A Conversation Between Two Zen Nuns on Gender and Equality

[Bion]

Hi, all

A series of 5 videos has been published by Soto Zen International Department, showing a conversation between two respected Zen Nuns and teachers, Rev. Shundo Aoyama, who's been mentioned in one of our recent Treeleaf Special Events by one of our guest speakers,Rev. Myosho Brown, and Rev. Konjin Godwin. Aoyama Roshi is the first woman appointed as Seido of Daihonzan Sojiji. Konjin Godwin is the first woman appointed as Director of the International Center, North America.
For anyone interested in the topic and in hearing the experiences of these two women, here's a link to a playlist I've put together with the 5 videos

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL...NyK3ms0TF3ztmE

A transcript of the entire conversation is featured in the latest number of the Dharma Eye Journal, which you can find HERE. You can find it on page 6

🙏🏼 Sat Today

[Kokuu]

Thanks, Bion. I saw those come up in my You Tube feed this morning.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

[Bion]

Thanks, Bion. I saw those come up in my You Tube feed this morning.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

I was happy to see the videos posted. I really loved the article in the Journal when it came out, so this was a lovely surprise. Reverend Aoyama is just wonderful.

[emoji1374] Sat Today

[Nengei]

Looking forward to watching these. Thank you, Bion.

Gassho,
Nengei
Sat today.

[Jundo]

Shundo Aoyama is wonderful.

However, unfortunately, Konjin Godwin is someone whom I would describe as having discriminated against our disabled members and this Sangha's efforts to serve them. She had treated our efforts to open doors in the very same way as she protests the doors that were long shut to women in Zen training. The doors only open so far, then are slammed shut on others.

The talk about ending discrimination only goes so far. So, I would very much protest some of her statements in this video, and her discriminatory, exclusionary and biased actions which do not match her words.

Gassho, Jundo

stlah

[Bion]

Shundo Aoyama is wonderful.

Konjin Godwin is someone whom I would describe as having discriminated against our disabled members and this Sangha's efforts to serve them. She had treated our efforts to open doors in the very same way as she protests the doors that were long shut to women in Zen training. The doors only open so far, then are slammed shut on others.

The talk about ending discrimination only goes so far. So, I would very much protest some of her statements in this video, and her discriminatory, exclusionary and biased actions which do not match her words.

Gassho, Jundo

stlah

I admit I focused more on Rev Aoyama and took Rev. Godwin as a more “western” voice.. Sorry to hear you’ve had less than nice encounters with her.

[emoji1374] Sat Today lah

[Tokan]

Thanks Bion

This will be interesting watching. Has anyone else noticed recently just how much the media and politicians are weaponising transgender identity and rights issues? It seems to be the best way to assassinate the character of your political opponents these days. I'm glad we're such an inclusive sangha, but you don't find that everywhere. No names mentioned, but when I used to attend some zendo's back in the UK, all of the meditation halls were upstairs and I don't recall even one having a lift or stair lift - not bragging but when I led a zen group for a while I made sure the premises had a lift because we were upstairs too. It's fine to say 'we don't discriminate' but you have to actually remove the barriers if you want to live that truth!

Gassho, Tokan

satlah

[Bion]

Thanks Bion

This will be interesting watching. Has anyone else noticed recently just how much the media and politicians are weaponising transgender identity and rights issues? It seems to be the best way to assassinate the character of your political opponents these days. I'm glad we're such an inclusive sangha, but you don't find that everywhere. No names mentioned, but when I used to attend some zendo's back in the UK, all of the meditation halls were upstairs and I don't recall even one having a lift or stair lift - not bragging but when I led a zen group for a while I made sure the premises had a lift because we were upstairs too. It's fine to say 'we don't discriminate' but you have to actually remove the barriers if you want to live that truth!

Gassho, Tokan

satlah

The conversation is not about transgender issues, really. Just women in Zen

[emoji1374] Sat Today

[Tokan]

The conversation is not about transgender issues, really. Just women in Zen

[emoji1374] Sat Today

Yeah, it was just a reflection on equality/inclusiveness in general and how it can be co-opted in a negative way.

Gassho, Tokan

satlah

[Bion]

Yeah, it was just a reflection on equality/inclusiveness in general and how it can be co-opted in a negative way.

Gassho, Tokan

satlah

Ah, ok. Thought maybe the title might’ve been misleading.
There ain’t nothing in this world that can’t be used just as much for evil as it can be for good, so whatever it is, it has both uses. That means to me that I won’t ever be surprised. [emoji1]

[emoji1374] Sat Today lah