#263 / Crooked Cucumber #2

My son, Philips, who underwent a long Zen training and practice residency at Tassajara, gave me Crooked Cucumber as a present. As already reported, I liked the book, and recommend it.

Most interesting to me, with respect to the book's biographical mission, were two things: (1) the description of Suzuki's Zen training and work in Japan; (2) the details about how Suzuki "grew" Zen Buddhism in San Francisco, with some mentions of people I either knew personally, or knew of, including our current Governor.

Interspersed among the biographical details are little "sayings" of Suzuki-Roshi, as his disciples called him. These, too, make the book worthwhile:

Enlightenment is not a complete remedy.

The secret of Soto Zen is just two words: not always so.

Funny guy, that Crooked Cucumber! And pretty smart!