Don't Be a Jerk cover art

Don't Be a Jerk

And Other Practical Advice from Dogen, Japan's Greatest Zen Master

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Don't Be a Jerk

By: Brad Warner
Narrated by: Brad Warner
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About this listen

A Radical but Reverent Paraphrasing of Dogen's Treasury of the True Dharma Eye

"Even if the whole universe is nothing but a bunch of jerks doing all kinds of jerk-type things, there is still liberation in simply not being a jerk." - Eihei Dogen (1200 - 1253 CE)

The Shobogenzo (The Treasury of the True Dharma Eye) is a revered 800-year-old Zen Buddhism classic written by the Japanese monk Eihei Dogen. Despite the timeless wisdom of his teachings, many consider the book difficult to understand. In Don't Be a Jerk, Zen priest and best-selling author Brad Warner, through accessible paraphrasing and incisive commentary, applies Dogen's teachings to modern times. While entertaining and sometimes irreverent, Warner is also an astute scholar who sees in Dogen very modern psychological concepts, as well as insights on such topics as feminism and reincarnation. Warner even shows that Dogen offered a "Middle Way" in the currently raging debate between science and religion. For curious listeners worried that Dogen's teachings are too philosophically opaque, Don't Be a Jerk is hilarious, understandable, and wise.

©2016 Brad Warner (P)2016 Brad Warner Buddhism Philosophy Social Sciences Spirituality

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All stars
Most relevant  
Lot of audiobooks are hit and miss...poor narration, dry etc. Not this! What a beauty!! I recently bought the shobogenzo. I'm an ex monastic and theologian and even I struggled! This 2 volume work brings it into 21sr century comprehension...so you can go back to the original in the know! The guy is genius
..a real teacher who makes the difficult much easier to comprehend, with humour but not levity...with depth without dryness or excessive religious piety. Among my top ten audiobooks already...no doubt.

Cannot believe how good and useful this is!

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Brad Warner attempts to bring Dogen's teachings to contemporary English speakers and dies a great job.
If like me you know only a little or nothing about Zen Buddhism this will help you get some insight to its practices.
Worth investing the time.

Rogen for 21st century

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essentially a translation of shobogenzo part 1.
A little intentionally cheesy at times, inclusive of lengthy boring material included in the original writings. Valuable insights but perhaps better to read the original work instead

intriguing

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What made the experience of listening to Don't Be a Jerk the most enjoyable?

Exploring Zen through a slightly comical view

What did you like best about this story?

Different take and expression of traditional ideas

Have you listened to any of Brad Warner’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No

Any additional comments?

I will read another of his books I enjoyed this one

Excelent Book

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Absolutely sublime. One of the best books on Zen Buddhism I've ever read and superbly read by the author. For anyone wishing to get into the work of Dogen this is an essential read in my opinion.

Just phenomenal

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Read a lot of Mr. Warner's books but found this obscure at times. Just keep sitting.

Found this obscure at times. Just keep sitting.

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This is an analysis of Dogen theories. I was looking for an introduction to Budism. This would be suitable for someone with an understanding of Budism already.

Not what I was expecting

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