Wednesday, March 15, 2006

My lineage


Although I am primarily a solitary practitioner, I do sit from time to time with a local meditation group, the Orlando Zen Circle (led by a local university professor, Claudia Schippert), which is an offshoot of the Gateless Gate Zen Center in Gainesville, Florida. Abbot K.C. Walpole, the resident director of the Gateless Gate Zen Center, was a student of Bon Hueng (Mark Houghton), who in turn was a student of Zen Master Seung Sahn.

That said, I do not confine myself to Kwan Um teachings. I am a devoted reader of Thich Nhat Hanh's books and articles (oh, how I would love to hear him in person), as well as the teachings of HH the Dalai Lama, Pema Chödrön, Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg, Joseph Goldstein and Sylvia Boorstein. I see Kwan Um as a vehicle for me to develop myself spiritually, but I do not limit myself to the teachings of Korean Zen.

I have been devouring every Buddhist book I can get my hands on. I would love to hear any recommendations you have, sangha-brothers and sisters out there in cyberspace.

Namaste.

1 comment:

They call him James Ure said...

Have you read, "Buddhism Is Not What You Think: Finding Freedom Beyond Beliefs" by Steve Hagen yet?

I can't remember who I've already recommended this book to. I tell everyone about it. It's a great read.