The Shinjinmei (written in the 6th century by the monk Sosan) is the first of Zen’s four fundamental texts. Thus, it is central to all Zen lineages and schools, and an essential source of study for all Zen practitioners.

Philippe Coupey, a contemporary practicing monk for over 45 years, reflects on each of the 73 verses of this famous text. Despite its ancient roots, the Shinjinmei is still dynamic today, and Coupey’s commentaries are fresh and relevant to life in the 21st century. His remarks are not based on scholarly studies, but on the understanding transmitted through a lineage of practice, teaching and commenting on the Shinjinmei by great teachers and masters of the traditions, including Coupey’s own teacher Taisen Deshimaru, who brought this practice to Europe in 1967.

The underlying message of the Shinjinmei is to avoid clinging to the extremes—left and right, good and bad, love and hate. The opening stanza reads: “Entering the Way is not difficult, But you must not love, or hate, or choose, or reject.” This clinging leads to the separation of one thing from another and is therefore the origin of many of the big problems in society today.

The first half of this book was the result of eight years of teaching lectures (kusen) during which Coupey made oral commentary on the text. The remainder of the book (verses 32-73) was created recently as written essays. The style of these presentations is less formal, and more intimately represents the dynamic spirit of the author’s practice. The entire collected work vivifies the ancient Zen text for modern students of the Way and is a valuable resource for all those interested in Eastern thought and religion.

BOOK REVIEWS:

The Shinjinmei (written in the 6th century by the monk Sosan) is the first of Zen's four fundamental texts. Thus, it is central to all Zen lineages and schools, and an essential source of study for all Zen practitioners.  In "In the Belly of the Dragon: A Zen Monk's Commentary on the Shinjinmei by Master Sosan", Philippe Coupey (who is a contemporary practicing monk for over 45 years), reflects on each of the 73 verses of this famous text.  Despite its ancient roots, the Shinjinmei is still dynamic today, and Coupey's commentaries are fresh and relevant to life in the 21st century. His remarks are not based on scholarly studies, as for some well-known translators, but on the understanding transmitted through a lineage of practice, teaching and commenting on the Shinjinmei by great teachers and masters of the traditions, including Coupey's own teacher Taisen Deshimaru, who brought this practice to Europe in 1967.  Zen today is often coopted by the dominant marketing paradigm, with all types of products branded this way, and loses its potency when it devolves into yet another form of relaxation. Not so here. Thanks to Philippe Coupey's frank style of speaking and writing, like his teacher Deshimaru before him, Coupey reflects a raw, unreserved approach more in keeping with the ancient masters. His commentaries are also more exhaustive and detailed than others published so far. People who are tired of self-development "Zen" books might find real answers (and questions) here.  The underlying message of the Shinjinmei is to avoid clinging to the extremes -- left and right, good and bad, love and hate. The opening stanza reads: "Entering the Way is not difficult, But you must not love, or hate, or choose, or reject." This clinging leads to the separation of one thing from another and is therefore the origin of many of the big problems in society today.  The first half of this book (verses 1-31, originally published as volume one, with the same title, In the Belly of the Dragon) were the result of eight years of teaching lectures (kusen) during which Coupey made oral commentary on the text. The remainder of the book (verses 32-73) was created more recently as written essays.  The style of these presentations is less formal, and more intimately represents the dynamic spirit of the author's practice. The entire collected work vivifies the ancient Zen text for modern students of the Way and is a valuable resource for all those interested in Eastern thought and religion.  Critique: Impressively thoughtful and thought-provoking, "In the Belly of the Dragon: A Zen Monk's Commentary on the Shinjinmei by Master Sosan" is a unique, extraordinarily informative, exceptionally well organized and presented contribution to the growing library of Zen studies. While especially and unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library Zen Studies collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, Zen practitioners, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "In the Belly of the Dragon: A Zen Monk's Commentary on the Shinjinmei by Master Sosan" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $31.30).  Editorial Note: Rei Ryu Philippe Coupey, born and raised in New York City, is a Soto Zen teacher in the lineage of Kodo Sawaki. He met his Master, Deshimaru, in 1972 and followed him as a close disciple. Today, after 45+years of Zen practice, Coupey directs a large community of practitioners in Europe. The practice is shikantaza: simply sitting, without goal or profit-seeking mind. Coupey is the primary author of several books, and others done in collaboration with Deshimaru. He also publishes Zen-fiction writing under the pseudonym of MC Dalley. He is a member and officer of the International Zen Association (AZI). 

-John Burroughs Reviewer, John Burroughs' Bookshelf, Midwest Book Review 

 http://www.midwestbookreview.com/rbw/aug_20.htm#johnburroughs