Dharma Delight: A Visionary Post Pop Comic Guide to Buddhism and Zen

Gr 7 Up—A whimsically illustrated guide to the basic concepts of Zen and Buddhism. Greenblat briefly describes dharma, Shakyamuni, and a few classical bodhisattvas and offers a simple introduction to meditation. Also included are a selection of Jataka tales and koans, some traditional and some of the author's invention. Greenblat recommends veganism, stating that it is consistent with Buddhism, and details other important elements, such as compassion and the cessation of desire. His original material, both text and artwork, set this work apart from other overviews and will either appeal to or put off potential readers. The fanciful and very colorful artwork exists somewhere in the nexus among doodles, primitivism, and comics and features figures like the smiling "Thunder Bunny cloud deity," a panda Zen master, and a "Sentient Bean." One of his Jataka tales centers on the Diatom Buddha, who eventually becomes Buddha Oil, which is used on a bike chain.