Recorded January 3, 2026.

Roshi Martin reads the Opening, Thanks, and Introduction of his new book -- "Finding Your Buddha Smile: Coming Home (to What Zen is Really All About)."

From the Intro: There are lots of ways to be happy, some selfish, some naive, some fleeting, some more lasting. The kind I have in mind is of the more lasting sort, the kind that can only come after troubles, after experiencing and suffering the fundamental difficulties of an ordinary human life. . . . What, leads to real happiness? According to legend the historic Buddha, 2,500 years ago, ran into this fundamental problem at the age of twenty-nine. His great enlightenment (of which there are endless degrees and which koans help us start opening) was transformative. The previously traumatized ex-prince, Siddhartha Gautama, through deepest realization, found the essence of happiness. And his face blossomed—into a smile.

Photo of smiling Buddha, Lung-Men Caves, China taken by Rafe Martin

Read Roshi Rafe Martin's latest book:  Finding Your Buddha Smile: Coming Home To What Zen is Really All About.  Available from Amazon and Sumeru Books.

• Books by Roshi Rafe Martin
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• More information at endlesspathzen.org