Joe, Edgar, et al... I on the other hand have no respect at all for anyone's previous training or practice. You current practice is the only think I'm interested in, and I only know that from your comments on this forum.
...Bill! --- In [email protected], "Joe" <desert_woodworker@...> wrote: > > Edgar, and Board-isattvas, > > I just want to say that I feel an honor and respect of the practice that > Edgar spoke about here, lately, which he carried out in Japan over a period > of years, practicing Zen there, and a physical martial art, as well. > > In addition, I acknowledge your practice, Edgar, at the wonderful temple > Kongo Ji, in the Catskills of New York. You know, the Roshi there was > instrumental in helping me on to my career as a woodworker making things for > Buddhist temples, and for Ch'an and Zen teachers, and practitioners. I wrote > him 15 years ago, and his gracious hand-written letter in return which I > received is something I treasure. He also put me in touch with his sangha > Carpenter there, and this made all the difference in getting me started, and > I hope, on a good foot at that, since. > > Well, Edgar... we may at times disagree or MISUNDERSTAND each other (or, I, > you), here on this Board. But that's no reason for me to shed disrespect; in > fact, WHEN I DO so, I am clearly wrong. The way of the Buddha is the way of > Wisdom. And of Compassion. Compassion is not always sweetness and light; > ***BUT*** hardness, or hardheadedness or hardheartedness, is not always > Compassion, or, NEVER. > > Let's! check ourselves. > > In this spirit, Edgar -- and all those reading -- I send appreciation of your > practice and of your experience. Let's agree or disagree as the messages and > posts go forward, but let's not disrespect. That's not our way as Zen > people, no matter on WHICH side of the Date-Line. > > Let's give leeway, too, for the relative INADEQUACY of flat letters on a > screen. In person, on sesshin, we'd have a fuller communication; a fuller > identity; and fuller appreciation; fuller participation. > > To All..., in this One Mind -- the no-mind of the only mind there is -- I > send apologies for disrespect I've shown on this Board. > > You know who you are, and you know who I am. > > And I ask you (all) to keep me "honest", and appraised of when I lose sight > of who We are. > > You are my Witnesses, and Guides. I'm counting on you. It's a lot to ask, > but a lot to appreciate. Thanks!! > > No, no "April Fool's". It's already the 3rd of the month, anyway; check your > clocks. Or I'll clean them. > > Just honestly recognizing and acknowledging Edgar's practice on several > shores: the Old Country, and those of Zen's newer homes. > > Be SURE: ***WE*** have the Dharma, now. Careful. > > There's a *LONG* future ahead of Zen. Let's give it a push! > > No quibbling. > > --Joe > ------------------------------------ Current Book Discussion: any Zen book that you recently have read or are reading! Talk about it today!Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
