Author: Ishwar C. Harris
Publisher: World Wisdom
ISBN: 9780941532624
Released: October 2004

Written by one of my college professors, The Laughing Buddha of Tofukuji is a wonderful book. Not only is it an introduction to the life of a Roshi, it also provides a terrific introduction to Zen Buddhism. Professor Harris has divided the book into three major sections, not including the prologue, epilogue, and appendix. These sections are The Making of the Zen Master, which is the major biographic section, The Teachings of the Zen Master, which investigates Zen Buddhism, and The Humor of the Zen Master, which explores the use of humor in Zen. The book is easy to read and very approachable, even for a person who knows very little about Buddhism or Zen. I would definitely recommend it.