Don't Be a Jerk

And Other Practical Advice from Dogen, Japan's Greatest Zen Master

By: Brad Warner

Narrated by: Brad Warner

Length: 12 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

A Radical but Reverent Paraphrasing of Dogen's Treasury of the True Dharma Eye

"Even if the whole universe is nothing but a bunch of jerks doing all kinds of jerk-type things, there is still liberation in simply not being a jerk." - Eihei Dogen (1200 - 1253 CE)

The Shobogenzo (The Treasury of the True Dharma Eye) is a revered 800-year-old Zen Buddhism classic written by the Japanese monk Eihei Dogen. Despite the timeless wisdom of his teachings, many consider the book difficult to understand. In Don't Be a Jerk, Zen priest and best-selling author Brad Warner, through accessible paraphrasing and incisive commentary, applies Dogen's teachings to modern times. While entertaining and sometimes irreverent, Warner is also an astute scholar who sees in Dogen very modern psychological concepts, as well as insights on such topics as feminism and reincarnation. Warner even shows that Dogen offered a "Middle Way" in the currently raging debate between science and religion. For curious listeners worried that Dogen's teachings are too philosophically opaque, Don't Be a Jerk is hilarious, understandable, and wise.

©2016 Brad Warner (P)2016 Brad Warner

You don't need to use bad theology

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, as someone who has been studying and practicing the dharma and zazen for over 10 years, this is a great way to get some insights into Shobogenzo. I've really enjoyed Brad's other books as well.

What other book might you compare Don't Be a Jerk to and why?

This is hard because there are not a lot of books that try to give you an understanding of a specific theological work. If you like Brad Warner I would recommend Dharma Punks by Noah Levine.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, Brad uses some really bad christian theology to try to prove a point. What I mean by that is; he uses theological ideas that are not grounded in the actual Judeo-Christian theology. But rather generic post christian reformation points you would get from an Atheist Facebook group, rather than true 1st century Judeo-Christian theology. This is the reason I'm giving this book 4 stars out of 5. I'm sure if Brad were to read a book by a Christian theologian and they were to make some of the same type of statements about Buddhist Theology to prove their point he'd feel the same way. If you're going to make comparisons make sure you fully understand both sides before you use them.

Brad Warner at his best

Great synopsis and "translation" of Dogens book Shobogenzo. Easy to understand in modern terms. highly recommend it to any practitioner of zen!

wished it was actually about Zen

it seemed like the book was just the author justifying his past interpretations of Dogen to haters from the past. I wished he would let the haters hate and just write the book to teach Dogen. it was frustrating because I was hoping to learn something but was distracted by the authors underlying plot to tear at criticisms.

Brad at his best

Brad explains the complex in a fun and engaging way. This is a great place to start getting into to Dogen.

Dogen is intriguing, Warner is somehat lacking

Good narration by Brad Warner here, and learning about Dogen is intriguing, though Warner seems to identify with ego more than one would expect from someone presenting themselves as a Zen teacher. He unfortunately comes off as overtly certain at points, regarding his interpretation of Dogen's teachings, where this does not feel appropriate.

His opinions on the use of plant medicines, for instance, may result from a lack of knowledge of the deep past of Buddhism and other wisdom schools use of sacred plants, which causes him to make use of low-resolution stereotypes that feel sadly uninformed and presumptuous. Again, too much certainty and lack of knowledge causes Warner to come off as a religious dogmatist in this area.

That said, some of his interpretation is quite serviceable, his intentions seem to come from a humane place, and it is great to hear another voice raising the wisdom of Dogen,even if one may disagree with some of the author's conclusions.

Audiobook version of this made it much easier to get through, as well. Narration seems one of Brad-s strong point. Kudos for the good work in this respect.

Awesome

Down to earth but not watered down. Whether you are a casual meditator or steeped in Buddhist philosophy there will be something for you in here. Brad Warner as narrator with a soundtrack made just for this book, he delivers a practical and fun dive into the philosophy and practices of Dogen. He uses modern and occasional slang words in the translation but explains why whenever there is something that seems outlandish. I come from the Tibetan tradition myself but didn’t find the “Hardcore Zen” thing to dilute the meaning at all. It was refreshing to have something so contemporary and oriented within subculture after many books that don’t bridge that particular cultural gap between traditional Buddhism and the modern culture.

I’d say get it. It helped me understand a few things. Dogen (and Brad) word things a bit differently than I am used to in the Tibetan tradition and it helps me understand some of these ideas in a different way than I am used to.

Enjoy.

OMG Stop hitting the mike!!!

It was so distracting. Brad is continually hitting the mike. Drove me nuts.

The book was interesting because he puts these old zen texts into current vernacular. I nonetheless found myself vacillating between this is profound and useful and this is mental masturbation and completely pointless.

But it’s hard to argue with the principal tenet of don’t be a jerk.

Great Book!

I liked this so much I bought the actual book for future reference.
I am looking forward to reading more of Brad Warner's books in the future.

I enjoyed this format

It happened to be my first Warner’s book and I knew nothing about him before it. I was surprised he narrated it himself. But I liked it from the first minute. Reading original Dogen outloud, giving different translations of it but honestly the best part for me was his adaptation and his personal opinion. All these components just moved me to another universe - Warner’s Dogen. So much respect, love, attention to the original work and translations!
My plan to listen to all of Warner’s books and after that to buy paper copies to work with text. Audio version is the way to go with his books - it gives so much more!

not Brad's best work.

I loved " There is no God and he is always with you". I really enjoyed " sit down and shut up". perhaps it's Dogen's writing style. I realize it's translated and paraphrased, but too much of this is nonsensical. maybe it's because it's a translation from 1000 years ago. I'm a Kaygu student (Tibetan school) so I am familiar with 1000 year commentaries. this one is not worth the time. could also do without the background music.

Just phenomenal

Absolutely sublime. One of the best books on Zen Buddhism I've ever read and superbly read by the author. For anyone wishing to get into the work of Dogen this is an essential read in my opinion.

Excelent Book

What made the experience of listening to Don't Be a Jerk the most enjoyable?

Exploring Zen through a slightly comical view

What did you like best about this story?

Different take and expression of traditional ideas

Have you listened to any of Brad Warner’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No

Any additional comments?

I will read another of his books I enjoyed this one

Cannot believe how good and useful this is!

Lot of audiobooks are hit and miss...poor narration, dry etc. Not this! What a beauty!! I recently bought the shobogenzo. I'm an ex monastic and theologian and even I struggled! This 2 volume work brings it into 21sr century comprehension...so you can go back to the original in the know! The guy is genius
..a real teacher who makes the difficult much easier to comprehend, with humour but not levity...with depth without dryness or excessive religious piety. Among my top ten audiobooks already...no doubt.

Rogen for 21st century

Brad Warner attempts to bring Dogen's teachings to contemporary English speakers and dies a great job.
If like me you know only a little or nothing about Zen Buddhism this will help you get some insight to its practices.
Worth investing the time.

intriguing

essentially a translation of shobogenzo part 1.
A little intentionally cheesy at times, inclusive of lengthy boring material included in the original writings. Valuable insights but perhaps better to read the original work instead

Found this obscure at times. Just keep sitting.

Read a lot of Mr. Warner's books but found this obscure at times. Just keep sitting.

Not what I was expecting

This is an analysis of Dogen theories. I was looking for an introduction to Budism. This would be suitable for someone with an understanding of Budism already.