Abstract

"ZEN Q&A": This is a question and answer manual that brings the Zen dialogues of Zen Buddhism into everyday life. It is a program for self-reflection to nurture a richer mind and overcome difficulties. The author, who entered the Ryuzenji Sodo, grappled daily with Zen riddles (koans) given by his mentor, amidst confusion and anxiety. Questions from the master, such as "Does a dog have Buddha-nature?", "Listen to the sound of rain", "What is the way to avoid mosquito bites?", leave the young monk's brain full of question marks. Through his challenging journey, he humorously depicts the unique training of the Rinzai sect, using quizzes and aiming for a guidebook to regulate the mind and body exhausted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Author’s Information

Eiyu Murakoshi
Eiyu Murakoshi is the chief priest of Ryumonji, a temple of the Rinzai school Myoshinji sect in Shizuoka Prefecture, and also serves as a missionary of the same sect. Born in 1958 in Numazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, he completed a master's degree at Nishogakusha University Graduate School. He entered Ryusakuji temple and studied under his masters, Soen Nakagawa and Sotetsu Suzuki (both deceased). His writing, centered around Buddhism and Zen, focuses on making the content 'gentle', 'easy to understand', and 'fun'. His works include "Funerals That Truly Matter" (Daifurin Publishing), "Words of a Monk That Make Worries Disappear" (Takarajima-sha), "Secrets of a Monk" (PHP Institute), and many others. He is also an illustrator.