Wild Fox Zen
Here’s a letter from Koun Franz, an American Zen priest living in Japan, copied from a teacher listserve with permission:
I have been to a number of temples since the first earthquake and tsunami (here in Kumamoto and in Nagasaki), and each of those temples is doing amazing work to raise funds for disaster relief. They collect money (a lot) from supporting families; they are currently doing extended 1-week or 2-week takuhatsu tours to gather funds; and in one case in Nagasaki, they went all over town and bought up all the mochi and sent it up north (because so many people don’t have water, rice is not an option).
What I have mostly heard from the beginning is that the best way people can help is to simply send money to support those organizations best equipped to offer relief. One thing I hear at every temple is the frustration that it is still not clear how best to help in other ways.
After the Kobe earthquake in 1995, people could enter the city and volunteer very soon after the event; to my understanding, this case is quite different. And as soon as the general population does get the go-ahead to step in and help with their own hands, they will go, priest and lay alike. I know numerous temples (and individuals) which are clearing their schedules in anticipation of that moment.
I absolutely agree that it is important to know how the leaders at Shumucho intend to use the money channeled directly through them. If 30% for long-term rebuilding is an offensive notion, then there are many other organizations through which to support relief efforts (my family has donated through local organizations, for expediency).
But I would add that (1) there seems to be no issue of transparency here, and (2) there are many, many laypeople who, no doubt, are very pleased to know that the money is being distributed in such ways (after all, they, too, can choose to donate to other organizations in addition to Soto-shu).
I will also add that not all temples will be rebuilt. I know one young monk whose temple was completely demolished–both he and his teacher share the attitude that the history of that temple came to an end on the day of the tsunami. They will both seek a new future elsewhere.
My deep appreciation and respect to all of you who have offered support for the efforts, regardless of how you have chosen to do it. The road ahead is long and hard.
Gassho,
-koun
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