Listen up, folks! Picture this: it's the height of the Great War in Europe, and our man Kurata Hyakuzō, a religious wanderer on a mission, decides to drop some serious wisdom bombs. He puts pen to paper and crafts a mind-blowing play called "The Priest & His Disciples" (aka "Shukke to sono deshi"). Now, this ain't no ordinary play, my friends. It's inspired by the incredible life and teachings of Shinran, a Buddhist priest from the 13th century.
Shinran, the OG founder of the True Pure Land School of Buddhism, stumbles upon the humble family of Hino Saemon and his wife Okane. And what follows is a deep, thought-provoking conversation about how to navigate the chaotic whirlwind of change and tough times. But here's the kicker: most of the ideas that come out of Shinran's mouth are actually Kurata's own brainchildren. He blends Eastern and Western philosophies like a mad genius, tailor-making them to fit the wild rollercoaster ride that was early 20th-century Japan.
So, dear listeners, if you're thirsty for a philosophical journey that'll leave you scratching your noggin and pondering life's big questions, this one's for you. But, heed my words, this audiobook ain't perfect. It's got its highs and lows, and our rating clocks in at a modest 2.5 out of 5. That said, it'll chew up a solid 5 hours and 44 minutes of your time, so buckle up and get ready for an adventure. Brace yourselves, the Expatriate, our trusty narrator, is about to take you on a wild ride through the mind of Kurata Hyakuzō. So sit back, relax, and prepare to have your worldview shaken and stirred.
