Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way

Gudo Wafu Nishijima is a Japanese Zen Buddhist priest who began practicing zazen as a teenager. He is the author of several books on Zen Buddhism in Japanese and English. He is also a notable translator of Buddhist texts. Working with Chodo Cross, Nishijima compiled one of the three complete English versions of Master Dogen's Shobogenzo. Nishijima was ordained as a priest by the late Master Rempo Niwa, who was head of the Soto Sect in Japan. During the 1960s Nishijima began giving regular public lectures on Buddhism and Zen meditation. He taught in English and Japanese for four decades. In 2005 he retired from lecturing and now devotes his time to writing and publishing a blog about Buddhism: www.gudoblog-e.blogspot.com/. He celebrated his 91st birthday in 2010.Brad Warner is a Soto Zen monk, author, blogger, and occasional punk rock bass guitarist (Zero Defex). His books include Hardcore Zen, Sit Down & Shut Up, Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate and Sex, Sin & Zen. His writings can also be found in Tricycle and Shambhala Sun and on Suicidegirls.com. In 1993 he moved to Japan, where he landed a job with the company founded by Eiji Tsuburaya, the creator of Godzilla. The following year he met Gudo Nishijima Roshi, who later ordained him as a Zen monk and made him his dharma heir. These days Brad travels widely, leading retreats and giving lectures around the world, and is reported to be living in Brooklyn. Visit him online at www.hardcorezen.blogspot.com