[Buddha-l] Another One Bites the Dust

[Leigh Goldstein]

I am an intermittent student of Roshi. I know two woman who had interactions with him very well.  It is a terrible thing if, as it appears to be, some women have been harmed and even turned away from spiritual practice by his actions.

It is also true that  many people have been inspired and taught by him and I have found great value in practicing in his community which I have found to be very strong in its discipline and  commitment, as well as kind and supportive . For me he is one of the strongest Zen masters I have met and I was very sorry when he retired.

The leaders of his community say they are taking actions to ensure a safe practice environment for women.

"L.S. Cousins" <selwyn at ntlworld.com> wrote:

>Aren't you over-reacting a bit ? I recall you used to be more tolerant 
>of such things. I have not met Joshu Sasaki Roshi, but I have noticed
>in 
>other cases where a flawed charismatic teacher leaves behind a large 
>organization that some people do get a lot of benefit from that 
>organisation even where I would be quite critical of it. Those who are 
>innocent and sincere take away only nectar.
>
>Lance Cousins
>
>On 24/02/2013 15:53, Richard Hayes wrote:
>> Franz Metcalf wrote:
>>
>>> This time it's Joshu Sasaki Roshi. I guess if you live long enough,
>someone eventually calls you to account. I'm sorry, Richard, this
>happened (all along and now).
>> This whole thing has left me feeling both sad and angry. It makes me
>sad, because it has resulted in the permanent cancellation of a
>more-than-thirty-year relationship between my university and Bodhi
>Manda Zen Center that took the form of an annual summer course in which
>people could get three academic credits in a Zen practice setting. Over
>the years students were treated to hearing excellent teaching by the
>likes of Peter Gregory, Jay Garfield, Bill Waldron, John McRae, Janet
>Gyatso, Charles Hallisey, Shoryu Katsura, Mark Unno, and Lance Cousins
>(to name just a few of the many first-rate teachers who taught at the
>seminars). It makes me angry, because I now realize that innocent
>students may have been at risk over the years, and the people of
>Rinzai-ji knew this, and they covered it up.
>>
>> Even now, some of the oshos in the Rinzai-ji organization are saying
>that people should focus their attention on the brilliant teaching of
>this great Zen master rather than on his flaws. Others are denying that
>his behavior was flawed at all, since it was all upāya aimed at helping
>people attain escape velocity from the gravitational pull of their
>egos. I'm old-fashioned and conservative enough that I don't regard a
>teacher who turns his disciples into sycophants who cover up his sexual
>abuse of many women (estimates are in the hundreds, but at least
>forty-two have now come forward with their stories) who came to him for
>spiritual guidance is a great Zen master.
>>
>> Richard
>
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