Manshi Kiyozawa

This is a short collection of essays by Kiyozawa. There is a brief biography of him as an appendix, which is very helpful in situating these essays in their historical context.

I've studied Buddhism for many years but I am just starting to learn about the Jodo Shinshu tradition. The essays in this book are very introductory and tame. Ah, but one, "Buddhists, Why Do You Lack Self-Esteem?" is a kind of rant against hierarchy, kind of like something Francis of Assisi would have written. The biographical appendix makes it clear how this rebelliousness was core to Kiyozawa's mission.

With any luck I will be able to continue learning about Buddhism in Meiji era Japan and get a better appreciation of the force of these essays.

One curious tid-bit from the biography - Kiyozawa studied with Ernest Fenollosa in college.… (altro)