American Book Awards
1 appearances
-
Edition 20 (1999) Winner
Gary Gach
ゲイリー・ガック
Gary Gach
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1947-11-30 （Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA）
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages
- English
- Religion
- Judaism (by background), Buddhism (lay practitioner)
- Residence History
- San Francisco, California, USA
Career
- Occupations
- Author, Translator, Editor, Teacher
- Active Years
- 1960-
- Affiliations
- University of San Francisco (lecturer), Order of Interbeing (Plum Village tradition, lay community)
- Influenced By
- Alan Watts, Paul Reps, Dainin Katagiri, Thich Nhat Hanh (Plum Village tradition)
- Nominations
- Shortlisted — Northern California Book Awards (Translation) for Songs for Tomorrow, Finalist — Lannan Translations Selection for Flowers of a Moment
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | American Book Award | What Book!? : Buddha Poems from Beat to Hiphop | — | Before Columbus Foundation | 受賞 |
| — | Nautilus Book Awards | Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Buddhism (3rd ed.) | — | Nautilus Book Awards | 受賞 |
American Book Award
1999
Work:
What Book!? : Buddha Poems from Beat to Hiphop
Organization:
Before Columbus Foundation
Result:
受賞
Nautilus Book Awards
Work:
Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Buddhism (3rd ed.)
Organization:
Nautilus Book Awards
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Preparing the Ground: Poems 1960-1970
1974 PoetryAn early collection of poems from the 1960s, exploring spiritual seeking and personal reminiscence.
spiritual seekingremembrance
The Pocket Guide to the Internet: No-Sweat Guide to the Information Highway
1996 Practical guide / Non-fictionAn accessible introductory guide to using the Internet.
internet introductionpractical information
Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Buddhism
2001 Religion / GuideA beginner-friendly introduction to Buddhist concepts, history, and practice. The 3rd edition was issued in 2009.
Buddhist fundamentalsmeditationpractice guide
Pause Breathe Smile – Awakening Mindfulness When Meditation Is Not Enough
2018 Mindfulness / Self-helpOffers practical approaches to awaken mindfulness in daily life for those who find meditation alone insufficient.
mindfulnessdaily practice
Bibliography
- Preparing the Ground: Poems 1960-1970
- The Pocket Guide to the Internet: No-Sweat Guide to the Information Highway
- Writers.net: Every Writer's Essential Guide to Online Resources and Opportunities
- Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Buddhism
- Pause Breathe Smile – Awakening Mindfulness When Meditation Is Not Enough
- What Book!? : Buddha Poems from Beat to Hiphop (editor)
- Co-translator: Ten Thousand Lives (Ko Un)
- Co-translator: Flowers of a Moment (Ko Un)
- Co-translator: Songs for Tomorrow (Ko Un)
- Co-translator: Hafiz's Little Book of Life – Gardens of the World, Wine, Wisdom, & Ecstasy
Translations of Works
- Ten Thousand Lives (co-translated)
- Flowers of a Moment (co-translated)
- Songs for Tomorrow (co-translated)
- Hafiz's Little Book of Life (co-translated)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- accessible explanatory prosemeditative proseconcise poetic expression
- Recurring Motifs
- Buddhist themesmeditation and mindfulnessspiritual quest and everyday life
Legacy
Gary Gach has contributed to bringing Buddhism and mindfulness to general readers and to international literary exchange through translations (notably of Ko Un). His editorial work earned recognition such as the American Book Award, reflecting influence across multiple fields.
Archives
- Materials available in the Internet Archive
In Popular Culture
- Contributed to popularization of mindfulness; his books introducing meditation and Buddhism are widely read
Trivia
- Hosted the Zen Mindfulness Fellowship weekly for 12 years in San Francisco.
- Known to swim in the San Francisco Bay.
- Has worked in diverse jobs including actor, stevedore, typographer, and legal secretary.