Introduction to Zen Koans: Learning the Language of Dragons

Introduction of Zen Koans: Learning the Language of Dragons is a useful introduction for someone interested in what koans are and to learn about the “process” of koan Introspection. It can also serve someone who has already begun to formally “walk down the path” of koan introspection as Roshi Ford often describes as examining :"the fundamental matter …of you, me, everything”.I am forever grateful for my teacher (and dharma heir to James Ford) for suggesting I take up koan study. I have found koan study to be both “a whack on the back of the head” and a "dousing of freezing water". Disconcerting or refreshing as those might be to long held conceptions. James Ford provides, history, context and a gentle loving guide to understanding this sometimes intimidating but also special “spiritual technology” which is as useful today as it was in the 9th century. It can be read over and over and still remain fresh to the heart. Recommended.

Always a delight to read a new book by Roshi James Ford. He brings a unique perspective to Zen studies, a scholarly approach that combines the best of both ancient Buddhist texts plus a wide range of contemporary Buddhist scholars and teachers. In addition, he has a penchant for clarifying Buddhist traditions and practices to help make sure that Buddhism continues to thrive in the US, in ways that can help individuals but also maintain the rigor of traditional Buddhism practice.This book is a bit of a misnomer in that it is really about more than koans. The book has 27 chapters and it really isn't until chapter 10 that he delves into koans. Early chapters focus on the life of Buddha and explaining the basics of Zen Buddhist practice, such as breathing, posture, and the history of Buddhism. Much of this information will be old hat to Buddhist practitioners but even when reviewing this material, Roshi Ford's long-time practice and scholarly bent make it so that these sections reward careful attention so that beginners and long-time practitioners would get something out of it.Starting around chapter 10, Roshi Ford digs into koan studies. I have read a fair amount of books about koan study. This one covers some of the initial history of koans and the place of koans within the general practice life. He reviews some basic koans, including the Mu koan, though unlike other books on koans, he doesn't dig into particular koans into much depth, focusing more on the general nature of koan practice.Throughout the book, Roshi Ford weaves his own experiences in the dharma, though he does this in a more modest way than other Zen books (other authors seem to concentrate on their own personal experience as a lens to help others understand practice). For him, I feel like his own personal practice and experience are less important than the wide scope and tradition of Zen history. Important to share his own experiences, but more important to weave into the narrative the teachings of others.This is a quick read, written in clearly defined chapters of about 4 to 20 pages each. Thank you for your teaching Roshi Ford. Highly recommended!

I have long known how instruction, teaching, and mastery differ: (a) *Instructors* set the table where students will eat the meal that (b) *Teachers* prepare with the food that (c) *Masters* have found, planted, cultivated, harvested, and brought to the marketplace all by themselves. This book only sets a table – and only an altar at that – which sits in an empty studio at the farthest arc of just one of the many cul de sacs along *The Way* where one can pause to watch kabuki or lip sync with an actor's karaoke. It leaves one with the question: What is the original face of Zen, before Zen... the Buddh- before buddh-ISM? How are mind-ful and mind-less the same or not the same? As such, the fact of this book is a koan in itself and I give it FOUR STARS insofar as it may yet succeed as a point of embarkation -- or resumption -- on The Way.

Full disclosure, I am “friends” with the author on social media. However, I have never met him in person. I follow his Zen blog religiously, no pun intended, but I don’t agree with a lot of what he posts. But I very much respect what he says. I liked but didn’t love his last book, “If You’re Lucky, Your Heart Will Break.” The Zen in it was too liberal if I remember correctly. Still a decent enough book. With that disclaimer I hope it gives more weight to this review.

For a book that in its own title calls itself an introduction to Zen koans, it sure takes a long time to get to the koan part. Part One in the book is a basic, brief introduction to Buddhism and then Zen Buddhism. There is nothing written here by the author that hasn’t been written before. I was slightly disappointed in the book up to this point. But then…
Part Two of this book is worth the price and then some. I have read too many Zen books and several of those have been koan books. I have not read one that presents a more clear path to taking up koan study, what that study means, and what effect that path can have on you. I apologize to the author for my premature disappointment. I wish this book had been written several years ago before I half-heartedly took up koan study with my teacher. I might be further along that path that James so clearly lays out if it had been. Somehow Ford Roshi has managed to be clear and concise and still show his deep, personal affection for koan study. It rubbed off on me. And I have never read a better explanation of The Five Ranks than in this book.

Part Three of the book is just a bonus. There is much current debate on Zen in the West and where it is headed, directions both good and bad. James gives a very fair critique of Zen practice and Zen teachers here. In those aspects he comes off as quite conservative. 

This book should be the first book you read if you are curious about those “Zen riddles” you keep hearing about. This book shows you that koans are much more than riddles to be solved. And I would suggest that after this book, you pick up James’ teacher’s book, “Bring Me The Rhinoceros” to continue your path. James is standing on his teacher’s shoulders. Thank you for your teaching Ford Roshi.

Writing a book about koans is a fraught endeavour. James Ford has written a book here that serves interested readers well.For the casual reader, this book hints at the magic of the absolute and the integration of the no-dual that can arise in meditation and through koan introspection.For the newcomer to Zen, it provides a good introduction to the practice of zazen and koan introspection from which we make our first (often awkward) encounters with koans.For those already engaged in koan introspection under the direction of a genuine Zen teacher, James Ford's book enriches the experience by exploring the history and variations of this practice that have arisen in different times and cultures. For the established practitioner Ford teases out the subtly of the great endeavour that goes beyond an experience that can be labeled as Zen or Buddhist.

James Ford has given us a poetic map of the koan territory. Clear, concise and helpful. Both beginners and expert can find help. And new questions for all of us to ponder

I think a better title would be something like, "Introduction to the Contemporary World of Zen for Westerners." It wasn't what I was expecting. I wanted deep introspection into Zen koans and some of the basics about what they're all about. It was too much a Who's Who of the zen world from the author's perspective, and it seemed more like a conversation you'd have with a friend who's into Zen instead of an authoritive book on Zen koans. I don't think it was worth the price. I kept reading wondering when the author would get to the juicy stuff, but it seemed to be more "about" Zen, than just being Zen itself. "This guy said such and such to that guy and it was profound...", "This person is a contemporary teacher of Zen, and they're black, so that's a great change in the Zen world...", "Zen people do this kind of stuff..." At least I can say I read the book if someone asks me if I've ever gotten into Zen. I can tell them my opinion about this book. I was really hoping for something more profound. I have better books to read for that.

I bought this based upon reading the sample which was excellent - clear and well-written. The book itself however I found confused and almost rambling at time, as well as being more about the history and American Zen scene. I have to agree with a previous reviewer in Japan who said "Better Title - "Introduction to the Contemporary World of Zen for Westerners".The parts that did talk about Koans directly were not exactly illuminating and only contained what I've seen in so many other books. Titling a book 'an introduction' sends the message that this book is aimed at beginners who want to understand something about the subject, while all this one is going to do is to greatly confuse, and possibly put many potential students from further reading.