Sunday, March 23, 2008

What I've Read - Zen, Catholic Comic Book Conspiracies and Buffy.

Sit Down and Shut Up: Punk Rock Commentaries on Buddha, God, Truth, Sex, Death, and Dogen's Treasury of the Right Dharma Eye by Brad Warner:
"Warner, a Zen priest, author (Hardcore Zen) and former punk rock bassist, has a very distinctive voice. It may be off-putting to some to think about Buddha and a bunch of Zen masters, including esteemed 13th-century Japanese Zen master Dogen, as dudes riffing on "whiz-bang-with-cheese-on-top-enlightenment." But for the patient, curious and those for whom Warner's slash-the-crap style is their cup of green tea, this Zen punk book offers provocation and reward. Warner ambitiously presents something close to textual commentary on a key text by Dogen while teaching on anger, sex, loving-kindness, dependent arising and other familiar Buddhist themes... Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved."

This, and Warner's first book - Hardcore Zen, are the best books I've read on zen. Straight, no chaser, no bullshit. Quote worthy and thought worthy material on just about every other page. Wouldn't call myself a Buddhist - wouldn't really call myself anything - but I do think I lean that way. Most important thing to remember is this - 95% of the time you don't live in the world... you live in your thoughts about the world. And your thoughts are ephemeral, transitory and temporary things. And not really worth getting worked up about.

Rex Mundi Volume 1: The Guardian Of The Temple by Arvid Nelson, Eric Johnson, Jeremy Cox, Juan Ferreyra:
"When a medieval scroll disappears from a Paris church, Doctor Julien Sauniere investigates, uncovering a series of horrific ritual murders and an ancient secret society. Julien cannot let these shadowy figures retreat into the darkness, lest they take up their killing once again. His investigation turns into a one-man quest into the bizarre secrets of the Catholic Church."

In the days where the Da Vinci Code has permeated the culture, the mysteries in the book are all that occultic anymore, but this is such a well crafted book it doesn't matter. Outstanding world building - a 1930s France where the papacy and the monarchy are still powers [the French Revolution failed, the US is still the CSA and FSA] and where magic is real. Awesomely fun and interesting.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Omnibus, Volume 3 by Various:
"The third volume of Dark Horse's Buffy omnibus series follows the gang through harrowing trials and tribulations - slaying vampires, going to high school, and young love..."

Not bad, not outstanding. But it does suffer in comparison to the Season 8 comic book by Whedon and crew. Probably for die hard fans only.

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