No Birth No Death

Essays, Poetry, and Calligraphy by Rev. Nonin Chowaney

About this Book

No Birth, No Death is a collection of essays, poetry, and calligraphy by Rev. Nonin Chowaney, abbot of the Nebraska Zen Center. The content was created between 1992 and 2016 and was originally published in the Nebraska Monkey (1992-1996) and Prairie Wind (1996-2016) newsletters.

I was inspired to publish this book due to a memory I have in which Nonin expressed to me that he planned on publishing a book one day. He was never able to do this, as the last years of his life in retirement were very difficult for him, both physically and mentally. Whether this memory is correct or not, I don’t care. Nonin’s works should not die with him. They belong out in the world, touching other’s hearts as they have done for so many already.

The creation of this book has been a labor of love. I started this project on Christmas Day, 2022. I had hoped to have it ready to go to print in March of 2023. Ha! It has taken 100+ hours over the span of a little more than a year to get this book ready for print. Special thanks goes to Rev. Kyōki Roberts and Eisai Elizabeth Muia for both their contributions to the book, and their support in this project.

It is unlikely this book will every turn a profit. However, if there is money left over after expenses, it will be donated to the Nebraska Humane Society in honor Nonin’s love of animals.

If you have any questions about this book, feel free to reach out to me via the Contact page.

Hands palm-to-palm,
Tessho Michael D’Elia
Editor