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Cover of Tassajara Stories: A Sort of Memoir/Oral History of the First Zen Buddhist Monastery in the West―The First Year, 1967
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Tassajara Stories: A Sort of Memoir/Oral History of the First Zen Buddhist Monastery in the West―The First Year, 1967

by Shunryu Suzuki, the abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center, and subsequently witnessed a revolving door of people looking for inspiration, enlightenment, or simply an alternative way of living for a while. The author walks readers through the minutiae of daily life at the monastery, which included a “complex oryoki eating ritual and chanting, which dragged the meal out to an hour with little time for the actual eating.” He also recalls various anecdotes and visitors, explaining different phrases and terminology along the way (“Kobun wore a black monastic work outfit he called samue. Samu was monastic work and ‘e’ meant clothes”). While the stories largely unfold chronologically, there is no particular thread to connect them other than their shared time and place. Chadwick uses short, choppy sentences with minimal adornment, creating a strange sense of monotony—but one that is occasionally broken up by a beautiful description of nature or a particularly memorable event. One such highlight is when the poets Allen Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and Daniel Moore came to meditate, read verse, sing, and chant mantras. This performance sparks what is surely one of the more delightfully bizarre sentences ever written: “Ginsberg played his harmonium with Ferlinghetti and Moore on Chinese horn and Hindu bells.” Surprisingly (and a bit disappointingly), the book’s focus consistently remains on the physical details of Tassajara and the everyday actions of its inhabitants, with very little personal or spiritual introspection. Still, the thorough and enlightening work achieves its ultimate goal of being an “oral history” by providing unparalleled access to daily life in a remarkable time and place."

Book Details

Publisher:Valley monastery was founded in
Published:1967-01-01
Pages:299
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9781958972

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

This counting book offers young learners a vibrant journey through numbers with engaging illustrations and clever rhymes that make early math concepts accessible and fun. Each page introduces a new n...

Our Review

This counting book offers young learners a vibrant journey through numbers with engaging illustrations and clever rhymes that make early math concepts accessible and fun. Each page introduces a new number through familiar objects and scenarios that children will immediately recognize from their daily lives, creating meaningful connections between abstract numerals and concrete experiences. The rhythmic text flows smoothly, making it ideal for read-aloud sessions while supporting number recognition and basic counting skills. Bright, uncluttered artwork keeps the focus on numerical learning while providing plenty of visual interest to maintain engagement.

What sets this early mathematics book apart is its thoughtful progression from simple counting to basic addition concepts, gently building confidence as children master each new skill. Parents will appreciate the subtle educational value woven into each colorful spread, while the durable board book format withstands repeated handling by enthusiastic little hands. The combination of playful learning and sturdy construction makes this number book particularly valuable for toddlers and preschoolers developing their first math skills. Young readers will return to these pages again and again, discovering new details while solidifying their understanding of fundamental numerical concepts.

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