Two Phony Zen Masters

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[@DRichards-od8cq]

How to make zen students forget every bit of their teachings: criticize their teacher. That’s it.

[@jayrinsenweik3960]

Brad - I’m a full Dharma Heir of James Ishmael Ford who wrote the article you quote from. Through him I share in the Soto lineage through Jiyu Kennet and the Harada/Yasutani Rinzai Koans through Aitken and Tarrant. I’m the Abbot of the Buddhist Temple of Toledo. For what its worth, in my experience the term Roshi is used very specifically. For Denkai the honorific is Osho, for Denbo its Sensei, and upon receiving Inka Shomei the honorific is Roshi. As an Osho one may take formal students, give the precepts and ordain others as Unsui. At Denbo one may transmit the Soto inheritance. Denkai and Denbo have the silks and other copied documents. Inka Shomei confirms the completion of the Koan curriculum and is the final seal of approval in this lineage. If authentic, there is no smoke being blown here by the folks who use these terms this way. All of this is to say that in the frame of reference outlined above, Philip Kapleau would have very much known that he did not have rights to the title Roshi. How the James Ford lineage maps onto Pilips training I can’t say though. Parallel tracks exist in the White Plum lineage, which also has both Soto and Harada/Yasutani Rinzai lines of transmission. Koans are not about ‘giving answers to funny questions’, and the case you cite as “The sound of one hand clapping” is a prevalent mistranslation of the version actually used in koan training “What is the sound of the single hand?” The gesture you make by clapping your hand would not be an acceptable response in the lineage by the way… Acknowledgement of Kensho and the stages of the koan training are tied to the 10 oxhearding pictures and though this is made very clear between the teacher and student, we do not parade people at such times. Shuso acknowledgement is pubic however, and for us requires a student to be at least somewhere in the Gateless Gate (4th Oxhearding picture) at a minimum. Perhaps you find this useful. I’m happy to chat with you about it at some point if you care to.

[@Teller3448]

“The sound of one hand clapping” is a prevalent mistranslation of the version actually used in koan training “What is the sound of the single hand?” The gesture you make by clapping your hand would not be an acceptable response" Everyone knows the sound of two hands clapping. What is the sound of the one hand? Its like that game of 'telephone' kids used to play...whispering a sentence from one kid to another in a circle and see how the sentence has changed at the end. Thats why its necessary to read the classic texts that have stood the test of time instead of following modern teachers. Brad's koan response is something he picked up from Bart Simpson.

[@Teller3448]

"Koans are not about ‘giving answers to funny questions’ More like 'responding appropriately to absurd questions'. A response can be physical as well as verbal.

[@jayrinsenweik3960]

@@Teller3448 responding appropriately for sure. Koans when experienced on their own terms in their native ecosystem of the student teacher relationship in the depths of sesshin retreat are clear as a bell. There is nothing absurd about them at all.

[@jayrinsenweik3960]

@@Teller3448 I would say it’s necessary to study the ancient cases with a modern teacher in whom the wisdom they catalyze is fully awakened. We need living realized people to interface with in the Zen tradition as I’ve experienced it anyhow.

[@woodygould]

@@Teller3448 Brad, in a typical Brad fashion, is using a short colloquial description of koans practice. I personally like to describe them as "Buddhist monastic vaudeville".

[@judyr1313]

Philip Kapleau trained seriously, was taken seriously by peers, trained others seriously, and he, his dharma heirs, and their dharma heirs are greatly respected in the American Zen tradition. Further, while he *authorized* teachers, he did not give them formal dharma transmission - some of them went on to get formal transmission from others and some of them didn't. He was not a fraud. He did not lie about his situation. Everybody knew about it. He is as far from Frederick Lenz as you can get. And yes, I have known a few people who had certificates of enlightenment from Soto teachers in Japan, mostly newby students, I think it is a kind of encouragement. None of the Soto teachers that you and I know do it, but some people apparently did (and maybe still do) in Japan.

[@garyrymar3094]

I took a one-day intro course at the Rochester Zen Center in the summer of 1973. As you say, Kapleau was not a phony. Perhaps a better way to say it is, he was rogue.

[@HardcoreZen]

Did ANYONE actually listen to the video? I said most of that! There is no difference between "authorization" and "transmission" in Zen. And calling oneself "Roshi" does indeed very strongly imply transmission. VERY strongly. In any case, I did say that he was not a phony.

[@tteravai]

@@HardcoreZen Yeah he wasn't maybe exactly phony, but he sure didn't receive transmission from Yasutani.. so Kapleau's lineage isn't exactly Sanbo (kyodan), but should be just called Kapleau lineage. From what I know Sanbo is a really niche lay lineage in Japan nowdays

[@judyr1313]

@@HardcoreZen Hi Brad. I listened. Carefully. But a lot of people won't. Also, there *is* a difference between authorization and transmission - that's what sensei vs. roshi, also osho are about. And @terravai, Kapleau's lineage doesn't claim to be Sanbo. In the U.S. and Canada (maybe in Europe, I don't know), Sanbo is not niche. Cheers to all.

[@tteravai]

@@judyr1313Yes Kapleu lineage doesn’t claim to be Sanbo, and in my understanding most of the Western lineages like White Plum don’t. So the “pure” Sanbo is quite niche in the West too. The lineages that spring from it are not.

[@Hello-thrill-seekers]

The Venerable Ziggy is judging you both

[@tinadeemc8728]

I practice Sanbo Zen and Im not mad atcha, Brad. Seems a lot of people are taking this personally. Might be some good fuel for zazen if this hit a nerve.

[@ldydyk]

Thank you, Brad. I needed to see you.

[@heathersmith5237]

Calling Kapleau a phony zen master comes close to defaming the dharma. It’s certainly hugely disrespectful to one of America’s first native born zen roshis, and author of one of the most enduring and well-deserved contemporary Zen classics, The Three Pillars of Zen. You qualified the offensive and dismissive term, “phony” in the video. - a bit too late, I think - but you shouldn’t have headlined the video as you did. Comparing Kapleau to Lenz is ridiculous.

[@vilkers2211]

You should listen the video

[@samthesham4684]

@@vilkers2211 Don't put a picture of Philip Kapleau next to Phony and be like, "J/k 😛"

[@heathersmith5237]

@@vilkers2211I watched the first 10:12 of it, in which he dismisses Kapleau. This video is an object lesson in WRONG SPEECH.

[@HardcoreZen]

@@heathersmith5237 You're not paying attention.

[@HiDesert004]

They’re all fakes!

[@PoppySeed84]

Kapleau didnt fabricate transmission though? He was open about this. He never claimed to be a roshi or a master. He tried to be a zen teacher.

[@HardcoreZen]

Putting "Roshi" on your book covers is not claiming to be a rosh?

[@PoppySeed84]

@HardcoreZen which book? Which edition are u referring to? When was it published? Did he actually write what u are referring to? Please supply more information. Thanks.

[@HiDesert004]

Tried and failed!

[@HardcoreZen]

@@PoppySeed84 Do what I did and look up "Roshi Philip Kapleau books" on Google and then click on "image search." You'll find plenty. I found three different editions of Zen Dawn in the West credited to Roshi Philip Kapleau, two editions of Three Pillars of Zen credited to Roshi Philip Kapleau, a book on vegetarianism and Buddhism credited to Roshi Philip Kapleau, and a boxed set of two of his books credited to Roshi Philip Kapleau. I stopped searching after that, but there may be more that I missed. It wasn't a one-time thing.

[@PoppySeed84]

@HardcoreZen gotcha. I was going based on the original 3 pillars of zen. In any case, he was open about his life. From my understanding, he never fabricated transmission or claimed that he received it. I just think it's a bit disingenuous to label him a phony along side someone like lenz. Kapleau wasn't a con man or anything. He genuinely wanted to spread zen. But we all have opinions.

[@JordanREALLYreally]

Atrocity Guide who made the docu on "Master" Rama is the bomb. Her stuff is... fantastic atmosphere.

[@blackbird5634]

Sometimes I forget how seriously some people take this. The reminder is a stark warning.

[@travisgunn343]

I practiced under this “lineage” they are 100% phony

[@samthesham4684]

you needed to practice harder

[@Epmd419]

I remember several years ago you made a Facebook post essentially summing your dialogue in this video up to "lol at anyone who calls themselves a Roshi" ...the following meltdown from the north American Zen community was... highly entertaining

[@frankbridges51]

You two are so cute, and Ziggy watching in the background - beautiful scene. Priceless!

[@greatpariscars]

Brad, have you seen the letters between Yamada Roshi and Kapleau? They are public and out there. Yamada claimed to have worked on koans with Kapleau just prior to Kapleau's definitive departure for the states and that Kapleau was somewhere around number 36 of the Blue Cliff Record. Kapleau replied that he had finished the Blue Cliff and only wanted to "check" his understanding of a few koans. Whatever the case may be, Kapleau had finished far fewer than a third of the koan curriculum. He never even worked on any precept koans, although he denies this and said that had worked on a few with Yasutani Roshi -- which is utter nonsense. The precept koans come at the end. We don't "work on a few" here and there.

[@guyolive1071]

Phony masters? No way! LOL

[@JamesLewisTucker]

Don’t forget the honorable Zen Master Steven Seagal

[@jhhjyjkkkjgfjjk]

@@JamesLewisTucker ha ha ha! Yes, please do a video on him, too. He is "The Cook".😁

[@sergiomura1613]

The satori experiences of Philip Kapleau and his wife as they are described in The Three Pillars of Zen are two of the most inspiring expressions of what buddhist enlightment can be

[@saffronalgharbi3443]

zen transmission (shiho, shisho) had become a huge circus in Western countries, it becomes a sort of (reactionary) ideology that will destroy the real zen practice (zazen) in the West. Shiho is a cultural performance (and political) that isn´t the best way to transmit Buddha Dharma in the West. McDonald-Sotoshu is more like yakuza organization...

[@Mumon7]

Lenz did a lot of damage and his foundation is still problematic...

[@ryokan9120]

Didn't Frederick Lenz write that truly shocking piece of shit called Surfing the Himalayas? To be honest, I found that book to be really pretentious, contrived, and creepy. I mean, what kind of idiot is called Master Fwap, lol.

[@jonwesick2844]

How does one become a certified pratyekabuddha?

[@HardcoreZen]

I think you can apply online.

[@macdougdoug]

I think Siddhartha Gautama was one - he didn't depend on any lineage.

[@kevindole1284]

​@@macdougdoug Doesn't Classical Buddhism have the Buddha studying with multiple other Buddhas in previous lives?

[@macdougdoug]

@@kevindole1284 I think that just means that humans and human evolution was happening before Gautama appeared. So, we could say that there is no such thing as independant anything - even some dude that becomes enlightened all alone in some forest, is not separate from causes and conditions.

[@jhhjyjkkkjgfjjk]

Thank you for bringing up this topic. Buddhists and Zen practitioners should also be aware of this. Just a thought. Isn't it that Dogen Zenji also broke away from the Caodong lineage by not teaching "exactly" what was taught in the Chinese Caodong tradition? Isn't it that Dogen also decided not to call his Japanese school "Soto" (Caodong) since he reiterated that Zen is just Zen and not subject to school differentiation? Also, in fairness with Kapleau, he was never involved in any scandals or anomaly. As I know, he broke up with the Sanbo Kyodan lineage upon seeing that Yasutani was very lax in choosing Catholic devotees to be teachers who brought in their own Catholic understanding of "Suchness" into Zen. Here in our country, Sanbo Kyodan is the only Japanese Zen lineage established with centers and members are mostly Catholics and Catholic nuns. Thus, you would see their zendo with altar and a cross. My Seon master advised me not to attempt joining their lineage because of this but instead to just find fellow practitioners who practice Zen in its pure form.

[@dosho17]

I don’t think it’s true to say there was never any scandal with Kapleau. At one time his chosen dharma heir was Toni Packer, but she left which basically split the Rochester Zen Center’s membership down the middle. She opened the Genesee Valley Zen Center which was then changed to the Springwater Center. It exists to this day about 40 miles south of Rochester and dropped all Zen ceremonies in favor of “meditative inquiry”. I have never heard of RZC being associated with Soto in any formal way, so if anyone can flesh that out I’d be grateful.

[@jhhjyjkkkjgfjjk]

@@dosho17 I never heard of that about Toni Packer. Thank you for bringing that up. Was it then a "scandal" (sex scandal) or "anomaly-related" (corruption of funds, etc.)?

[@richardandrews6982]

Toni Packer left​ because she wanted to avoid labels, and decided she could not call herself a Buddhist@@jhhjyjkkkjgfjjk

[@dosho17]

@@richardandrews6982 Yes, she stripped out everything while Kaplan was out of town. Put members in a very untenable spot, with some couples having e one or the other as their teacher.

[@TheJedynak]

Fun fact: when you gave a weekend retreat in Poland, I think it was in Falenica, it was a centre founded by P. Kapleau's group.

[@HardcoreZen]

I know! I don’t have anything against Kapleau or his lineage.

[@judyr1313]

@@HardcoreZen Than why did you make the first half of this video?

[@HardcoreZen]

@@judyr1313 Did you watch the video?

[@TheJedynak]

​@@HardcoreZen I understand! It was just a fun fact.

[@samthesham4684]

​@@judyr1313 Gotta promote his new book somehow

[@reedrichards8677]

Will Ziggy learn the Dharma? On a serious note, how is it possible that all beings learn it in Mahayana Buddhisim?

[@HardcoreZen]

I don't know, really. It could be that animals just live their dharma and only humans need to learn it.

[@revdrjon]

Regardless, he is certainly a cherished member of the Sangha!

[@reedrichards8677]

@@HardcoreZen Ziggy has karma as well right? So if reincarnation is true (youve said before zen is very vague about this) what can Ziggy do to escape the animal realm and become human? Does zen attribute the ability to tell good from evil to other beings besides humans?

[@goatsplitter]

You could open a vegetarian burger stand. Veggie burgers are the best. I know that's not the point of the video but I'd try "Brads Burger Joint" 🤭

[@brokeboyswagger666]

If youre doing song requests I think "I'd Love to Change the World - Alvin Lee & Ten Years After" would be a great one for the channel

[@HardcoreZen]

Dimentia 13 used to play that live. I could probably still do it if I relearned it.

[@joeg3950]

Anyone that calls themselves roshi is circumspect. It's what others call you - a sign of respect, not title. Anyway, viva Ziggy!

[@larysaistomina6849]

I am not sure if any sort of transmission or recognition given to a zen practitioner some years ago is in any way meaningful 20 or 30 years later. I have seen many zen teachers who lost whatever they could have attained and lived off the recollection of whatever facts from their past. It is a sad sight, especially when they continue teaching. In this sense, not a fully transmitted teacher who has something to say, is better than an authorized one who could not hold his/her standard, if you know what I mean.

[@Kathryn624]

I'm curious what you think about Adyashanti/Steven Gray. He purports to have trained with Taizan Maezumi at LA Zen Center. He has a fairly solid organization and followers.

[@HardcoreZen]

I know his name, but I don't know anything about him.

[@phantasticflox]

I love Adyashanti. I think he is the foremost spiritual teacher of our time by far. Particularly his middle period. It surprises me that he isn't more famous or well regarded than he is. His Zen lay teacher asked him to teach. So, he doesn't have nor need transmission to be an excellent teacher, like Kapleau I guess. Similarly, transmission does not imply an excellent teacher! So why then is transmission deemed so important? Most people aren't stupid. We can tell who is a good teacher and who isn't. Why would we need a certificate to prove it?

[@macdougdoug]

I read Adyashanti's book : Resurrecting Jesus - seemed like very wishy washy spiritual stuff. So I can see why he might have loads of fans.

[@phantasticflox]

@macdougdoug No offence, but you didn't understand it then.

[@macdougdoug]

@@phantasticflox None taken - what do you mean? what might I have missed?

[@williamvarado1111]

Kapleau did not receive inka, the “formal seal” of his teacher. And he never claimed to have received inka. The purpose of inka is to ensure that the mind-seal of enlightenment is passed from teacher to teacher, all the way back to the Buddha. But the history of Zen is full of irregularities. And Zen Masters still call themselves Roshi. Kapleau was unusual in that respect. He did not call himself Roshi. Except the book covers, which were out of character: a mistake, maybe? Phony is not a good term. Using it for the Awakened is not good. Hinduism warns against it: Vaisnava Aparadha.

[@travisgunn343]

I need to reach out to u asap

[@HardcoreZen]

[e-mail]

[@hammersaw3135]

lmao that bit at the end about it being like a macdonalds franchise: Imagine if the catholic church trademarked the name Christian, and pursued lawsuits against other denominations for infringements, taking their pastors to court. That would be stoooopid

[@samthesham4684]

Or worse, writing books and making videos explaining how someone explained how someone else made a really burger as a living.

[@proulxmontpellier]

Pero que guapa! Se parece una princesa azteca!

[@HardcoreZen]

Merci!

[@osip7315]

you have a good looking wife, make her a zen master

[@guidoramackers9414]

Didn't kapleau's teacher Yasutani figure in Brian Victoria's Zen at war IIRC? Maybe that had something to do with his breaking away with Yasutani?

[@samthesham4684]

The real reason for the breakup died with both of them. The best his former students understand is a difference of opinion on teaching Zen to Americans and translating certain texts or chants into English - but there's probably more to it, but again, no one knows the whole story.

[@BobCarsonsMMA]

I know you don’t mean to come across this way, but your words and manner really do seem to diminish Sanbo zen to put it mildly. Sanbo is what they call it nowadays.

[@HardcoreZen]

Not Sanbo Kyodan? I didn't get the memo that they changed the name!

[@judyr1313]

@@HardcoreZen Yup. They changed it a while back. Was causing confusion in Japan somewhow.

[@erikmokusostrom7716]

I was negatively surprised that you did not mention Jundo Cohen. but maybe it will come in a completely separate clip?

[@HardcoreZen]

Unfortunately, his Transmission is authentic. I stay away from him like I stay away from radioactive waste.

[@erikmokusostrom7716]

@@HardcoreZen I understand ! and, yes his transmission is certainly good. but it would be interesting to hear what you think about his teaching role? and if Nishijima had been happy for him today? but I understand that you are keeping your distance. 😉🙏🧘‍♂️🙏

[@HardcoreZen]

@@erikmokusostrom7716 Nishijima Roshi was very unhappy with Jundo when he was alive. I think he would be even more aghast at what he's doing now. I'm pretty sure you can still find some of Nishijima Roshi's comments about Jundo from the early 2000s on Nishijima Roshi's blog. I haven't checked for a few years, though. But I assume it's still there.

[@erikmokusostrom7716]

@@HardcoreZen He lives in a dream world ! kzbin.info/www/bejne/i16wYaWdeqtqfJIsi=0F8snHPEbsfwlGWn

[@rah192]

@@HardcoreZen what particular issues do you have with him and his teaching? Those are some pretty harsh comments, so context would be helpful.

[@hidetoedwarduno7681]

dont forget granting a certificate for 'donors'...money bro

[@macdougdoug]

If I decided to teach the Catholic Kabbalah, I would have to invent it. Which would make me the school's original Grandmaster.

[@marilynsullivan7549]

What about the use of Osho?

[@HPD-wv8qu]

What’s wrong with Osho I know it was a cult but his speeches on Koans were deeper then any Zen center

[@KitCalder]

​@@HPD-wv8qu The deeper they fly the crookeder they go (if they do), I guess.

[@marilynsullivan7549]

I’m asking about the use of the word, not the person.

[@HardcoreZen]

The term "osho" is used in some Rinzai lineages as a title. You could ask Shozan Jack Haubner who does the KZbin channel Zen Confidential about that! In Soto Zen it's mainly reserved for dead Zen Masters, particularly famous ones. I believe there may be one position in the Soto-shu where the person is addressed as "osho." Like one of the really "important" people in the organization. Anyway, it's not commonly used for most Soto teachers. I think if you called a living Japanese teacher "osho" s/he would blush (except for that one guy).

[@HPD-wv8qu]

@@HardcoreZen oh Gotcha I thought they were referring to Rajneesh

[@Andy-vh3ns]

Oh Ziggy ... the video crasher. =)

[@accademiaoscura7870]

Calling Kapleau phony is over the top. Sure maybe he didn’t dot all his i’s or cross all his T’s in terms of getting formal authority to teach- nonetheless he studied with some of the great foundational Zen Masters of the 20th century and his 3 Pillars book introduced multiple generations of Westerners to Zen, and is arguably the most influential Zen text of the 20th century

[@HardcoreZen]

I do wish people would watch the videos before commenting. But thanks for your input. It helps the video get more views.

[@faustzxc]

Dogen said "keep my name outtcha your mouth. You don't really know what the Soto game is all about"

[@Californiansurfer]

Dude that Downey McDonald’s I live in Downey , we can meet at Downey library, we have a book club. We are reading Ever green by Naomi Harada Well, growing up in Downey, we had Norwalk Japanese American Community center which back in the 1980. I had several Japanese American friends , but today. I am part of Seicho no ie in GArdena I am learning of Nishintani. Which he hung out with the big phenomonlgy guys. I just found this about a month ago …. Well, we need to talk. Well, when can we meet. Downey. Library or any event in Los Angeles.. I know, I am not crazy, Frank Martinez Downey California

[@JimTempleman]

I don't see why someone without transmission cannot call themselves a "Zen teacher" as long as: (1) they teach the tenants of Zen, & (2) they do not claim to have a transmission. That would be like a Hamburger Restaurant calling themselves a Hamburger Restaurant, because they serve hamburgers. I don't see how you can consider "Zen teacher" a trademarked name. Unless somebody incorporated under the corporate name of "Zen Teacher Inc." Are you really arguing that it's a franchise? Personally, I'd rather have a good teacher without a proper lineage, than a bad teacher with the proper lineage. If someone gives out medical advice without an M.D. degree, and tells you they have no degree, but has a strong technical knowledge in a specific area, I can accept them calling themself a 'Medical Advisor.' Thomas Edison had no degree in electrical engineering, but he founded the first research lab in America. If someone claimed to represent an organization that they were not a part of, that would be a different matter entirely. But Zen, in and of itself, is not an organization.

[@Teller3448]

"That would be like a Hamburger Restaurant calling themselves a Hamburger Restaurant, because they serve hamburgers." Good point!

[@edgepixel8467]

But can you really call it Coca-Cola, if it's not the actual recipe? And where would you find the recipe on your own? When can you be sure you actually understood such a thing as Zen, well-enough to teach it to others?

[@macdougdoug]

A lot of people here in France offer to help you actually become zen. Which just means they help you relax.

[@JimTempleman]

@@edgepixel8467 I believe that the quality and extent of the Zen/Chan literature available today is up to the task. Of course one must also put in a sufficient quality and amount of time practicing zazen (tso-chan).

[@JimTempleman]

@@macdougdoug Yes. And we all wish they would limit themselves to calling it Mindfulness Meditation. Except of course for those who teach the authentic form of Mindfulness Meditation that can actually lead one to Awakening.

[@GaryNac]

As far as tantric zen goes I would say that judging by what I know about Tantra tantra is very sensory driven and Zen is certainly not that so tantric zen definitely doesn't sound like it mixes or at least there's a very heavy contrast between Tantra and Zen so it seems like two very weird things to put together.

[@skrrskrr99]

But you can call yourself mc dowells and you can use the golden archs.

[@4kassis]

Kapleau took his job as a teacher seriously enough to run a center and teach many students one on one. Other transmitted teachers just talk on youtube...

[@HardcoreZen]

You don't know what you're talking about.

[@TYPHON2713]

​​@@HardcoreZenI live in the middle of the pacific ocean. The only zen center that is on my island that offers regular zazen, zazenkai, sesshin, samu, and dokusan, is the sambo Kyodan center. I started practicing in the Soto style about 12 years ago and have been doing zazen on my own everyday. I'm also reading The Three Pillars of zen. Some of the practice outlined is a little woo woo to me, but I don't have many options for in person teaching. What should I do? You spoke about Zen master Rama in your 3rd book "zen dipped in karma wrapped in chocolate. I just read it in one sitting. Why did you change the names of the production company and the TV show you worked on?

[@HardcoreZen]

@@TYPHON2713 I changed the name of the company because I worked there at the time. When Hardcore Zen was published, I assumed the book would sell about 50 copies and then disappear. Really! I had no idea it would be popular. When I wrote other books I decided to use a fake name for the company I worked for in order not to get fired if the company ever found out about them. Eventually they did find out about the books & nobody minded at all.

[@TYPHON2713]

@@HardcoreZen that's what I was assuming.

[@4kassis]

@@HardcoreZen if the shoe fits...

[@BuddhismByKev]

What’s the point of calling yourself a zen master anyway? Is it just to try to get some teaching vocation?

[@HardcoreZen]

I think some Korean Zen teachers use the English term "Zen Master." In Japan, the term "zenji," which means "Zen Master" is rarely used for any living teacher. I think most living Japanese teachers would be embarrassed to be called "Zen Master" or "zenji."

[@HiDesert004]

Money 💰

[@causualloop]

Is the intention to provoke with this title picture? Anyway It looks like it’s working.😅

[@marcfortin8564]

Looking forward to better topics to

[@QuickSh0t]

I have to say I have never been able to get through Three Pillars. I have tried many times and it's just a slog for me.

[@williamvarado1111]

9:25 "Probably Kapleau figured he was enlightened." (!!!). You mean "Kapleau was probably enlightened"?

[@HardcoreZen]

What does "enlightened" mean to you?

[@williamvarado1111]

​@@HardcoreZen "After spending three years at Hosshinji with Harada Roshi, Kapleau became the first Westerner to begin formal study with Haku’un Yasutani. After some twenty sesshins with Yasutani, the roshi confirmed Kapleau’s awakening." Says James Ford. I assume Awakening equals Enlightenment.

[@HardcoreZen]

@@williamvarado1111 Do you?

[@sawtoothiandi]

im startin to think ziggy is you c.i.a. handler.. cosmic inter-galaxial animal..

[@HardcoreZen]

Maybe!

[@coolnormalworld]

Ziggy looking THICK😍

[@HardcoreZen]

He's just fluffy! He's on a weight loss diet, but our vet said he may just be a stocky breed of dog.

[@travisgunn343]

Roshi philip kapleau

[@travisgunn343]

I practice under SOZUI SCHUBERT SENSEI < she didn’t even understand basic values of buddhism, rejected rebirth, and I think she even rejected karma

[@judyr1313]

Zen does not teach about rebirth - I've known Zen teachers from Japan who said that they did not believe in rebirth - and its notion of karma is quite different from standard Buddhist concepts ("if your mind is extinguished your karma is extinguished"). If you don't like Sozui you are free to find another teacher, but you should know that she was just or is about to be given transmission by Shodo Harada Roshi, a strict Rinzai teacher with centers in Japan, America, and Europe (look up One Drop Zen) who gives transmission rarely. I.e., Sozui is about legitimate a Zen teacher in the formal sense as you can be.

[@Teller3448]

@@judyr1313 "I've known Zen teachers from Japan who said that they did not believe in rebirth - and its notion of karma is quite different from standard Buddhist concepts" Yes...thats because those "zen" teachers are not Buddhists. Its called fraud.

[@Teller3448]

@@judyr1313 "if your mind is extinguished" Is your mind extinguished? If so, how are you able to read and write sentences?

[@StimParavane]

I don't think you are relly in the position to criticise Philip Kapleau.

[@ryokan9120]

Didn't Frederick Lenz write that truly shocking piece of shit called Surfing the Himalayas? To be honest, I found that book to be really pretentious, contrived, and creepy. I mean, what kind of idiot is called Master Fwap, lol.

[@whoisthegaucho]

I think you would trade all of your zen wisdom and knowledge for a little rhythm.

[@HardcoreZen]

Wouldn't we all?

[@whoisthegaucho]

Probably not, but I can see why you would say that.

[@williamvarado1111]

Calling an enlightened being phony.

[@HardcoreZen]

It would be nice if people watched the videos before commenting, But thank you for your input. More comments help my videos get more views!

[@williamvarado1111]

@@HardcoreZen ​ 0:00 "Today I wanted to talk about phony Zen masters" 0:42 "I am starting out the chapter talking about a couple of phony Zen Masters, two phony American Zen Masters. And when I was researching this I could only actually come up with two phony American Zen Masters...The two are Philip Kapleau Roshi and Zen Master Rama" 9:32 "That doesn't mean that he was a complete fraud you know. So that's a this is kind of a fine line. He was a fraud in the sense that he was not telling the truth about his transmission, Dharma transmission, but he wasn't just a complete phony."

[@storagewizard6232]

Ever consider that you're the phoney?

[@samthesham4684]

A zen grifter calling Kapleau a phony wow

[@HardcoreZen]

When did that happen?

[@ldydyk]

@@HardcoreZen 😂

[@dbuck1964]

Coming from Sam the Sham… 😂😂😂

[@kevindole1284]

​@@HardcoreZenThe video is called "phony Zen Masters" and you show a picture of Philip Kapleau. Even given the rest of the content of the video, viewers who assume you are calling him a phony are not confused.

[@samthesham4684]

@@kevindole1284 even going on to say he LIED about it to run his "cultish" offshot of "real" zen and cash in with the Roshi title 🙄

[@smolderingtitan]

Authentic clickbait.

[@magnusnilsson2531]

Yeah! And to denigrate and dismiss other teachers is the hallmark of enlightened people?

[@HiDesert004]

Buddha did it!

[@magnusnilsson2531]

@@HiDesert004 Ha ha!