Those who follow the various doings of the Zen community online or just read this blog may well be aware of the controversies regarding the gigantic Buddhist portal, E-sangha. There have been numerous allegations over the years that views not congruent with their own are silenced. These include banning highly controversial organizations, and no doubt disruptive and aggressive behaviors. But their control of the range of opinion that may be expressed also dipped into the mainstream of contemporary world Buddhism. In particular there have been problems with both the emergent Western Vipassana community and with Zen.
I’ve followed the events regarding Zen with interest.
Clearly the views taught in normative Zen communities were considered heretical by the moderators, or rather the owner, as the purges that have taken place include removal of various moderators.
This culminated recently with the “banning” of Roshi Nonin Chowaney, one of our most respected western Zen teachers. Before this event I had some reservations about the controversy as the most notable figure pointing to the problems is a teacher with an in your face style that I felt could have contributed to the situation. But Nonin is a kind and unfailingly generous writer, and stands at the conservative end of our contemporary Zen spectrum.
As such I’ve felt it important to hold up these issues to those who wish to learn about Zen Buddhism and are seeking honest and responsible sources.
And, now, I’m happy to report there is an attempt at establishing an alternative web forum for those who wish to discuss the matters of Zen Buddhism in a forum moderated by Zen Buddhists.
I’ve just visited it and the Zen Forum International looks very promising.
Check it out, you might like it.
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