Zen Battle! Hardcore Zen vs. Big Mind: The Next Round
As many of you know, Zen Buddhist teacher, punk bassist, and author Brad Warner has been going after Zen Buddhist teacher Genpo Roshi for a whi
le now. His latest missive against Genpo is the most intense yet, attacking him for his new $50,000 retreat that will “change your life in five days.”
See the post here. Expect some offensive language when you get there.
Of course, you might also be offended by the language on Genpo’s site, too… But: look closely. The site explains that he’s doing this in order to fund work his group does in the community. And, as is explained, “We never turn anyone away from our classes, workshops, and retreats for lack of funds… We call it the Robin Hood effect, the rich giving to the poor.”
So in ways, this is a fund-raising opportunity, no different than, say, Barack Obama hosting a $28,000-a-plate banquet. But then: Obama’s offering “Change We Can Believe in.” Can we believe in Genpo’s “Big Mind” approach?
Brad sure doesn’t think so, saying that Genpo is “out to get rich by cheating stupid people,” — and a lot worse.
What do you think?
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September 29th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
[...] The Worst Horse points us to another round in the Hardcore Zen – Big Mind knockdown drag-out dharma combat. Brad’s post here. [...]
September 29th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
It’s apparent that Brad likes to fight.
He says he cares a lot.
He says he doesn’t care. He cares what people think of him.
Mind you I don’t know him. Never met him.
Put up your dukes? He’s very passive aggressive with his writing. NOt much action in his words. He should practice Zenga.
There’s too much thought and No Poetry to his writing. It’s just commentary. Boring. Zazen can be boring enough.
Do not write characters on the walls, and do not draw lines in the earth with the shit-wiping-stick. The stick is to wipe your ass after you shit.
September 30th, 2008 at 1:46 am
Brad is angry.
Brad is without poetry.
Brad is passive aggressive.
Perhaps.
. . . But, by selling spiritual materialism, Genpo makes promises he can’t keep.
It should be all about the dharma NOT who teaches it to you.
October 1st, 2008 at 8:44 am
Basically, I am not really fond of either one.
Brad is self-absorbed and, as others have stated, passive-aggressive. We’re tired of hearing about your band, sorry. Your book had some good points, but I couldn’t get over the points above.
The Big Mind thing just sounds wrong on many levels, and anytime someone promises enlightenment in X days or your money back, that’s a red flag in and of itself.
I wish the Zen/Western Buddhist community had better role models than this.
October 1st, 2008 at 8:58 am
You’d have to be pretty dense to believe that someone can change ANYTHING about you in 5 days…
October 4th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Brad is just a hypocrtical clown. He urges no authority but cultivates minions, and regularly baselessly attacks people and acts persecuted when others call him on it. I have no respect for him whatsoever.
November 4th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
If you don’t like either why not read Noah Levine’s dharma punx or against the stream?
November 6th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
A few years ago I stumbled upon Big Mind when Roshi was doing a one day retreat here on island. The process allowed me to cultivate a certain amount of kindness and compassion towards myself. It changed my practice. I found Genpo to be genuine. Is it my following? No. It was just a tool. A tool I am grateful for. Washing the dishes has changed my practice too. I’m grateful for that also – but then again I am also grateful for the “quick water saving steps” of loading a dishwasher.