I've searched and searched for a way to add a new book not listed in the zaadz or amazon book list and have been unsuccessful.  So as a temporary expedient I'm posting a review of a terrific book I've recently read.

Trekking through Hell to Find Heaven; Experiencing traditional Japanese Buddhist Seminary by Rev. Jion Prosser, 2007

This book is a rare find this side of the Pacific Ocean, and should be of great interest to a very large audience. Western academics of Eastern Religions, Japanophiles, Buddhist practioners, and those that just enjoy a good read of travels and adventures will enjoy this book on many different levels.

"Trekking Through Hell To Find Heaven" is the first published first hand English account of the Tendai Buddhist novice priest training, referred to as Gyo-In. You'll find between its pages an account of what is nothing short of a spiritual boot camp that is both physically and spiritually demanding. Interspersed throughout Rev. Jion's Gyo-In experience are related stories spanning his ten years of training in Japan and subsequent experiences at the Hawaiian Tendai Mission.

There really isn't an equivalent type of organized training in the West. When picking up this book be ready for a most eye opening read of what makes up every Tendai priest's personal background. Rev. Jion describes both the exoteric and esoteric phases of training, the struggles of the mid-term and final exams, the strenuous mountain circuits to various holy shrines, and many other enlightening aspects of this one of a kind school atop Mt. Hiei. This book is a definite page turner from beginning to end.

I had a very special opportunity the other day.  After almost eight years since our first meeting via that great internet communications tool IM I met in person a friend and fellow Tendai Buddhist practitioner.  There is something to be said about being able to look into another persons eyes and experience their presense in person.  But this is a subject for a blog at another time.

On Monday, November 12th it was to be that I and Rev. Jion Prosser who's spiritual voyage has spanned continents and consumed almost two decades of personal spiritual work were to finally meet at the small private Tendai temple Jion-ji located in Southern California.  Tendai is one of the oldest, and considered the mother of most Japanese Buddhist sects.  Yet the exposure of Tendai in the West has been limited when compared to other Japanese Buddhist sects such as Zen, Jodo Shinshu, and Nichiren Buddhism.  There are many reasons for the limited exposure that could take up many blogs and ignite many discussions.  But one of the reasons isn't because Tendai doesn't have a message for the West of today.

In reality Tendai's Chinese founder, the Buddhist monk Chih'I (538 - 597CE), developed a teaching that has spanned the centuries.  Tendai's teachings, which center on the Lotus Sutra, are alive and as vital for our spiritual lives today as they were when he taught on Mount Tien'tai in southern China all those years ago.  So it is with great excitement in my heart that I see compassionate leaders well versed in Buddhist teachings taking the initiative to bring these timeless teachings to Western minds.

The karmic seed was brought from the East and planted many years ago by Bodhisattvas of an earlier generation.  It has now taken root and the sprout has broken the surface of the earth.  The timing couldn't have been better as the need for compassionate leadership has never been more in demand than our current age.  I consider myself very fortunate to be a witness of Tendai's growth and a student of it's teachings.

Rev. Jion Prosser's Tendai out reach program can be found at Tendai Lotus Teachings.

Information on Chih'I and his teachings can be found at Tientai.net