Fighting Buddha: Martial Arts, Buddhism, Kicking Ass and Saving It

by Jeff Eisenberg

A raucous, irreverent look into the Buddhist and Martial Arts worlds

Can we be martial arts practitioners and Buddhists at the same time? Can these practices actually complement each other, in mindfulness? How do we reconcile Buddhist concepts like non-violence with a fighting practice like judo, karate or jiu jitsu? Long-standing martial arts instructor and meditator Jeff Eisenberg addresses these and other questions in his own inimitable style, employing autobiographical anecdotes, along with martial arts fighting strategies, koan and sutra teachings, and Buddhist folk stories. Fighting Buddha outlines why the true test of a martial artist’s skill and of a Buddhist’s application of mindfulness is during a situation that is the least conducive for it--usually not inside the Dojo or Zendo. Challenging the belief that fighting martial arts styles are not conducive to a meditative practice, the book discusses the difference between violence and the use of force as it relates to the Buddha’s teaching of “cause no harm”, exploring the common misunderstanding that meditative moments are exclusive to only select activities. Further topics are the struggles of beginning training and practice, the importance of identifying goals, choosing a teacher and training in support of these goals. And, far from being the often-perceived ending, Jeff concludes that enlightenment and the black belt are really only a beginning.

160 pages, Paperback

Published May 16, 2017

Reviews

[me · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Buddhist and a martial artist, I was skeptical of this book. That being said, I couldn't put it down once I started it. This book is packed with experience in both martial arts and Buddhism.

I like the author's no nonsense approach and his ability to cut though delusions and egos of both Buddhists and martial artists.

Overall, I highly recommend this book and am giving a copy to my son. It is probably one of the best martial art books I have read. It is up there with Bruce Lee's. Also, the author has a very strong understanding of Buddhism and after 25 years of study, I picked up a few new teachings.

[Marci · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't even disagree with much of what Eisenberg says, but he managed to get on my nerves with his attitudes and ideas, probably not helped by identifying Noah Levine as his Buddhist teacher. He comes across as belligerent for the sake of belligerence and not bright enough to recognize that if a methodology has been in use for centuries, whether in martial arts or in Buddhism, mayhap there is some reason behind that longevity.