One thing many might not know about me is that I have both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in religious studies. My focus in graduate school was on Islam–particularly modern Islamic political movements and fundamentalism–but I also was immensely interested in Eastern religions. So I still find myself picking up religion books here and there.
I just finished reading “Wisdom of the Zen Masters,” an enjoyable mash-up of classical Chinese Zen Buddhism text and manga art. Apparently the artist, Tsai Chih Chung, has a whole series of manga of various Taoist and Buddhist works (Sun Tzu too). While the format might sound incongruous, it actually makes for an entertaining experience. Zen in many ways cultivates a frame of mind that doesn’t take itself too seriously. And reading the text in a manga format also enhanced my feeling of being present in the moment as I read (sometimes with a standard book I find my mind wandering and I skip ahead and then have to backtrack and make sure I didn’t miss anything – that didn’t happen here).
So thumbs up to Zen manga. I wouldn’t have believed it before I saw and read it myself.
Presentation is often much of the battle when it comes to learning. I like this post. Thanks.
PF
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