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Roshi Bernie Bernie Glassman Glassman By By Daniel Daniel Burke Burke CNN CNN Religion Religion Editor Editor Updated Updated GMT GMT HKT HKT December December CNN CNN One One of of Bernie Bernie Glassman Glassman s s favorite favorite koans koans asks asks Where Where do do you you step step from from the the top top of of a a foot foot pole pole His His answer answer seemed seemed to to be be You You plunge plunge Glassman Glassman who who died died November November at at age age was was a a Brooklyn Brooklyn born born Jew Jew a a recognized recognized Zen Zen master master a a Buddhist Buddhist trailblazer trailblazer a a restless restless mensch mensch and and a a serial serial plunger plunger Glassman Glassman plunged plunged into into aeronautical aeronautical engineering engineering into into Zen Zen into into leading leading a a Buddhist Buddhist community community into into running running a a bakery bakery into into growing growing that that bakery bakery into into a a constellation constellation of of social social services services into into holding holding spiritual spiritual retreats retreats among among the the homeless homeless and and at at Holocaust Holocaust haunted haunted concentration concentration camps camps into into writing writing a a book book of of koans koans with with a a Hollywood Hollywood star star into into mourning mourning when when his his second second wife wife died died and and into into learning learning to to walk walk and and talk talk again again two two years years ago ago after after a a stroke stroke The The plunges plunges as as Glassman Glassman called called them them served served a a spiritual spiritual purpose purpose to to uproot uproot preconditioned preconditioned ideas ideas bear bear witness witness to to what what s s going going on on and and serve serve those those most most in in need need At At a a time time when when many many American American Buddhists Buddhists preferred preferred self self development development to to social social engagement engagement Glassman Glassman dismissed dismissed mannequin mannequin meditation meditation and and carried carried his his Zen Zen practice practice from from clean clean aired aired monasteries monasteries to to chaotic chaotic city city streets streets where where he he led led weeklong weeklong retreats retreats on on sidewalks sidewalks and and in in crowded crowded parks parks Read Read More More Bernie Bernie was was very very clear clear that that meditation meditation was was not not a a refuge refuge from from life life said said Roshi Roshi Eve Eve Myonen Myonen Marko Marko Glassman Glassman s s third third wife wife For For him him meditation meditation was was total total engagement engagement With With his his longish longish hair hair sad sad eyed eyed smile smile and and Churchill Churchill cigars cigars in in his his later later years years Glassman Glassman looked looked less less like like a a traditional traditional Zen Zen master master than than a a hippie hippie cigar cigar entrepreneur entrepreneur to to quote quote a a former former student student But But his his carefree carefree aesthetic aesthetic masked masked intense intense ethical ethical commitments commitments After After an an epiphany epiphany in in which which he he saw saw people people as as hungry hungry ghosts ghosts Buddhist Buddhist beings beings whose whose swollen swollen bellies bellies and and pencil pencil thin thin necks necks symbolize symbolize the the insatiability insatiability of of desire desire Glassman Glassman vowed vowed to to serve serve them them It It was was a a literal literal experience experience and and a a formative formative experience experience said said Glassman Glassman in in Seeing Seeing the the variety variety of of cravings cravings and and beings beings all all around around us us Bernie Bernie Glassman Glassman in in Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Bernie Bernie Glassman Glassman in in Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Bernie Bernie Glassman Glassman in in Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Greyston Greyston Bakery Bakery in in Yonkers Yonkers New New York York which which Glassman Glassman co co founded founded in in with with his his Zen Zen community community has has grown grown into into a a million million business business selling selling sweets sweets to to companies companies like like Ben Ben Jerry Jerry s s while while employing employing ex ex cons cons the the disabled disabled and and former former addicts addicts through through its its open open hiring hiring policy policy The The profits profits are are donated donated to to Greyston Greyston Foundation Foundation which which offers offers affordable affordable housing housing and and social social services services for for the the poor poor and and health health care care for for people people living living with with AIDS AIDS One One thing thing Bernie Bernie Glassman Glassman was was great great at at was was feeding feeding people people said said Frank Frank Ostaseski Ostaseski author author of of The The Five Five Invitations Invitations and and founding founding director director of of the the Zen Zen Hospice Hospice Project Project He He fed fed their their material material needs needs and and he he fed fed them them spiritual spiritual sustenance sustenance Zen Zen Peacemakers Peacemakers International International Glassman Glassman s s other other big big venture venture has has nearly nearly members members Buddhist Buddhist and and non non Buddhist Buddhist in in chapters chapters worldwide worldwide About About people people have have participated participated in in its its bearing bearing witness witness retreats retreats many many held held at at Auschwitz Auschwitz Birkenau Birkenau and and other other sites sites of of notorious notorious inhumanity inhumanity said said Rami Rami Efal Efal the the group group s s executive executive director director Everyone Everyone doing doing engaged engaged Buddhist Buddhist work work owes owes a a certain certain debt debt to to him him said said Hozan Hozan Alan Alan Senauke Senauke vice vice abbot abbot of of the the Berkeley Berkeley Zen Zen Center Center in in California California and and a a longtime longtime social social justice justice activist activist Trained Trained by by Japanese Japanese missionaries missionaries in in the the intricacies intricacies of of Zen Zen a a school school of of Buddhism Buddhism brought brought to to China China in in the the th th century century Glassman Glassman was was an an influential influential bridge bridge between between its its ancient ancient teachings teachings and and his his modern modern American American following following He He was was also also ambitious ambitious and and iconoclastic iconoclastic preferring preferring Hawaiian Hawaiian shirts shirts to to a a Zen Zen teacher teacher s s brown brown robes robes and and came came to to believe believe that that Eastern Eastern practices practices were were insufficient insufficient for for the the tradition tradition to to blossom blossom in in America America In In our our evolution evolution in in this this country country we we have have imported imported these these wonderful wonderful techniques techniques from from the the East East Glassman Glassman said said in in and and we we are are now now at at the the point point where where we we know know it it s s not not enough enough Some Some of of Glassman Glassman s s Zen Zen experiments experiments found found a a following following others others did did not not At At times times some some Buddhists Buddhists questioned questioned whether whether they they were were authentically authentically Zen Zen at at all all He He moved moved pretty pretty far far to to the the edge edge of of what what Zen Zen was was said said the the Rev Rev James James Myoun Myoun Ford Ford a a Zen Zen priest priest and and Unitarian Unitarian Universalist Universalist minister minister who who has has written written several several books books about about Zen Zen Zen Zen needs needs people people who who break break the the mold mold but but we we also also need need the the mold mold Glassman Glassman s s empowering empowering of of non non Buddhists Buddhists to to teach teach in in his his Zen Zen lineage lineage relentless relentless focus focus on on social social justice justice and and refusal refusal to to adopt adopt the the traditional traditional trappings trappings of of a a Zen Zen teacher teacher stirred stirred the the waters waters of of American American Buddhism Buddhism People People either either thought thought he he was was a a heretic heretic or or an an avatar avatar of of the the New New Zen Zen said said Helen Helen Tworkov Tworkov author author of of the the book book Zen Zen in in America America Five Five Teachers Teachers and and the the Search Search for for an an American American Buddhism Buddhism So So much much of of what what he he tried tried to to do do is is broaden broaden the the parameters parameters of of Zen Zen especially especially for for underserved underserved populations populations Glassman Glassman s s restlessness restlessness and and unconventionality unconventionality likely likely prevented prevented several several of of his his Zen Zen projects projects from from attracting attracting large large enough enough flocks flocks to to flourish flourish several several experts experts said said But But his his idiosyncrasies idiosyncrasies also also inspired inspired fellow fellow Zen Zen adepts adepts Bernie Bernie is is the the one one who who really really gave gave us us the the permission permission to to be be ourselves ourselves said said Senauke Senauke His His influence influence will will be be wide wide that that way way Glassman Glassman passed passed his his direct direct influence influence on on to to dharma dharma heirs heirs the the Buddhist Buddhist term term for for spiritual spiritual successors successors whom whom he he recognized recognized as as masters masters in in his his Soto Soto Zen Zen lineage lineage The The eclectic eclectic heirs heirs include include a a National National Book Book Award Award winning winning author author a a pioneer pioneer in in prison prison ministry ministry an an expert expert in in end end of of life life care care a a Jesuit Jesuit priest priest and and a a Catholic Catholic nun nun Bernie Bernie completely completely revolutionized revolutionized our our sense sense of of what what it it means means to to be be a a Western Western practitioner practitioner of of Zen Zen in in the the st st century century and and to to make make a a difference difference in in the the world world said said Roshi Roshi Pat Pat Enkyo Enkyo O O Hara Hara abbot abbot of of the the Village Village Zendo Zendo in in New New York York City City and and one one of of Glassman Glassman s s dharma dharma heirs heirs I I learned learned from from him him how how to to really really serve serve It It was was great great and and sometimes sometimes it it wasn wasn t t great great It It was was like like Oh Oh my my my my whole whole world world is is changing changing right right in in front front of of me me Glassman Glassman leads leads the the Zen Zen Peacemakers Peacemakers on on a a quot quot bearing bearing witness witness quot quot retreat retreat Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Glassman Glassman leads leads the the Zen Zen Peacemakers Peacemakers on on a a quot quot bearing bearing witness witness quot quot retreat retreat Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Glassman Glassman leads leads the the Zen Zen Peacemakers Peacemakers on on a a bearing bearing witness witness retreat retreat Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham The The following following is is a a brief brief oral oral history history of of Glassman Glassman s s life life based based on on previously previously published published interviews interviews a a documentary documentary and and recent recent conversations conversations with with his his family family friends friends students students and and former former students students Some Some quotations quotations have have been been lightly lightly edited edited for for length length and and clarity clarity The The photographs photographs in in this this story story were were taken taken by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Bernie Bernie Glassman Glassman was was born born January January in in Brighton Brighton Beach Beach Brooklyn Brooklyn to to secular secular Jewish Jewish immigrants immigrants Glassman Glassman I I was was a a spoiled spoiled baby baby with with four four older older sisters sisters Roshi Roshi Eve Eve Myonen Myonen Marko Marko Glassman Glassman s s third third wife wife At At the the same same time time many many people people comment comment about about the the sadness sadness in in his his eyes eyes He He lost lost his his mother mother at at the the age age of of and and that that affected affected him him deeply deeply On On some some very very basic basic level level he he knew knew about about suffering suffering Glassman Glassman I I grew grew up up in in somewhat somewhat poor poor areas areas and and people people were were being being beaten beaten up up because because they they were were black black they they were were being being beaten beaten up up because because they they were were Jewish Jewish I I was was very very aware aware of of all all of of that that Glassman Glassman I I became became interested interested in in airplanes airplanes very very early early in in my my life life and and went went to to a a high high school school that that specialized specialized in in engineering engineering in in Brooklyn Brooklyn and and from from there there to to an an engineering engineering college college In In college college I I got got interested interested in in Zen Zen through through reading reading Huston Huston Smith Smith the the page page on on Zen Zen struck struck me me as as home home Nowadays Nowadays on on the the web web we we might might call call it it my my homepage homepage That That was was home home for for me me It It was was immediate immediate Glassman Glassman I I went went to to Israel Israel for for a a year year I I came came back back in in and and heard heard there there was was a a Zen Zen temple temple in in Little Little Tokyo Tokyo in in Los Los Angeles Angeles There There was was a a group group of of people people sitting sitting together together one one night night a a week week and and there there was was a a young young monk monk helping helping the the Japanese Japanese roshi roshi in in charge charge That That young young monk monk was was Taizan Taizan Maezumi Maezumi who who was was to to be be my my teacher teacher I I was was and and he he was was He He was was just just a a young young monk monk and and he he did did not not speak speak much much Glassman Glassman Around Around I I ran ran into into Maezumi Maezumi again again He He was was translating translating for for a a man man Yasutani Yasutani Roshi Roshi who who had had become become somewhat somewhat famous famous in in the the Zen Zen world world because because of of Three Three Pillars Pillars of of Zen Zen And And he he was was translating translating for for him him at at a a workshop workshop and and I I saw saw that that his his English English was was really really good good so so I I went went up up to to him him and and asked asked if if he he had had his his own own place place which which he he did did Glassman Glassman In In the the early early days days there there weren weren t t very very many many people people I I d d go go to to sit sit every every morning morning and and many many times times it it would would just just be be Maezumi Maezumi myself myself and and maybe maybe a a few few other other people people But But then then it it started started to to grow grow in in the the s s and and got got rather rather large large Glassman Glassman was was given given the the dharma dharma name name Tetsugen Tetsugen or or penetrator penetrator of of subtleties subtleties Ordained Ordained a a novice novice priest priest in in Glassman Glassman and and his his family family moved moved into into Maezumi Maezumi s s Zen Zen Center Center of of Los Los Angeles Angeles Glassman Glassman and and his his teacher teacher Taizan Taizan Maezumi Maezumi Roshi Roshi Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Glassman Glassman and and his his teacher teacher Taizan Taizan Maezumi Maezumi Roshi Roshi Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Glassman Glassman and and his his teacher teacher Taizan Taizan Maezumi Maezumi Roshi Roshi Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Alisa Alisa Glassman Glassman Bernie Bernie s s daughter daughter My My mom mom Helen Helen was was raised raised Orthodox Orthodox Jewish Jewish and and my my brother brother and and I I went went to to yeshivas yeshivas in in Beverly Beverly Hills Hills Meanwhile Meanwhile we we lived lived in in the the hood hood in in Los Los Angeles Angeles It It was was odd odd to to everybody everybody else else but but it it wasn wasn t t odd odd to to our our family family We We kept kept kosher kosher in in the the home home and and Zen Zen masters masters from from around around the the world world would would come come to to our our house house for for Shabbat Shabbat It It was was sometimes sometimes hard hard to to bring bring people people home home I I had had to to explain explain a a lot lot to to people people before before they they came came to to the the house house In In Maezumi Maezumi Roshi Roshi conferred conferred dharma dharma transmission transmission on on Glassman Glassman making making him him the the first first American American authorized authorized to to teach teach in in his his Soto Soto Zen Zen lineage lineage Glassman Glassman I I became became very very involved involved with with the the Japanese Japanese Soto Soto sect sect because because Maezumi Maezumi would would basically basically take take me me with with him him to to Japan Japan every every year year for for about about a a month month and and we we would would always always visit visit headquarters headquarters and and various various teachers teachers within within the the Soto Soto sect sect Maezumi Maezumi was was looked looked at at as as somewhat somewhat of of a a rebel rebel but but he he would would always always visit visit headquarters headquarters In In Maezumi Maezumi was was accused accused of of sexual sexual impropriety impropriety with with female female students students and and entered entered rehab rehab for for alcoholism alcoholism according according to to the the White White Plum Plum Asanga Asanga an an organization organization that that includes includes his his students students and and successors successors Glassman Glassman Before Before I I left left I I was was sort sort of of his his right right hand hand person person if if you you will will I I left left in in December December of of and and a a couple couple years years later later there there were were the the scandals scandals and and attendance attendance went went way way way way down down Maezumi Maezumi encouraged encouraged Glassman Glassman to to start start his his own own Zen Zen community community With With donations donations he he bought bought a a mansion mansion for for his his small small flock flock in in Riverdale Riverdale New New York York Glassman Glassman s s Zen Zen community community in in New New York York started started a a bakery bakery called called Greyston Greyston Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Glassman Glassman s s Zen Zen community community in in New New York York started started a a bakery bakery called called Greyston Greyston Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Glassman Glassman s s Zen Zen community community in in New New York York started started a a bakery bakery called called Greyston Greyston Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Roshi Roshi Wendy Wendy Egyoku Egyoku Nakao Nakao abbot abbot of of Zen Zen Center Center of of Los Los Angeles Angeles He He immediately immediately starts starts a a bakery bakery and and that that created created a a huge huge mess mess because because people people didn didn t t want want to to work work night night and and day day Many Many students students decided decided not not to to follow follow him him because because they they wanted wanted him him to to be be the the image image of of the the Zen Zen master master in in the the zendo zendo and and he he was was so so brilliant brilliant at at that that Marko Marko If If you you look look at at old old pictures pictures of of when when he he was was a a priest priest you you can can see see this this intensity intensity and and fierceness fierceness in in his his eyes eyes Sometimes Sometimes it it rankled rankled people people Glassman Glassman I I m m pushy pushy I I m m very very determined determined to to get get things things done done If If someone someone is is hungry hungry I I want want to to feed feed them them If If someone someone is is homeless homeless I I want want to to find find a a place place for for them them to to live live In In the the s s Glassman Glassman moved moved his his community community to to an an impoverished impoverished area area of of Yonkers Yonkers New New York York He He conceived conceived of of a a mandala mandala of of social social services services for for the the community community including including a a homeless homeless shelter shelter addiction addiction treatment treatment child child care care and and jobs jobs at at Greyston Greyston Bakery Bakery Glassman Glassman I I didn didn t t want want to to start start a a business business that that would would provide provide work work for for just just a a few few students students and and help help support support our our community community I I wanted wanted to to start start a a business business that that could could also also provide provide jobs jobs and and training training outside outside our our community community I I was was looking looking for for a a way way for for business business itself itself to to become become a a force force for for social social change change and and a a way way of of spiritual spiritual transformation transformation Helen Helen Tworkov Tworkov a a former former student student of of Glassman Glassman s s and and author author of of Zen Zen in in America America He He was was tremendously tremendously restless restless He He seemed seemed most most comfortable comfortable in in his his office office plotting plotting and and planning planning Marko Marko He He used used to to give give excellent excellent dharma dharma talks talks but but when when he he started started talking talking about about construction construction and and state state approvals approvals for for grants grants people people used used to to get get pissed pissed and and say say That That s s not not Zen Zen And And he he would would say say That That s s exactly exactly Zen Zen There There was was an an exodus exodus of of students students who who didn didn t t want want to to move move to to Yonkers Yonkers He He watched watched so so many many people people leave leave him him Glassman Glassman When When we we say say that that Zen Zen is is life life dealing dealing in in the the moment moment with with what what is is that that s s the the essence essence of of Buddhism Buddhism So So if if there there s s a a starving starving person person giving giving them them food food is is the the essence essence of of Buddhism Buddhism Man Man identified identified as as Batman Batman in in the the documentary documentary Instructions Instructions to to the the Cook Cook I I was was living living on on the the streets streets homeless homeless and and suffering suffering drugging drugging and and drinking drinking and and everything everything I I needed needed help help and and he he was was there there for for me me He He came came up up to to me me and and asked asked if if he he could could sit sit down down beside beside me me and and I I looked looked up up and and saw saw this this strange strange man man in in his his robes robes and and stuff stuff and and I I said said sure sure He He was was comforting comforting reassuring reassuring and and energizing energizing It It made made me me feel feel warm warm I I felt felt wanted wanted He He invited invited me me to to come come up up to to Westchester Westchester and and at at the the time time I I thought thought he he was was joking joking Four Four days days later later I I decided decided to to make make a a phone phone call call and and he he sent sent one one of of the the monks monks down down to to bring bring me me up up to to the the monastery monastery The The Rev Rev James James Myoun Myoun Ford Ford Zen Zen priest priest and and Unitarian Unitarian Universalist Universalist minister minister Bernie Bernie cared cared about about hunger hunger basic basic shelter shelter people people at at the the edge edge Before Before him him the the big big social social justice justice issues issues for for many many Buddhists Buddhists were were in in house house issues issues like like peace peace It It was was social social justice justice from from the the vantage vantage of of the the middle middle and and upper upper class class Bernie Bernie talked talked about about soup soup kitchens kitchens He He was was going going to to be be the the Zen Zen Buddhist Buddhist Dorothy Dorothy Day Day Glassman Glassman leads leads one one of of his his quot quot street street retreats retreats quot quot Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Glassman Glassman leads leads one one of of his his quot quot street street retreats retreats quot quot Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Glassman Glassman leads leads one one of of his his street street retreats retreats Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham In In Greyston Greyston Mandala Mandala opened opened the the Maitri Maitri Center Center and and Issan Issan House House to to provide provide housing housing and and health health care care for for people people afflicted afflicted with with AIDS AIDS Unidentified Unidentified man man featured featured in in Instructions Instructions to to the the Cook Cook speaking speaking to to Glassman Glassman Seeing Seeing over over the the years years the the things things you you have have done done for for people people who who are are living living with with AIDS AIDS people people living living with with no no hope hope and and I I was was one one of of them them I I am am so so thankful thankful for for the the things things you you pulled pulled together together When When I I came came in in this this door door in in with with kidney kidney failure failure I I learned learned to to live live all all over over again again There There s s a a hope hope for for living living here here and and I I just just want want to to give give it it to to the the next next person person Frank Frank Ostaseski Ostaseski founding founding director director of of the the Zen Zen Hospice Hospice Project Project What What I I learned learned from from Bernie Bernie was was a a willingness willingness to to stay stay in in the the room room when when the the going going got got tough tough and and to to take take loving loving action action It It changed changed the the way way I I practice practice I I ve ve learned learned to to stay stay in in the the room room when when people people are are suffering suffering and and not not leave leave Maezumi Maezumi died died unexpectedly unexpectedly in in Soon Soon after after Glassman Glassman stopped stopped wearing wearing robes robes grew grew his his hair hair out out and and told told people people to to call call him him Bernie Bernie Roshi Roshi Pat Pat Enkyo Enkyo O O Hara Hara abbot abbot of of Village Village Zendo Zendo in in New New York York City City He He felt felt like like the the name name Tetsugen Tetsugen didn didn t t cut cut it it when when he he was was at at a a city city council council meeting meeting trying trying to to get get approval approval for for a a project project He He made made that that decision decision right right after after his his teacher teacher died died and and that that is is important important He He didn didn t t do do it it before before because because of of his his love love and and respect respect for for his his teacher teacher who who was was a a Japanese Japanese man man with with a a family family that that was was well well known known and and very very much much a a part part of of the the hierarchy hierarchy in in the the Soto Soto Zen Zen school school When When Bernie Bernie disrobed disrobed and and grew grew his his hair hair some some of of us us who who were were more more traditional traditional were were like like How How could could you you do do this this But But it it was was also also liberating liberating We We could could practice practice no no matter matter what what we we looked looked like like and and we we didn didn t t have have to to hold hold onto onto traditions traditions that that were were not not suiting suiting us us Hozan Hozan Alan Alan Senauke Senauke vice vice abbot abbot of of the the Berkeley Berkeley Zen Zen Center Center For For Bernie Bernie it it was was a a challenge challenge because because when when Maezumi Maezumi passed passed away away it it was was assumed assumed that that Bernie Bernie would would become become the the leading leading figure figure for for Soto Soto Zen Zen Buddhism Buddhism in in the the United United States States But But he he absolutely absolutely stepped stepped away away from from that that He He had had already already made made the the decision decision long long before before that that he he did did not not want want to to be be saddled saddled with with that that responsibility responsibility He He wanted wanted to to follow follow his his own own path path That That was was a a radical radical step step and and perplexing perplexing from from what what I I understand understand to to the the Japanese Japanese who who were were looking looking for for Bernie Bernie to to be be the the point point person person for for their their Zen Zen project project in in America America Nakao Nakao I I don don t t think think he he could could have have done done the the religious religious institution institution thing thing I I think think it it would would have have killed killed him him Alisa Alisa Glassman Glassman My My dad dad was was always always a a searcher searcher and and I I think think things things unfolded unfolded for for him him through through his his life life He He was was always always questioning questioning What What does does it it mean mean to to be be a a Zen Zen Buddhist Buddhist a a human human being being just just to to be be For For him him it it wasn wasn t t about about the the traditions traditions the the bells bells the the robes robes It It was was the the actions actions the the way way he he led led his his life life That That was was Zen Zen to to him him Glassman Glassman I I couldn couldn t t have have hair hair when when I I was was with with Maezumi Maezumi Roshi Roshi and and I I couldn couldn t t be be Bernie Bernie Then Then he he died died in in and and by by I I was was Bernie Bernie again again and and I I had had a a beard beard and and hair hair In In the the mid mid s s Glassman Glassman was was looking looking for for a a new new venture venture He He had had already already begun begun experimenting experimenting with with street street retreats retreats On On his his th th birthday birthday Glassman Glassman meditated meditated in in Washington Washington searching searching for for his his next next adventure adventure Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham On On his his th th birthday birthday Glassman Glassman meditated meditated in in Washington Washington searching searching for for his his next next adventure adventure Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham On On his his th th birthday birthday Glassman Glassman meditated meditated in in Washington Washington searching searching for for his his next next adventure adventure Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Glassman Glassman I I wanted wanted to to figure figure out out what what am am I I gonna gonna do do next next So So I I decided decided to to do do a a retreat retreat on on the the steps steps of of the the Capitol Capitol in in Washington Washington D D C C There There were were about about of of us us And And I I gave gave as as a a theme theme for for that that retreat retreat What What actions actions are are we we gonna gonna take take in in our our lives lives that that will will help help the the aspects aspects of of society society that that we we re re not not dealing dealing with with and and society society s s not not dealing dealing with with Nakao Nakao When When he he did did the the first first street street retreat retreat on on his his birthday birthday on on the the steps steps of of the the US US Capitol Capitol in in the the freezing freezing snow snow he he saw saw that that the the people people who who were were with with him him had had been been shaken shaken out out of of their their usual usual mindsets mindsets and and that that this this was was in in many many ways ways more more powerful powerful than than all all the the hours hours they they had had sat sat in in meditation meditation halls halls Glassman Glassman It It turned turned out out to to be be the the coldest coldest week week in in Washington Washington DC DC in in years years We We slept slept at at night night at at a a local local shelter shelter one one of of the the largest largest shelters shelters in in the the country country a a few few blocks blocks from from the the Capitol Capitol At At that that retreat retreat came came the the answer answer to to my my question question that that I I was was going going to to start start a a peacemaker peacemaker order order Street Street retreats retreats and and plunges plunges at at Holocaust Holocaust concentration concentration camps camps and and homeless homeless shelters shelters became became hallmarks hallmarks of of the the Zen Zen Peacemaker Peacemaker Order Order which which Glassman Glassman co co founded founded with with his his late late wife wife Roshi Roshi Sandra Sandra Jishu Jishu Holmes Holmes in in Glassman Glassman and and other other Zen Zen Peacemakers Peacemakers meditate meditate on on the the train train tracks tracks at at Auschwitz Auschwitz Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Glassman Glassman and and other other Zen Zen Peacemakers Peacemakers meditate meditate on on the the train train tracks tracks at at Auschwitz Auschwitz Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Glassman Glassman and and other other Zen Zen Peacemakers Peacemakers meditate meditate on on the the train train tracks tracks at at Auschwitz Auschwitz Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Glassman Glassman I I want want to to figure figure out out how how to to learn learn from from those those who who have have suffered suffered in in a a certain certain way way even even though though I I can can t t fully fully enter enter that that realm realm So So we we go go on on the the streets streets I I know know we we aren aren t t homeless homeless and and I I make make that that quite quite clear clear At At the the same same time time those those who who come come will will experience experience something something that that is is closer closer to to that that world world than than those those who who haven haven t t been been there there This This is is the the meaning meaning of of bearing bearing witness witness It It s s like like entering entering a a church church knowing knowing you you re re not not God God or or the the priest priest But But you you will will experience experience something something different different from from someone someone who who stays stays out out of of the the church church or or someone someone who who is is just just hired hired to to fix fix the the roof roof O O Hara Hara In In all all the the Abrahamic Abrahamic spiritual spiritual traditions traditions there there s s a a sense sense of of caring caring for for the the other other and and it it s s a a beautiful beautiful way way for for us us to to be be generous generous and and kind kind to to one one another another But But they they are are still still the the other other and and there there s s a a kind kind of of one one up up one one down down relationship relationship What What we we learned learned on on the the street street retreats retreats when when you you don don t t take take anything anything with with you you in in terms terms of of money money or or ID ID and and we we try try to to wear wear simple simple clothes clothes we we can can go go into into that that space space of of learning learning what what it it is is like like to to be be homeless homeless to to be be poor poor That That s s an an insight insight that that you you can can t t read read about about You You have have to to do do it it Marko Marko It It took took me me years years before before I I would would go go on on the the street street with with them them A A lot lot happened happened on on the the streets streets A A lot lot People People who who had had great great fear fear about about what what it it would would mean mean to to be be a a bag bag lady lady what what it it is is to to starve starve came came out out feeling feeling very very differently differently Alisa Alisa Glassman Glassman The The first first year year they they did did Auschwitz Auschwitz and and he he asked asked me me to to go go but but I I didn didn t t want want to to because because I I had had gone gone to to yeshivas yeshivas and and we we had had a a day day every every year year just just for for remembering remembering the the Holocaust Holocaust and and it it was was painful painful But But he he didn didn t t ask ask me me to to do do a a lot lot of of things things in in life life so so I I went went Glassman Glassman We We entered entered Birkenau Birkenau And And I I was was struck struck again again like like before before when when I I was was struck struck by by all all the the hungry hungry spirits spirits suffering suffering and and wanting wanting to to be be fed fed wanting wanting their their suffering suffering to to be be relieved relieved so so now now I I was was struck struck by by the the feeling feeling of of souls souls In In my my head head it it was was like like millions millions of of souls souls wanting wanting to to be be remembered remembered O O Hara Hara His His willingness willingness as as a a Jew Jew to to go go to to Auschwitz Auschwitz over over and and over over again again and and to to see see the the hurt hurt and and meet meet it it is is just just really really powerful powerful for for me me Ostaseski Ostaseski He He would would sit sit like like a a stone stone on on the the train train tracks tracks in in Birkenau Birkenau in in the the cold cold and and rainy rainy November November weather weather The The rain rain was was pounding pounding and and there there was was Bernie Bernie in in his his poncho poncho not not moving moving an an inch inch setting setting an an example example for for all all of of us us He He was was leading leading with with his his life life Nakao Nakao He He used used to to say say that that he he liked liked to to go go into into cracks cracks not not only only of of our our society society but but also also himself himself Glassman Glassman walks walks at at the the gates gates of of Auschwitz Auschwitz a a Nazi Nazi concentration concentration camp camp where where he he said said he he heard heard souls souls voices voices clamoring clamoring to to be be remembered remembered Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Glassman Glassman walks walks at at the the gates gates of of Auschwitz Auschwitz a a Nazi Nazi concentration concentration camp camp where where he he said said he he heard heard souls souls voices voices clamoring clamoring to to be be remembered remembered Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Glassman Glassman walks walks at at the the gates gates of of Auschwitz Auschwitz a a Nazi Nazi concentration concentration camp camp where where he he said said he he heard heard souls souls voices voices clamoring clamoring to to be be remembered remembered Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Glassman Glassman s s wife wife Roshi Roshi Sandra Sandra Jishu Jishu Holmes Holmes died died of of a a heart heart attack attack in in plunging plunging Glassman Glassman into into grief grief Glassman Glassman Over Over and and over over people people talked talked about about Jishu Jishu s s lighthearted lighthearted happy happy smile smile a a smile smile that that none none of of us us was was going going to to see see again again What What are are you you going going to to do do they they asked asked me me I I m m going going to to bear bear witness witness I I replied replied I I canceled canceled my my schedule schedule of of public public appearances appearances for for the the rest rest of of the the year year including including a a book book tour tour I I put put off off hundreds hundreds of of friends friends associates associates and and students students who who called called or or wished wished to to fly fly over over I I knew knew from from the the beginning beginning how how easy easy it it would would be be for for a a man man like like me me surrounded surrounded by by people people and and programs programs and and plans plans with with schedules schedules finalized finalized two two years years in in advance advance to to throw throw himself himself into into his his work work Instead Instead I I chose chose to to do do a a plunge plunge I I chose chose to to plunge plunge into into Jishu Jishu Nakao Nakao Jishu Jishu held held the the empathy empathy and and emotions emotions for for the the couple couple Bernie Bernie was was not not that that He He was was a a doer doer a a visionary visionary He He saw saw where where he he wanted wanted to to go go and and if if you you wanted wanted to to go go with with him him great great But But when when Jishu Jishu died died he he realized realized that that she she carried carried a a piece piece of of being being human human that that he he had had not not really really developed developed so so he he went went very very deep deep into into that that and and became became more more that that way way Glassman Glassman When When she she was was still still alive alive Jishu Jishu had had brought brought into into our our relationship relationship certain certain energies energies that that lay lay dormant dormant in in me me She She had had brought brought her her softness softness her her femininity femininity her her down down to to earth earth practicality practicality and and deep deep empathy empathy into into our our life life together together Now Now with with her her death death I I either either had had to to manifest manifest them them myself myself or or watch watch them them disappear disappear from from my my life life In In Glassman Glassman co co wrote wrote a a book book with with The The Big Big Lebowski Lebowski star star Jeff Jeff Bridges Bridges called called The The Dude Dude and and the the Zen Zen Master Master Actor Actor Jeff Jeff Bridges Bridges and and Glassman Glassman wrote wrote a a book book of of koans koans together together Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Actor Actor Jeff Jeff Bridges Bridges and and Glassman Glassman wrote wrote a a book book of of koans koans together together Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Actor Actor Jeff Jeff Bridges Bridges and and Glassman Glassman wrote wrote a a book book of of koans koans together together Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham Jeff Jeff Bridges Bridges Bernie Bernie and and I I really really hit hit it it off off we we both both cared cared about about a a lot lot of of the the same same stuff stuff This This is is where where Lebowski Lebowski comes comes in in Bernie Bernie has has been been interested interested for for some some time time now now in in making making Zen Zen more more accessible accessible to to our our times times and and culture culture relevant relevant and and down down to to earth earth and and he he felt felt that that Lebowski Lebowski did did that that big big time time So So he he asked asked me me if if I I wanted wanted to to write write a a book book about about that that I I said said OK OK Glassman Glassman had had a a stroke stroke in in but but continued continued to to teach teach his his students students and and dharma dharma heirs heirs Alisa Alisa Glassman Glassman The The stroke stroke itself itself became became a a Zen Zen practice practice for for him him He He pushed pushed himself himself to to walk walk again again and and didn didn t t complain complain It It was was his his last last plunge plunge Marko Marko He He was was not not expressive expressive of of feelings feelings but but after after the the stroke stroke his his feelings feelings started started revealing revealing themselves themselves He He would would meet meet with with his his successors successors on on Zoom Zoom a a video video conferencing conferencing system system and and at at one one point point someone someone asked asked him him what what he he has has left left to to live live for for His His life life was was so so diminished diminished half half of of his his body body had had been been paralyzed paralyzed and and Bernie Bernie just just said said love love The The old old Bernie Bernie would would have have never never said said that that Rami Rami Efal Efal executive executive director director of of Zen Zen Peacemakers Peacemakers International International and and Glassman Glassman s s former former assistant assistant For For two two afternoons afternoons a a month month he he would would meet meet on on a a conference conference call call with with his his living living successors successors the the people people he he had had been been working working and and studying studying with with for for the the last last years years I I would would always always joke joke that that he he could could be be as as absent absent minded minded as as anybody anybody but but once once you you put put him him in in front front of of students students he he would would step step right right into into that that role role His His students students don don t t have have zendos zendos Zen Zen centers centers or or cushions cushions they they work work in in business business education education all all walks walks of of life life He He was was really really proud proud of of that that Glassman Glassman died died on on November November as as Zen Zen Peacemakers Peacemakers were were preparing preparing for for a a bearing bearing witness witness at at Auschwitz Auschwitz Birkenau Birkenau A A ceremony ceremony was was held held there there for for Glassman Glassman this this month month Marko Marko The The only only instructions instructions he he gave gave me me is is that that part part of of his his remains remains should should be be put put in in Birkenau Birkenau He He felt felt such such a a strong strong pull pull to to that that place place He He was was not not much much of of a a believer believer in in reincarnation reincarnation He He was was very very clear clear that that the the only only thing thing that that stays stays is is the the effect effect of of our our actions actions He He felt felt good good about about the the effects effects of of his his actions actions He He came came from from Brooklyn Brooklyn where where what what you you really really want want to to do do is is be be a a mensch mensch When When you you are are mensch mensch you you are are a a human human being being in in the the deepest deepest and and simplest simplest sense sense of of the the word word You You are are doing doing things things for for other other people people responding responding to to their their needs needs A A mensch mensch responds responds Glassman Glassman What What good good is is it it if if we we just just make make ourselves ourselves more more holy holy What What s s the the point point The The point point is is to to serve serve to to offer offer to to be be the the offering offering quot quot A A mensch mensch responds responds quot quot Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham quot quot A A mensch mensch responds responds quot quot Photograph Photograph by by Peter Peter Cunningham Cunningham A A mensch mensch responds 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