Street Zen
Book description
Drag queen. Prostitute. Drug addict. American bodhisattva.
These words describe the unlikely persona of Issan Dorsey, one of the most beloved teachers to emerge in American Zen. From his early days as a gorgeous female impersonator to the LSD experiences that set him on the spiritual path, Issan's life was…
Why read it?
2 authors picked Street Zen as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
This book inspired my own integration of service and Zen. Issan Dorsey is a person who did not hold back. This portrait of a teacher whose creativity, love, honesty, joy, and compassion continues to awaken new possibilities for engaged Buddhism.
From Koshin's list on an introduction to Zen.
Tommy Issan Dorsey was a beloved Zen priest who founded the Hartford Street Zen Center in the Castro section of San Francisco, the heart of the Bay Area gay community. This book shows Zen practice that is for anyone interested, rooted in compassion. The lotus blooms in muddy water.
From David's list on interested in Zen Buddhism.
If you love Street Zen...
Tap Dancing on Everest
Tap Dancing on Everest, part coming-of-age memoir, part true-survival adventure story, is about a young medical student, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor raised in N.Y.C., who battles self-doubt to serve as the doctor—and only woman—on a remote Everest climb in Tibet.
The team attempts a new route up…
Want books like Street Zen?
Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Street Zen.
Share your top 3 reads of 2024!
And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.
1,588
readers submitted
so far, will you?
