What happens when a young Zen monk makes a terrible mistake at a public ceremony? What sort of reception does a well-known abbot get today when he visits his old teacher? The answers to these questions can be found in this fascinating translation of Japanese Zen texts by Trevor Leggett. From historical incidents to classes Zen commentaries, this is an account of actual Zen life—the life of traditional temple training—and a valuable guide to the meaning of Zen in Japan.