The fifth of May is Cinco de Mayo. I think it is in fact a holiday we in the United States should be observing. Actually the whole hemisphere could justly be celebrating. Although I seem to have missed noting this the last couple of years. Still, I do believe we should, with, I quickly add, some serious caveats. I acknowledge a pretty good measure of discomfort at how the holiday has become the US’s Mexican St Patrick’s Day. And I... Read more
I’m seventy-five years old. Among other things this means that these days there are more frequent visits to doctors of several sorts. This week this specifically has included a visit to a urologist. After some only mildly invasive poking and prodding he told me he wants to look a little closer. He’s going to use a camera to look around. And we’ll need to set up another appointment for that. I felt things getting... Read more
The Book of Mormon was first published on the 26th of March in 1830, in Palmyra, New York. I’m fascinated with our indigenous American religions and the Church of Latter Day Saints is perhaps the most successful of them all. Although in its multiplicity I suspect our New Thought movement does give it a run for its money in that most successful category. The Book is one of various sacred texts to... Read more
On the 23rd of March, in 1889, forty admirers of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, took hands and pledge themselves as his followers as the promised messiah and Mahdi. This moment is considered the inauguration of the Ahmadiyya Muslim movement. Ghulam Ahmad was born into an affluent Mughal family on the 13th of February, 1835, in Qadian, Punjab. His father was a physician. While he worked for his family he devoted all the time... Read more
Thomas Cranmer, theologian, controversialist, one time Archbishop of Canterbury, was tied to a stake and burned to death on the 21st of March, in 1556. Cranmer, one time toady to a king, a priest and prelate. He was brilliant writer and complicated thinker, and was the principal architect of a reformed Catholicism in England. That king died. Then briefly under a boy king whose rule was through more extreme Protestants. Then, finally for... Read more
I am currently at a retreat for Unitarian Universalist clergy meeting at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. It’s lovely being with colleagues, the larger majority actively engaged in ministry, most in the parish. The theme presentation in on trauma, personal and institutional by the Reverend Dr Elizabeth Stevens. (It’s really good. If you’re responsible for a religious organization like a church, you should book her to do a workshop) But what’s caught me... Read more
Be fearful of exalted rank, o soul. And if you are unable to subdue your aspirations — doubtingly pursue them and with precautions. And the more you rise, the more examining, the warier be. And when you are arrived at the supreme height of your glory — a Caesar, as it were: when you are become a man so widely famed: then specially be wary — at such time as you come out into the... Read more
An Evolutionary Chronology of Chan Compiled and edited by Richard Kollmar and published here with permission Key: purple = eminent monks; red = important dates and periods; blue = putative Chan masters Outside of China and before the 8th century CE, no literary or epigraphic evidence supports the existence of an Indian tradition connected to Chan. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1st and 2nd centuries CE: Buddhist monks and scriptures reach China. The period of translation and commentary begins.... Read more
I am so pleased that one of my favorite publishers, Shambhala Publications, is bringing out my next book. It’s due in July. Feel free to pre-order it. While n the middle of the edits on this project, I was notified my first book had gone out of print. It was an introduction to Zen, originally aimed at Unitarian Universalists. There was a second edition that was meant to be a more general introduction. I re-read it. And... Read more
While strolling with master Nanquan, the official Luxuan observed “The teacher Sengzhao once said,’ Heaven, earth, and I are of the same root. Everything and I are one.’ That’s so beautiful.” Nanquan called to Luxuan pointing a finger at a flowering plant in the garden. “People now see this flower as if in a dream.” Blue Cliff Record, case 40 (Book of Serenity, case 91) Nanquan Puyan is one of the signal masters... Read more
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