A
“Abandon all hope of results,” 126
See also karma
afflictions. See the kleśas
aging, 83–86
“All Dharma is included in one purpose,” 127
Amaro, Ajahn, 83–90, 111–20, 189–201
Amida Buddha, 135
taking refuge in, 129, 130, 132
ancestors in Zen: reverence for, 135–36
anger, 44, 77–78, 78–79, 81, 155, 261–62
See also hatred (aversion)
applied science in Buddhism, 152–53, 159
Arnold, Geoffrey Shugen, 65–73
Aronson, Harvey, 149–59
Asian Buddhism:
Western Buddhism vs., 227–28, 236–37, 237–38
asking questions in political engagement, 258, 262
aspiration:
for enlightenment. See bodhicitta
practice and, 50
and rebirth, 89
attachment, 25, 27, 56, 57–58, 61, 77, 155
letting go, 63
transforming, 21, 58, 60, 80, 110
See also greed
attention. See mindfulness
attitude vs. method in practice, 61
aversion. See hatred
awakened attention, 25
awakening: mind/spirit of. See bodhicitta
See also liberation (enlightenment)
of the body, 15–22
of the kleśas, 75–76
B
back-and-forth practice, 252, 259
Baizhang’s Fox (kōan), 103, 119
bardo teachings on dying, 88
Bayda, Ezra, 31–38
Bays, Jan Chozen, 83–90
bearing witness. See mindfulness
being present, 24, 140, 142, 145
See also compassion; experience
Bennage, Patricia Dai-en, 23–30
Bielefeldt, Carl, 221
Bodhi, Bhikkhu, 213–25
bodhicitta (mind/spirit of awakening), 59, 60, 122, 123, 124, 127, 134, 199, 217
bodhisattva precepts. See the precepts
Bodhisattva-Never-Disparaging, 181–82
the body, 19–20
awareness of, 15–22
“dropping body and mind,” 147
meditation as of, 16
meditation on, 20
Brazier, David, 104
breaking the rules, 210–12
breathing: abandoning ourselves to, 23–24
Brilliant, Iris, 265–73
the Buddha, 132
earth-touching gesture, 56–57
on the middle path, 55
on reappearance through aspiration, 89
on his successor, 191
taking refuge in, 10
Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu, 192
Buddhavaṃsa, 50
Buddhism:
applied science in, 152–53, 159
cultural stability and, 150, 154
lineage transmission in, xiii–xiv
as prayer, 133–34
psychology and. See under psychology
teaching the basics, 181, 187, 188
women in. See women in Asian Buddhism; women in Western Buddhism
See also Asian Buddhism; engaged Buddhism; Nichiren Buddhism; the teachings; Theravāda tradition; Vajrayāna tradition; Western Buddhism; Zen tradition
Buddhist communities in the U.S.:
hierarchy in, 195–96
new generations in, 265–67
See also diversity in Buddhist communities...; San Francisco Zen Center
Buddhist studies/education, 250, 251–52
C
Callahan, Elizabeth, 213–25
caring for dying persons, 86–87, 89–90
caring for ourselves and others, 63
carrying the teachings, 199
cessation. See end of suffering
Cho, Francisca, 213–25
Chögyam Trungpa. See Trungpa Rinpoche...
class issues in community outreach, 183–84, 185–86, 187–88
Coleman, James: The New Buddhism, 179–80
commitment. See dedication to practice
communities: conflict in, 258–59
See also council of elders
community outreach (re diversity), 180–88
compassion, 128
breaking the rules out of, 211–12
forbearance and, 79
and kindness, 90
outreach through, 181
rough-and-tough, 82
saying “no” with, 262–63
self-acceptance and, 21
and wisdom, 125
compassion practice, 28, 154–55
metta, 185
taking refuge in Amida Buddha, 129, 130, 132
See also lojong; loving-kindness
concentration: and wisdom, 248
conduct. See morality
confidence in the practice, 80
confidence in the teacher–student relationship, 14
confirmation by all dharmas, 146–47
conflict:
in communities, 258–59
fear of, 155
conservation of consciousness, law of, 118
consulting the texts, 93
contemplation as meditation, 97
continuation of the Dharma, 193–94
continuous practice, 148
council of elders, 191, 195, 196
cultural stability: and Buddhism, 150, 154
culture: and the teacher–student relationship, 14, 20
See also Western culture
cutting edge of practice, 53
D
daily life (ordinary life):
enlightenment in, 246
time as, 146
transformation in, 66
death: meditation on, 57
See also dying
deconstructing phenomena/the body, 16, 19
dedication to practice (commitment), 98–99, 200–1, 231, 232, 248, 270
defilements. See the kleśas
delusion. See ignorance
dependent origination:
beginnings, 56
the choice gap, 113–14
for freedom. See bodhicitta
as obstacles, 32–33
as the path/guide to wisdom, 33, 60
to practice, 59, 60. See also bodhicitta
for sense pleasures, 58–59. See also lust
determination (resolution), 116
determinism, 112–14
devotion to the teacher, 11, 198
Dhammadharo, Ajahn, 192
Dhammapada, 55
Dhammapāla: A Treatise on the Paramis, 50
“All Dharma is included in one purpose,” 127
continuation of, 193–94
romanticism of, 155
the teacher–student relationship as based on, 8
See also Dharma transmission; study; the teachings
Dharma school of thought, 97
dharma talks for new generations, 271–73
Dharma transmission, xiii–xiv, 166, 190–98
collective systems, 196–97
as from the Sangha, 191, 192, 193, 197, 197–98, 232
issues in the West, 194–95
lineage durability re Western teachers, 200–1
spiritual authority of Western teachers, 198–200, 231–32
as spontaneous, 192
See also under Theravāda tradition; under Vajrayāna tradition; under Zen tradition
dharmas. See phenomena
difference and unity, 182
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, 127
directions from the teacher, 11
disappointment in the teacher, 11–12
discipline. See morality
distortion of seeing, 46–47
See also ignorance (delusion)
disturbing emotions. See the kleśas
diversity in Buddhist communities in the U.S., 179–80, 187–88
community outreach re, 180–88
in new generations, 271–72
in S.F. Zen Center, 230–31
Dōgen:
encountering, 141, 143, 145–46, 147
vs. Nāgārjuna, 143–44
“painted cakes...,” 94, 142–43
on studying and forgetting the self, 131, 146, 147
on time, 144–46
writings, 140–41, 144. See also Eihei Koroku; Shōbōgenzō
Dreyfus, Georges, 93–100
“Drive all blame into one,” 125–26
Drolma, Palden, 203–12, 235–46
dropped attention, 16
“dropping body and mind,” 147
dry spots, 34–35
Dudjom Rinpoche, 72–73
dukkha. See suffering
caring for dying persons, 86–87, 89–90
Dzogchen Ponlop. See Ponlop Rinpoche...
Dzongsar Khyentse, 107
E
earth-touching gesture of the Buddha, 56–57
effort (in practice), 5–6, 98–99
no effort in breathing, 23–24
ego. See sense of self
Eihei Koroku (Dōgen), 140, 141, 147
elders, council of, 191, 195, 196
emotions (feelings/passions), 24, 39–48, 41, 45
equanimity amidst, 76
with family/close friends, 45
feeling, 37–38, 42–43, 77. See also seeing: into emotions/feelings
handling, 42–43, 44, 48, 78–79, 81, 209–10
harmful emotions, 209–10
letting go, 43
mindfulness of, 39–40, 41–42, 43, 44
as problems/not problems, 40–42
reactions to the teacher, 8–9
releasing add-ons, 48
response levels, 210
seeing into. See seeing; into emotions/feelings
as skillful/unskillful vs. good/bad, 42–44
surging stage, 210
as wisdom, 45
encountering Dōgen, 141, 143, 145–46, 147
end of suffering (cessation), 103–7, 109–10
engaged Buddhism: social engagement, 181
See also political engagement
engagement with the body. See embodiment
enlightened persons, 62, 116–17, 119, 120
See also specific teachers
enlightenment. See liberation
equanimity, 76
ethical conduct. See morality
Everyday Zen groups, 204–5
exhaustion and stillness, 29–30
experience, 62
of cessation, 105–6
of formless meditation, 28–30
sense of self as a stream of, 115–16
See also being present; sense experience
F
faith in the teacher, 7
false niceness/gentleness: attachment to, 155
fear:
of conflict, 155
the kleśas as frightening, 77
practicing with, 51
in retreat, 69–70
seeing into, 58
fearlessness, 24
feeling emotions/feelings, 37–38, 42–43, 77
See also seeing: into emotions/feelings
feelings. See emotions
Feldman, Christina, 93–100, 235–46
Ferguson, Gaylon, 23–30, 101–10
Fischer, Norman, 5–14, 111–20, 139–48, 203–12, 227–33, 265–73
fixation on the body, 19–20
Flower Garland Sutra, 109
forbearance: and compassion, 79
forest monastic tradition, 191
forgetting the self, 131, 146, 147
formless meditation, 23–30, 171
See also Dzogchen; Mahāmudrā; shikantaza
forms (of practice):
and formless meditation, 26–28, 29–30
new forms/expressions, 266, 267–69, 271
the Four Imponderables, 119
the Four Noble Truths, 109, 181
free will, 113–14
See also liberation
Fronsdal, Gil, 49–54
full-time practitioners, 247–49
See also long-term practice; Western teachers
G
Garry, Ron, 169–75
gender equality in S.F. Zen Center, 230
gender inequality:
in the Theravāda tradition, 236
in Western Buddhism, 237–40, 242–45, 244
generosity, 257–58
Goenka, S. N., 44
Goldstein, Joseph, 247–55
good/bad emotions/actions as skillful/unskillful, 42–44, 112
Grady, Michael, 49–54
gratitude for life, 257
See also attachment
greeting people, 186
Gross, Rita, 235–46
Gunaratana, Bhante, 93–100
H
Haller, Paul, 179–88
happiness, 107–8
Harding, Sarah, 129–37
harmful emotions, 209–10
harmonizing head and heart/inner and outer, 60, 61, 73
Hartman, Blanche, 75–82, 101–10, 227–33
hatred (aversion), 33, 56, 69, 105
See also anger
Heart Sutra, 104
heart warmth in aging, 85
Heine, Steven, 139–48
hierarchy in Buddhist communities in the U.S., 195–96
hindrances, five, 33
See also obstacles
hopelessness, 24
householders. See laypeople
humanness of the teacher, 11, 12
I
ignorance (delusion), 34, 56, 69, 77, 105, 116
distortion of seeing, 46–47
wisdom vs., 264
Ikeda, Mushim, 257–64
Indrabhuti, King, 168
See also seeing
inspiration: and effort, 98–99
See also morality
intention, 40
to be awake. See bodhicitta
kindness and, 44
See also motivation
interactions with the teacher, 9, 10–11
interconnectedness: and morality, 206
interdependence in aging, 85
interdependence in the teacher–student relationship, 8, 14
the Internet. See the web...
intoxicants, taking, 53, 61, 208–9
J
Jones, Marlene, 179–88
joy, 107
just sitting (shikantaza), 23–24, 131
K
Kālama Sutta, 60–61
Kalu Rinpoche, 208
kalyāna-mitta, 5
karma, 111–20
actions and results, 76–77
determinism in, 112–14
freedom from, 116–17
great practitioners on, 120
intention and, 111–12, 206, 208
long-term/large-scale, 117–20
as beyond philosophical, 118
and responsibility, 112
See also morality; the precepts
Khyentse Rinpoche, Dilgo, 127
See also loving-kindness
Klein, Anne Carolyn, 161–68
the kleśas (defilements/disturbing emotions), 40, 41
awareness of, 75–76
as frightening, 77
handling, 42–43, 44, 48, 78, 78–79, 79–80, 81
as meditation objects, 60
as opportunities, 79–80
as problems/not problems, 40–42
three. See three kleśas
transforming, 21, 60, 75–82, 80, 110
as unskillful vs. bad, 42–44
as wisdom, 79
See also emotions
kōan practice: and kindness, 46
kōans: Baizhang’s Fox, 103, 119
Kornfield, Jack, 149–59, 184, 189–201
Kornman, Robin, 111–20
Kwan Um school, 197
L
Langdarma, King, 211
language of Dōgen, 140–41, 141–42
Lankāvatāra Sutra, 104–5
law of conservation of consciousness, 118
laypeople (householders):
Dharma transmission among, 194
monastic vs. lay needs in S.F. Zen Center, 228–30
practice for, 97–99, 252–53, 259
the precepts as for, 207
the Vajrayāna as for, 167–68
Lee, Cyndi, 15–22
Leighton, Taigen Dan, 139–48
lessening suffering, 109–10
letting go, 26, 43, 63, 78, 106, 127
See also renunciation
liberation (enlightenment):
aspiration for. See bodhicitta
and ethical conduct, 211
as freedom from emotions, 40, 44
in ordinary life, 246
practice and realization, 140
vow to liberate all beings, 130
Lief, Judy, 121–28, 149–59, 247–55
life:
gratitude for, 257
trust in, 62
lineage blessing (Dzogchen), 172–73
lineage durability re Western teachers, 200–1
lineage transmission in Buddhism, xiii–xiv
loneliness in practice, 13
lay support for, 254–55
See also full-time practitioners
Loori, John Daido, 93–100
loss of aspiration, 33–34, 34–35
Lotus Sutra, 181–82
Loundon Kim, Sumi, 265–73
loving-kindness (practice), 28, 51
metta, 185
and mindfulness, 45–46
Loy, David, 257–64
M
magic of the teacher–student relationship, 12–13
Mahāmudrā, 25, 28, 37, 60, 173–74
Mahāparinibbāna Sutta, 191
Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta, 77
mantra practice (Vajrayāna), 28, 165
Masters, Kamala, 31–38
Mattis-Namgyel, Elizabeth, 65–73–80
McCloskey, Guy, 179–88
McLeod, Ken, 121–28
meditation:
with/without attributes, 26–28
as of the body, 16
on the body, 20
contemplation as, 97
daily practice, 50
on death, 57
formless. See formless meditation
the kleśas as objects of, 60
on the mind, 28
posture, 17
psychotherapy vs., 154–56, 157
purpose, 75
short sessions, 37
and study, 94–95, 96–97, 99–100
zazen (Dōgen), 142
meditation school of thought, 96–97
men in monastic training, 238
Mermelstein, Larry, 161–68, 213–25
Merton, Thomas, 35
metta practice (Metta Sutta), 185
the middle way, 55–56
the mind:
of awakening. See bodhicitta
as doorway, 19
“dropping body and...,” 147
meditation on, 28
mindfulness (attention/bearing witness), 39
awakened attention, 25
dropped attention, 16
of emotions, 39–40, 41–42, 43, 44
and kindness/loving-kindness, 44, 45–46
and motivation, 52
and pain, 103
in political engagement, 260
and psychotherapy, 158
of speech, 51–52
as a standard translation, 220
See also seeing
Mingyur Rinpoche, Yongey, 169–75
Mipham the Great, 120
mistakes, making, 147–48
Moffitt, Phillip, 15–22
monasteries: conflict in, 258–59
monastic training:
vs. lay needs in S.F. Zen Center, 228–30
in the Theravāda tradition, 195, 206–7
women vs. men in, 238
the Protestant ethic vs., 254
monastics and laypeople, 248–49, 254–55
morality (śīla/ethical conduct), 60, 78, 189, 190, 203–12
breaking the rules, 210–12
Buddhism and śīla in Western culture, 204–5
enlightenment and, 211
harmfulness, 209–10
interconnectedness and, 206
sexual relationships, 53, 207–8
wisdom and, 205
the yogic tradition, 209
See also the precepts; Vinaya rules
Morgan, Mary, 227–33
mindfulness and, 52
See also intention
Munindra, 33
N
Nāgārjuna vs. Dōgen, 143–44
natural mind (rigpa), 26, 169, 175
recognition of, 171–72, 174, 175
The New Buddhism (Coleman), 179–80
new forms of Buddhism, 266, 267–69, 271
new generations of Buddhists, 265–73
Nichiren, 181–82
Nichiren Buddhism, 182
nirvana, 107
no effort in breathing, 23–24
nonattachment, 25, 27, 39, 57, 61, 63
nonattainment, 25–26
nonself. See selflessness
not killing, 209–10
breaking the precept, 211
not knowing:
in dying, 90
making mistakes, 147–48
nowness, 24
O
objectless śamatha vs. rigpa, 171–72
obstacles to practice, 31–38
distortion of seeing, 46–47
See also attachment; doubt; dullness; greed; hatred; ignorance; the kleśas
Occupy Santa Fe action, 260
Okumura, Shohaku, 129–37
older practitioners: providing for, 84–85
Olendzki, Andrew, 101–10, 203–12
online forums: political engagement in, 261
ordinary life. See daily life
ordination of women, 230, 240, 245
origin of suffering, 56, 107–8
Ostaseski, Frank, 83–90
other-power, self-power and, 130–31, 132, 133, 137
outreach, community, 180–88
P
Pa Auk Sayadaw, 192
pain, 57
suffering of, 102–3
“painted cakes do not satisfy hunger,” 94, 142–43
Palkyi Dorje, 211
paññā. See wisdom
pāramitās. See the perfections
passion as our guide to wisdom, 60
patience with practice, 38, 167
peer bonds in new generations, 273
peer groups for teachers, 81
people of color: outreach to, 181, 182–83, 184, 185–86
people-of-color retreats, 182–83
the perfections:
resolution/determination, 116
vigor, 187
phenomena (dharmas):
enlightenment/confirmation by all, 131, 146–47
Piyānanda, Bhante, 55–64
pleasures. See sense pleasures
poetry, translation of, 222
political engagement, 257–64
anger in, 261–62
bearing witness, 260
as challenging for Buddhists, 258
in online forums, 261
practice and, 257–58, 259, 266–67
in protest movements, 260
saying “no” with compassion, 262–63
taking sides, 263–64
in the Zen tradition, 259–60
Ponlop Rinpoche, Dzogchen, 5–14, 39–48, 83–90, 161–68, 189–201, 215
posture for meditation, 17
potato practice, 78
and aspiration, 50
attitude vs. method in, 61
back-and-forth practice, 252, 259
beginnings, 76
as challenging, 32
confidence in, 80
continuous, 148
the cutting edge, 53
dedication to. See dedication to practice
desire to, 59, 60. See also bodhicitta
dry spots, 34–35
effort. See effort
forms. See forms
for laypeople, 97–99, 252–53, 259
levels of development, 97
loneliness in, 13
long-term. See long-term practice
as making mistakes, 147–48
metta practice, 185
new forms/expressions, 266, 267–69, 271
noticing self-ing, 52
obstacles to. See obstacles to practice
and political engagement, 257–58, 259, 266–67
potato practice, 78
and realization, 140
“remembering the purity,” 88
resistance to, 31–32
trust in, 63
See also lojong; loving-kindness; meditation; mindfulness; morality; practicing; tonglen
practicing:
the brahmavihāras, 50
with fear, 51
the precepts, 50, 52–53, 61, 78
stepping into the unknown, 87
practitioners:
Dzogchen for those in other traditions, 175
full-time. See full-time practitioners
great practitioners on karma, 120
older, providing for, 84–85
as psychotherapists, 156–57
sense of failure, 152
sincerity of American students, 201, 228
See also the Sangha
prajñā. See wisdom
prayer, 129–37
Buddhism as, 133–34
in Shin, 129, 130, 133, 135, 136
as skillful means, 133
as supplication, 129, 132, 133, 134–35, 137
as surrender, 137
See also under Theravāda tradition; Vajrayāna tradition; Zen tradition
Prebish, Charles, 179–88
breaking the rules, 210–12
responsibility for interpreting, 207–8
See also the perfections
presence. See being present
protest movements: political engagement in, 260
Protestant ethic vs. monasticism, 254
psychology:
and Buddhism, 149–59
skillful means, 149–50, 153–54, 159
See also psychotherapy
psychotherapists, 156–57
psychotherapy:
benefits, 149–50
mindfulness and, 158
therapists, 156–57
Pure Land tradition. See Shin tradition
R
race issues in community outreach, 181, 182–83, 184, 185–86, 187–88
Rand, Yvonne, 189–201
Rangdröl, Tsele Natsok, 174
Rathavinīta Sutta, 60
Secret of the Vajra World, 134
realization. See insight; liberation
reap as you sow simile, 119–20
aspiration and, 89
receiving the teachings, 172
recognition of natural mind, 171–72, 174, 175
Red Pine, 222
refuge: śīla as, 206
See also taking refuge
relationships, 51, 154–56, 159
dying as relationship, 90
as political, 258
releasing add-on emotions, 48
“remembering the purity” practice, 88
lack of understanding of, 254
See also letting go
repression of anger, 155
resistance:
to practice, 31–32
to study, 95–97
to the teacher, 11
to things as they are, 101
resolution (determination), 116
responsibility:
for interpreting the precepts, 207–8
karma and, 112
results (of actions), 76–77, 126
bearing witness practice in, 66, 68–69
fear in, 69–70
long retreats and Buddhist studies, 251–52
motivation for, 71–72
people-of-color retreats, 182–83
returning from, 72
sesshin, 67
solitary retreats, 69
women’s retreats, 240–41
reverence for the ancestors in Zen, 135–36
rigpa. See natural mind
Ringu Tulku, 75–82
ritual practice (Vajrayāna), 164–65
romanticism of the Dharma, 155
Rose, Marcia, 49–54
rough-and-tough compassion, 82
rule breaking, 210–12
rules of conduct (Vinaya), 206–7
S
sacredness of experience/being present, 62, 140, 145
Sahajayoginīcintā, 62
śamatha, objectless: vs. rigpa, 171–72
San Francisco Zen Center, 227–33
Sandōkai, 182
the Sangha, 69, 132, 182, 187–88, 204–5, 216–17
Dharma transmission as from, 191, 192, 193, 197, 197–98, 232
See also practitioners
Sanskrit words: leaving untranslated, 216–17
Sayadaw, Mahasi, 33
saying “no” with compassion, 262–63
Schireson, Grace, 235–46
Schmidt, Marcia, 169–75
schools of thought, 96–97
Secret of the Vajra World (Ray), 134
secretness of the Vajrayāna, 162, 164
seeing:
distortion of, 46–47
into emotions/feelings, 43, 46–48, 58, 79
into selflessness, 16, 25, 114
into sense experience, 57–58, 59, 60
Seelawimala, Bhante, 129–37
self: studying and forgetting, 131, 146, 147
See also sense of self
self-acceptance: and compassion, 21
self-ing: noticing, 52
self-power and other-power, 130–31, 132, 133, 137
selflessness (no self/nonself), 52, 114, 146
Senauke, Alan, 187
sense experience, 56, 56–57, 57, 62
See also sense pleasures
sense of failure, 152
sense of self (ego/subjectivity), 61, 115–16
sense pleasures, 55–64
desire for, 58–59. See also lust
enlightened beings and, 62
transcendent/as stepping stones to liberation, 58, 59
See also sense experience
separate events strategy in community outreach, 182–83, 185–86
serving the teacher, 10–11
sesshin, 67
Seung Sahn, 197
sexual relationships, 53, 207–8
between teachers and students, 238, 239
Shambala tradition/community, 34, 250
Shaw, Miranda, 55–64
shikantaza (just sitting), 23–24, 131
Shin tradition, 129, 130, 131, 133, 135, 136, 137
Shōbōgenzō (Dōgen), 140–41, 142–43, 144–48
Shrobe, Richard, 189–201
śīla. See morality
Simmer-Brown, Judith, 31–38, 39–48
sincerity of American students, 201, 228
skillful means, 10, 47, 63, 109, 127, 132–33
of psychology, 149–50, 153–54, 159
skillful/unskillful vs. good/bad emotions/actions, 42–44, 112
social engagement, 181
See also political engagement
solitary retreats, 69
Sōtō Zen: Dharma transmission in, 192
speech:
as a doorway, 19
mindfulness of, 51–52
Sperry, Rod Meade, 265–73
spirit of awakening. See bodhicitta
Spirit Rock, 183, 185, 196, 237
spiritual authority of Western teachers, 198–200, 231–32
spontaneous Dharma transmission, 192
staring-state clarity, 214–15
stepping into the unknown, practicing, 87
stepping stones to liberation, 58, 59
stillness (of the mind), 25, 29–30, 39, 67
Stücky, Myogen Steve, 227–33–83
study (of the Dharma), 93–100
Buddhist studies/education, 250, 251–52
for laypeople, 97–99
and meditation, 94–95, 96–97, 99–100
resistance to, 95–97
studying dullness, 36–37
subjectivity. See sense of self
accepting, 159
end/cessation of, 103–7
lessening, 109–10
origin/source/cause, 56, 107–8, 125, 141
presence with. See compassion
of suffering/pain, 102–3
three kinds of, 101–2
Sukhasiddhi, 241
supplication: prayer as, 129, 132, 133, 134–35, 137
surrender: prayer as, 137
Sutherland, Joan, 257–64
Suzuki Roshi, 61, 76, 79–80, 81, 103
Suzuki Roshi’s son, 78
T
taking and sending. See tonglen
taking refuge:
in Amida Buddha, 129, 130, 132
in the Buddha/the teacher, 10
taking sides in political engagement, 263–64
Taoism, 146
Tarrant, John, 39–48
teacher training, 196, 238–39, 253–54
teacher–student relationship, 5–14, 20, 170–71
teachers (the teacher), 5
attention to students, 26
breaking the rules, 210–11
choosing of. See Dharma transmission
collectives, 196–97
of color, 184
council/community of elders, 191, 195, 196
directions from, 11
disappointment in, 11–12
emotional reactions to, 8–9
expectations of, 12
faith in, 7
isolation, 195
life/the world as, 13–14, 20, 37
peer groups for, 81
qualities, 189–90
resistance to, 11
serving, 10–11
sexual relationships with students, 238, 239
taking refuge in, 10
training of, 196, 238–39, 253–54
See also under Theravāda tradition; under Vajrayāna tradition; Western teachers; women teachers; and specific teachers
teaching:
as function-based/working, 191, 192, 193, 197
impermanence of, 193
sharing what you understand, 82
teaching basic Buddhism, 181, 187, 188
teaching ethical conduct, 114–16, 181
teaching lojong, 122–24
teaching suffering, 108–9, 181
the teachings (of Buddhism), 5, 97
access limitations, 149
carrying, 199
consulting the texts, 93
receiving, 172
ten perfections. See the perfections
Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, 15–22, 23–30
Theravāda tradition:
council/community of elders, 191, 195, 196
Dharma transmission, 190–92, 193, 194, 195–97
on dying, 89
gender inequality, 236
practice in daily life, 49–54
sexual relationships between teachers and students, 239
teacher collectives, 196–97
teacher training, 196, 238–39, 253–54
teachers at Spirit Rock, 157, 196, 267, 272
and the Vajrayāna tradition, 163
Western culture vs. Asian culture, 237
women in Asia, 236, 241–42, 249
things as they are: resistance to, 101
Thrangu Rinpoche, 203
three doors, 19
three kinds of suffering, 101–2
three kleśas/roads/roots/fires, 56, 69, 77–78, 105
three-yāna view (Vajrayāna), 163
Thurman, Robert, 247–55
The Tibetan Book of the Dead, 88
Tibetan Buddhism: cultural stability and, 150, 154
See also Vajrayāna tradition
time: Dōgen on, 144–46
time management, 168
tonglen, 122, 123, 124, 127–28
transcendent pleasures, 58, 59
transformation (personal), 44, 46, 65, 66
the teacher–student relationship and, 5, 7, 8, 9–10, 12–13
See also liberation
transforming emotions/passions, 43, 47, 58
the kleśas, 21, 60, 75–82, 80, 110
translating words, 214–16, 216–17
standardizing translations, 218, 220, 220–21
translation(s), 213–25
with annotations and glossaries, 216, 220
as creative works, 222–23
leaving words untranslated, 216–17, 218–20, 220–21
wordplay/poetry in, 221–22
working on alone or in groups, 223–25
See also translating words
Treace, Bonnie Myotai, 139–48
A Treatise on the Paramis (Dhammapāla), 50
Trungpa Rinpoche, Chögyam, 163, 167, 209, 215, 262
trust:
in the continuation of the Dharma, 193–94
Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, Khenpo, 215
U
U Tejaniya, Sayadaw, 69
Unno, Mark, 129–37
unseen beings in the Vajrayāna tradition, 134–35
Urygen Rinpoche, Tulku, 171, 173
V
Vajrayāna tradition (Tibetan Buddhism), 99, 123, 161–68, 169
bardo teachings on dying, 88
conduct as emphasized in, 205
Dharma transmission, 192, 197–98
as for householders, 167–68
meditation practices, 27–28
prayer, 132–33, 134, 134–35, 137
ritual practice, 164–65
seeing into emotions, 43, 47, 58, 79
sexual relationships between teachers and students, 238
stepping stones to liberation, 58, 59
superiority complex, 163
superstar syndrome, 166–67, 168
the teacher–student relationship, 6, 11–12
and the Theravāda tradition, 163
three-yāna view, 163
Tibetan teachers in America, 164
understanding/misunderstanding of, 161–63
unseen beings in, 134–35
Western teachers, 199–200
Western vs. Asian culture, 236–37, 237–38
women teachers, 62, 235–36, 236–37, 239
See also Dzogchen; Mahāmudrā
vigor, 187
Vinaya rules, 206–7
vipaśyanā (vipassanā), 171, 205
See also morality
visualization (Vajrayāna), 28, 165–66
vow to liberate all beings, 130
vulnerability in aging, 84
W
waking sleep, 33–34
See also dullness
Wallace, B. Alan, 121–28–84
Wangyal Rinpoche, Tenzin, 15–22, 23–30
the web as skillful means, 269, 271
Weitsman, Sojun Mel, 55–64
Western Buddhism: vs. Asian Buddhism, 227–28, 236–37, 237–38
See also under Western culture; Western teachers; women in Western Buddhism
Western culture:
assimilation of Buddhism in, 150, 152
Buddhism and śīla in, 204–5
Dharma transmission issues in, 194–95
lineage transmission in, xiii–xiv
shadow side, 154
See also Buddhist communities in the U.S.
Western teachers:
development of, 251
lineage durability, 200–1
spiritual authority, 198–200, 231–32
will as ignorance, 116
wisdom (prajñā/paññā), 26, 46, 210
and compassion, 125
concentration and, 248
vs. delusion, 264
desire/attachment/passion as our guide to, 60
emotions/the kleśas as, 45, 79
and integrity, 205
women in Asian Buddhism, 236, 241–42, 249
women in Western Buddhism, 235–46
gender equality in S.F. Zen Center, 230
gender inequality, 237–40, 242–45, 244
independent vs. existing organizational models for, 241–42
inspiring developments, 245–46
in monastic training, 238
sexual relationships between teachers and, 238, 239
speaking up by, 244–45
See also women teachers
women teachers:
lack of support by women for, 240
in the Theravāda tradition, 236, 237
in Tibetan Buddhism, 62, 235–36, 236–37, 239
in the Zen tradition, 230, 239, 240
women’s retreats, 240–41
wonder about the unknown, 87–88, 89
wordplay in translations, 221–22
words: leaving untranslated, 216–17, 218–20, 220–21
See also translating words
the world. See life
Y
yānas, nine, 169
Yeshe Tsogyal, 246
yoga: and awareness, 17–18, 20, 21
the yogic tradition, 209
Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, 169–75
Z
zazen: Dōgen on, 142
See also meditation
Zen tradition:
austerity, 185
metta practice, 185
political engagement, 259–60
reverence for the ancestors, 135–36
sexual relationships between teachers and students, 238