Brad Warner
Brad Warner is an American Sōtō Zen teacher, author, and musician, known for his unique approach that blends punk rock ethos with Buddhist philosophy. He is recognized for his accessible writings and teachings, which aim to make Zen practice understandable for a contemporary audience.
Key Facts
- ›Born in Hamilton, Ohio, in 1964, Brad Warner grew up near Akron, Ohio.
- ›He is a Sōtō Zen teacher, ordained as a priest and named dharma heir by Gudō Wafū Nishijima.
- ›Warner is the author of several books, including 'Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies & the Truth about Reality'.
- ›He has a background in punk rock music, having played bass guitar for bands like Zero Defex and Dimentia 13.
- ›He directed the documentary film 'Cleveland's Screaming' about the 1980s punk rock scene.
- ›Warner founded Dogen Sangha Los Angeles after dissolving Gudō Wafū Nishijima's Dogen Sangha International.
Important Relationships
- Gudō Wafū Nishijima
- Tim Mccarthy
- Gyomay Kubose
- Rempo Niwa Zenji
- Zero Defex
- Dimentia 13
- Suicidegirls
- Tsuburaya Productions
- JET Programme
- Dogen Sangha International
- Dogen Sangha Los Angeles
- Death To All Monsters!
- Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies & the Truth About Reality
- Sit Down and Shut Up: Punk Rock Commentaries On Buddha, God, Truth, Sex, Death, and Dogen's Treasury of the Right Dharma Eye
- Zen Wrapped In Karma Dipped In Chocolate: A Trip Through Death, Sex, Divorce, and Spiritual Celebrity In Search of the True Dharma
- Sex, Sin, and Zen: A Buddhist Exploration of Sex From Celibacy To Polyamory and Everything In Between
- Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way: Nagarjuna's Mulamadhyamakakarika
- Hardcore Zen Strikes Again!
- There Is No God and He Is Always With You: A Search For God In Odd Places
- Don'T Be A Jerk: and Other Practical Advice From Dogen, Japan's Greatest Zen Master
- It Came From Beyond Zen!: More Practical Advice From Dogen, Japan's Greatest Zen Master: 2
- Letters To A Dead Friend About Zen
- the Other Side of Nothing: the Zen Ethics of Time, Space, and Being
Akron, Ohio, Hamilton, Ohio, Nairobi, Kenya, Japan, California, Los Angeles
Gudō Wafū Nishijima, DōGen
English
Priest
About Brad Warner
Brad Warner (born March 5, 1964) is an American Sōtō Zen teacher, author, blogger, documentarian, and musician. He is recognized for his distinctive approach to Buddhism, which often integrates teachings with elements of punk rock culture, monster movies, and contemporary life. Warner's work aims to make the principles of Zen practice accessible to a broad audience.
Life and Early Career
Born in Hamilton, Ohio, Warner's childhood included time spent in Nairobi, Kenya, before his family settled near Akron, Ohio. He attended Kent State University. As a teenager, he became involved in the 1980s hardcore punk scene, auditioning for and joining the band Zero Defex as a bass guitarist. His musical career continued with bands such as Dimentia 13. Warner also worked in Japan with the JET Programme and later with Tsuburaya Productions, the company behind the "Ultraman" series, where he acted in various foreign roles.
Zen Buddhist Practice and Teachings
Warner began his Zen Buddhist practice under his first teacher, Tim McCarthy, and later studied with Gyomay Kubose. While in Japan, he trained with Gudō Wafu Nishijima, a student of Rempo Niwa Zenji. Nishijima ordained Warner as a priest and recognized him as his dharma heir in 2000. In 2007, Nishijima appointed Warner as the leader of Dogen Sangha International, an organization Warner later dissolved in 2012, subsequently founding Dogen Sangha Los Angeles in California.
Notable Works and Contributions
As an author, Warner has published numerous books that explore Buddhist philosophy through a popular culture lens. His notable works include "Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies & the Truth About Reality" (2003), "Sit Down and Shut Up: Punk Rock Commentaries on Buddha, God, Truth, Sex, Death, and Dogen's Treasury of the Right Dharma Eye" (2007), and "Don't Be a Jerk: And Other Practical Advice from Dogen, Japan's Greatest Zen Master" (2016). He also directed the 2007 documentary "Cleveland's Screaming," which examines the punk rock scene of Akron and Cleveland in the 1980s. His work has been the subject of a film, "Brad Warner's Hardcore Zen," released in 2013.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Brad Warner?
Brad Warner is an American Sōtō Zen teacher, author, blogger, documentarian, and musician. He is known for his blend of punk rock culture and Buddhist teachings.
What is Brad Warner's background in Zen Buddhism?
Warner began practicing Zen under Tim McCarthy and Gyomay Kubose. He later trained with Gudō Wafū Nishijima in Japan, who ordained him as a priest and designated him as his dharma heir.
What are some of Brad Warner's notable books?
His notable books include 'Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies & the Truth About Reality,' 'Sit Down and Shut Up,' and 'Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate.'
What is Brad Warner's connection to punk rock?
Warner was involved in the hardcore punk scene as a teenager and played bass guitar for several bands, including Zero Defex and Dimentia 13. His writing often incorporates punk rock themes and perspectives.
Has Brad Warner directed any films?
Yes, in 2007, he directed the documentary film 'Cleveland's Screaming,' which explores the punk rock scene in Akron and Cleveland during the 1980s.
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