Synopses & Reviews
One of the most beloved Buddhist books of all time-having inspired popular musicians, artists, a documentary film, and countless readers-is now in an expanded, new edition, loaded with extras. Absolutely absorbing from start to finish, this is a true story you might truly fall in love with.
At only 24, Maura O'Halloran left her Irish-American family stateside and traveled to Japan, where she began studying under an inscrutable Zen master. She would herself become recognized as a Zen master-in an uncommonly brief amount of time. Pure Heart, Enlightened Mind is Maura's beautifully-written account of her journey. These journal entries and letters home reveal astonishing, wise-beyond-her-years humor, compassion, wisdom, and commitment.
This expanded edition includes never-before-seen entries and poems, the author's unfinished novel, and an afterword that discusses the book's cultural impact. It will be a must-have for Maura's previous fans--and will surely find her thousands of new ones.
Synopsis
At age 24, Maura OHalloran traveled to Japan, where she began studying Zen, first in Tokyo and later in the remote northern countryside. Her journey into the depths of her heart and mind is portrayed in this memoir. Journal entries and letters home recounting her quest to become a Zen master reveal Mauras humor, compassion, wisdom, and above all, her endless commitment to awakening. Insightful and absorbing, Pure Heart, Enlightened Mind remains one of the most beloved dharma books ever published. Maura O'Halloran and her book have inspired popular songs, artists, and countless readers. This new edition will be a must-have for previous fans and is sure to find thousands of new ones.
About the Author
In 1979 Maura O'Halloran left a waitressing job in Boston and traveled to Japan, only to find herself studying Zen at an old temple tucked into a Tokyo backstreet. There, and in the remote countryside of northern Japan, Maura began a compelling journey into the depths of her own heart and mind. Her journals and letters home reveal the gentle humor, compassion, and profound wisdom won only by intense hardship. Insightful and absorbing, Pure Heart, Enlightened Mind offers an unmediated glimpse into her endless commitment to awakening. Published nearly twenty-five years after Maura's tragic death, this commemorative edition includes her previously unpublished letters and unfinished novel, adding new insight and rich detail to what is already one of the most-loved dharma books of all time.