Bernie Glassman at Upaya

Hozan Alan Senauke, Vice Abbot of Berkeley Zen Center, folk musician, and peace activist, joins seasoned leaders Roshi Joan Halifax and Bernie Glassman for a profound discussion. They delve into the evolving nature of teacher-student relationships, emphasizing authenticity over hierarchy. The trio reflects on personal resilience in caregiving, distinguishing it from simply 'getting over oneself.’ They also explore the intricate dynamics of socially engaged Buddhism and how personal journeys shape the mission to advocate for meaningful change.

Hozan Alan Senauke, a Zen teacher and folk musician, joins Roshi Bernie Glassman, founder of the Zen Peacemaker Order, for a lively discussion. They explore the dynamic relationship between joy and respect for boundaries in spiritual practice. The conversation delves into the concept of death, questioning its finality and discussing its significance in life’s cycle. Through music and open dialogue, they encourage embracing the unknown and navigating the complexities of community liturgy, highlighting the importance of connection and empathy.

Part 3: Dialogue ensues! The question of feeding hungry spirits what they want versus feeding them what they need engages many voices. This leads on to: what is the difference between bearing witness and the reflex to get rid of, to “heal?” In Bernie’s opinion Bearing Witness retreats are all about fear, going to what’s scary. In the Gate, we repeat the final Dharani so as to call out yet once… Source

Part 2: Feeding everyone. Bernie explains the inner logic and dramatic progression of the liturgy’s several pieces. It proceeds through loving invitations and invocations, magic work to actualize energies and feed everyone; through giving teachings; and climaxes with giving and taking the Buddhist precepts. Shingon condenses the five precepts into two: “Now I have raised the Bodhi mind… Source

Part 1: An open-hearted overhaul. Bernie spins a lively history of the Gate of Sweet Nectar liturgy, from an early version (mythically attributed to Shakyamuni) to Menzan’s tantric innovations to his own open-hearted overhaul. Maezumi Roshi gave Bernie remarkable permission to remake the Gate (and by extension Zen) in an American grain: “He didn’t try to get me to be like him — he wanted me to be… Source

Part 8: “Everything is opinion.” In this last dialogue, Bernie — with a little help from Roshi Joan and Sensei Alan — fields questions about whether the view that “everything is opinion” closes or opens dialogue; about the Greyston model; about the five Buddha families as a model for social entrepreneurship; about assassinating Hitler. Roshi Bernie Glassman More from this speaker Hozan… Source

Part 7: Q&A. The teachers complete the Q & A session. Roshi Bernie Glassman More from this speaker Hozan Alan Senauke More from this speaker Roshi Joan Halifax, PhD Abbot Roshi Joan Halifax, Ph.D. is a Buddhist teacher, Founder and Head Teacher of Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a social activist, author, and in… Source

Part 6: Feminism, liturgy, and clown noses. After a song led by Sensei Alan, the panel conducts a Q & A period to close out the day. Topics covered include liturgy, feminism, teacher-student relationships, clown noses, street retreats and the meaning of radical chaplaincy. Roshi Bernie Glassman More from this speaker Hozan Alan Senauke More from this speaker Roshi Joan… Source

Part 5: The practice of zazen. Concluding the third session of the retreat, Roshi Bernie continues his dialogue with retreatants, answering questions about the stages of “bearing witness,” telling stories from the “Bearing Witness Retreats,” and discussing the practice of zazen. Roshi Bernie Glassman More from this speaker… Source

Part 4: Bearing witness retreats. Roshi Bernie describes the Zen Peacemakers Order and the approach of “Bearing Witness Retreats” with homelessness in New York and genocide at Auschwitz and in Rwanda. Roshi Bernie Glassman More from this speaker… Source