Art in Japanese Esoteric Buddhism

Art in Japanese Esoteric Buddhism by Takaaki Sawa, 151 pages

Esoteric Japanese Buddhism, in contrast to the exoteric variety, maintained that the substance of Buddhist teaching exceeded the intellect's powers of comprehension, and therefore sought to embody it in ritual practice.  For this very reason, the tradition produced a rich array of art and architecture to aid in the expression of mysteries that lie beyond (and behind) words.

Art in Japanese Esoteric Buddhism ably showcases a wide selection of medieval Japanese buildings, sculptures, paintings, and mandalas, many of which benefit from remaining in their intended cultural and religious context.  Inevitably, the book touches on obscure elements of Japanese Buddhism, unfortunately, it does not have the space necessary to explain them.

Why Buddhism Is True

Why Buddhism Is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment by Richard Wright, 321 pages




The title of this book is misleading. Even the subtitle of the book doesn't provide enough clarity. That may turn some away that might be interested once they started reading the book. It may interest those that have an interest in philosophy and psychology.


Wright is not talking about reincarnation or gods that Buddhists worship. He is focused on whether meditation does what it says it does and if attaining enlightenment is possible. In doing so, he looks at the Self and "who" or "what" is in control as well as feelings.


Wright uses evolution, especially evolutionary psychology, to show how science is proving the efficacy of meditation.


Wright uses personal examples of his experience with meditation (not always successful) to illustrate his points and provide clarity to what he is trying to say.


I have read multiple books and articles on Buddhism and specific components such as meditation and the self. I found that even despite reading all those things that Wright provided a different level of clarity that I didn't have before.

Different Paths of Buddhism

The Different Paths of Buddhism: A Narrative-Historical Introduction by Carl Olson, 256 pages

This is a short academic introduction to the history of Buddhism in its many forms, from the folk Buddhism of Tibet to the devotional Pure Land Buddhism of China to Japan's Zen Buddhism to the political Buddhism popularized among India's untouchables in the twentieth century.  As the book's subtitle indicates, Olson chooses to explore his subject along a narrative path, avoiding the mistake of abstracting some supposedly pure Buddhism that may never have existed.  Rather, he traces the development of different Buddhist schools, relates how they influenced each other and the cultures around them, all without stigmatizing any of them as corruptions of the true doctrine.  This is further validated by the experiential element within Buddhism itself.

The Different Paths of Buddhism was clearly intended for use as a textbook, despite being considerably better-written than most of that genre.  Unfortunately for the solitary reader, there are times when the text seems to want additional elucidation or context, although some of these problems are resolved later within the book itself (for example, Olson alludes to "Protestant Buddhism" several chapters before describing it).  Such difficulties are inevitable, however, in such a dense exploration of the rich traditions of one of the world's great religions.

My Journey Through War and Peace: Explorations of a Young Filmmaker, Feminist, and Spiritual Seeker

My Journey Through War and Peace: Explorations of a Young Filmmaker, Feminist, and Spiritual Seeker by Melissa Burch   208 Pages

Melissa Burch’s story is based on her experiences as a freelance journalist during the Afghan War. When she was only 21 years old, Burch, and her cameraman, was on her to become the first journalist to capture the mujahedeen rebellion against Soviet invaders on tape.

The book opens with Burch sleeping a dirt floor with seven heavily armed Afghan soldiers, ranging from 19 to 20 years old. The tales of journey through Afghanistan will cause the hair on your arms to stand on end. The relentless heat, hunger and fear never left her. The hiding from the Russian soldiers was perilous and terrifying.  She must have covered the entire country either on horseback, motorbike or foot.  I felt her pain as she described a march through the rocky, mountains with Afghan soldiers

There was on anecdote where she and he soldiers were hiding when the Soviets were passing by. They had no sooner left the safety of the deserted compound, than it was blown up. 

One of the things that surprised me about Burch’s time is Afghanistan was that she was never raped. A lone woman traveling with many men had to be vulnerable. Not to say that she didn’t take up with one of the leaders, but it seemed more mutual consent.

My favorite parts of the book were after her return to the States. Maybe it was because I could relate more to that experience.

I approached Burch’s memoir with a bit of negativity. Earlier this year I had tried to read Malala Yousfzai’s I am Malala. I was prepared to be pulled into to that story, but I didn’t past page 50. I was a little afraid that I might experience the same issue with My Journey Through War and Peace: Explorations of a Young Filmmaker, Feminist, and Spiritual Seeker. But from the opening scene that I described earlier, I was hooked. Although places were a little choppy, but it is riveting.

I give My Journey Through War and Peace: Explorations of a Young Filmmaker, Feminist, and Spiritual Seeker 5 out of 5 stars.

A tale for the time being

A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
422 Pages

"In Tokyo, sixteen-year-old Nao has decided there's only one escape from her aching loneliness and her classmates' bullying. But before she ends it all, Nao first plans to document the life of her great grandmother, a Buddhist nun who's lived more than a century. A diary is Nao's only solace--and will touch lives in ways she can scarcely imagine. Across the Pacific, we meet Ruth, a novelist living on a remote island who discovers a collection of artifacts washed ashore in a Hello Kitty lunchbox--possibly debris from the devastating 2011 tsunami. As the mystery of its contents unfolds, Ruth is pulled into the past, into Nao's drama and her unknown fate, and forward into her own future."

 I enjoyed this novel although at times I was a little confused with the time analogies.  It was recommended by Ann Patchett on her blog for Parnassus books and like Ms. Patchett, I originally didn't choose to read this novel because the cover was a little off-putting.  So I did judge a book by its cover.  I am happy to have read it.