Sawaki, Kodo: - Sawaki Roshi has had a great influence on Western Zen practice through the teachings of his students Taisen Deshimaru and Gudo Nishijima, as well as those of his dharma heir, Kōshō Uchiyama Roshi and his dharma heir, Shōhaku Okumura, yet Sawaki's own teaching has rarely been translated into English. The Song of Awakening opens the door into an understanding of both a great seventh century Chan master and a great twentieth century Zen master. It offers inspiration for the reader's personal encounter with zazen.