Brad Warner

Born in 1964, Brad Warner is an American Sōtō Zen teacher, author, and musician. His early life involved extensive travel and a deep immersion in the punk rock scene, where he played bass guitar in various bands. This background in hardcore punk would later become a significant element in his public persona and writing.

Warner's spiritual journey led him to Zen Buddhism, where he studied under several teachers, including Gudo Wafu Nishijima in Japan. Nishijima ordained him and named him as his dharma heir, later appointing him leader of Dogen Sangha International, an organization Warner eventually dissolved. He has since established Dogen Sangha Los Angeles. His work often explores the intersection of Buddhist teachings with contemporary culture, including punk rock, monster movies, and personal experiences.

Brad Warner's engagement with Zen Buddhism began under the guidance of Tim McCarthy and Gyomay Kubose. His most significant training occurred in Japan with Gudo Wafu Nishijima, a student of Rempo Niwa Zenji. Nishijima ordained Warner as a priest and designated him as his dharma heir in 2000. Nishijima later appointed Warner to lead Dogen Sangha International, which Warner subsequently dissolved in 2012. He then founded Dogen Sangha Los Angeles. Warner's approach often integrates Zen principles with a raw, direct style, drawing parallels between the discipline of punk rock and the rigor of spiritual practice. His writings frequently explore themes of reality, truth, sex, and death through a Buddhist lens, often referencing popular culture and his own unconventional path.

Warner is a prolific author whose works bridge the gap between esoteric Buddhist thought and accessible, often provocative, commentary. His books, such as "Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies & the Truth About Reality" and "Sit Down and Shut Up," use the energy and directness of punk rock to discuss profound philosophical and spiritual concepts. He has also explored themes of sexuality, divorce, and the nature of spirituality in books like "Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate" and "Sex, Sin, and Zen." His non-fiction output also includes practical advice drawn from Dogen Zenji's teachings, as seen in "Don't Be a Jerk" and "It Came from Beyond Zen!". Beyond writing, Warner has directed documentaries, notably "Cleveland's Screaming," which documented the 1980s punk scene, and has a background in television acting in Japan.