Thanks to my friend Al Billings for pointing out the publication in English and online a thirteen volume edition of the teachings of Korean (Zen) Buddhism. Professor Robert Buswell explains the significance of this project. Preface to the English Edition of The Collected Works of Korean Buddhism Buddhism has nearly a 1,700-year history in Korea and the tradition continues to thrive still today on the peninsula. Buddhism arrived in Korea from India and China by at least the fourth century... Read more

It appears that my book If You’re Lucky, Your Heart Will Break has been shipped to those who’ve pre-ordered it. To you all, thanks! This is my fourth book, or by another counting, my fifth (For the “first” I was the third editor of an anthology of talks associated with a Unitarian Universalist minister’s conference, long out of print. When listed, I’m usually reduced to “et al” (“and others” for those without a Latin background). The next was a general... Read more

Many of my fellow progressives are excited at the prospect of Mr Ryan sharing the ticket with Governor Romney, seeing the shift in the campaign from a referendum on the president to a clear choice between two contending ideologies for America’s future. Obama for America Campaign Manager Jim Messina released the following statement in response to Governor Romney’s pick of Representative Ryan as his nominee for vice president: “In naming Congressman Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney has chosen a leader of... Read more

TRACKING BODHIDHARMA: A Journey to the Heart of Chinese Culture Andy Ferguson 2012, Counterpoint, Berkeley $26.00 Hardcover A Review by James Ishmael Ford In the Zen tradition Bodhidharma, twenty-eighth heir in direct transmission from the Buddha Shakyamuni, is the great missionary carrying the Zen way into China in either the fifth or maybe the sixth centuries of our common era. There the tradition he taught took root and flourished, and in time would extend first to the countries within the... Read more

“life and death are of supreme importance. time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost. each of us should strive to awaken. Awaken. take heed, do not squander your life.” Evening chant during Zen retreat thanks, Adam & Barry! Read more

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the... Read more

Boundless Way Zen October Sesshin October 4 – October 7, 2012 “To Touch the Heart-Mind” Teachers for this retreat: Josh Munen Bartok, Sensei is the resident teacher at the Greater Boston Zen Center, a Soto Zen priest, and Dharma successor to James Myoun Ford Roshi. He is a senior editor at Wisdom Publications. Melissa Myozen Blacker, Roshi is the Abbott of Boundless Way Zen, a Soto Zen priest and Dharma successor to James Myoun Ford Roshi. She was a director... Read more

According to Wikipedia, on this day in 1969 “at a zebra crossing in London, photographer Iain Macmillan takes the photo that becomes the cover of the Beatles album Abbey Road, one of the most famous album covers in recording history.” Not the version from the album, but… Read more

A wonderful, hard seven days. We sat, shared jukai with five, sat, ordained a priest, sat, did litugy, sat, did interviews, sat, ate, sat, worked, sat, slept, and sat… Ironically, no photos of zazen. But, here are a few from moments throughout our time together… (click on the last picture for the full view…) Read more

I’m embarrassed to admit it, but this is just about my favorite week of the year. Once again, Jan & I pack up our zafus and head out to the Worcester temple for sesshin, leaving auntie in charge of the cats, birds & fish. (God help ’em…) Looking forward to some serious practice with some old friends and new. If you haven’t been to the temple, here is a nice view of the grounds with a comment from one of... Read more