My Response to all the Genpo Roshi Controversy

Matthew 7

7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

7:9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

7:10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

B3 Conspiracy

Thom Kwanjok Pastor, JDPSN (on saxophone) has been my best friend and Dharma Brother for about 22 years and he posted this video of the band he has been working with playing together recently in Las Vegas. Thom is the Guiding Teacher and founder of the Zen Center of Las Vegas, which was founded by him back in early 1993.

Thom said on his recent Facebook post; "I invite all my friends to listen to the
jazz group I've been playing with for awhile now: B3 Conspiracy, we're having a blast. Hand held camera, so the sound is not recording quality, but fun nonetheless."

Stephen Batchelor: Confession of a Buddhist Atheist

Stephen Batchelor talks about Confession of a Buddhist Atheist.


According to Batchelor, the outlook of the Buddha was far removed from the religiosity that has come to define much of Buddhism as we know it today. He argues that the Buddha was a man more focused on life in this world than the afterlife.

The first smart phone application developed by the Jogye Order

The Bureau of Dharma Propagation of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism unveiled its first smart phone applications, which were developed as part of the Jogye Order’s efforts to adapt to and utilize the ever changing digital space for the propagation of Buddhism.
Ven. Jeongho, Head of the Department of Propagation Research, the Bureau of Dharma Propagation held a press conference at the meeting room on the 2nd floor of the Korean Buddhist Culture and History Memorial Hall and introduced new smart phone applications entitled ‘Hello Dharma School’ and ‘Heart
Sutra (chanting).’ Developed by the Department of Propagation Research, these apps will be distributed and made available for free at Apple’s App Store, Android Market, T Store and KT Olleh Market.
The ‘Hello Dharma School’ app is based on the English program for Buddhist children televised on BTN (Buddhist Television Network) and English materials for Buddhist youth education published on Buddhist newspapers. The application is expected to generate much attention due to its unique contents and layout specially designed to appeal to children. The ‘Heart Sutra (chanting) ’ app is deliberately uncomplicated and straightforward for ease of use. The pure and clear chanting voice and the beautiful image will serve
as ‘a refuge of the heart’ for many people fatigued by the exigencies of modern life.
The ‘Hello Dharma School’ and ‘Heart Sutra Apps (chanting)’apps can be downloaded free of charge on all smart phones. Lee Hyeon-su, the President of the Jogyesa Temple Laity Association recited the aspiration prayer called
“Aspiration for World Peace.” Thereafter, Cheongryangsa Temple abbot led the ceremony for the repose the spirits and to send the diseased to a better rebirth. After the ceremony, participants went around the Jogyesa Temple grounds in a farewell ceremony. Then, a fire ceremony, burning the names of the diseased, ended the services.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id406108784?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id412560816?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id360391866?mt=8

About Five Mountain Buddhist Seminary

About Five Mountain Buddhist Seminary from Jiun Foster on Vimeo.

Laura Neal, Five Mountain seminarian and new student mentor talks about her decision to study with Five Mountain Buddhist Seminary. Five Mountain is a community of Buddhist practitioners devoted to intensive study of Buddhist view and the contemplative practices through which we can personally engage these teachings and apply them to our own experience.

Believing in the utmost necessity of realizing our true nature, and embodying this realization in our everyday lives, we work to build lives, and therefore a world, of clarity, sanity, equanimity and compassion.

Buddhism is both something we are – our true nature expressing itself moment by moment – and something we do – a disciplined practice through which we can realize the joy of being. Instead of trying to catch up to where we think we ought to be, or trying to redirect the flow of the universe, through our Buddhist practices, we allow ourselves to experience life as it really is: vibrant, unimpeded, interconnected, ever-present.

Five Mountain upholds the importance of non-sectarianism and an appreciation for the many forms of Buddhism. Therefore, students of any background are welcomed and encouraged to participate in our activities, enter the seminary program, and even seek Buddhist ordination within the Five Mountain Order.

VATICAN NOTE ON OCCASION OF BUDDHIST VESAKHA

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"Seeking Truth in Freedom: Christians and Buddhists Live in Peace"

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 31, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is the letter of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue addressed to Buddhists on the occasion of Vesakha, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Buddha.

The message is titled "Seeking Truth in Freedom: Christians and Buddhists Live in Peace," and is signed by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the dialogue council, and Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata, its secretary.

Vesakha is observed this year in on April 8 in Japan, May 10 in Korea, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore and those that follow the Mahayana traditions, and on May 17 in Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and those of the Theravada school.

* * *

Dear Buddhist Friends,

1. On behalf of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue I am happy once again to offer heartfelt good wishes to all of you on the occasion of Vesakh/Hanamatsuri. I pray that this annual feast may bring serenity and joy to Buddhists throughout the world.

2. In the light of an exchange of mutual friendship, as in the past, I would like to share with you some of our convictions in the hope of strengthening relations between our communities. My thoughts turn first to the relationship between peace, truth and freedom. In the pursuit of authentic peace, a commitment to seek truth is a necessary condition. All persons have a natural duty to seek truth, to follow it and freely to live their lives in accordance with it (Cf. Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Declaration on Religious Freedom Dignitatis Humanae, no. 1). This human striving for truth offers a fruitful opportunity for the followers of the different religions to encounter one another in depth and to grow in appreciation of the gifts of each.

3. In today’s world, marked by forms of secularism and fundamentalism that are often inimical to true freedom and spiritual values, interreligious dialogue can be the alternative choice by which we find the "golden way" to live in peace and work together for the good of all. As Pope Benedict XVI has said, "for the Church, dialogue between the followers of the different religions represents an important means of cooperating with all religious communities for the common good" (Message for the World Day of Peace 2011, no. 11). Such dialogue is also a powerful stimulus to respect for the fundamental human rights of freedom of conscience and freedom of worship. Wherever religious freedom is effectively acknowledged, the dignity of the human person is respected at its root; by the sincere search for what is true and good, moral conscience and civil institutions are strengthened; and justice and peace are firmly established (Cf. ibid., no. 5).

4. Dear Buddhist friends, we pray that your celebration of Vesakh will be a source of spiritual enrichment and an occasion to take up anew the quest of truth and goodness, to show compassion to all who suffer, and to strive to live together in harmony. Once again allow us to express our cordial greetings and to wish all of you a Happy Feast of Vesakh/Hanamatsuri.

Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran

President

Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata

Secretary