BIG EVENT I: Zazenkai with Monja Isshin: Live from Brazil, Saturday July 5th, 2014

[Meishin]

Hello,

Thank you all. Monja Isshin's distinction between wise compassion and stupid compassion spoke resoundingly to me.

Gassho,
John

[Shinzan]

Thanks to Isshin-sensei for her talk. The Q&A from Joyo and Jundo were the most striking for me. Thanks to them for bringing up how to work with generosity and our need for nourishment in practice, and how Japanese priest training does not bring forth the more humanistic (Avolkisteshvara) side of compassion. For me, this is about being well rounded in practice.
Thanks.
Shinzan

[Juki]

Thank you, Monja Isshin. It was wonderful to take part in this event. Thanks also to Jundo for organizing this event. I would also like to offer deep bows to Nengyo for notifying me of his connection problems and offering me his seat in the Zendo.

Gassho,
Juki

[Jundo]

Thanks to Isshin-sensei for her talk. The Q&A from Joyo and Jundo were the most striking for me. Thanks to them for bringing up how to work with generosity and our need for nourishment in practice, and how Japanese priest training does not bring forth the more humanistic (Avolkisteshvara) side of compassion. For me, this is about being well rounded in practice.
Thanks.
Shinzan

Hi Shinzan,

I would not say that Japanese style priest training does not bring forth humanistic compassion. It is just that they are generally not trained to counsel couples on marriage troubles, deal with drug addictions, students with psychological problems and the like that modern Western clergy are often called upon to do. On the other hand, I think that much of Western Buddhism ... especially in the "Mindfulness" area ... has gone too much into being a form of therapy, with Teachers who are professional psychologists more than Buddhist clergy in the Traditional sense.

Gassho, J

[Myoku]

A huge thank you,
many wise words to take to my heart,
Gassho
Myoku

[Risho]

Awesome! Thank you

Gassho,

Risho

[Daitetsu]

That was a great zazenkai - a big thank you to all who participated and made this possible, especially to Monja Isshin!

Gassho,

Daitetsu

[Kaishin]

Thank you to all

[Genki]

Thank you all! Thank you Monja Isshin for your practice and for a lovely dharma talk.

Gassho,
Genki


Björn

[Kokuu]

Beautiful zazenkai. Thank you, Rev Isshin for a wonderful talk and wide-ranging dharma discussion.

Gassho
Andy

[Heisoku]

Thank you Monja Isshin for a talk full of wisdom and compassion.
Gassho. Heisoku