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Novice to Master: An Ongoing Lesson in the Extent of My Own Stupidity Paperback – June 15, 2002

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 166 ratings

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Everybody loves Novice to Master! As you'll see in the glowing endorsements and reviews included below, this modern spiritual classic has been embraced by readers of all types.

In his singularly humorous and biitingly direct way, Zen abbot Soko Morinaga tells the story of his rigorous training at a Japanese Zen temple, his spiritual growth and his interactions with his students and others. Morinaga's voice is uniquely tuned to the truth of the condition of the human mind and spirit and his reflections and interpretations are unvarnished and succinct. His great gift is the ability to lift the spirit of the reader all the while exposing the humility and weakness in the lives of people, none more so than his own.

Read on to see what everyone from
Publishers Weekly to well-known Buddhist figures and even New York Times bestselling author Anthony Swofford have to say about this one of a kind book!
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A spiritual autobiography by an accomplished master of Zen, and also a compelling story of coming of age in post-war Japan. One can't help but be drawn to the genuine tone of Morinaga's voice and his sense of humor." ― Shambhala Sun

"Marvelous and a complete inspiration! I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. Just eat it up like chocolate!" -- Joan Halifax, Ph.D, Head Teacher, Upaya Zen Center

"This wise and warm book should be read by all." -- Anthony Swofford, author of Jarhead

"The volume has a soft poignancy and a certain presence within a tale well-told." ―
Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Soko Morinaga, was head of Hanazono University and abbot of Daishu-in in Kyoto, one of the twenty-four sub-temples of Daitoku-ji. After finding himself adrift following World War Two, he took up Zen training at Daishuin under Goto Zuigan, formerly abbot of Myoshin-ji and at that time abbot of Daitoku-ji. Morinaga later became the Dharma successor to Oda Sesso Roshi, becoming head monk of Daitoku-ji. He taught regularly at Rinzai temples in California and in England during the latter part of his life. He is author of Pointers to Insight: Life of a Zen Monk, The Ceasing of Notions: Zen Text from the Tun-Huang Caves, and Novice to Master: An Ongoing Lesson in the Extent of My Own Stupidity. Morinaga Roshi passed away in 1995.

Belenda Attaway Yamakawa is a longtime student of Zen. She lives with her husband and children near the Sea of Japan.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wisdom Publications; New edition (June 15, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0861713931
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0861713936
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.6 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 166 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
166 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book insightful and profound, offering clear teachings and a deeper rootedness in ordinary life. They describe it as an excellent, delightful copy that is well worth purchasing. The language is clear and accessible, with relatable stories and humor. Readers appreciate the engaging pacing and personal journey.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

18 customers mention "Insight"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful, profound, and relatable. They say it offers clear and inspiring philosophy that helps them understand ordinary life. Readers describe it as fascinating and educational, providing an alternative perspective on life.

"...This short book radiates both earthy good humor and inspiring philosophy as it traces the author's lifelong search for meaning...." Read more

"...It's a quick read, parts are funny, parts make you think and do that "nod" and most of the book makes you realize that you're not alone in feeling..." Read more

"...It explains well the things I want my students to learn about Rinzai Zen and the rigors of monastic life, while embedding these within a compelling..." Read more

"...And you will achieve enlightenment and the ultimate happiness of no stress, no anxiety, no hatred, no anger, no arrogance, no "me"...." Read more

16 customers mention "Value for money"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides good value for money. They say it's a great account of a monk's journey from novice to master, and a wise account of the journey.

"...Further worthy of another read are the sections where he discusses how enlightenment came upon him, as well as how he helped his elderly assistant..." Read more

"...This is a very good book - not great - but enjoyable and very good." Read more

"...A book by a person who did achieve enlightenment is absolutely worth reading...." Read more

"...the culture or wanting a glimpse into practicing Zen, it is worth a read. If you're looking for an entertaining story..." Read more

7 customers mention "Language"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's language. They find it clear, accessible, and well-translated. The writing is humorous, serious, deep, and informative. It's a quick read with funny parts that make you think.

"...Just because this book is written in clear accessible language is no reason to assume that it is simplistic...." Read more

"...The language is plain and each small chapter in the book goes over a different concept, yet they all build on one another...." Read more

"...It's a quick read, parts are funny, parts make you think and do that "nod" and most of the book makes you realize that you're not alone in feeling..." Read more

"...I'd found a third -- a book that is both simple and profound, that offers clear and direct teaching from someone who really knows...." Read more

6 customers mention "Humor"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the humor in the book. They find the stories relatable and honest.

"...This short book radiates both earthy good humor and inspiring philosophy as it traces the author's lifelong search for meaning...." Read more

"...It's a quick read, parts are funny, parts make you think and do that "nod" and most of the book makes you realize that you're not alone in feeling..." Read more

"...His present mind reports on his mind as a student with a kind and funny honesty...." Read more

"...There was a nice mix of humor, seriousness, and sadness from the author...." Read more

4 customers mention "Pacing"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and moving. They appreciate the personal journey and direct experience.

"...I found it very personal, inspiring and moving. The author doesn't dwell on over-arching comments about spirituality...." Read more

"...deep realization, and I find these transcriptions of his talks move me deeply. I have read this through several times and recommended it to friends." Read more

"Engaging. Personal journey was captivating. Part 3 was inspirational. Enjoyed it." Read more

"direct experience, direct practice..." Read more

Excellent book - but the Amazon envelope is a koan
5 out of 5 stars
Excellent book - but the Amazon envelope is a koan
A book I can't put down. The relationship between the author and his teacher is relatable. His present mind reports on his mind as a student with a kind and funny honesty.I'm not sure why but the Amazon envelope arrived with a large corner cut off.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2010
    How does one go from being a kamikaze pilot prepared to die for the Emperor to being a renowned master of Zen Buddhism living an Enlightened life?

    According to this book it's very simple. One becomes less stupid by diligent practice. This short book radiates both earthy good humor and inspiring philosophy as it traces the author's lifelong search for meaning. Complex issues are pithily expressed. Sayings such as "no one else can urinate for you" is a good way to realize that no one else can live your life for you or attain Enlightenment and then hand it over to you. The parable that the author tells about sweeping out the garden-- "there's no such thing as trash" --points out that we may be carelessly discarding things of value if we fail to think.

    Just because this book is written in clear accessible language is no reason to assume that it is simplistic. The best method is to read it once to understand the overall view of it and then dip into it day day by day, savoring individual sections. As it soaks in, certain passages will spring off the page and follow you for the rest of the day. Recommended for anyone who is curious about Zen Buddhism.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2007
    As a relative newcomer to Zen practice I took the usual route of acquiring books to try and show me how to put in to action these things I had decided I wanted to bring in to my life.
    When I picked up this book I was hesitant, being that it was so small and many said it was simply the story of a monk. There were so many other stories out there about the lives of monks but this was the story written BY the monk while he still lived. So I risked it.
    My appreciation for his narration knows no bounds. Within the first few pages was the idea that with all people and all things, NOTHING is trash. That struck something within me and I was hooked until the finish. The language is plain and each small chapter in the book goes over a different concept, yet they all build on one another. Further worthy of another read are the sections where he discusses how enlightenment came upon him, as well as how he helped his elderly assistant go through her cancer peacefully.
    This isn't the kind of book that will give you ideas on how to meditate better, or how to improve your ability to have compassion for others. What it does offer is a view of life in to a world where an individual who came from a very un-compassionate period and culture eventually \came to grasp the nature of reality and that he did not exist. It is not for emulation, but understanding the process and the peace and simplicity that is attained from practice.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2004
    3.75 Stars
    The title says it all - An Ongoing Lesson In The Extent of My Own Stupidity
    For me this book came my way at a good time. The point in meditation practice where you start to wonder if you're doing this right - where - to put it simply - you just feel like an idiot - just sitting there - just breathing - and feelin' none the wiser -
    The book is about the life of Soko Morinaga - and parts of his journey from novice to master.
    The best parts of this book are the funny stories of this Master as he was coming up - as he was learning - these stories are funny and relatable.
    It's a quick read, parts are funny, parts make you think and do that "nod" and most of the book makes you realize that you're not alone in feeling like an idiot sometimes - in life before, after and even during meditation.
    This is a very good book - not great - but enjoyable and very good.
    6 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2023
    Having tried many other books, I settled on using this regularly for exploring Zen in my university-level course on the Buddhist tradition. It explains well the things I want my students to learn about Rinzai Zen and the rigors of monastic life, while embedding these within a compelling personal narrative.

    Beyond that, from beginning to end, the book is about fear of dying, how the author came to be liberated from such crippling fear, and how he taught others. In this way it is not just a book about one particular set of religious practices. It seeks to demonstrate what it means to be alive.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2013
    Very few people are historically known to achieve enlightenment. A book by a person who did achieve enlightenment is absolutely worth reading. All of us think in terms of "me" and others, and rely on "thinking" to pursue happiness for "me" - this is so natural and correct... but is it? No. If you have the courage to put away all kinds of "thinking", after long term practice you will see a world without "me", and see the original form of heart that is like nothing you have experienced in real life. And you will achieve enlightenment and the ultimate happiness of no stress, no anxiety, no hatred, no anger, no arrogance, no "me". Yes you will, but only if you believe in doing so and if you have the courage and decisiveness let "me" go away. This book is the empirical evidence that can grant you such belief and courage. But even if you don't want to go that far, this book will definitely help deal with stress and provide you an alternative angle of perceiving your life.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2022
    A book I can't put down. The relationship between the author and his teacher is relatable. His present mind reports on his mind as a student with a kind and funny honesty.

    I'm not sure why but the Amazon envelope arrived with a large corner cut off.
    Customer image
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book - but the Amazon envelope is a koan
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2022
    A book I can't put down. The relationship between the author and his teacher is relatable. His present mind reports on his mind as a student with a kind and funny honesty.

    I'm not sure why but the Amazon envelope arrived with a large corner cut off.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    Customer image
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • gavin mercer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely worth reading.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 1, 2021
    This is a very pleasurable read containing some reminiscences of a Rinzai Zen Master. Interwoven autobiographical reflections, anecdotes with absorbing insights on religious life.
  • michele biotti
    4.0 out of 5 stars Di ispirazione
    Reviewed in Italy on August 28, 2015
    Il libro presenta la storia dello stesso autore, dall'ingresso nel monastero fino al risveglio che lo porta a succedere al suo maestro. Molto bella e interessante la descrizione della durissima vita monastica. Di ispirazione
  • Peter Linsener
    5.0 out of 5 stars You are interested in Zen ? Read it!
    Reviewed in Germany on February 25, 2013
    This book is kind of autobiography, however, its much more than that. While telling stories from different parts of his life Soko Morinaga is always allowing us to learn about the zen way. This learning is no intellectual thing, its more an invitation to try yourself, to reflect on your life. It is far from being dry, its written using a very eloquent language, is full of humor and its is truly deep, i we are willing to read carefully. While Morinaga was in the Rinzai lineage it should not hinder anyone from another zen lineage to read it, in fact the Rinzai specifics (if any) are minimal. I must say that I hardly ever read a book which was so easy to read and so meaningful at the same time. As you might tell from my review, English is not my first language and it requires me to have a dictionary with me while reading. This is no negative aspect but speaks for Moringa always looking for exactly the right word to express himself.
  • Helen Heggadon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightened
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 1, 2013
    I actually experienced a mini enlightenment with this book, especially about death. I have also bought other copies for friends it's so good.
  • QIreviews
    4.0 out of 5 stars Warm, simple profound
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 8, 2014
    A lovely exposition of the heart of practice, given from a wise and practiced Master. This is a very easy read and will suit readers with no Zen reading history as well as those who have spent years in practice. At the end the author reminds us to forget everything he has said.