A candid, first-person memoir of a Rinzai Zen monk’s journey through decades of monastic training, detailing the daily routines, strict discipline, koan practice, teacher–student interactions, personal struggles and moments of awakening that shaped his progression from novice to abbot and teacher; part practical guide, part anecdotal record, it combines rigorous instruction, humility and occasional humor to convey how ordinary faults and persistent practice alike contribute to spiritual maturation.