Dogs, Trees, Beards and Other Wonders-- An irreverent and sometimes humorous look at a major classic of Zen literature. Ken Tetsuzan, a third generation American Dharma teacher, brings the Zen koan into the Twenty-first Century. Zen has always refused to be bound by the letter of Buddhist teachings but still remains true to the spirit. This book is no exception. It will not only help the Zen student of today see more clearly into the nature of the questions and their relevance in a post-modern world, it will appeal to the general reader who is looking for a first-hand introduction to the Zen koan and all the questions embedded there.

The Buddha's Teaching directly addresses the problems of birth, aging, sickness, and death, allowing its practitioners to transcend affliction. It is therefore the highest form of compassion. The heart of this teaching is Dhyana, sometimes called Zen or Chan. In this heart of Buddhism, it is understood that the ultimate compassion of the Buddha's Teaching is a self-evident truth that that can be realized in this life. The heart of this teaching is not foreign to Western mind because the fundamental human problems of birth, aging, sickness, and death are not foreign. However, when teachers' conduct and words do not match, there is a serious problem. Should Zen teachers be immune to the results of their actions, their transgressions buried to preserve teaching lines? Master Laughing Cloud is a Western lay practitioner who writes from the direct experience of more than forty years of arduous bare-knuckled practice that took the form of Western Zen, Chinese Chan, and, ultimately, Dhyana Buddhism. Taking The Buddha's Teaching is an odyssey of unlikely beginnings, courageous encounters, and overcoming betrayal through unrelenting practice. This approachable and sincere autobiography illuminates the way to realizing the nature of Self and Universe and how even when facing adversity, one can be a light unto oneself. In this present-day continuum of war, civil inequality, and financial instability, it is the greatest of blessings to come to the open gate of The Buddha's Teaching. If you aspire to fully enter The Great Way, this book is indispensable reading.