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![Zen Bridge: The Zen Teachings of Keido Fukushima by [Keido Fukushima, Grace Schireson, Peter Schireson, Barbara Ruch]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41xZjSJr5UL._SY346_.jpg)
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Zen Bridge: The Zen Teachings of Keido Fukushima Kindle Edition
by
Keido Fukushima
(Author),
Grace Schireson
(Editor),
Peter Schireson
(Editor),
Barbara Ruch
(Foreword)
&
1
more
Format: Kindle Edition
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Product description
Review
Reading Zen Bridge is like having Fukushima Roshi himself in front of you, right here and right now, with all his warmth, humor and wisdom. --Stephen Addiss, author of The Art of Zen"
A terrific book for those wishing to immerse themselves in the world of Rinzai Zen. These lectures offer engaging exposition of numerous traditional koans and stories.Rather than a finger pointing to the moon, Fukushima Roshi s talks provide asturdy bridge to the awakened world of the far shore, where you are you, just as you are. --Edward Espe Brown, author of The Complete Tassajara Cookbook"
The voice of wisdom for all time is present in this subtle and remarkable book of teachings by Fukushima Roshi. --Joan Halifax, Abbot, Upaya Zen Center"
Keido Fukushima is one of the signal Rinzai masters of our times. Here in this wonderful anthology of his teachings, we find the master, clear, and humorous, and always driving to the heart of the great matter. You can feel the twinkle in his eye, and the constant pointing to the deep in a way rarely as inviting as we find here. Besides, how can anyone resist a Zen master who loves chocolate? --James Ishmael Ford, author of If You're Lucky, Your Heart Will Break"
In a clear and profound voice these short chapters range from introductions to Zen, through Rinzai training, and then on to illuminating koan commentaries. In a manner that few books offer, this volume allows both the beginner and the advanced student to see into the realities of Zen practice. Fukushima s words clarify and then clarify again our entangled human heart, freeing up our natural grace and wisdom. --Polly Young-Eisendrath, PhD, author of The Present Heart"
Delightful! Keido Fukushima is a wonderful Japanese Zen Master, full of humor, short and tall tales, and easygoing words that evoke deep truths. Grace and Peter Schireson, Zen Masters in their own right, have managed to find just the right English voice to convey the spirit of this salty old Zen man. Their affection for him shines through in every word. You will cross Zen Bridge with pleasure. --Zoketsu Norman Fischer, author of What Is Zen? and Training in Compassion"
A treasure to the world. Each spare talk in Fukushima Roshi s simple, lucid English is like a shaving planed from a block of flawless Cedar aromatic, deeply grained, and luminous. I leave it feeling as if I ve spent a great night with a new friend a great Zen teacher. Don t miss this book. Don t miss this man. --Hosho Peter Coyote, Zen priest and film actor"
"Delightful! Keido Fukushima is a wonderful Japanese Zen Master, full of humor, short and tall tales, and easygoing words that evoke deep truths. Grace and Peter Schireson, Zen Masters in their own right, have managed to find just the right English voice to convey the spirit of this salty old Zen man. Their affection for him shines through in every word. You will cross Zen Bridge with pleasure."--Zoketsu Norman Fischer, author of What Is Zen? and Training in Compassion
"A treasure to the world. Each spare talk in Fukushima Roshi's simple, lucid English is like a shaving planed from a block of flawless Cedar--aromatic, deeply grained, and luminous. I leave it feeling as if I've spent a great night with a new friend--a great Zen teacher. Don't miss this book. Don't miss this man."--Hosho Peter Coyote, Zen priest and film actor
"A terrific book for those wishing to immerse themselves in the world of Rinzai Zen. These lectures offer engaging exposition of numerous traditional koans and stories. Rather than a 'finger pointing to the moon, ' Fukushima Roshi's talks provide a sturdy bridge to the awakened world of the far shore, where you are you, just as you are."--Edward Espe Brown, author of The Complete Tassajara Cookbook
"The voice of wisdom for all time is present in this subtle and remarkable book of teachings by Fukushima Roshi."--Joan Halifax, Abbot, Upaya Zen Center
"Reading Zen Bridge is like having Fukushima Roshi himself in front of you, right here and right now, with all his warmth, humor and wisdom."--Stephen Addiss, author of The Art of Zen
"Keido Fukushima is one of the signal Rinzai masters of our times. Here in this wonderful anthology of his teachings, we find the master, clear, and humorous, and always driving to the heart of the great matter. You can feel the twinkle in his eye, and the constant pointing to the deep in a way rarely as inviting as we find here. Besides, how can anyone resist a Zen master who loves chocolate?"--James Ishmael Ford, author of If You're Lucky, Your Heart Will Break
"In a clear and profound voice these short chapters range from introductions to Zen, through Rinzai training, and then on to illuminating koan commentaries. In a manner that few books offer, this volume allows both the beginner and the advanced student to see into the realities of Zen practice. Fukushima's words clarify and then clarify again our entangled human heart, freeing up our natural grace and wisdom."--Polly Young-Eisendrath, PhD, author of The Present Heart
-Delightful! Keido Fukushima is a wonderful Japanese Zen Master, full of humor, short and tall tales, and easygoing words that evoke deep truths. Grace and Peter Schireson, Zen Masters in their own right, have managed to find just the right English voice to convey the spirit of this salty old Zen man. Their affection for him shines through in every word. You will cross Zen Bridge with pleasure.---Zoketsu Norman Fischer, author of What Is Zen? and Training in Compassion
-A treasure to the world. Each spare talk in Fukushima Roshi's simple, lucid English is like a shaving planed from a block of flawless Cedar--aromatic, deeply grained, and luminous. I leave it feeling as if I've spent a great night with a new friend--a great Zen teacher. Don't miss this book. Don't miss this man.---Hosho Peter Coyote, Zen priest and film actor
-A terrific book for those wishing to immerse themselves in the world of Rinzai Zen. These lectures offer engaging exposition of numerous traditional koans and stories. Rather than a 'finger pointing to the moon, ' Fukushima Roshi's talks provide a sturdy bridge to the awakened world of the far shore, where you are you, just as you are.---Edward Espe Brown, author of The Complete Tassajara Cookbook
-The voice of wisdom for all time is present in this subtle and remarkable book of teachings by Fukushima Roshi.---Joan Halifax, Abbot, Upaya Zen Center
-Reading Zen Bridge is like having Fukushima Roshi himself in front of you, right here and right now, with all his warmth, humor and wisdom.---Stephen Addiss, author of The Art of Zen
-Keido Fukushima is one of the signal Rinzai masters of our times. Here in this wonderful anthology of his teachings, we find the master, clear, and humorous, and always driving to the heart of the great matter. You can feel the twinkle in his eye, and the constant pointing to the deep in a way rarely as inviting as we find here. Besides, how can anyone resist a Zen master who loves chocolate?---James Ishmael Ford, author of If You're Lucky, Your Heart Will Break
-In a clear and profound voice these short chapters range from introductions to Zen, through Rinzai training, and then on to illuminating koan commentaries. In a manner that few books offer, this volume allows both the beginner and the advanced student to see into the realities of Zen practice. Fukushima's words clarify and then clarify again our entangled human heart, freeing up our natural grace and wisdom.---Polly Young-Eisendrath, PhD, author of The Present Heart --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
A terrific book for those wishing to immerse themselves in the world of Rinzai Zen. These lectures offer engaging exposition of numerous traditional koans and stories.Rather than a finger pointing to the moon, Fukushima Roshi s talks provide asturdy bridge to the awakened world of the far shore, where you are you, just as you are. --Edward Espe Brown, author of The Complete Tassajara Cookbook"
The voice of wisdom for all time is present in this subtle and remarkable book of teachings by Fukushima Roshi. --Joan Halifax, Abbot, Upaya Zen Center"
Keido Fukushima is one of the signal Rinzai masters of our times. Here in this wonderful anthology of his teachings, we find the master, clear, and humorous, and always driving to the heart of the great matter. You can feel the twinkle in his eye, and the constant pointing to the deep in a way rarely as inviting as we find here. Besides, how can anyone resist a Zen master who loves chocolate? --James Ishmael Ford, author of If You're Lucky, Your Heart Will Break"
In a clear and profound voice these short chapters range from introductions to Zen, through Rinzai training, and then on to illuminating koan commentaries. In a manner that few books offer, this volume allows both the beginner and the advanced student to see into the realities of Zen practice. Fukushima s words clarify and then clarify again our entangled human heart, freeing up our natural grace and wisdom. --Polly Young-Eisendrath, PhD, author of The Present Heart"
Delightful! Keido Fukushima is a wonderful Japanese Zen Master, full of humor, short and tall tales, and easygoing words that evoke deep truths. Grace and Peter Schireson, Zen Masters in their own right, have managed to find just the right English voice to convey the spirit of this salty old Zen man. Their affection for him shines through in every word. You will cross Zen Bridge with pleasure. --Zoketsu Norman Fischer, author of What Is Zen? and Training in Compassion"
A treasure to the world. Each spare talk in Fukushima Roshi s simple, lucid English is like a shaving planed from a block of flawless Cedar aromatic, deeply grained, and luminous. I leave it feeling as if I ve spent a great night with a new friend a great Zen teacher. Don t miss this book. Don t miss this man. --Hosho Peter Coyote, Zen priest and film actor"
"Delightful! Keido Fukushima is a wonderful Japanese Zen Master, full of humor, short and tall tales, and easygoing words that evoke deep truths. Grace and Peter Schireson, Zen Masters in their own right, have managed to find just the right English voice to convey the spirit of this salty old Zen man. Their affection for him shines through in every word. You will cross Zen Bridge with pleasure."--Zoketsu Norman Fischer, author of What Is Zen? and Training in Compassion
"A treasure to the world. Each spare talk in Fukushima Roshi's simple, lucid English is like a shaving planed from a block of flawless Cedar--aromatic, deeply grained, and luminous. I leave it feeling as if I've spent a great night with a new friend--a great Zen teacher. Don't miss this book. Don't miss this man."--Hosho Peter Coyote, Zen priest and film actor
"A terrific book for those wishing to immerse themselves in the world of Rinzai Zen. These lectures offer engaging exposition of numerous traditional koans and stories. Rather than a 'finger pointing to the moon, ' Fukushima Roshi's talks provide a sturdy bridge to the awakened world of the far shore, where you are you, just as you are."--Edward Espe Brown, author of The Complete Tassajara Cookbook
"The voice of wisdom for all time is present in this subtle and remarkable book of teachings by Fukushima Roshi."--Joan Halifax, Abbot, Upaya Zen Center
"Reading Zen Bridge is like having Fukushima Roshi himself in front of you, right here and right now, with all his warmth, humor and wisdom."--Stephen Addiss, author of The Art of Zen
"Keido Fukushima is one of the signal Rinzai masters of our times. Here in this wonderful anthology of his teachings, we find the master, clear, and humorous, and always driving to the heart of the great matter. You can feel the twinkle in his eye, and the constant pointing to the deep in a way rarely as inviting as we find here. Besides, how can anyone resist a Zen master who loves chocolate?"--James Ishmael Ford, author of If You're Lucky, Your Heart Will Break
"In a clear and profound voice these short chapters range from introductions to Zen, through Rinzai training, and then on to illuminating koan commentaries. In a manner that few books offer, this volume allows both the beginner and the advanced student to see into the realities of Zen practice. Fukushima's words clarify and then clarify again our entangled human heart, freeing up our natural grace and wisdom."--Polly Young-Eisendrath, PhD, author of The Present Heart
-Delightful! Keido Fukushima is a wonderful Japanese Zen Master, full of humor, short and tall tales, and easygoing words that evoke deep truths. Grace and Peter Schireson, Zen Masters in their own right, have managed to find just the right English voice to convey the spirit of this salty old Zen man. Their affection for him shines through in every word. You will cross Zen Bridge with pleasure.---Zoketsu Norman Fischer, author of What Is Zen? and Training in Compassion
-A treasure to the world. Each spare talk in Fukushima Roshi's simple, lucid English is like a shaving planed from a block of flawless Cedar--aromatic, deeply grained, and luminous. I leave it feeling as if I've spent a great night with a new friend--a great Zen teacher. Don't miss this book. Don't miss this man.---Hosho Peter Coyote, Zen priest and film actor
-A terrific book for those wishing to immerse themselves in the world of Rinzai Zen. These lectures offer engaging exposition of numerous traditional koans and stories. Rather than a 'finger pointing to the moon, ' Fukushima Roshi's talks provide a sturdy bridge to the awakened world of the far shore, where you are you, just as you are.---Edward Espe Brown, author of The Complete Tassajara Cookbook
-The voice of wisdom for all time is present in this subtle and remarkable book of teachings by Fukushima Roshi.---Joan Halifax, Abbot, Upaya Zen Center
-Reading Zen Bridge is like having Fukushima Roshi himself in front of you, right here and right now, with all his warmth, humor and wisdom.---Stephen Addiss, author of The Art of Zen
-Keido Fukushima is one of the signal Rinzai masters of our times. Here in this wonderful anthology of his teachings, we find the master, clear, and humorous, and always driving to the heart of the great matter. You can feel the twinkle in his eye, and the constant pointing to the deep in a way rarely as inviting as we find here. Besides, how can anyone resist a Zen master who loves chocolate?---James Ishmael Ford, author of If You're Lucky, Your Heart Will Break
-In a clear and profound voice these short chapters range from introductions to Zen, through Rinzai training, and then on to illuminating koan commentaries. In a manner that few books offer, this volume allows both the beginner and the advanced student to see into the realities of Zen practice. Fukushima's words clarify and then clarify again our entangled human heart, freeing up our natural grace and wisdom.---Polly Young-Eisendrath, PhD, author of The Present Heart --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
About the Author
Keido Fukushima Roshi trained under Zenkei Shibayama Roshi, one of the most famed Rinzai Zen masters of the twentieth century. Fluent in English, Fukushima Roshi had a special rapport with Western students, many of whom have become Zen teachers as well. He became head abbot of Tofukuji in Kyoto, making him the leader of one of the main Rinzai sects in Japan. He passed away in 2011. Grace Schireson is a Dharma teacher in the Suzuki Roshi lineage empowered by Sojun Mel Weitsman, abbot of Berkeley Zen Center. She has also been empowered to teach koans by Keido Fukushima Roshi, chief abbot of Tofukuji Monastery in Kyoto Japan. Grace is the head teacher of the Central Valley Zen Foundation and has founded and leads three Zen groups and a Zen retreat center, in California. Grace is also a clinical psychologist who has specialized in women and families. Married for over forty years, she has two sons and three grandchildren. She lives in California. Peter Schireson studied koans with Fukushima Roshi and is a Dharma Heir in the Suzuki Roshi Soto Zen Lineage. He has had an active career in education and business and is a published poet. He lives in California.
--This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
Product details
- ASIN : B01KG5GPW0
- Publisher : Wisdom Publications (7 March 2017)
- Language : English
- File size : 2286 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 210 pages
-
Best Sellers Rank:
689,364 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- 405 in Zen Buddhism (Kindle Store)
- 510 in Zen Philosophy (Books)
- 656 in Zen Spirituality
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
8 global ratings
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Top reviews from other countries

Mr. Michael P. Mckeown
5.0 out of 5 stars
A kind and good man, a Roshi and a master of Shodo
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 August 2017Verified Purchase
A collection of talks by Keido Fukushima, No Zen library is complete without it. A kind and good man , a Roshi and a master of Shodo, he allowed me to use his monastery in Kyoto in the 80s I have fond memories of him, worth reading .
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James Kenney
5.0 out of 5 stars
The key to Zen, and the true beginning of the Way.
Reviewed in the United States on 11 November 2018Verified Purchase
Zen Bridge is a wonderful, even exciting, book about Rinzai Zen, its training methods and its use of koans to bring out "mushin" ("no mind"). It does so by focusing on one Zen teacher, Keido Fukushima. Keido's ability to use colloquial English in his lectures makes the book flow easily and to a degree entertainingly. (If Zen could ever be described as "entertaining," which is not generally considered its dominant feature.)
Grace and Peter Schireson have done a wonderful job on this book. It is arranged so that lectures covering similar material are grouped together. The book is divided into four main topics: What is Zen? My Training. Zen Master Joshu and Classical Teaching Stories. I found all fascinating, especially the portion that deals with Fukushima's training.
Apparently Rinzai training in Japan is an ordeal to survive, with a lifetime's effort in Zen packed into a 3 year period.
Here is an excerpt from that section:
"The realization of no-self requires severe training and zen monastic training is quite difficult. It's not just strict, it's excessive: monks get up at three every morning, every day of the year and often practice until eleven at night. There is no rest and there are no holidays during the year. On average we do six hours a day of zazen, but for a monk serious about training, six hours a day of zazen is insufficient. It's essential to deepen the monks' experiential understanding of Zen itself. This is the focus of the direct koan question-and-answer sessions each morning and evening. But these sessions alone aren't enough. During the year there are seven sesshins of seven days each. During sesshin monks stop cleaning, begging and working in the fields. We just do hour-long periods of zazen, one after another...during the final seven-day sesshin of the year, there is no sleeping."
It's enough to make an American Zen student cringe. I feel my own inadequacy when I read these words. "Not for me!" I want to cry, as Keido exhorts us that Ummon got off easily, trading a leg ruined by his teacher for satori. But it also led me to cross-examine my ruined childhood and wonder if that was why I became a Zen student. Would satori be worth 17 years of impossibly strict discipline at the hands of my father?
And what if despite all that suffering, I never find the discipline enough to realize no-mind on my own?
Ultimately, this is a very helpful and enlightening book. As you can see from the quotation above, Keido Roshi's English is smooth and easy to follow. His thesis is simple: we must penetrate into Mu and enter into no-mind. That is the key to Zen, and the true beginning of the Way.
Grace and Peter Schireson have done a wonderful job on this book. It is arranged so that lectures covering similar material are grouped together. The book is divided into four main topics: What is Zen? My Training. Zen Master Joshu and Classical Teaching Stories. I found all fascinating, especially the portion that deals with Fukushima's training.
Apparently Rinzai training in Japan is an ordeal to survive, with a lifetime's effort in Zen packed into a 3 year period.
Here is an excerpt from that section:
"The realization of no-self requires severe training and zen monastic training is quite difficult. It's not just strict, it's excessive: monks get up at three every morning, every day of the year and often practice until eleven at night. There is no rest and there are no holidays during the year. On average we do six hours a day of zazen, but for a monk serious about training, six hours a day of zazen is insufficient. It's essential to deepen the monks' experiential understanding of Zen itself. This is the focus of the direct koan question-and-answer sessions each morning and evening. But these sessions alone aren't enough. During the year there are seven sesshins of seven days each. During sesshin monks stop cleaning, begging and working in the fields. We just do hour-long periods of zazen, one after another...during the final seven-day sesshin of the year, there is no sleeping."
It's enough to make an American Zen student cringe. I feel my own inadequacy when I read these words. "Not for me!" I want to cry, as Keido exhorts us that Ummon got off easily, trading a leg ruined by his teacher for satori. But it also led me to cross-examine my ruined childhood and wonder if that was why I became a Zen student. Would satori be worth 17 years of impossibly strict discipline at the hands of my father?
And what if despite all that suffering, I never find the discipline enough to realize no-mind on my own?
Ultimately, this is a very helpful and enlightening book. As you can see from the quotation above, Keido Roshi's English is smooth and easy to follow. His thesis is simple: we must penetrate into Mu and enter into no-mind. That is the key to Zen, and the true beginning of the Way.

Scott & Eileen K.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Introduction to Rinzai Zen Buddhism
Reviewed in the United States on 6 January 2021Verified Purchase
This is an excellent introduction to Rinzai Zen Buddism, compiled from the words of the late Keido Fukushima Roshi. Having read several other books on Zen, I very much appreciate Fukushima Roshi’s crystal clear, down-to-earth explanations of fundamental Zen concepts and practices.

Richard Wigton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful book!
Reviewed in the United States on 12 August 2018Verified Purchase
I can't give enough praise for Zen Bridge. It is both insightful and funny. I couldn't put it down! Keido Fukushima is a gem!

Gopher
3.0 out of 5 stars
Three Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 30 July 2017Verified Purchase
Not a bad attempt. But not particularly useful.