One Bird, One Stone is a distinctly American take on the ancient tradition and practice of Zen. Drawn from the archives of the major Zen centers of America and interviews with some of the most seminal figures of American Zen, it surveys the first 108 years of Zen's transmigration to America. For many, the introduction to the eccentric and paradoxical world of Zen has been the classic work Zen Flesh, Zen Bones. These traditional tales of ancient Chinese Zen record the "mind to mind" encounters between early Zen masters and their students revealing the dharma (the "truth"). One Bird, One Stone collects notable encounters between teachers and students, the moments of insight and wisdom, the quotable quotes, and the humor of Zen as it flowered in America.

As a religion, Zen is an enigma to most. It has voluminous texts, but relies on no scriptures; has countless sayings, but refutes all dogma; and has only one, albeit seemingly impossible imperative - namely, to attain enlightenment. In little over a century, Zen Buddhism has taken firm root in the American consciousness with an estimated one million active practitioners and hundreds of centers and zazen (sitting)groups throughout the United States.