The Flatbed Sutra of Louie Wing

by Ted Biringer

Overview

Near death, Louie Wing gathered together his students and friends to impart his final Zen teachings. Hearing that the great master would soon pass on, people came from all walks of faith to hear his final words. The crowd that gathered was too large to fit in any nearby building, so Louie Wing spoke from the flatbed of a truck in a wide field. These teachings came to be called The Flatbed Sutra of Louie Wing.

Through this allegorical character of Louie Wing, author Ted Biringer brings a life and a force to even the most abstract of Zen teachings. Inspired by the Zen classic The Platform Sutra of Hui-Neng, The Flatbed Sutra of Louie Wing brings an open, modern look at the classic philosophy of Zen. Driven by the belief that anyone can reach enlightenment, this book is made to be accessible for novices and experts alike and includes a glossary, short quotes and stories of Louie Wing, and an additional commentary on the Genjokoan.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940013929074
Publisher:	American Book Publishing Group
Publication date:	02/14/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	238
File size:	158 KB

About the Author

Ted Biringer discovered his affinity with Zen at the early age of 21. A merchant marine from the age of 16, his lifestyle precluded regular participation in a community and other traditional activities of Zen training. Nevertheless, he developed a regular routine of study and practice based on the Zen records and supplemented by personal interviews and correspondence with Zen masters from various lineages.

His correspondence with one master led him to a friendship with a long time Zen practitioner. For a number of years, the two friends operated a “roaming” meditation group, providing space and encouragement for people from all lifestyles in the Skagit Valley area of Northwest Washington.

In 1994, Ted Biringer began working with an American Zen master trained in the Japanese traditions of both Soto and Rinzai Zen, as well as the Zen tradition of Vietnam. For thirteen years he participated in dokusan (formal, one-on-one student/teacher training) with his teacher. Although mostly following a traditional course of koan progression, dokusan was often augmented by forays into the teachings of Zen Master Dogen.

Ted Biringer studied writing for two years under the late David Smith, the Northwest-based investigative journalist and war correspondent.
He is licensed as a Master Merchant Marine Officer and First Class Pilot. He works in Puget Sound as a Captain for the Washington State Ferries.