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The author of Hardcore Zen reveals how Godzilla is the ideal initiation to spiritual practice.
There have been books about the Tao of Pooh (as in Winnie-the) and the Dharma of Star Wars. Those connections are easier to make. It’s clear, for instance, that George Lucas was influenced by Buddhist philosophy when he created Star Wars. Yoda was supposedly modeled after a well-known Japanese Zen master who lived in California; and the Jedi philosophy often sounds like Buddhism to people who don’t know much about Buddhism. Plus, there’s a whole genre of books connecting philosophy with such wide-ranging pop culture topics as Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Star Trek, and even South Park.
But Godzilla and Zen? Those two might seem monstrously difficult to connect! Best-selling writer and iconoclast Zen teacher Brad Warner takes the reader on a wild ride. This controversial Zen master has long sought to strip away the sheen off many taboo topics in Zen Buddhism and exhibit a healthy dose of reality to his readers.
For the author’s previous books:
“Entertaining, bold and refreshingly direct, this book is likely to change the way one experiences other books about Zen—and maybe even the way one experiences reality.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review for Hardcore Zen
“Fresh, edgy, and insightful.” —Stephen Batchelor, author of Buddhism Without Beliefs
Brad Warner is the author of The Other Side of Nothing, Hardcore Zen, and several other books. He was ordained a Zen Buddhist monk by Gudo Nishijima Roshi. He grew up in Akron, Ohio and Nairobi, Kenya. He has practiced Zen for over 40 years. He plays bass in the hardcore punk band Zero Defex. For 11 years, he worked in Japan for the company founded by creator of Godzilla. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
Before We Get Started
CHAPTER 1: Zen and Godzilla
CHAPTER 2: Jesus and Godzilla
CHAPTER 3: Godzilla and Reality
CHAPTER 4: King Kong (America) vs. Godzilla (Japan)
CHAPTER 5: Zen Research and Development
CHAPTER 6: God and Godzilla
CHAPTER 7: Is Godzilla Good or Bad? And What’s That Got to Do With Buddhist Practice Having No Goal?
CHAPTER 8: Godzilla vs. Emptiness
CHAPTER 9: Godzilla vs Death
CHAPTER 10: Mothra and Reincarnation
CHAPTER 11: Godzilla vs Desire
CHAPTER 12: Godzilla vs Attachment
CHAPTER 13: Godzilla vs Karma
CHAPTER 14: Godzilla vs Ethics
CHAPTER 15: Japanese Frankenstein Conquers the World
CHAPTER 16: Godzilla vs Stupidity
CHAPTER 17: Godzilla vs Aliens
CHAPTER 18: Return of the Giant Monsters
CHAPTER 19: The Self of Godzilla
CHAPTER 20: The Mind of Godzilla, The Godzilla of Mind
CHAPTER 21: Godzilla vs Time
CHAPTER 22: Dreams of Godzilla
CHAPTER 23: The Eyes of the Green Slime
CHAPTER 24: Does Godzilla Have Buddha Nature
CHAPTER 25: Godzilla Alone Together With Godzilla
CHAPTER 26: To Meet the Real Godzilla