This is the fourth book from Brad Warner, dubbed both the “Porno Buddhist” (for blogging about Buddhism at the alt-porn site Suicide Girls) and “Buddhism’s enfant terrible”. Warner notes that no one has yet produced a book on the Buddhist perspective on modern issues in sex and relationships, and sets out to give his Hardcore Zen perspective on the matter. It includes a long and interesting interview with pornographic actress Nina Hartley, who shows a much stronger claim on the title “Porno Buddhist”. The writing varies from earnestly serious to hilariously irreverent, and he shows what I see as a sensible approach to everything from masturbation to BDSM. Like his other books, it stands on its own without requiring material from the others; this could serve as a (possibly shocking) introduction to Buddhist thought by showing how it reflects on familiar issues. ( )

Sex, Sin, and Zen finds Warner back on track after his third book, which was something of a dud. In this volume he tackles the modern Western preoccupation with sex from a Zen Buddhist perspective, and his conclusions on the proper intersection of Buddhist practice and sexuality aren't always what one might imagine. Warner openly admits that his take on these issues won't be free from bias, and his biases do indeed rear their ugly heads throughout the book (e.g. Warner is far more likely to approve of sexual fantasies and behaviors which pander to heterosexual male sexuality than those that don't). Luckily, his positions are generally thoughtful and well-grounded in Buddhist philosophy. If you're at all interested in Buddhist takes on sexual orientation, gender roles, sex work, and the gamut of human sexual proclivities, this volume will definitely make for thought-provoking reading.