CULTURE / Books

‘Three Japanese Buddhist Monks’ explores the merits of reclusion

The quiet life: Meredith McKinney, who provided the translations for “Three Japanese Buddhist Monks,” says, “Reclusion is always somehow hovering there in the background of what Buddhism is — but it's not often in the foreground of what people generally think about Buddhism.” | GETTY IMAGES

By Kris Kosaka
Contributing writer

Jun 17, 2021

Tampa, Florida –

As some countries take tentative steps toward reopening amid the ongoing pandemic, it seems an apt moment to experience Japanese Buddhist thought and the comfort found in simplicity.

As part of its newest releases, the pocket-sized “Penguin Great Ideas” series offers up some timely reading on two centuries of Japanese Buddhist literature in “Three Japanese Buddhist Monks.” Composed of three short texts by Saigyo (1118-90), Kamo no Chomei (1155-1216) and Yoshida Kenko (1283-1352), the book explores the evolving revelations of Japanese medieval Buddhist thought in one easy-to-read paperback.

Three Japanese Buddhist Monks, by Saigyo, Kamo no Chomei and Yoshida KenkoTranslated by Meredith McKinney112 pagesPENGUIN BOOKS