I have to say Taste of Chicago Buddhism is rapidly becoming one of my favorite American Buddhist blogs. Reverend Patti Nakai’s most recent entry, “Dawn Brightness: Nembutsu Heard by Americans” provides a lively introduction to the remarkable Western Buddhist teacher Sensei Gyomay M. Kubose and his mission, with a nice shout out to his friend the Unitarian divine Preston Bradley… Go visit.   Read more

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YOU ARE INVITED! A free Concert of Roots Music Featuring Jackie & Phip Wheelock of the Blackstone Run Band. A talk on Spiritual Revolutions A conversation between Eugene Dyszlewski, a United Church of Christ minister and until recently Executive Director of Marriage Equality in Rhode Island and James Ishmael Ford a Unitarian Universalist minister and Zen Buddhist priest, social justice activist and senior minister of the First Unitarian Church of Providence. And a Universalist Communion Celebrated by Gene & James,... Read more

In his most recent post at his Wild Fox blog, Zen teacher Dosho Port (truth in advertising, an old and dear friend) brings up the subject of teaching koans. And, with that, of course, studying them. It sparked some comments. After reading them I thought I might have a word or two that could be useful. Koans, literally “public case” are unique to the Zen way and are anecdotes, bits of poetry, fragments of conversations that Zen teachers find particularly... Read more

Swami Vivekananda and Unitarian Universalism: A Footnote James Ishmael Ford A few years ago I had the privilege of preaching at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland, in California. Among the mix of reasons I was so pleased to be standing in that pulpit was how I felt a connection like a current of electricity to the great Swami Vivekananda who had stood in that very same pulpit something more than a hundred years earlier. Swamiji was an important figure... Read more

THE WAY OF THE WISE HEART A Meditation on the Festival of the Epiphany James Ishmael Ford 8 January 2011 First Unitarian Church Providence, Rhode Island Text I thank God with all my heart for the gifts he has given mankind. Uncountable are his miracles, immeasurable his love. He has formed us in his own image and kindled his truth in our minds. He has filled each day with his splendor and given us eyes to see, hearts that can... Read more

Working on my sermon. I promised to explore themes from Epiphany. So, what’s a good Buddhist midrash on the three kings? Read more

Cold day. Warm feelings. Funny how the New Year erupts into the heart with thoughts of what can be… Read more

Here is what I’ve found… Our human experience is buffeted and tossed, bruised, and banged; and somewhere along the line all of us, every precious one of us is damaged. You. me. No one escapes. If you think otherwise, you’re a master of denial. And, while that might be a pretty good strategy for a while, in the long haul it will betray you. Instead, I invite us all to not turn away from the hurt, the hurts. And from... Read more

Thank you, Adrian, for the lovely reflection… Read more