Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies and the Truth about Reality

by Brad Warner

This is not your typical Zen book. Brad Warner, a young punk who grew up to be a Zen master, spares no one. This bold new approach to the "Why?" of Zen Buddhism is as strongly grounded in the tradition of Zen as it is utterly revolutionary. Warner's voice is hilarious, and he calls on the wisdom of everyone from punk and pop culture icons to the Buddha himself to make sure his points come through loud and clear. As it prods readers to question everything, Hardcore Zen is both an approach and a departure, leaving behind the soft and lyrical for the gritty and stark perspective of a new generation.

The subtitle says it all: there has never been a book like this.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Zen, Religion, Spirituality, Memoir

207 pages, Paperback

First published August 8, 1994

About the author

Brad Warner is an ordained Zen Master (though he hates that term) in the Soto lineage founded in Japan by Master Dogen Zenji in the 13th century. He's the bass player for the hardcore punk rock group 0DFx (aka Zero Defex) and the ex-vice president of the Los Angeles office of the company founded by the man who created Godzilla.

Brad was born in Hamilton, Ohio in 1964. In 1972, his family relocated to Nairobi, Kenya. When Brad returned to Wadsworth three years later, nothing about rural Ohio seemed quite the same anymore.

In 1982 Brad joined 0DFx. 0DFx caught the attention of a number of major bands on the hardcore punk scene. But they soon broke up leaving a single eighteen second burst of noise, titled Drop the A-Bomb On Me, as their only recorded legacy on a compilation album called P.E.A.C.E./War.

In 1993, Brad went to Japan to realize a childhood dream to actually work for the people who made low budget Japanese monster movies. To his own astonishment, he landed himself a job with one of Japan's leading producers of man-in-a-rubber-dinosaur-costume giant monster movies.

Back in the early 80s, while still playing hardcore punk, Brad became involved in Zen Buddhism. The realistic, no bullshit philosophy reminded him of the attitude the punks took towards music. Once he got to Japan, he began studying the philosophy with an iconoclastic rebel Zen Master named Gudo Nishijima. After a few years, Nishijima decided to make Brad his successor as a teacher of Zen.

In 2003 he published his first book, "Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies and the Truth About Reality." In 2007 he followed that up with "Sit Down and Shut Up," a punk-informed look at 13th century Zen Master Dogen. His third book is "Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate."

Reviews

[Gabrielle (Reading Rampage) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Zazen isn’t about blissing out or going into an alpha brain-wave trance. It’s about facing who and what you really are, in every single goddamn moment. And you aren’t bliss, I’ll tell you that right now. You’re a mess. We all are. But here’s the thing: that mess itself is enlightenment.”



This book was published almost twenty years ago. I don’t remember exactly when I got my copy, which is just dated as published in 2003, but I was still a McGill student at the time, so between 2004 and 2006… I’ve been re-reading it periodically ever since, and it never gets old. I’ve read a lot of other books on Buddhism in general and Zen in particular since, and I still go back to this one the most. It’s always relevant, always fresh and always inspiring. I often have an itch to pick it up when I feel my Zazen practice floundering – which it certainly has lately. Its often the kick in the ass I need to get the aforementioned ass back on the zafu and my mind back into the thought of non-thinking. I also think it is never a bad idea to begin a new year (arbitrary as the date may be) with a book that kicks your ass.

Of course it helps that Warner is a nerdy punk, that means I get all his weird references and share his love of bizarre and random crap. But this book is amazing because Warner is insightful, explains concepts as clearly as humanly possible (given how abstract things like “emptiness” can be) – yet remains challenging. You can read this book, but if you don’t do the work (i.e. sit on your ass and stare at a blank wall for 30 minutes every day), there’s only so much he can tell you. He also never sprinkled any sugar on his material: Zazen is hard, it won’t fix anything right away, enlightenment experiences are not that important. But keep doing it anyway. I’m sure that sounds pointless to a lot of people, but after doing this for let’s say fifteen years, I can tell you that it does change everything – even when it feels pointless.

Anyway, you should check it out! It’s really good!

---

Original review:


True story : I met Brad Warner when he came to Montreal to give a talk about Buddhism and he drew a stegosaurus in my copy of “Hardcore Zen”. He’s a lovely guy!

When I started studying Buddhism years ago, a teacher suggested I look into Zen Buddhism more specifically. I think he understood that I had no interest in frills and just wanted a no-nonsense, straightforward approach – which is essentially what Zen Buddhism is. As I was looking for some literature on that specific school of thought at the bookstore, I stumbled upon a copy of “Hardcore Zen”. It caught my eye because not unlike Brad Warner, the punk subculture has been a hugely influential part of my life and the idea of approaching Buddhism through a punk lense – question authority, question society, question yourself, question everything! – was very appealing. Maybe this resonated with me because I have a problem with arbitrary authority figures, whether they are parental, governmental, professional or spiritual (and by that I mean that authority figures have to show me that they deserve my respect, and that I won’t just bow and scrape to someone without a good reason) and this dude was clearly not thinking of himself as an authority figure. Maybe it was because he was a simple, down to earth, self-deprecating guy who has had real modern life experiences. Don’t get me wrong, I have tremendous respect and admiration for a lot of Buddhist writers, but monks and nuns who have spent their lives in an ashram are sometimes very difficult to relate to, and their advice often hard to apply to the horribly mundane realities of daily Western life. Whatever the reason, I bought the book, brought it home and read it in a day.

I decided to re-read it because life has been a bit of a mess lately, and I wanted to re-sharpen my focus to deal with the mess in a healthier way. It helps sometime just to be reminded that some of the things our mind does make life seem complicated, but that its ultimately a trick we play on ourselves, and books like this one are perfect reminders. Of course reading that kind of stuff stirs some internal dust, but that’s usually a sign that its doing something good!

This book contains quite a few stories about Warner’s life, mostly about how he discovered Zen Buddhism, but also often moments in his life that he began to look at differently after he started practicing Zen. I feel like these anecdotes serve to show you how Warner’s life changed with his practice and study of Buddhism. Warner also wants to make it very clear to the reader: his book is not a manual on how to live your life or how to reach enlightenment. It’s a book about reality because that is the ultimate aim of Zen practice.

“Hardcore Zen” was originally published a long time ago now (2003), and Buddhism has become a lot more mainstream since, which is great, but this book is still incredibly informative, because as with anything else that becomes mainstream, a lot of bollocks is written on the subject - and Warner wants his readers to know that not all the pop-Buddhism out there is actual tradition or practice. His chapter on Buddhist morality (gloriously titled “No sex with cantaloupes”) is a wonderful text about what it means to apply the philosophy of action that Buddhism is to your life, and is worth the price of the book on its own.

Highly recommended for people who don’t mind a bit of irreverence, who are looking for accessible literature on Zen or who are simply interested in Buddhism but are deeply annoyed by hippie-wishy-washy writing about it. However, if you are looking for a set of instructions on finding enlightenment and can’t handle crass humor and geekiness, I suggests you look somewhere else. And finally, if you like this book, his other works are also well worth reading!

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was telling Joanna about this book, and she said something about how ugly the cover was. And it's true, the cover is terribly designed.

In the final chapter, the author mentions, "vapid, syrupy tomes with the word Zen in the title and some serene image on the cover." Okay, so ha ha, you put a toilet on your cover! Very funny, Brad Warner!

Still, if you can get past smartass stuff like that, this is a pretty good introduction to Zen Buddhism. Warner's style can be a little annoying, especially when he's trying to prove he's one hardcore ex-punk who never did believe in authority figures and that you should question everything, even this book. After the first 40 or 50 pages, though, he gets down to the really interesting stuff.

Warner writes in a very conversational, straightforward manner, mixing in his own experiences with the concepts he's trying to get across, specifically the tenets of Soto Zen Buddhism. Warner's interpretation of Buddhism is stripped down and grounded in reality, and he's not very interested in "enlightenment," chanting, ceremonies, or reaching transcendental states.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a book about Zen, obviously, from the point of view of an American who went from punk rocker to zen master over the course of many years. It's very different from most other zen books out there in that Warner doesn't try to affect the "wise and learned sage" voice in his writing. I imagine him more as a jittery skinny guy, chain-smoking cigarettes and telling you about the time he saw the entire history of the universe unfold around him in a dream.

Any book on Zen that quotes South Park, Philip K. Dick and Bart Simpson is a book worth reading.

Zen interests me, for many reasons, and a lot of them were addressed in this book. The idea that the past is the past and the future doesn't exist is one that I picked up years ago and has made life a lot less stressful. He does drift into the "We are all one" vein of Buddhist philosophy from time to time, which I'm still not entirely down on, but he's a lot of fun to read. Go give it a look.

[Lea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked Warner's "Don't Be a Jerk" and since Hardcore Zen was his first book and seemed more like an introduction to Zen Buddhism than the one I'd read, I thought it might be a good present for my brother. Sadly, I did not really like this one. It's less an introduction to Zen and more an introduction to Warner's life up until that point. The language isn't just "edgy" (which I expected it to be) but incredibly try hard, off-putting and makes this book very very dated. As does the fatphobia and weird anti-enviornmental takes.

Warner keeps going on about how he is totally against authority and so 'different' from anyone else - who writes likes like this past the age of 15? - but then tells of the various belief systems he adhered to. That's a totally human thing to do but the way it's presented without a hint of self awareness is incredibly off-putting. And the tone of the book is the opposite of "zen". He's so agressive and spiteful and cynical. Sure, he says you don't need to believe him and should doubt him, but he doesn't doubt any of it.

In the second half of the book, when it concentrated on zen buddhism instead of Warner's life, it got a little better. I found his straight forward way of explaining complicated issues very refreshing but it didn't take away from the bad stuff. Definitely not a book I can give as a present to anyone, and I'm a little sad about the money I spent on it. It will go into a donation bin.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

i've seen this book in the buddhist section at barnes & noble for years now. i never bothered to give it a try, because frankly, it looked stupid. "he doesn't get it," i would think. "he's just trying to make a joke out of zen and exploit it for money, fuck him and fuck his book." and then i'd get some other mystic book written by some other dude who shared the intention that i mistakenly placed on Brad Warner.

about 2 weeks ago, i came across Warner's second zen teacher (i didn't know it was his teacher at the time), Nishijima, i was reading his quotes, and some quotes about him. obviously Warner's were in there, and i did a little bit more reading, and found that this was his teacher. Warner learned legitimate zen from a legitimate zen source. my curiosity rose. i looked up Warner, and found his youtube page where he talks about big questions westerners have for buddhism. all of them were sound and simple, it blew me away. i watched an interview about one of his books, i was laughing because of how unconventional he was. he sat there with unkempt hair and a fucking god-zilla t-shirt while talking about the necessity of zazen to have a better life. i was out the door quickly to go buy one of his books. even if it was poorly written, i thought, his personality is genuine, i'd enjoy anyway.

in a nutshell: easily the best zen book i've ever read in my life.

[Mario the lone bookwolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Autobiographical journey to gain insight, cheap movies and Far Eastern life training

Please note that I put the original German text at the end of this review. Just if you might be interested.

Once an entirely different approach to the Asian mentality that Warner has operated in his life. From an original punk musician to a Zen student and finally master in Japan as well as a profession in the form of designing monster films. After a relatively long introduction, including entertaining, autobiographical anecdotes, the path of insight begins for the Westerners seek for meaning.
Nor does it lack a certain irony that a punker who rejects all conventions and social regulations mutates into an avid monkish student. In the form of a typical 180-degree change, this is part of the attraction of this reading. Also how difficult and frustrating it is for the highly unconventional young man to submit to the rigid and sometimes seemingly meaningless practice.
What stands out in contrast to sometimes too confident and lightly brimming literature on Buddhism, meditation and Asian philosophy in this work, is the predominantly non-corroding confirmation of a circumstance. That apprenticeship years are not men's years.
Moreover, this is particularly evident in zazen, the concentrated, and as far as possible motionless, sitting and meditating on the total focusing and extinction of all disturbing internal and external influences. An activity is typical of Zen, with which the primary character of this faith is well illustrated. Where the emphasis is placed on active meditative practice or mindfulness in other orientations of the teachings, Zen is a slightly quirky character head.
Full of puzzles and sometimes difficult to understand requirements such as zazen. The hardships, setbacks and sometimes tristesse to the path of knowledge are relentlessly and honestly explained. This contrasts nicely with the public, no-requirement feel-good quest that is continuously rampant in this genre category.
The description of the motives of his search for meaning and the necessary requirements, practice rituals, and practices are handled by the author.
The advantage of this combination of insertions from the Vita and passages describing philosophical and practical aspects increases the flow of reading in comparison to the purely theoretical literature on the subject. Which, however, also brings with it the negative point of the interim inserts, which in principle are fiction. Although these partly explain the motivation for change, in the majority they are not directly connected with the practical chapters.
For those interested, the explanations from the musical phase or the affinity of the author to cheap Japanese monster movies may be entertaining. However, readers who have been beaten with other preferences are left out and can not generate practical added value from these sections.
The tendency, however, to pack a relatively heavy food like Zen in a handy and quite attractive form, may find imitators in this form. It is quite likely that one or the other interested reader has been deterred by too dogmatic, esoteric or merely dull works to the topic block. This form of performance has the potential to mitigate concerns over complexity and inaccessibility.
Because the mixture of sometimes artificially casual language and the detailed portrayal of the life of the author's lows aroused the interest and basic voyeuristic needs are satisfied too. Overall an, although not overly substantial, entertaining way to approach the complex issue and lay the foundation for a change in the philosophy of life.
Younger readers, in particular, will respond much better to this type of portal opening and find motivation than in too systematic or unrealistic mediation attempts. Moreover, now please look at the wall and call the sound that comes from clapping a hand.

Autobiografische Reise zu Erkenntnisgewinn, Billigfilmchen und fernöstlicher Lebensschulung

Einmal eine gänzlich andere Herangehensweise an die asiatische Mentalität, die Warner in seinem Leben betrieben hat. Von einem ursprünglichen Punkmusiker zum Zenschüler und schließlich Meister der in Japan Liebe sowie Arbeit in Form der Gestaltung von Monsterfilmen findet. Nach einer recht langen Einführung samt unterhaltsamen, autobiografischen Anekdoten beginnt der Weg der Erkenntnis für den Sinn suchenden Westler.
Es entbehrt auch nicht einer gewissen Ironie, dass ein sämtliche Konventionen und gesellschaftlichen Vorschriften ablehnender Punker zum eifrigen Mönchsschüler mutiert. Das macht in Form eines klassischen 180 Grad Wechsels einen Teil des Reizes der Lektüre aus. Auch wie schwer und frustrierend es für den höchst unkonventionellen jungen Mann ist, sich der rigiden und mitunter sinnbefreit anmutenden Praxis zu unterwerfen.
Was im Gegensatz zu mitunter allzu positiv und vor Leichtigkeit strotzender Literatur zu Buddhismus, Meditation und asiatischer Philosophie an diesem Werk auffällt, ist die überwiegend unbeschönigende Bestätigung eines Umstands. Dass Lehrjahre keine Herrenjahre sind.
Und das zeigt sich besonders im Zazen, dem konzentrierten, auf die totale Fokussierung und Auslöschung sämtlicher störender innerer und äußerer Einflüsse konzentrierten, möglichst bewegungslosen Sitzen und Meditieren. Eine für Zen typische Tätigkeit, mit der der Grundcharakter dieser Glaubensrichtung gut verdeutlicht wird. Wo in anderen Ausrichtungen der Lehre mehr auf aktive Meditationspraxis oder Achtsamkeit Wert gelegt wird, ist Zen ein recht schrulliger Charakterkopf. Voller Rätsel und mitunter schwer nachvollziehbar anmutender Anforderungen wie eben dem Zazen. Die Härte, Rückschläge und mitunter Tristesse zum Weg der Erkenntnis werden schonungslos offen und ehrlich dargelegt. Das hebt sich angenehm von der stark verbreiteten, keine Anforderungen stellenden Wohlfühlsinnsuche, die permanent heftig in dieser Genrekategorie grassiert, ab.
Die Beschreibung der Motive seiner Sinnsuche und die grundlegenden Anforderungen, Übungsrituale und Praktiken gehen dem Autor gelungen von der Hand. Der Vorteil dieser Kombination aus Einschüben aus der Vita und Passagen der Beschreibung philosophischer und praktischer Aspekte steigert den Lesefluss im Vergleich zu rein theoretischer Literatur zu dem Thema.
Was aber auch den negativen Aspekt der im Prinzip Belletristik darstellenden Zwischeneinschübe mit sich bringt. Diese erläutern zwar teilweise die Motivation zur Wandlung, sind in der Majorität jedoch nicht direkt mit den praktischen Kapiteln verbunden.
Für Interessierte mögen die Erläuterungen aus der musikalischen Phase oder die Affinität des Autors zu billigen japanischen Monsterfilmen unterhaltsam sein. Mit anderen Vorlieben geschlagene Leser bleiben jedoch außen vor und können aus diesen Abschnitten keinen nutzbaren Mehrwert generieren.
Die Tendenz hingegen, eine relativ schwere Kost wie Zen in eine handliche und durchaus attraktive Form zu packen, darf in dieser Form gern Nachahmer finden. Es ist durchaus anzunehmen, dass doch der eine oder andere interessierte Leser bisher von allzu dogmatisch, esoterisch oder schlicht langweilig anmutenden Werken zu dem Themenblock abgeschreckt wurde. Diese Form der Darbietung hat das Potential, die Bedenken bezüglich allzu großer Komplexität und Unzugänglichkeit zu mindern. Da mit der Mischung aus mitunter gekünstelt lässiger Sprache und der detaillierten Schilderung der Lebenstiefs des Autors das Interesse geweckt und voyeuristische Grundbedürfnisse befriedigt werden.
Insgesamt eine zwar nicht übermäßig gehaltvolle, aber kurzweilige Art, sich der komplexen Thematik anzunähern und den Grundstein für eine Änderung der Lebensanschauung zu legen. Speziell jüngere Leser werden auf diese Art der Pfortenöffnung wesentlich besser ansprechen und Motivation finden als bei allzu dogmatischen oder realitätsfernen Vermittlungsversuchen. Und jetzt bitte Wand anschauen und das Geräusch nennen, das beim Klatschen einer Hand entsteht.

[Renda Dodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I've read on Buddhism.

At first the author started off with a real punk, "screw off if you don't like it" attitude, but by the end of the book he had changed. Because of the progression, it felt like, as the reader, I was going on this journey with him. I'd originally written Zen Buddhism off as the sect that "meditated all the time, and didn't care about ethics", but I was wrong. I quickly learned as I flipped the pages that I needed to take a second look at Zen. Not only did the book reaffirm a lot of things for me about my own morality, it taught me a lot of things too. The author may be a Zen Priest, but he's also a regular guy, with a regular job, who grew up in Ohio, and honestly there needs to be more Buddhist books written for Western society - books that cover actually Buddhism and actual meditation by actual Western practitioners.

Some of the things covered in this book, I knew. Some, I couldn't believe I'd finally found someone else that agreed with me. I recommend this book for anyone who's interested in a look at Zen or Buddhism in general that doesn't live in Tibet or Japan. This book makes the philosophy so accessible.

Something to note, this isn't a "how-to" book, there's no such thing. This is Brad's story of his life and what led him to Buddhism, with teachings thrown in. The hope is that you'll read it and start down your own spiritual path, not copy his. So if you're looking for a "teach me how to get there" type book, this isn't it, but this is a great start if you're interested in learning what Zen is all about.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hardcore Zen was a fun book, and a quick read. I liked the author; he seemed to be very keen to make sure the reader understands that Zen does not condone drug use, nor do real Zen practitioners chase after wild enlightenment experiences. He eagerly exhorted me to challenge all authority, including his own. A lot of the book was about authority, the spiritual quest, and the mistakenness of chasing enlightenment. These topics don't feel very relevant to me personally.

Hardcore Zen didn't really hit its stride until around page 130. I felt like Warner was dancing around the core of Zen (despite his title). He refers to "reality" a lot but doesn't talk about the reality of deep suffering, real disappointment, and emotional confusion, and how those things can be the gateway to understanding Zen practice. I guess I am still comparing Zen books to my favorite, Everyday Zen, Love and Work.

This was Warner's first book. I've heard his subsequent book (books?) get better, so I might try him again.

[Jocelyn Cole · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was given to me by a very well-meaning, music-centric friend (who handed copies out to many peeps as appropriate). So I had very high hopes. Unfortunately, the author's personal story got in the way of the Zen stuff for me. I found it extremely difficult to absorb any lessons on Buddhism or zen practice or even punk rock, because the author's voice kept getting in the way.

The back of the book urges the reader to "Question Authority. Question Society. QUestion Reality. Question Yourself." All excellent questions that should be explored. But this book, well-meaning and intentional as it no doubt is, didn't help me question. Your mileage may vary.

[Ray Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The word that comes to mind, surprisingly, is: crude. Warner is apparently a former Punk Rocker who has found Zen and written a book about it. He isn't the first to find Zen in the world of the mundane, nor the last to write a book about his discovery. I think of "The Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" and the "Tao of Pooh". It is always cool to explore the experience of one who has reached a place of bliss in the real world, but the grotesque and obscene make this book not for the faint of heart.

Warner has attempted through his own journey, to share the principals of Zen with his fellow human beings. In his youth, he was a Punk Rocker and as he matured, he discovered that he had a soul. He tells his story and teaches Zen with Punk Rock and monster movies as analogies. I think the lectured of Allen Watts or Joseph Campbell might provide equally valid insight, but Warner is speaking to an audience that relates more to being spit on than lectured.

In the end, this is a solid introduction to Zen for folks who turn off anything that doesn't bring them back to the mosh-pit. I wouldn't have thought it possible to make a point about the Buddha with a Monster Movie analogy, but Warner does it quite well. If you are curious about Zen and have no problem with leaving concerts with serious injuries, this book is for you! I thought his writing was clever, reasonably accurate but crude.

[Mariano · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much about Brad Warner, not so much about Zen. For someone who criticizes a lot the concept of an "authority figure", the author spends too many pages being one, patronizing the reader and throwing shit to other authors / Zen masters / musicians / whatever.

He speaks way too much about himself and his life, which (to me at least) is completely irrelevant, quite ordinary and mostly uninteresting. And he tries really hard to be funny in his writing. And (again, to me) he's not.

But if you can cope with that, make an effort and put that aside, there are quite a few interesting concepts and ideas for someone who is trying to learn a bit about Zen and Buddhism from a layman, secular point of view.

[Eric]

Very nice straightforward book. Unlike the Mathieu Ricard book, I don't feel the least bit embarrassed or guilty for liking it.

I enjoyed the emphasis on reality. Trascendental nothing. Was also somewhat reassured to learn that Buddhists do not believe in reincarnation (that's asking the wrong question).

Enjoyed the author poking at his own past misconceptions about Zen; or showing the kinds of places where you'll think you've got something down pat, but not really because you've only got it on a superficial, intellectual level; and especially showing the many "ah-hah!" moments that turned out to be fundamentally empty (haha). Nice warning signs. Don't be fooled by yourself, and especially do not be fooled by anybody who purports to be a master. Eat a tangerine and know reality. Probably not going to prevent me from getting it horribly wrong and thinking I know something. But I'm happy to have some advance warning.

Seems like the kind of book I'm glad to own because I might want to go through and reread bits of it again, bits that I might not have really understood the first time around.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

"People long for big thrills, peak experiences, deep insights. Some people take up zazen pratcice[meditation] expecting that enlightenment will be the ulitmate peak experience, the peak experience to beat all peak experiences. But real enlightenment is the most ordinary of the ordinary."

I myself have had a kind of "out-of-body" experience while meditating. I thought of those moments as more profound and supreme than all others. But Brad Warner taught me that this, once again, is just the ego trying to make you chase something artificial—making you believe that feeling ordinary is something to avoid. But true enlightenment can only occur in this very moment.

I loved the book and the laid-back writing of Brad Warner. I'm looking forward to reading more books by him.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished Brad Warner's Hardcore Zen. It was excellent. I'm sure I'm biased a bit since I have Buddhist leanings, but I thought it was incredibly interesting to gain the perspective of a Zen master who sits firmly outside the mystic bullshit that often gets dragged in to things.

If you want to learn anything about Japanese Soto Zen, while ignoring all the nitty-gritty ceremonial stuff, and as it looks through the irreverent eyes of a punk rocker/Japanese monster movie maker (Go Ultraman!), grab this book.

In the words of Brad Warner: "Question Authority. Question society. Question reality. Question yourself."

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's truly embarrassing, so I won't actually tell you how long I've had this book on my bookshelf, or how on the several attempts I've tried to get into it, I haven't made it past the first 15 pages before becoming distracted, or filled with a kind of silly dread that can takeover expats living in Japan for any length of time, that some other foreign person might know more, or be somehow more in touch with that part of Japan that you feel is rightfully YOURS, this is compounded by the second fear that not only are they pissing on your bamboo, but what if they get it WRONG!?

I've lived here for ages and have gradually acquired a massive allergy for books claiming to know or have 'solved' the mystery of Japan or the Japanese. (guess what, there is nothing to solve) I should probably write a book at some point to let the world know all of my... oh wait, no, -sigh- Irony kicks like a bitch some days.

Getting back on track, Warner's book is nothing like this, and rather than asking for nerd cred or worship, is very on point and offers a fun Gen-X point of view into how he got where he is, and Warner does it with enough DIY elegance that he never once slipped into what I would call auto-biographical masturbation like writing. He's fun, he's witty and if the message isn't clear in the beginning, it becomes resoundingly so by the end.

Yes this book is weird, and niche, but it's also a great place to start if you're looking for some insight into a bunch of different things, Zen being one of them.

[J Rudden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the frankest exploration of Zen I've ever come across.

When learning about Buddhism in school I always felt that Religion teachers would rattle off a few platitudes on top of a brief synopsis of the Buddha's life. It often felt like we were skirting around any sort of real understanding of the things we were supposed to be learning about.

This book gives context to all of those things that were clumsily explained all those years ago and in a super accessable way. It has me genuinely fascinated in wanting to learn more about Zen.

Tldr; Extremely readable, super accessable, will be re-reading.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best book I've read on Buddhism? No. But I did get some chuckles out of it and found the author's path interesting. I didn't get the same vibe about the author as some of the 1 and 2-star reviews. I guess every reader will get out of it what they want/need. Or not.

[Oakleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

REVIEW FROM 2023:

I had been obsessed by my memory of this book and the effect it had on me, but upon rereading it, found that all of the effect stemmed from a single passage on a single page where he quotes someone else: "From birth to death it's just like this". Attributed to an unknown Chinese Zen master, this sentence collapsed my entire life outlook into its most concise single sentence format and has stuck with me ever since. Aside from that 5-star concept, though, the rest of the book was a lot less profound than I had initially thought.

REVIEW FROM 2020:

We all want to be deceived by others. We want to pretend we believe idiotic philosophies we find comforting. But in the end, no matter how much we try, we can't possibly be deceived. Reality is always there.

I have always wanted to be religious but chance would have it that by my combination of nature and nurture, I'm a big fat skeptic. I'm not doing it (purely) to be edgy or 'punk', or to Question Authority; I just have a streak of the disagreeable that makes me leap to form an argument opposite to whatever is presented to me, whoever it is presented by. What drew me to secular Buddhism wasn't just the science behind mindfulness but it's frank disregard for belief. Zen isn't about memorising scripture or visualising spirits, it's about engaging in our best guess of reality (the right here, right now), and it's definitely not about floating away to someplace nirvana. I really liked Warner's stance on that - he definitely sold Zen in a really positive light.
I liked all the auto-biographical content and reflections on his punk-rock days. I also liked his humorous anecdotes and brutal honesty, and I even agreed with enough of what he said to bookmark whole insightful pages for future reference. However, as much as Warner claims he's questioned EVERYTHING, he seems pretty sure that he's got 'reality' figured out, and there was a lot of waxing lyrical about 'reality is an old guy in Cleveland' and 'you've won all of creation' and 'I AM someone else' and 'the universe is me and I am the universe' which sounded like mysticism to me.
Still, it made me think deeply, and that's all you can ask for.

[Dave Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and enjoyable. I'm not sure why I didn't give it 5 stars. I liked the author's basic approach of trying to avoid jumbo-jumbo. Maybe I'm disappointed that you can't really completely avoid jumbo-jumbo when writing about zen, or explain why you might want to try it, maybe because supposedly the experience can't be described in words. Will it make you happy? Probably not. Will it help you understand the world or yourself better? Kinda sorta maybe. Will it make me rich or get me laid? Very unlikely. Will getting started be difficult, and will practicing be boring and kind of a chore forever? Almost certainly. So it's a fun book on a topic that is hard to talk about or make sense of, and maybe makes no sense.

Let me illustrate by quoting a passage I like, from page 10:

"If you don't do that the truth can never appear. And if it doesn't appear in the way that you can personably grasp it without reservation, this whole world hasn't got a chance in hell.
But if you really thoroughly question everything, if you pursue your questions long enough and honestly enough, there will come a time when truth will wallop you upside the head and you will know.
But let me offer you a warning, which like everything else I say, you are totally free to disregard: the truth won't be what you imagined. It won't even be close. And you may well wish you hadn't chased it so long. But once you find it you will never be able to run away from it again, and you will never be able to hide. You'll have no choice but to face up to it."

[Peter Sims · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first time I saw this in my bookstore, I figured it was another gimmicky work and skipped it. When I went home I realized it was by the person whose website (now changed to the Hardcore Zen blog) I read and re-read because of its clear language and avoidance of the flowery aspects of Zen writing that have irritated me for years. The next day I picked it up, read it as quickly as I could, and completely found new inspiration for Zen practice. Here was an example of the feeling that someone was writing just for me.

Brad Warner has a gift for cutting through the aforementioned flowery stuff and actually presenting something useful and lucid. For someone that is interested in Zen as an active process and not just a vague new age concept, this is a strong, strong recommendation. I almost feel like I should apologize for not giving it five stars, but the strongest work of Warner's (to me) is his next book.

But easily the best introduction to Zen written since Suzuki's Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

[Mark Robison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d read this when it came out a dozen or so years ago and really liked it, and I just reread it via audiobook because I thought my nephew might get some value from it and I wanted to make sure. It was both better and worse than I remember it. It was worse because some of the writing is clunky — it feels like a first novel. And it was better because there is so much brilliance contained amongst goofy stories of playing punk rock and making a TV show about giant monsters. Warner talks like a real person, not like a Buddhist teacher who is all lovingkindness or all Zen inscrutability. He’s just a guy, and yet he cuts through all of the b.s. that often surrounds meditation and Buddhism. He explains like no other writer I’ve read the concepts of no-self, reincarnation and enlightenment. Simply great. The audio version is a kick. He’s just reading it aloud in his apartment and occasionally gets interrupted by his cat jumping on the keyboard and the refrigerator starting to hum. Grade: A

[DRM · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book should have really sucked in theory. Buddhism for punks, arggh! But Warner's self-effacing humor works nicely for his "this is zen for those who don't give a rat's ass about zen" and "question everything...including this book" approach. He weaves in his own life experiences without getting whiny and offers one of the more lucid explanations of the essence of zen buddhism out there. More than just some lame "alternative" marketing scheme, this book really makes you appreciate what the "sit down and shut up" approach has going for it. I'm not meditating or anything after reading it but I did find alot of truth in Warner's notion that enlightenment is realizing that there is nothing to realize. I also feel I have a much clearer idea about how to become involved with Japanese monster movies should I get the urge.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this book as a gift from my mum. She apparently thinks I need more balance in my life or whatever. But in a punk kinda way, because my mum is kinda awesome.

The issue with this is that I've never been especially interested in Buddhism. I mean, the ideas do appeal to me, and the basic idea explained in this book seem like something I sort of try to do as it is (without the zazen, that is), but I just... am not as interested as to actually start practicing, you know?

It was funny at times, and managed to make me think for a moment or two, but I assume "a moment or two" was not what it was aiming for. I probably am not part of the group this book was aimed for, not really. It wasn't bad, but it did not change my life in the way I assume the author hoped it would.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not your stuffy, bookish treatment of Zen Buddhism. It is a real expression of one man's circuitous journey to the heart of Zen. His matter-of-fact style coupled with a healthy sense of humour make this book not only enlightening, but entertaining as well. For people who have read a great deal on Buddhism and are looking for a new perspective or for those who are just beginning to explore the area, this is a definite must read.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very honest, down to earth and in your face discussion of Zen. Part memoir, part explanation, totally refreshing. I wasn't a huge fan of the personal stories about punk rock and making monster movies, but the rest was highly readable. It's rare to find a book on Buddhism this bullshit-free. Well done!

[Ignacio · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a bass player and hardcore punk fan with an interest in zazen and eastern philosophy, I connected to the author in so many levels. This book is my favorite Zen book so far. I loved Warner's no-bullshit approach and disregard of the more dogmatic aspects, and his focus on the core values of Soto Zen. It made me want to re-read other more classic Zen books in a different light.

[Fuzz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt like I was being yelled at the whole time which ironically wasn’t very zen at all.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brad Warner's Hardcore Zen is the author's story of his journey from his young years as a punk to his first zazen sessions, to moving to Japan and fulfilling his dream of working for Tsubaraya's company, to becoming a Zen master. Nothing more straight-forward and easier than that. Not! It probably goes without saying that this is not your normal Zen book.

Throughout the whole book, Brad keeps up his down-to-earth way of telling his story. In the beginning, I wasn't sure how serious I could take a book that adresses readers' sorry asses... I certainly had to get used to the style. And I wasn't sure someone who spoke like that, who uses that language, could legitimately be anything even close to a Buddhist teacher. However, the more I read, the more it grew on me. Brad has a past. He loves Nirvana and The Beatles and The Ramones and KISS. He loves Japanese Comic books and monster movies. He's made mistakes. He's had thoughts and fantasies that do in no way correspond with the idea of a "good" human being. He refuses to fit in, he's never been fond of belonging to groups, and only accepted his teacher Nishijima's Dharma Transmission (making him a Zen master) very hesitantly.

For Brad, Buddhism has nothing to do with all the rituals and robes and temples. It doesn't have anything to do with (fake) gurus who think themselves incredibly important. It doesn't mean you have to save the world. According to Brad, even trying to reach enlightenment is not what it's all about. Oh, and wondering about what happens after death, wondering about reincarnation, is simply the wrong question (after all, the Self doesn't exist the way we perceive it).

What is Buddhism about though? What is Hardcore Zen? The answer is plain and simple. It's giving your best in everything you do, be it your everyday chores, your job, greeting the neighbors, etc. (as opposed to "big" heroic deeds). Don't waste your life waiting for something to pass or to happen, or dreaming about the past. Don't live in a fantasy world, because reality is all you've got.
In one of his videos, Brad states that Buddhism/Zen is accepting a set of basic morals, and to sit. A lot. Even if it's boring. Even if you don't feel like it. Meditation/zazen is what it's all about. Do it every day. Do it for months, and years, and decades, and slowly, you'll learn. Brad makes it very clear that Buddhism is not the feel-good pop-religion so many Westerners think it is. There's nothing fancy about it. That's Hardcore Zen.

Although I think the I-used-to-be-a-tough-punk talk is a bit over the top, at least in the beginning, I must say that I really liked the book. My favorite chapter is the one on the Heart Sutra – Brad does a great job explaining it step by step. The book as a whole is actually pretty neat. It shows that you don't have to fit in in order to follow the Buddhist path. You don't have to suddenly speak and dress any differently. There's no need to stop listening to your favorite band, or to restrict yourself, or to expect that you won't make any mistakes anymore. After all, we're all human. We all learn, and all we can do is do what we do in the best way possible.

[Deviprasadh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really thought the authour was a tryhard, with that disgusting book cover of a toilet on a zen book, along the vibes of “look i was a hardcore punk rock guitarist but now i am a zen master”.

But i was pleasantly surprised at the revelations. If there is only one introduction book to zen soto buddhism u want to read id recommend this one. Best one i ve read so far (as of Dec 2024).

Some insane revelatory insights i had after reading this book are:

1. Law of cause & effect doesnt exist. The cause IS the effect.
2. You dont have something called “self”. Youre pure awareness analogous to a lamp, the enlightened ones are just more brighter. But anyone can get there with practise.
3. Zen is a philosophy of action & practise when not in action. Everyone attains enlightenment by practising and taking on maximum responsiblity yourself, then for others, then for some more of the world.

And so much more.

One of the best books have read this year on buddhism. Geniunely funny at places.

Absolutely delightful 😃😃

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd been wondering about Zen, mostly due to my practice of aikido. Not sure why. Actually I just don't feel like writing a book here. Anyway, I enjoyed this book. I know the author practices one version of Zen, and there are other opinions. The connection to punk rock is what got my attention. I was happy to see that he doesn't take that connection any further than appropriate, and quickly notes that punk usually creates the same kind of Authority that he believes Zen is against. Which I've been thinking about for many years now. He mostly lays off the mystical mumbo jumbo, and when he talks about "God" you know he is not talking about what Joel Osteen is talking about, at least I don't think so. This book got me thinking about a number of things, articulated some ideas that have been floating in my head for a while better than I've managed to say or write them, and overall was a really fun read.