What Book!?: Buddha Poems from Beat to Hiphop

This enigmatically titled anthology offers numerous delights and valuable evidence that great poetic variety, from haiku and witty two-liners to page-long discourses, has by now given distinct expression to Western Buddhism. The immigrant Buddhist teachers of the past century would indeed be amazed to see the range here. Yet, Gach's collection is also a disappointment, confused in its presentation and insufficient in its documentation. The goofy title, chosen out of admitted ""laziness,"" is slim in implication--Gach misses the pun on ""wat,"" Thai for Buddhist temple. The subtitle is worse, since this is not a collection about the Buddha as such. The collection also omits some classic poems like Gary Snyder's ""The Blue Sky"" and Jack Kerouac's ""Mexico City Blues."" Nor are the selections explained historically, linguistically or geographically. While the book's lighthearted presentation and eclectic inclusions will make it a valuable companion for devotees and sympathizing ""night-stand Buddhists,"" Gach settles for scattershot idiosyncrasy and offers only casual insight into Buddhism and poetry. (Apr.)