PURE HEART, ENLIGHTENED MIND

The journal and private letters of this young Irish-American woman span the three years during which she studied and trained to become a Buddhist priest in a Japanese temple, with the ultimate hope of establishing a school in Ireland. Mare Winningham's smooth and softly lilting Irish accent creates a compelling intimacy. She draws the reader into the description of sparse daily living and challenges, conveying a strong sense of the inimitable humor and stubborn persistence that allowed Soshin to thrive despite the rigors and deprivations of life as a monk. In the letters home, which are interspersed, Winningham reflects a quiet loneliness and profound sense of purpose. The simple eloquence of this contemplative life is powerfully presented. J.E.M. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: MAR/APR 98]