An American Zen Failure in Japan by David Chadwick

An American Zen Failure in Japan by David Chadwick (Penguin Arkana / 1994) 

' David Chadwick, a Texas-raised wanderer, college dropout, bumbling social activist, and hobbyhorse musician, began his study under Shunryu Suzuki Roshi in 1966. In 1988 Chadwick flew to Japan to begin a four-year period of voluntary exile and remedial Zen education. In Thank You and OK! he recounts his experiences both inside and beyond the monastery walls and offers insightful portraits of the characters he knew in that world—the bickering monks, the patient abbot, the trotting housewives, the ominous insects, the bewildered bureaucrats, and the frustrating English-language students—as they worked inexorably toward initiating him into the mysterious ways of Japan. No one interested in Buddhism, Japan or the workings of human nature will soon forget Chadwick's tale.' 

First edition softcover. Moderate wear to cover and spine including flaking off of bottom corner of front cover, but good condition overall.

Pages: 454