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Zen Master Raven: Sayings and Doings of a Wise Bird
Book by Robert Aitken
208 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2002
7 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
Robert Aitken
88 books47 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Robert Aitken was a retired master of the Diamond Sangha, a Zen Buddhist society he founded in Honolulu in 1959 with his late wife Anne Hopkins Aitken.
A lifetime resident of Hawai‘i, Aitken Rōshi was a graduate of the University of Hawai‘i with a BA degree in English literature and an MA degree in Japanese studies. In 1941, he was captured on Guam by invading Japanese forces, and interned in Japan for the duration of World War II. In the camp, he met the British scholar R.H. Blyth, who introduced him to Zen Buddhism. After the war, he practiced Zen with Senzaki Nyogen Sensei in Los Angeles, and traveled frequently to Japan to practice in monasteries and lay centers with Nakagawa Sōen Rōshi, Yasutani Haku'un Rōshi, and Yamada Kōun Rōshi. In 1974, he was given approval to teach by the Yamada Rōshi, Abbot of the Sanbo Kyodan in Kamakura, Japan, who gave him transmission as an independent master in 1985.
Aitken Rōshi is the author of more than ten books on Zen Buddhism, and co-author of a book-length Buddhist-Christian dialogue. In Hawai‘i he was instrumental in founding the Koko An Zendo, the PĀlolo Zen Center, the Maui Zendo, and the Garden Island Sangha. A number of other centers in Europe, North and South America, and Australasia are part of the Diamond Sangha network.
Aitken Rōshi is co-founder of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship (now with a local East Hawai‘i Chapter) and serves on its international board of advisors. He has been active in a number of peace, social justice, and ecological movements, and his writing reflects his concern that Buddhists be engaged in social applications of their experience.
Aitken Rōshi has given full transmission as independent masters to Nelson Foster, Honolulu Diamond Sangha and Ring of Bone Zendo in Nevada City, California; John Tarrant, Pacific Zen Institute in Santa Rosa, California; Patrick Hawk, Zen Desert Sangha in Tucson, Arizona, and Mountain Cloud Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico; Joseph Bobrow, Harbor Sangha in San Francisco, California; Jack Duffy, Three Treasures Sangha in Seattle, Washington; Augusto Alcalde, Vimalakirti Sangha, in Cordoba, Argentina and Rolf Drosten, Wolken-und-Mond-Sangha (Clouds and Moon Sangha), in Leverkusen, Germany. He authorized Pia Gyger, One Ground Zendo in Luzern, Switzerland, as an affiliate teacher of the Diamond Sangha. He joined with John Tarrant in giving transmission as independent masters to Subhana Barzaghi in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; and to Ross Bolleter in Perth, Western Australia.
As a retired master, Aitken Rōshi worked with a few long-time students, and continued to study and write. His work, Zen Master Raven: Sayings and Doings of a Wise Bird , was published by Tuttle in 2002 [review]. His more recent publications, The Morning Star: New and Collected Zen Writings , and a new edition of A Zen Wave: Basho's Haiku and Zen , were released in October, 2003, by Shoemaker and Hoard.
Robert Aitken was a retired master of the Diamond Sangha, a Zen Buddhist society he founded in Honolulu in 1959 with his late wife Anne Hopkins Aitken.
A lifetime resident of Hawai‘i, Aitken Rōshi was a graduate of the University of Hawai‘i with a BA degree in English literature and an MA degree in Japanese studies. In 1941, he was captured on Guam by invading Japanese forces, and interned in Japan for the duration of World War II. In the camp, he met the British scholar R.H. Blyth, who introduced him to Zen Buddhism. After the war, he practiced Zen with Senzaki Nyogen Sensei in Los Angeles, and traveled frequently to Japan to practice in monasteries and lay centers with Nakagawa Sōen Rōshi, Yasutani Haku'un Rōshi, and Yamada Kōun Rōshi. In 1974, he was given approval to teach by the Yamada Rōshi, Abbot of the Sanbo Kyodan in Kamakura, Japan, who gave him transmission as an independent master in 1985.
Aitken Rōshi is the author of more than ten books on Zen Buddhism, and co-author of a book-length Buddhist-Christian dialogue. In Hawai‘i he was instrumental in founding the Koko An Zendo, the PĀlolo Zen Center, the Maui Zendo, and the Garden Island Sangha. A number of other centers in Europe, North and South America, and Australasia are part of the Diamond Sangha network.
Aitken Rōshi is co-founder of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship (now with a local East Hawai‘i Chapter) and serves on its international board of advisors. He has been active in a number of peace, social justice, and ecological movements, and his writing reflects his concern that Buddhists be engaged in social applications of their experience.
Aitken Rōshi has given full transmission as independent masters to Nelson Foster, Honolulu Diamond Sangha and Ring of Bone Zendo in Nevada City, California; John Tarrant, Pacific Zen Institute in Santa Rosa, California; Patrick Hawk, Zen Desert Sangha in Tucson, Arizona, and Mountain Cloud Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico; Joseph Bobrow, Harbor Sangha in San Francisco, California; Jack Duffy, Three Treasures Sangha in Seattle, Washington; Augusto Alcalde, Vimalakirti Sangha, in Cordoba, Argentina and Rolf Drosten, Wolken-und-Mond-Sangha (Clouds and Moon Sangha), in Leverkusen, Germany. He authorized Pia Gyger, One Ground Zendo in Luzern, Switzerland, as an affiliate teacher of the Diamond Sangha. He joined with John Tarrant in giving transmission as independent masters to Subhana Barzaghi in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; and to Ross Bolleter in Perth, Western Australia.
As a retired master, Aitken Rōshi worked with a few long-time students, and continued to study and write. His work, Zen Master Raven: Sayings and Doings of a Wise Bird , was published by Tuttle in 2002 [review]. His more recent publications, The Morning Star: New and Collected Zen Writings , and a new edition of A Zen Wave: Basho's Haiku and Zen , were released in October, 2003, by Shoemaker and Hoard.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 14, 2023
Think of Winnie the Pooh and friends practicing zazen and you will get a good picture of this book of modern koans. I like to read koans just to scramble my thoughts up every now and then. Original and enjoyable - (my guess is that Eeyore would rōshi of the group).
August 22, 2008
just read it you'll see or not..
December 17, 2012
This is simply delightful. To read it is to love it.
Want to read
December 17, 2012frfeefef
November 4, 2017
Oohps! I accidentally read it again.
Great book. I have read this several times and always find more in it.
I think it is unique in both Zen literature, and in the western literary tradition. It’s a hybrid of Native American animal stories, and the Chan/Zen koan tradition. Written in very short episodes it tells the story of Raven Roshi, his training, and his life as a Zen teacher with a community of friends that live in the forest. It is a story of Zen practice, and that of a community of practitioners as they meet over the years. We find characters like Procpine, Woodpecker, Mallard, Mole, Brown Bear, Owl, and Wolverine, and as one of my Zen friends said regarding the animal characters in the book “they are just like us!” In addition this is rich a koan collection.
Great stuff!
Great book. I have read this several times and always find more in it.
I think it is unique in both Zen literature, and in the western literary tradition. It’s a hybrid of Native American animal stories, and the Chan/Zen koan tradition. Written in very short episodes it tells the story of Raven Roshi, his training, and his life as a Zen teacher with a community of friends that live in the forest. It is a story of Zen practice, and that of a community of practitioners as they meet over the years. We find characters like Procpine, Woodpecker, Mallard, Mole, Brown Bear, Owl, and Wolverine, and as one of my Zen friends said regarding the animal characters in the book “they are just like us!” In addition this is rich a koan collection.
Great stuff!
December 26, 2011
This book of original fables, about a raven who leads a zen sangha comprised of other talking animals, ought to be considered one of the late Robert Aitken's most outstanding contributions. It is one of my favorite books about zen without limiting itself to a specialized audience: the wisdom that comes through these characters is perennial, concise, and often very witty.
June 30, 2017
A very confusing book, I don't think I understood any of it. It is quite long and sounds like it's trying to be meaningful but I did not get anything out of reading it. I found it in the humour section but didn't find it funny either. Really not sure what the point is.
September 9, 2016
When I received this book, and saw all the white space on the pages, I thought: Wow! It won't take long to read! Uh, wrong. It took several days to read, and I will go back and take even longer the second, third, fourth, etc. time through.
These little koans each deserve at least a day of cogitating. Some, I'm sure, will require longer.
This is a delightful book, and when you're doubled up with laughter at some of the sayings, it will dawn on you how utterly true they are, and how utterly true they are for you at that time and in that place.
Highly recommend Zen Master Raven.
These little koans each deserve at least a day of cogitating. Some, I'm sure, will require longer.
This is a delightful book, and when you're doubled up with laughter at some of the sayings, it will dawn on you how utterly true they are, and how utterly true they are for you at that time and in that place.
Highly recommend Zen Master Raven.
June 24, 2014
wonderful way of describing the Tao, like similar books, this should be read in a slow pace, allowing for the message to sink in. i'm sooooo loving it....
Read
July 22, 2019– Kaip galėčiau atsikratyti savojo troškimų?
– Kas būtume be savo troškimų? – pasidomėjo Rudasis Lokys.
– Galbūt reikėtų tai perfrazuoti. Kaip galėčiau atsikratyti savųjų prisirišimų? – paklausė Barsukas.
– Kas būtume be savo prisirišimų? – tarė Rudasis Lokys.
– Negi neprisirišimas nėra vienas iš mūsų idealų? – paklausė Barsukas.
– Kur radai, kad taip mokoma? – perklausė Rudasis Lokys.
– Argi tokia nėra pagrindinė Budos Aštuonialypio Kelio koncepcijos idėja? – nustebo Barsukas.
– Tvirtai įsikibk šio Kelio, – tarė Rudasis Lokys.
Varnas pakomentavo:
– Tvirtai įsikimbu į Rudąjį Lokį.
***
Aukštosios Eglės vakaronėje Dygliakiaulė prisiartintino prie Varno ir tarė:
– Norėjau tau pasakyti, jog supratau, kad tuštumai nėra jokio pagrindo.
Varnas atrodė sutrikęs ir išsigandęs, tada abu pratrūko kvatotis.
***
Varnas nutūpė į savo vietą ir tarė:
Dalykai tiesiog įvyksta. Jūs klausote, ar jūs girdite? Kai klausote, kažkam skiriate savo dėmesj, tačiau kai girdite, garsai tiesiog ateina patys. Sėdite kažkur atviromis ausimis, ir kažkur užburkuoja balandis. Tas garsas jus apibrėžia. Kai jau esate apibrėžtas tokiu būdu, jus gali apibrėžti ir kedrai, ir tolumoje esantis šeškas.
– Ar tai yra nušvitimas? – paklausė Genys.
– Leisk sau išgirsti balandį, – tarė Varnas.
***
Varnas vieną dieną sutiko nuliūdusį Teterviną ir paklausė:
– Kaip sekasi, Tetervine?
– Aš toks nelaimingas, – tarė Tetervinas.
– Kaip manai, kas galėtų padaryti tave laimingu? – paklausė Varnas.
– Nežinau. Aš daug neprašau, – nutęsė Tetervinas.
– Tikrai per daug, – tarė Varnas.
***
Zazen kyla iš įžadų; įžadai kyla iš siekimo suvokti; siekimas suvokti kyla iš visiško nepasitenkinimo; visiškas nepasitenkinimas kyla iš egocentriško požiūrio. Kai suvoki, kad teisingas požiūris tinka tiek šungrybiams, tiek šimtakojams, tavoji praktika apima ir maisto plovimą.
– Kas būtume be savo troškimų? – pasidomėjo Rudasis Lokys.
– Galbūt reikėtų tai perfrazuoti. Kaip galėčiau atsikratyti savųjų prisirišimų? – paklausė Barsukas.
– Kas būtume be savo prisirišimų? – tarė Rudasis Lokys.
– Negi neprisirišimas nėra vienas iš mūsų idealų? – paklausė Barsukas.
– Kur radai, kad taip mokoma? – perklausė Rudasis Lokys.
– Argi tokia nėra pagrindinė Budos Aštuonialypio Kelio koncepcijos idėja? – nustebo Barsukas.
– Tvirtai įsikibk šio Kelio, – tarė Rudasis Lokys.
Varnas pakomentavo:
– Tvirtai įsikimbu į Rudąjį Lokį.
***
Aukštosios Eglės vakaronėje Dygliakiaulė prisiartintino prie Varno ir tarė:
– Norėjau tau pasakyti, jog supratau, kad tuštumai nėra jokio pagrindo.
Varnas atrodė sutrikęs ir išsigandęs, tada abu pratrūko kvatotis.
***
Varnas nutūpė į savo vietą ir tarė:
Dalykai tiesiog įvyksta. Jūs klausote, ar jūs girdite? Kai klausote, kažkam skiriate savo dėmesj, tačiau kai girdite, garsai tiesiog ateina patys. Sėdite kažkur atviromis ausimis, ir kažkur užburkuoja balandis. Tas garsas jus apibrėžia. Kai jau esate apibrėžtas tokiu būdu, jus gali apibrėžti ir kedrai, ir tolumoje esantis šeškas.
– Ar tai yra nušvitimas? – paklausė Genys.
– Leisk sau išgirsti balandį, – tarė Varnas.
***
Varnas vieną dieną sutiko nuliūdusį Teterviną ir paklausė:
– Kaip sekasi, Tetervine?
– Aš toks nelaimingas, – tarė Tetervinas.
– Kaip manai, kas galėtų padaryti tave laimingu? – paklausė Varnas.
– Nežinau. Aš daug neprašau, – nutęsė Tetervinas.
– Tikrai per daug, – tarė Varnas.
***
Zazen kyla iš įžadų; įžadai kyla iš siekimo suvokti; siekimas suvokti kyla iš visiško nepasitenkinimo; visiškas nepasitenkinimas kyla iš egocentriško požiūrio. Kai suvoki, kad teisingas požiūris tinka tiek šungrybiams, tiek šimtakojams, tavoji praktika apima ir maisto plovimą.
August 14, 2017
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, provided by the author and/or the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Raven Roshi dispenses small bites of wisdom, that more than fill the mind. Some of these koan-like segments are humorous, some are insightful reminders:
"One evening Porcupine asked, 'What is the place of honor in the practice?' Raven said, "To be truly Porcupine takes practice.' Porcupine asked, 'Come on, Roshi, you don't mean just to be true to myself!' Raven said, 'To everybody else.'"
However, many of Raven's lessons were hard to grasp - either from the writing/presentation, from not having a deeper understanding of Buddhist teachings and wisdom, or both - it's difficult trying to grasp plays on words embedded within a vast philosophy, without yourself having a thorough understanding of the philosophy.
Raven Roshi dispenses small bites of wisdom, that more than fill the mind. Some of these koan-like segments are humorous, some are insightful reminders:
"One evening Porcupine asked, 'What is the place of honor in the practice?' Raven said, "To be truly Porcupine takes practice.' Porcupine asked, 'Come on, Roshi, you don't mean just to be true to myself!' Raven said, 'To everybody else.'"
However, many of Raven's lessons were hard to grasp - either from the writing/presentation, from not having a deeper understanding of Buddhist teachings and wisdom, or both - it's difficult trying to grasp plays on words embedded within a vast philosophy, without yourself having a thorough understanding of the philosophy.
May 12, 2017
I loved the use of animals all setting out in zazen practice and trying to uncover zen thought. I brought to mind quite a quaint image of them all gathering and conversing each day that is magical in itself.
In fairness I think I would have liked this book more if I understood more of the stories zen meanings, but that said, the ones I did understand were very clever and insightful.
I bought the book as a distraction, as the short poignant stories work well to be picked up and put down, as and when I felt the need for escapism from stress. I am going to pass this on to one of my Buddhist practicing friends, so it will be in interesting to find out her view, as I'm sure she will understand it better. I hope to update this then :-)
In fairness I think I would have liked this book more if I understood more of the stories zen meanings, but that said, the ones I did understand were very clever and insightful.
I bought the book as a distraction, as the short poignant stories work well to be picked up and put down, as and when I felt the need for escapism from stress. I am going to pass this on to one of my Buddhist practicing friends, so it will be in interesting to find out her view, as I'm sure she will understand it better. I hope to update this then :-)
May 8, 2024
This is one of the most remarkable books about Zen I have ever read. I don’t think you could or should start here but it’s simply an unbelievable book. Maybe a sixth of my copy is now dogeared. I came to it at a very difficult time in my life - I have been widowed at 41 - and I expect that I will be coming back to it again and again for the rest of my life.
Wolverine said: “I know that one. The source of anguish is clinging.”
Raven said, “what if the forest burned down?”
Wolverine said “I might feel liberated.”
Raven bowed his head and said “oh, well…congratulations…”
Wolverine said: “I know that one. The source of anguish is clinging.”
Raven said, “what if the forest burned down?”
Wolverine said “I might feel liberated.”
Raven bowed his head and said “oh, well…congratulations…”
February 9, 2020
Honestly, I didn't complete the book, but I certainly finished reading it. Abandoned. It seemed too underlined with ego for me to enjoy. I was assured that eventually this passes, but like an awkward moment in a bad sitcom, it's not something I care to be subject to for so many pages.
August 12, 2018
What is fun and perplexing about Zen koan's is they don't provide an obvious arc or conclusion. this is both interesting, perplexing and somewhat frustrating. Which is part of the point of a koan.
July 16, 2019
A delightful compilation of original koans, playing hide-and-seek with the mind. The most enjoyable book I've read in a long time. Seriously playful, playfully serious.
February 29, 2020
Гарний гумор. Вдало підібрано голоси і форми до вчителів чань/дзен із минулого.
February 24, 2021
my favorite of all Aitken Rōshi's books
March 18, 2025
A perennial on my bookshelf, I pick up and read a page.
December 29, 2020
This book was recommended to me by a practicing Buddhist. I enjoyed picking it up several times each day and reading several of the passages.
July 15, 2019
read it fast and really like it. Don't mess with me. Also, Don't accuse me of coping! Anndd....I don't want to be saved.
August 22, 2017
Koan told by a raven and the teachings of Buddha explained, even if it's not possible to explain koan, by animals. An old way to teach Buddhism revisited. I'm not the best person to review this stuff but I have to say that I liked to read them a lot.
Koan raccontati da un corvo e gli insegnamenti di Buddha spiegati, anche se spiegati é decisamente una parola grossa, da animali. Un vecchio metodo per insegnare la via del maestro, peccato che io non sono la persona giusta per scrivere una recesione sul libro, quindi posso solo dire che mi é piaciuto.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY FOR THE REVIEW!
Koan raccontati da un corvo e gli insegnamenti di Buddha spiegati, anche se spiegati é decisamente una parola grossa, da animali. Un vecchio metodo per insegnare la via del maestro, peccato che io non sono la persona giusta per scrivere una recesione sul libro, quindi posso solo dire che mi é piaciuto.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY FOR THE REVIEW!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews