Rational Mysticism
“Brad Warner resuscitates the words of Dogen Zenji in playful, provocative prose. Fresh, edgy, and insightful.”
— Stephen Batchelor, author of Buddhism Without Beliefs
“Zen is a philosophy you do rather than read about, so it makes sense that Sit Down & Shut Up reads more like an adventure than a tome. Brad Warner’s book is rebellious and real.”
— Helen Jupiter, managing editor of Suicidegirls.com
