When I was visiting with my old friend the Zen teacher Grace Schireson at the Empty Nest Zendo up in North Fork, California, I ran across a lovely summary for writing dharma talks. It was put together by Grace’s husband, Peter, also a Zen teacher. Both practice within the San Francisco Zen Center Dharma family. The one thing in what I otherwise found extremely insightful and helpful that bothered me was how Peter stated right up front, “Keep the purpose... Read more

Then, after posting this, an old friend reminded me of this anthem. At a time when his birthday celebration sounds a bit more like a memorial, and considering the state of his health, totally reasonably, this song from another time easily leaps to the heart… Read more

Well, it’s happened. Today is my sixty-fifth birthday. For the last several years I’ve passed various people’s and institution’s markers for being older, and with this birthday, I’ve crossed ’em all: I’m fully and officially old. I like knowing I can blame this on Otto Von Bismark. My understanding is when Bismark was putting together the first old age pension for the united Prussian state in the last third of the nineteenth century he set on sixty-five for eligibility. Because,... Read more

I join those who were appalled at the not guilty verdict at George Zimmerman’s trial for shooting seventeen year old Trayvon Martin. And, I have to admit, for several reasons, I wasn’t completely surprised. Despite a very bad beginning the defense mounted a relentless attack, I believe throwing enough dust in the air for the jurors to feel unable to convict beyond that necessary reasonable doubt. But, the part that most bothered and bothers me and which also led to... Read more

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Deirdre Blomfield-Brown, who would take monastic vows as Pema Chodron, was born on this day in 1936, to the benefit of many people… Read more

Someone recently used the term “hating the sin, loving the sinner” in a conversation. It appears to come from St Augustine’s letters. At least the oldest usage seems to be a line he wrote, “Cum dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum,” which I’ve read translates more or less as “With love for mankind and hatred of sins.” Its one of those lines that just run through the culture. I’ve used it myself. But this time as I heard it I realized... Read more

Lady Jane Grey assumed the throne of England on this day in 1553. It doesn’t turn out well… Read more

Yesterday on my Facebook page I posted a link to a campaign calling for the boycott of a movie based upon the work of a Science Fiction novelist with a history of expressing extreme anti-gay views. I figure he has a right to his opinions, and I have a right not to patronize his products and to suggest to others they might consider similar actions. As I see it, it generates a rather interesting conversation around choices and consequences. This... Read more

The Mahabodhi temple complex in Bodh Gaya, the site of the Buddha’s great awakening, was struck with nine bomb blasts today. Damage appears to have been minimal, and while two monks were hurt, no one was killed. Police believe the serial bombings to be a tit for tat for the atrocities committed against the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar with the shocking encouragement of local Buddhist monastics. I wish I had something wise to say here… Read more