Soto Zen in Medieval Japan

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