Formative Years of Zen Practice

Last week I wrote about the various streams of study and practice that have gone into the White Plum lineage through its founder, Taizan Hakuyu Maezumi Roshi, adding up to an unusually rich mix of teachings. At the end of that posting I said that each of us in the family of teachers has added […]

Bernie's Training in Zen: The Early Years

The first time I encountered Zen was in 1958. I was attending the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn studying to be an Aeronautical Engineer. In an English class, we read The World’s Religions, at that time it was called Religions of Man, by Huston Smith (it had just come out). There was a page about Zen […]

Bernie’s Opinion on Zen Priests and Dharma Teachers

Keizan Zenji, the mother of the Japanese Soto Sect, helped spread Zen to the masses by nurturing the construction of Temples, by developing prayers for health, wealth and good being and by developing a priestly class to conduct these services. In time, the Soto Sect developed a unique plan for enlightened ancestors. At the time […]

Plunging at Greyston

To “plunge” is to assume the responsibilities and daily challenges of a line-staffer by doing their job for a full day or shift. The objective is to come as close to experiencing an actual work day in the life of an employee. Working side by side and interacting with employees in another department, brings about […]

Update from Aviv and the Israel engaged Dharma group

Dear Friends, It’s been a while since we sent our last report in English. We have several exciting and positive (!) developments to share but have not been able to make the time to properly write them down. Hopefully we will do that soon. Untill then through this video we would like to share with […]

New Zen Peacemakers Sangha Affiliate: End Hunger Network, Jeff Bridges

Founded by actor Jeff Bridges and other entertainment industry leaders in 1984, the End Hunger Network has a long record of innovative and impactful initiatives aimed at encouraging, stimulating and supporting action to end childhood hunger, including: ► Los Angeles World Hunger Event ► End Hunger Televent ► Live Aid ► U.S. Presidential End Hunger […]

The Dude and the Zen Master receives Award

Guys Choice gives out Awards in various categories at their Annual Event in Los Angeles. This year the Outstanding Literary Achievement Award went to The Dude and the Zen Master. In their words, “We blazed through these books and we think you will too. But was it the Dude or Willie who dropped more ounces […]

Ven. Dr. Pannavati, co-Abbot of Embracing-Simplicity Hermitage

Ven. Dr. Pannavati, a former Christian pastor, is co-founder and co-Abbot of Embracing-Simplicity Hermitage in Hendersonville NC. An African-American, female Buddhist monk ordained in the Theravada and Mahayana traditions and with Vajrayana empowerments and transmission from Roshi Bernie Glassman of Zen Peacemakers, she is both contemplative and empowered for compassionate service. Embracing-Simplicity Hermitage is an affiliate […]

What is Enlightenment?-Bernie Glassman

The word Buddha means the Awakened One. Awaken to what? My opinion is that we awaken to the Oneness of Life, the One Body. That is my opinion of enlightenment. This awakening keeps deepening and deepening. What do I mean by deepening? Most of us are enlightened to the Oneness of our own body. I […]