Soto Zen in Medieval Japan (Studies in East Asian Buddhism)
"Bodiford overcomes the ideological shortcomings of the traditional dichotomy between `pure' Zen and `popular' religion. . . . At the end of the book, a totally different historical and cultural landscape emerges." --Journal of Asian Studies"Carefully researched and set forth with finesse, Bodiford's study advances dramatically our understanding of the introduction and development of Zen in Japan. . . . [This] is the most important English work on Soto Zen to date; it is a `must' for any student, scholar, or practitioner interested in the genesis and early development of this important strand of Japanese Buddhism." --Journal of Japanese Studies"Rich and stimulating . . . highly recommended reading for anyone interested not only in Soto Zen but also in Japanese Buddhism, religion, or medieval history." --Monumenta Nipponica