Making Zen Your Own: Giving Life to Twelve Key Golden Age Ancestors

by Sensei Janet Jiryu Abels

This book traces the life stories of twelve key Chinese Zen maters who shaped what was to become Zen’s golden age. It stresses the humanity of these Zen ancestors, showing that they were not formed from a generic mold but were individuals with quirks, senses of humor, and unique ways of expressing the powerful humanity of Zen. Lively, accessible storytelling sheds light on their paradoxical teachings with clarity and simplicity while showing that the masters faced some of the same challenges spiritual seekers face today.

The book is published by Wisdom Publications and will be available for sale in late February either at the zendo (at a discount), your local bookstore in February.

“Janet Abels writes about the Zen Ancestors with clarity and depth of knowledge that comes from long practice and study.”
-Andy Ferguson,
author of Zen’s Chinese Heritage

“Through excellent narrative and her own deep understanding, Janet Abels has revealed the profound teachings of these great masters for present-day students of the Way.”
-Roshi Gerry Shishin Wick,
author of The Book of Equanimity.

“Making Zen Your Own gives us a strong presentation in spirited prose of the lives of the founding teachers of Zen Buddhism. Janet Abels clearly presents the personalities of these teachers, their place in history, and the individual’s contribution to Zen practice.”
 -Roshi Rober Kennedy, S.J,
author of Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit