alternate BUDDHISM BUDDHISM IN IN AMERICA AMERICA BUTTON BUTTON BUTTON BUTTON Sections Sections BUTTON BUTTON SEARCH SEARCH Skip Skip to to contentSkip contentSkip to to site site index index BUTTON BUTTON Today Today s s Paper Paper BUDDHISM BUDDHISM IN IN AMERICA AMERICA https https www www nytimes nytimes com com archives archives buddhism buddhism in in america america buddihi buddihi sm sm html html BUTTON BUTTON Advertisement Advertisement Continue Continue reading reading the the main main story story Supported Supported by by Continue Continue reading reading the the main main story story BUDDHISM BUDDHISM IN IN AMERICA AMERICA BUTTON BUTTON BUTTON BUTTON Read Read in in app app By By George George Vecsey Vecsey June June Credit Credit The The New New York York Times Times Archives Archives See See the the article article in in its its original original context context from from June June Section Section SM SM Page Page Buy Buy Reprints Reprints View View on on timesmachine timesmachine TimesMachine TimesMachine is is an an exclusive exclusive benefit benefit for for home home delivery delivery and and digital digital subscribers subscribers About About the the Archive Archive This This is is a a digitized digitized version version of of an an article article from from The The Times Times s s print print archive archive before before the the start start of of online online publication publication in in To To preserve preserve these these articles articles as as they they originally originally appeared appeared The The Times Times does does not not alter alter edit edit or or update update them them Occasionally Occasionally the the digitization digitization process process introduces introduces transcription transcription errors errors or or other other problems problems we we are are continuing continuing to to work work to to improve improve these these archived archived versions versions The The father father s s words words reflected reflected the the pain pain in in his his face face as as he he talked talked about about his his teenage teenage son son At At first first he he said said he he was was an an atheist atheist and and didn didn t t want want any any part part of of religion religion the the father father said said But But lately lately he he has has been been saying saying he he s s an an agnostic agnostic so so maybe maybe that that s s promising promising Sure Sure we we would would have have liked liked him him to to follow follow our our example example These These words words of of disappointment disappointment could could have have been been spoken spoken by by millions millions of of Christian Christian or or Jewish Jewish parents parents whose whose children children showed showed no no interest interest in in the the family family faith faith In In this this case case however however the the father father was was an an American American born born converted converted Buddhist Buddhist Yet Yet us us disillusioned disillusioned as as it it may may sound sound the the father father s s lament lament may may be be an an indication indication that that Eastern Eastern religion religion has has reached reached a a new new stage stage in in America America a a stage stage in in which which many many founding founding fathers fathers and and mothers mothers are are secure secure enough enough in in their their religious religious beliefs beliefs to to want want to to see see them them adopted adopted by by their their children children Eastern Eastern religion religion has has enjoyed enjoyed several several periods periods of of growth growth among among non non Oriental Oriental Americans Americans since since the the end end of of World World War War II II the the first first with with the the Beat Beat generation generation in in the the late late s s then then a a larger larger wave wave with with the the peace peace and and love love generation generation of of the the mid mid s s which which sought sought self self awareness awareness as as one one antidote antidote to to the the Vietnam Vietnam War War and and general general disillusionment disillusionment with with American American institutions institutions Most Most of of the the wanderers wanderers of of those those generations generations have have moved moved on on to to the the next next stimulus stimulus by by now now their their interest interest in in meditation meditation and and harmony harmony either either diverted diverted or or disrupted disrupted But But as as the the s s make make their their last last inscrutable inscrutable stand stand a a smaller smaller core core of of converts converts to to Buddhism Buddhism is is building building distinctly distinctly American American communities communities combining combining the the teachings teachings of of Zen Zen with with the the demands demands of of contemporary contemporary American American life life In In clusters clusters of of varying varying size size across across the the country country the the largest largest of of which which are are centered centered in in Rochester Rochester New New York York City City Los Los Angeles Angeles and and San San Francisco Francisco an an estimated estimated Americans Americans are are quietly quietly practicing practicing some some form form of of Buddhism Buddhism Perhaps Perhaps the the best best example example of of community community building building among among contemporary contemporary Buddhists Buddhists is is the the Zen Zen Center Center on on the the comfortable comfortable east east end end of of Rochester Rochester where where about about members members who who live live in in houses houses and and apartments apartments throughout throughout the the city city are are finding finding a a Buddhist Buddhist focus focus for for their their lives lives The The Zen Zen Center Center consists consists of of two two large large old old houses houses now now joined joined by by an an archway archway with with a a peaceful peaceful garden garden and and meeting meeting hall hall out out back back Just Just inside inside the the front front door door a a wall wall of of photographs photographs resembles resembles a a suburban suburban community community house house bulletin bulletin board board There There are are snapshots snapshots of of a a Buddhist Buddhist Thanksgiving Thanksgiving since since many many Buddhists Buddhists are are vegetarian vegetarian the the turkey turkey is is released released in in a a game game preserve preserve rather rather than than eaten eaten snapshots snapshots of of children children wearing wearing goblin goblin costumes costumes on on Halloween Halloween snapshots snapshots of of the the center center s s softball softball team team Every Every Sunday Sunday to to people people walk walk or or bicycle bicycle to to the the center center they they are are discouraged discouraged from from driving driving cars cars for for environmental environmental and and good good neighbor neighbor reasons reasons for for the the A A M M meditation meditation They They are are almost almost all all Caucasians Caucasians ranging ranging in in age age from from to to well well over over most most are are trim trim and and healthy healthy looking looking As As they they arrive arrive at at the the front front door door they they are are already already withdrawing withdrawing into into the the silence silence of of the the next next few few hours hours taking taking off off their their shoes shoes putting putting on on brown brown robes robes finding finding a a spot spot in in one one of of the the austere austere but but airy airy rooms rooms where where they they can can assume assume a a full full lotus lotus position position With With eyes eyes half half closed closed they they will will empty empty their their minds minds of of distractions distractions The The meditation meditation is is broken broken into into three three half half hour hour segments segments punctuated punctuated by by walking walking meditation meditation exercises exercises through through the the house house After After the the meditation meditation the the group group gathers gathers to to chant chant in in English English and and listen listen to to the the words words of of the the center center s s roshi roshi or or venerable venerable teacher teacher Philip Philip Kapleau Kapleau The The natural natural feeling feeling of of the the rooms rooms in in these these houses houses is is enhanced enhanced by by the the woodwork woodwork which which has has been been stripped stripped of of paint paint Carpets Carpets and and simple simple furniture furniture complement complement the the plants plants arranged arranged in in front front of of every every window window The The food food shared shared by by the the staff staff following following the the meditation meditation session session is is magnificent magnificent steaming steaming dishes dishes of of grain grain fresh fresh vegetables vegetables from from a a farmers farmers market market homemade homemade applesauce applesauce and and breads breads cheeses cheeses hearty hearty soups soups We We don don t t let let new new people people work work in in the the kitchen kitchen says says one one of of the the center center s s monks monks We We believe believe you you need need experienced experienced calm calm people people there there Good Good karma karma creates creates good good food food In In the the center center there there are are statues statues of of Buddha Buddha in in prominent prominent places places of of course course but but little little else else speaks speaks of of Buddhism Buddhism s s Eastern Eastern origins origins or or the the years years Philip Philip Kapleau Kapleau spent spent in in Japan Japan It It is is his his objective objective to to help help people people make make Zen Zen an an American American way way of of life life rather rather than than a a foreign foreign religion religion to to keep keep the the spirit spirit of of Zen Zen but but give give it it an an American American dress dress If If Zen Zen Buddhism Buddhism is is going going to to grow grow in in this this country country says says Roshi Roshi Kapleau Kapleau we we must must get get rid rid of of foreign foreign cultural cultural encrustations encrustations Philip Philip Kapleau Kapleau is is one one of of or or bona bona fide fide roshis roshis teaching teaching in in America America today today Since Since there there is is no no central central Buddhist Buddhist organization organization roshis roshis are are known known mainly mainly by by reputation reputation He He was was born born in in in in Connecticut Connecticut and and worked worked as as a a court court reporter reporter for for the the United United States States at at the the Nuremberg Nuremberg trials trials and and later later at at war war trials trials in in Japan Japan He He says says he he was was impressed impressed with with the the way way the the Japanese Japanese dealt dealt with with their their role role in in the the atrocities atrocities of of the the war war compared compared with with the the way way Christian Christian Germany Germany dealt dealt with with its its past past He He was was introduced introduced to to the the Buddhist Buddhist notion notion of of karmic karmic retribution retribution for for inflicting inflicting pain pain a a harvest harvest of of pain pain will will be be reaped reaped and and determined determined to to explore explore Buddhism Buddhism In In with with no no knowledge knowledge of of the the Japanese Japanese language language he he gave gave up up his his job job in in America America and and sought sought a a Japanese Japanese master master eventually eventually studying studying under under three three one one of of whom whom was was Dr Dr D D T T Suzuki Suzuki In In he he decided decided he he had had grown grown stale stale and and came came home home to to America America a a year year old old man man who who shaved shaved his his head head and and considered considered himself himself ready ready to to share share Zen Zen Buddhist Buddhist He He established established his his first first center center in in Rochester Rochester in in with with a a nucleus nucleus of of people people Today Today the the Zen Zen Center Center has has American American affiliates affiliates in in Denver Denver Chicago Chicago and and Boston Boston There There are are four four centers centers Canada Canada one one in in Mexico Mexico City City one one Costa Costa Rica Rica and and one one in in Poland Poland the the Zen Zen Center Center s s estimated estimated membership membership is is worldwide worldwide The The center center supports supports itself itself with with membership membership dues dues ranging ranging from from to to quarter quarter fees fees for for training training programs programs and and seminar seminar workshops workshops voluntary voluntary contributions contributions and and royalties royalties from from Roshi Roshi Kapleau Kapleau s s three three books books The The Rochester Rochester center center has has a a staff staff of of none none of of whom whom including including Roshi Roshi Kapleau Kapleau earns earns a a salary salary Today Today Roshi Roshi Kapleau Kapleau sees sees more more older older people people moving moving toward toward Buddhism Buddhism In In the the s s it it was was mainly mainly the the young young They They were were disillusioned disillusioned and and in in despair despair many many of of them them on on the the verge verge of of suicide suicide he he says says They They felt felt the the Establishment Establishment was was insincere insincere not not meeting meeting genuine genuine needs needs A A lot lot of of young young people people were were in in drug drug trouble trouble looking looking for for something something Many Many of of them them had had no no skills skills and and could could be be called called irresponsible irresponsible Young Young people people wanted wanted something something simple simple something something worthwhile worthwhile I I had had to to show show them them they they could could change change their their karma karma a a Buddhist Buddhist and and Hindu Hindu term term meaning meaning a a self self caused caused inevitability inevitability To To do do so so meant meant to to take take responsibility responsibility for for their their own own lives lives I I had had to to show show them them enlightenment enlightenment came came from from within within Buddhism Buddhism does does not not seek seek converts converts proselytizing proselytizing is is foreign foreign to to it it In In Zen Zen the the idea idea is is almost almost to to push push people people away away says says Roshi Roshi Kapleau Kapleau A A person person needs needs real real ardor ardor and and perseverence perseverence to to attain attain a a higher higher order order of of enlightenment enlightenment Roshi Roshi Kapleau Kapleau tells tells this this story story A A young young man man once once came came to to a a venerable venerable master master and and asked asked How How long long will will take take to to reach reach enlightenment enlightenment The The master master said said Ten Ten years years The The young young man man blurted blurted That That long long The The master master said said No No I I was was mistaken mistaken It It will will take take you you years years The The young young man man asked asked Twenty Twenty years years and and the the master master said said Come Come to to think think of of it it maybe maybe Buddhism Buddhism eludes eludes easy easy definition definition A A group group of of psychiatrists psychiatrists once once engaged engaged Roshi Roshi Kapleau Kapleau to to explain explain Zen Zen to to them them He He obliged obliged by by silently silently munching munching a a ripe ripe banana banana When When a a student student asked asked what what it it all all meant meant the the roshi roshi rubbed rubbed the the banana banana peel peel in in the the student student s s face face and and said said You You have have just just witnessed witnessed a a first first rate rate example example of of Zen Zen Are Are there there any any questions questions Most Most of of the the psychiatrists psychiatrists said said they they still still didn didn t t get get it it and and pressed pressed their their speaker speaker for for a a definition definition Roshi Roshi Kapleau Kapleau thought thought awhile awhile and and said said All All right right Zen Zen is is a a flea flea copulating copulating with with an an elephant elephant Knowing Knowing how how the the roshi roshi feels feels about about definitions definitions I I nevertheless nevertheless persisted persisted in in asking asking him him for for one one A A pathless pathless path path that that has has to to be be walked walked not not talked talked about about he he said said A A path path between between two two extremes extremes self self indulgence indulgence and and self self mortification mortification The The realization realization that that we we exist exist on on two two levels levels relative relative to to time time and and space space and and transient transient beyond beyond time time and and space space Does Does that that do do Leave Leave it it blank blank or or answer answer it it yourself yourself According According to to a a recent recent survey survey there there may may now now be be two two million million adults adults in in this this country country involved involved in in some some form form of of Eastern Eastern religion religion In In a a Gallup Gallup survey survey of of experiential experiential movements movements groups groups stressing stressing personal personal spiritual spiritual discovery discovery this this total total fell fell behind behind other other movements movements such such as as transcendental transcendental meditation meditation six six million million yoga yoga five five million million charismatic charismatic renewal renewal three three million million and and mysticism mysticism three three million million In In her her book book Buddhism Buddhism in in America America Emma Emma McCloy McCloy Layman Layman estimates estimates that that native native born born Americans Americans have have made made some some form form of of personal personal commitment commitment to to Buddhism Buddhism but but she she adds adds The The influence influence of of Buddhism Buddhism in in America America has has been been and and will will continue continue to to be be greater greater than than membership membership figures figures would would lead lead us us to to expect expect and and it it is is here here to to stay stay Dr Dr Layman Layman notes notes that that meditation meditation practices practices have have already already been been integrated integrated into into some some psychiatric psychiatric methods methods and and some some Christian Christian worships worships and and she she says says Buddhist Buddhist concepts concepts of of suffering suffering impermanence impermanence and and nonself nonself have have already already been been widely widely accepted accepted She She predicts predicts many many people people will will be be influenced influenced by by Buddhism Buddhism to to seek seek a a simple simple life life If If you you are are in in touch touch with with yourself yourself through through meditation meditation you you can can influence influence other other people people Roshi Roshi Kapleau Kapleau says says If If you you are are in in touch touch with with deeper deeper forces forces you you can can propel propel these these forces forces You You can can be be a a powerful powerful transmitter transmitter Ruth Ruth Sandberg Sandberg s s face face is is serene serene her her body body is is as as lithe lithe as as a a teen teen ager ager s s but but she she is is a a grandmother grandmother who who spends spends six six months months a a year year in in Florida Florida and and six six months months teaching teaching hatha hatha yoga yoga in in Rochester Rochester When When my my husband husband died died I I was was still still searching searching she she says says It It was was my my good good karma karma that that a a friend friend gave gave me me a a clipping clipping about about the the roshi roshi s s first first book book I I read read it it and and as as soon soon as as I I could could I I hopped hopped on on plane plane to to Rochester Rochester The The minute minute walked walked into into this this center center I I knew knew I I was was home home Sitting Sitting on on that that cushion cushion meditating meditating I I lost lost all all my my hang hang ups ups During During a a Saturday Saturday workshop workshop Mrs Mrs Sandberg Sandberg demonstrates demonstrates exercises exercises to to assist assist in in meditation meditation To To a a novice novice whose whose muscular muscular legs legs are are resisting resisting the the lotus lotus position position she she points points out out sweetly sweetly An An inflexible inflexible body body is is the the sign sign of of an an inflexible inflexible mind mind Pain Pain is is a a word word frequently frequently used used by by Buddhists Buddhists around around the the country country At At the the Zen Zen Center Center of of Los Los Angeles Angeles a a tranquil tranquil priest priest named named John John Daishin Daishin Buksbazen Buksbazen told told me me how how the the pain pain of of the the politics politics and and the the assassinations assassinations in in sent sent him him to to meditation meditation At At the the Tibetan Tibetan Buddhist Buddhist Nyingma Nyingma Center Center in in Berkeley Berkeley a a gracious gracious student student Kimberley Kimberley Bacon Bacon told told of of the the emptiness emptiness that that led led her her around around the the country country searching searching for for something something And And many many can can tell tell stories stories like like Zenson Zenson s s a a year year old old priest priest in in the the Zen Zen Center Center Zenson Zenson grew grew up up in in a a small small town town outside outside Rochester Rochester He He hung hung posters posters of of Mickey Mickey Mantle Mantle on on his his wall wall played played sports sports and and experimented experimented with with drugs drugs in in the the s s He He went went to to Denmark Denmark for for a a while while afraid afraid of of being being drafted drafted He He had had abandoned abandoned his his parents parents Christian Christian beliefs beliefs early early on on One One day day a a friend friend told told him him about about the the Zen Zen Center Center His His first first response response to to meditation meditation was was the the pain pain of of a a posture posture that that was was impossible impossible for for his his leg leg muscles muscles thickened thickened from from years years of of playing playing sports sports It It took took him him six six months months to to stretch stretch his his ligaments ligaments so so he he could could sit sit in in the the full full lotus lotus position position legs legs crossed crossed each each foot foot resting resting on on the the opposite opposite thigh thigh Sitting Sitting longer longer and and longer longer hands hands in in his his lap lap eyes eyes downward downward counting counting his his breaths breaths he he learned learned not not to to think think about about sports sports or or sex sex or or the the traffic traffic outside outside the the building building or or dope dope or or any any of of his his troubles troubles He He learned learned simple simple woodworking woodworking and and clerical clerical tasks tasks and and he he learned learned to to take take his his meals meals in in silence silence as as is is I I can can only only say say what what it it has has done done for for me me Zenson Zenson says says Since Since I I came came here here I I have have had had a a sense sense of of oneness oneness with with the the world world It It s s ongoing ongoing ever ever deepening deepening Two Two years years ago ago he he was was ordained ordained as as a a priest priest shaved shaved his his head head and and adopted adopted the the name name of of Zenson Zenson son son of of Zen Zen Roshi Roshi Kapleau Kapleau gives gives names names to to his his priests priests and and monks monks that that approximate approximate Western Western sounds sounds My My parents parents came came to to my my ordination ordination Zenson Zenson says says I I once once heard heard one one of of my my relatives relatives say say He He s s such such a a nice nice boy boy How How did did he he get get mixed mixed up up in in that that Buddhist Buddhist thing thing They They didn didn t t understand understand Buddhism Buddhism was was the the cause cause of of my my being being a a nice nice boy boy I I think think they they were were surprised surprised when when they they came came here here They They expected expected me me to to be be into into some some dark dark weird weird place place Look Look around around you you This This is is a a nice nice place place isn isn t t it it Meditation Meditation is is only only one one part part of of the the path path to to enlightenment enlightenment Another Another important important part part is is the the dialogue dialogue with with the the roshi roshi what what Roshi Roshi Kapleau Kapleau calls calls a a kneeto kneeto knee knee eyeball eyeball to to eyeball eyeball confrontation confrontation neither neither intellectual intellectual nor nor spiritual spiritual but but rather rather like like a a joust joust using using water water pistols pistols and and beanbags beanbags as as well well as as lances lances and and spiked spiked clubs clubs In In his his recently recently published published book book Zen Zen Dawn Dawn in in the the West West Roshi Roshi Kapleau Kapleau writes writes that that it it is is his his job job to to take take away away much much that that is is foreign foreign to to your your true true nature nature the the sticky sticky beliefs beliefs chesty chesty opinions opinions petty petty rationalizations rationalizations illusory illusory ideals ideals and and deluded deluded thoughts thoughts all all of of which which imprison imprison you you as as in in a a cocoon cocoon Descriptions Descriptions of of these these meetings meetings with with the the master master called called dokusan dokusan remind remind me me of of the the old old joke joke about about the the seeker seeker of of truth truth who who struggles struggles for for years years to to find find the the ultimate ultimate guru guru on on top top of of a a mountain mountain only only to to be be given given the the advice advice that that life life is is a a fountain fountain When When the the visitor visitor protests protests the the shallowness shallowness of of this this advice advice the the guru guru asks asks You You mean mean it it s s not not After After spending spending two two days days around around the the unpretentious unpretentious Roshi Roshi Kapleau Kapleau I I began began to to see see a a level level of of truth truth in in the the joke joke One One time time a a student student asked asked him him What What is is Buddha Buddha The The roshi roshi replied replied Who Who are are you you The The roshi roshi agrees agrees this this might might sound sound like like pretty pretty weak weak stuff stuff but but he he adds adds the the student student came came to to awakening awakening as as a a result result of of this this exchange exchange Although Although a a roshi roshi is is allowed allowed to to do do some some outrageous outrageous things things tease tease taunt taunt whack whack with with ritual ritual stick stick or or smack smack the the student student on on the the side side of of the the head head the the roshi roshi is is not not above above criticism criticism Roshi Roshi Kapleau Kapleau s s books books include include anecdotes anecdotes about about pupils pupils who who whacked whacked their their masters masters back back Roshis Roshis have have been been known known to to be be wrong wrong The The role role of of the the teacher teacher is is to to preserve preserve the the student student from from the the teacher teacher s s influence influence says says Roshi Roshi Kapleau Kapleau You You cannot cannot lean lean on on the the teacher teacher He He will will push push you you away away Each Each student student is is also also given given a a riddle riddle called called a a koan koan to to ponder ponder for for five five or or years years When When he he autographed autographed a a book book for for me me the the roshi roshi inscribed inscribed To To George George In In the the seas seas birds birds fly fly in in the the air air fish fish swim swim Deeper Deeper Zen Zen meditation meditation comes comes in in four four and and seven seven day day periods periods of of seclusion seclusion called called sesshin sesshin in in which which fasting fasting and and silence silence produce produce alternate alternate moments moments of of despair despair and and joy joy With With no no deity deity to to cling cling to to seven seven days days of of sesshin sesshin are are a a plunge plunge into into the the inner inner self self At At a a recent recent sesshin sesshin the the members members were were resting resting in in the the garden garden when when they they heard heard the the unmistakable unmistakable sounds sounds of of a a prowler prowler being being chased chased by by police police in in the the next next yard yard None None of of the the meditators meditators stirred stirred for for fear fear of of losing losing the the intensity intensity needed needed for for a a seven seven day day seclusion seclusion Some Some Westerners Westerners question question whether whether Buddhism Buddhism is is a a religion religion at at all all As As it it moved moved from from India India to to China China to to Japan Japan and and then then to to the the West West it it has has constantly constantly acquired acquired divergent divergent even even opposite opposite ways ways There There are are celibate celibate priests priests married married priests priests divorced divorced priests priests Roshi Roshi Kapleau Kapleau is is married married His His wife wife lives lives with with their their teenage teenage daughter daughter in in Toronto Toronto and and leads leads a a spiritual spiritual group group under under an an Indian Indian teacher teacher There There are are hermit hermit sects sects and and worldly worldly sects sects There There is is no no god god or or dogma dogma But But since since it it has has its its priesthoods priesthoods and and its its rituals rituals since since it it deals deals with with the the meaning meaning of of life life and and death death since since it it fills fills the the same same deep deep needs needs that that Judaism Judaism and and Christianity Christianity fill fill for for others others since since it it proposes proposes life life of of spirituality spirituality it it fits fits all all other other criteria criteria of of a a religion religion All All the the forms forms of of Buddhism Buddhism stem stem from from one one man man an an Indian Indian named named Siddartha Siddartha Gautama Gautama who who enjoyed enjoyed a a year year ministry ministry six six centuries centuries before before Christ Christ His His thousands thousands of of disciples disciples called called him him the the Buddha Buddha a a Sanskrit Sanskrit word word for for enlightened enlightened one one Different Different Oriental Oriental cultures cultures different different teachers teachers have have created created vastly vastly different different forms forms of of Buddhism Buddhism many many of of them them practiced practiced in in the the United United States States by by people people of of Chinese Chinese Japanese Japanese Korean Korean and and Tibetan Tibetan ancestry ancestry and and culture culture For For Americans Americans of of European European background background the the interest interest has has most most often often been been in in Zen Zen Buddhism Buddhism an an adaptation adaptation of of part part of of a a Chinese Chinese word word for for meditation meditation ch ch an an Zen Zen is is not not a a worship worship of of a a god god and and it it is is not not an an intellectual intellectual philosophy philosophy but but rather rather a a series series of of disciplines disciplines that that includes includes sitting sitting in in a a meditative meditative position position for for long long periods periods of of time time Very Very long long periods periods of of time time For For a a deeper deeper understanding understanding a a sense sense Some Some Buddhists Buddhists feel feel Christians Christians and and Jews Jews can can comfortably comfortably adapt adapt most most Buddhist Buddhist teachings teachings C C T T Shen Shen a a Chinese Chinese born born industrialist industrialist who who sponsors sponsors many many Buddhist Buddhist activities activities in in the the New New York York area area says says Christ Christ and and Buddha Buddha had had similar similar visions visions but but that that Buddha Buddha had had more more time time to to complete complete his his vision vision because because he he lived lived years years and and Christ Christ lived lived only only around around The The Death Death of of Master Master Hofuku Hofuku Pao Pao fu fu The The master master called called his his monks monks together together and and said said During During the the last last week week my my energy energy has has been been draining draining certainly certainly no no cause cause for for worry worry It It s s just just that that death death is is near near A A monk monk asked asked You You are are about about to to die die What What meaning meaning does does it it have have We We will will continue continue living living And And what what meaning meaning does does that that have have They They are are both both the the Way Way the the master master replied replied But But how how can can I I reconcile reconcile the the two two asked asked the the monk monk Hofuku Hofuku answered answered When When rains rains it it pours pours and and wrapping wrapping his his legs legs in in the the full full lotus lotus calmly calmly died died The The Wheel Wheel of of Death Death by by Philip Philip Kapleau Kapleau One One of of the the central central beliefs beliefs of of Buddhism Buddhism is is that that life life endures endures over over a a longer longer cycle cycle than than mere mere Reprinted Reprinted by by permission permission of of Harper Harper Row Row by by Philip Philip Kapleau Kapleau birth birth and and death death As As Roshi Roshi Kapleau Kapleau wrote wrote in in The The Wheel Wheel of of Death Death human human life life has has an an unseen unseen subterranean subterranean existence existence and and appears appears at at other other places places in in other other times times and and other other shapes shapes The The lesson lesson from from the the deaths deaths of of some some Zen Zen masters masters is is that that dying dying is is just just another another step step a a time time of of ceremony ceremony and and insight insight One One of of the the most most persistent persistent criticisms criticisms of of Eastern Eastern religions religions is is that that they they lack lack the the activism activism of of Western Western groups groups the the philanthropic philanthropic educational educational and and community community spirited spirited zeal zeal of of the the major major Western Western religions religions In In his his recent recent book book Turning Turning East East Dr Dr Harvey Harvey Cox Cox the the Harvard Harvard theologian theologian praised praised many many of of the the techniques techniques and and results results of of Eastern Eastern religion religion but but said said he he was was suspicious suspicious of of inward inward movements movements that that were were uninvolved uninvolved with with other other humans humans who who had had not not yet yet reached reached or or sought sought their their brand brand of of enlightenment enlightenment Nevertheless Nevertheless he he described described Oriental Oriental meditation meditation as as a a step step toward toward escaping escaping illusion illusion and and ego ego and and toward toward seeing seeing the the world world of of impermanence impermanence and and suffering suffering for for what what it it is is He He called called Christianity Christianity one one pole pole of of the the dialectic dialectic of of action action and and repose repose being being and and doing doing and and he he predicted predicted that that Christianity Christianity would would act act as as a a prism prism to to transform transform Buddhism Buddhism Most Most Buddhists Buddhists have have heard heard Dr Dr Cox Cox s s criticism criticism of of inward inward movements movements and and have have an an answer answer We We are are a a lot lot like like the the Quakers Quakers says says Dr Dr Michael Michael Taizen Taizen Soule Soule a a biologist biologist and and full full time time official official at at the the Los Los Angeles Angeles Zen Zen Center Center Quakers Quakers do do more more good good than than anyone anyone but but they they do do a a lot lot of of work work on on themselves themselves first first If If you you have have a a beneficial beneficial impact impact on on yourself yourself after after a a while while you you can can t t help help but but act act properly properly When When one one purifies purifies himself himself says says Zenson Zenson the the priest priest at at the the Rochester Rochester center center one one purifies purifies society society You You start start where where you you are are You You beautify beautify your your building building We We won won an an award award fur fur the the best best restoration restoration work work in in our our part part of of town town and and we we didn didn t t even even ask ask to to enter enter the the competition competition We We help help clean clean up up the the city city We We live live in in harmony harmony with with our our neighborhood neighborhood What What has has Buddhism Buddhism accomplished accomplished in in America America Some Some members members are are sure sure the the Vietnam Vietnam War War ended ended because because of of the the mural mural pressure pressure vibrated vibrated outward outward by by meditation meditation sessions sessions Some Some Buddhists Buddhists feel feel Ameri Ameri cans cans have have toned toned down down their their lives lives cleaned cleaned up up their their towns towns evaluated evaluated what what services services and and efforts efforts were were necessary necessary because because of of Buddhist Buddhist thinking thinking The The writing writing they they cite cite most most frequently frequently is is the the book book by by E E F F Schumacher Schumacher Small Small Is Is Beautiful Beautiful and and the the chapter chapter Buddhist Buddhist Economics Economics in in which which the the author author writes writes Consumption Consumption is is merely merely a a means means to to human human well well being being the the aim aim should should be be to to obtain obtain the the maximum maximum of of well well being being with with the the minimum minimum of of consumption consumption You You can can inflame inflame people people s s minds minds subconsciously subconsciously Roshi Roshi Kapleau Kapleau says says When When we we hold hold a a sesshin sesshin our our friends friends as as far far away away as as Poland Poland say say they they can can feel feel the the vibrations vibrations across across the the ocean ocean That That is is the the basis basis of of prayer prayer People People who who are are developed developed in in Zen Zen can can cast cast positive positive forces forces into into the the world world They They can can influence influence millions millions of of people people It It is is happening happening already already Roshi Roshi Kapleau Kapleau cites cites an an old old Buddhist Buddhist adage adage A A small small master master hides hides himself himself in in the the mountains mountains a a great great master master hides hides himself himself in in the the marketplace marketplace The The era era of of seclusion seclusion is is over over for for many many Buddhist Buddhist groups groups which which are are finding finding their their mission mission right right out out in in the the bustle bustle and and some some would would say say hustle hustle of of the the marketplace marketplace The The face face of of American American Buddhism Buddhism includes includes self self improvement improvement courses courses publishing publishing ventures ventures and and Tibetan Tibetan self self healing healing techniques techniques offered offered by by the the Nyingma Nyingma Center Center in in Berkeley Berkeley photography photography and and cultural cultural studies studies and and advice advice on on how how to to care care for for the the dying dying all all offered offered by by the the Los Los Angeles Angeles Zen Zen Center Center college college degrees degrees offered offered by by the the Nampa Nampa Institute Institute an an unaccredited unaccredited college college in in Boulder Boulder Colo Colo which which is is as as close close in in spirit spirit to to Woodstock Woodstock as as it it is is to to Orient Orient The The Tibetan Tibetan teacher teacher Tarthang Tarthang Tulku Tulku Rinpoche Rinpoche urges urges his his disciples disciples at at the the Nyingma Nyingma Center Center to to make make their their wisdom wisdom available available to to the the world world Thus Thus handsome handsome page page brochure brochure boasts boasts There There s s something something for for everyone everyone at at the the institute institute He He insists insists these these courses courses are are offered offered not not to to evangelize evangelize but but as as way way of of sharing sharing wisdom wisdom for for its its sake sake Native Native born born blacks blacks and and whites whites are are also also joining joining more more traditional traditional Oriental Oriental groups groups Paul Paul Kennedy Kennedy a a year year old old Irish Irish American American Rutgers Rutgers graduate graduate recently recently became became the the first first non non Oriental Oriental monk monk ever ever ordained ordained by by a a Chinese Chinese Buddhist Buddhist group group when when he he joined joined the the Temple Temple of of Enlightenment Enlightenment in in the the Bronx Bronx Most Most Oriental Oriental Buddhist Buddhist groups groups have have cultural cultural programs programs for for children children to to keep keep their their Japanese Japanese or or Chinese Chinese or or Korean Korean traditions traditions yet yet their their worship worship services services closely closely resemble resemble Protestant Protestant church church services services with with Western Western style style hymns hymns and and altars altars These These Oriental Oriental American American groups groups have have almost almost nothing nothing to to do do with with groups groups like like the the Zen Zen Center Center of of Rochester Rochester which which are are trying trying to to shed shed all all foreign foreign cultural cultural encrustations encrustations on on the the path path to to enlightenment enlightenment Many Many of of the the frustrated frustrated young young people people who who discovered discovered Buddhism Buddhism in in the the s s are are now now sober sober not not so so young young couples couples of of the the late late s s Many Many are are raising raising modest modest families families of of a a child child or or two two Their Their worldly worldly skills skills are are producing producing decent decent incomes incomes and and the the American American born born Buddhists Buddhists are are trying trying to to build build communities communities The The neighbors neighbors on on Arnold Arnold Park Park in in Rochester Rochester seem seem to to have have accepted accepted the the quiet quiet people people who who come come to to meditate meditate but but some some citizens citizens in in New New York York City City Iowa Iowa and and Minnesota Minnesota have have within within recent recent months months stalled stalled land land sales sales to to Buddhists Buddhists Roshi Roshi Kapleau Kapleau has has taken taken great great effort effort to to avoid avoid the the child child nabbing nabbing charges charges occasionally occasionally leveled leveled against against some some cults cults and and he he recently recently received received approval approval from from a a Rochester Rochester minister minister before before the the minister minister s s year year old old daughter daughter was was allowed allowed to to visit visit the the center center The The Japanese Japanese born born roshi roshi in in Los Los Angeles Angeles Taizan Taizan Maezumi Maezumi tries tries to to visit visit families families of of his his members members when when he he travels travels across across the the The The Buddhists Buddhists seem seem to to know know they they are are not not for for every every American American and and indeed indeed they they have have no no room room for for every every American American Meditating Meditating requires requires intense intense motivation motivation The The ones ones who who come come have have some some real real desire desire for for spiritual spiritual moral moral philosophical philosophical or or intellectual intellectual uplifting uplifting Dedicated Dedicated Buddhists Buddhists feel feel their their way way of of life life offers offers something something important important to to Americans Americans who who can can understand understand it it Joseph Joseph Lippman Lippman a a former former Congressional Congressional aide aide who who came came to to Buddhism Buddhism through through his his two two sons sons and and is is now now the the dean dean of of the the Nyingma Nyingma Institute Institute in in Berkeley Berkeley says says he he believes believes life life is is going going to to get get more more painful painful in in America America both both spiritually spiritually and and physically physically He He says says Buddhism Buddhism can can teach teach people people to to live live with with less less to to be be content content with with themselves themselves to to cope cope with with the the diminishing diminishing pleasure pleasure and and greater greater pain pain that that will will accompany accompany the the last last quarter quarter of of this this Can Can these these perceptions perceptions be be transmitted transmitted from from one one generation generation to to another another Unlike Unlike Ca Ca tholicism tholicism with with its its first first communion communion at at the the age age of of or or Judaism Judaism with with its its bar bar and and bat bat mitzvah mitzvah at at the the age age of of Buddhism Buddhism has has no no rites rites of of passage passage for for children children Richard Richard and and Vicky Vicky Wehrman Wehrman moved moved from from Missouri Missouri to to be be close close to to Roshi Roshi Kapleau Kapleau to to raise raise their their children children as as Buddhists Buddhists if if possible possible in in a a polyglot polyglot society society My My daughter daughter is is going going to to Catholic Catholic school school this this year year because because it it was was the the best best alternative alternative says says Mrs Mrs Wehrman Wehrman She She takes takes religion religion minutes minutes a a day day but but they they re re not not trying trying to to convert convert her her And And as as Buddhists Buddhists we we are are wary wary of of setting setting up up programs programs for for our our children children but but lately lately my my daughter daughter has has come come to to the the center center for for some some of of the the celebrations celebrations Buddhists Buddhists tend tend to to want want their their children children to to be be exposed exposed not not indoctrinated indoctrinated When When we we first first moved moved into into our our neighborhood neighborhood we we used used to to sit sit on on the the floor floor to to eat eat but but the the children children felt felt strange strange about about bringing bringing their their friends friends home home so so we we got got chairs chairs We We try try to to have have a a middle middle class class style style for for them them but but we we do do have have altars altars around around the the house house I I don don t t think think anybody anybody says says anything anything to to the the children children about about being being different different Actually Actually some some Buddhist Buddhist parents parents say say the the most most noticeable noticeable aspect aspect of of their their Buddhism Buddhism is is their their vegetarianism vegetarianism But But even even that that is is becoming becoming commonplace commonplace in in schools schools and and offices offices these these days days Though Though not not all all Buddhists Buddhists are are vegetarian vegetarian those those who who are are like like to to take take some some credit credit for for the the rising rising consumption consumption of of fruits fruits and and vegetables vegetables The The Los Los Angeles Angeles Zen Zen Center Center has has a a day day care care center center for for children children and and allows allows the the children children to to improvise improvise their their own own Buddhist Buddhist rituals rituals other other groups groups are are leery leery of of early early exposure exposure because because of of memories memories of of their their own own Jewish Jewish or or Christian Christian childhoods childhoods The The Rochester Rochester group group has has been been concentrating concentrating on on American American style style holidays holidays New New Year Year s s Eve Eve parties parties with with a a traditional traditional Buddhist Buddhist drivingout drivingout of of ghosts ghosts Halloween Halloween Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Some Some parents parents do do not not transmit transmit their their Buddhist Buddhist beliefs beliefs to to their their children children Alan Alan Temple Temple a a leader leader of of the the Rochester Rochester center center who who lives lives and and works works in in a a suburban suburban neighborhood neighborhood says says he he is is hurt hurt that that his his year year old old son son has has no no interest interest in in Buddhism Buddhism Other Other families families have have more more success success The The Wehrmans Wehrmans try try not not to to appear appear unusual unusual to to their their two two teen teen age age children children but but they they do do conduct conduct meditations meditations in in their their home home and and they they see see signs signs of of passing passing the the practice practice to to the the next next wave wave My My son son resisted resisted for for a a long long time time but but lately lately he he has has been been coming coming around around Mrs Mrs Wehrman Wehrman says says The The other other day day we we were were all all cross cross with with each each other other for for some some reason reason A A lot lot of of bad bad vibrations vibrations in in the the house house My My son son said said Mom Mom we we d d better better have have a a sitting sitting So So he he put put on on a a robe robe and and got got a a cushion cushion and and he he began began to to sit sit He He only only lasted lasted five five minutes minutes and and we we all all lasted lasted longer longer than than he he did did but but we we got got good good karma karma back back into into our our house house Sylvan Sylvan Busch Busch a a commercial commercial artist artist who who is is president president of of the the Zen Zen Studies Studies Society Society in in New New York York City City says says his his year year old old son son has has just just started started to to attend attend the the center center s s meetings meetings Mr Mr Busch Busch who who has has been been practicing practicing Zen Zen Buddhism Buddhism since since says says he he never never tried tried to to influence influence his his son son s s choice choice knew knew if if he he was was curious curious he he would would look look in in Of Of the the future future of of Zen Zen Buddhism Buddhism in in America America Mr Mr Busch Busch says says We We have have made made a a good good start start But But with with pockets pockets of of people people here here and and people people there there we we can can t t really really be be considered considered established established Bringing Bringing a a new new religion religion to to a a country country as as big big as as the the United United States States is is not not easy easy But But we we are are doing doing a a lot lot of of good good we we are are putting putting down down roots roots Roshi Roshi Kapleau Kapleau has has been been thinking thinking about about putting putting down down new new roots roots as as well well He He has has recently recently decided decided to to build build a a new new headquarters headquarters on on acres acres in in Denver Denver A A female female disciple disciple Toni Toni Packer Packer will will run run the the center center in in Rochester Rochester as as an an affiliate affiliate Most Most Zen Zen teachers teachers move move around around he he says says of of his his decision decision There There is is no no concept concept of of an an irreplaceable irreplaceable guru guru Part Part of of Zen Zen training training is is not not to to let let people people get get dependent dependent on on you you They They must must stand stand on on their their own own feet feet Advertisement Advertisement Continue Continue reading reading the the main main story story Site Site Information Information Navigation Navigation The The New New York York Times Times Company Company NYTCo NYTCo Contact Contact Us Us Accessibility Accessibility Work Work with with us us Advertise Advertise T T Brand Brand Studio Studio 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