For many new students investigating Zen Buddhist practice, the dialogues of ancient Zen students with their teachers - many of which are cited in cases known as "koans" - seem inscrutable. CAVE OF TIGERS is a wonderful gift to us. It records public dialogues (or "dharma combat") between students of contemporary master John Daido Loori at Zen Mountain Monastery in New York State. The dialogues are dynamic, spontaneous, and full of the spirit of moment-to-moment practice with a keen-eyed teacher. It demonstrates that the koan is nothing other than our life, now.
