Zen Mind/Christian Mind: Practice across Traditions

Abstract

At the 1992 International Buddhist Conference held by the Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies in Boston, the Practitioners Working Group hosted sessions on Christian Contemplation and Zen Awakening: Practice in Both Traditions. The Group found itself in lively dialogue in a room overflowing with committed and questioning seekers. As a response to this interchange, a follow-up weekend was arranged for July 1993 at Wainwright House, a conference center in Rye, New York. The weekend gathering was designed to offer panel discussions, presentations, and talks all within the framework of practicing together in both traditions. Thus each day was framed in morning and evening Zen meditation, a Soto Zen morning service (including a moving Zen Memorial Service for Fredrick Streng and Dom Bede Griffiths), and daily Vespers, as well as a Sunday Eucharist. There was a retreat atmosphere, with both shared silence and inspiring dialogue. The core presenters included Buddhist and Catholic Zen teachers, Episcopal and Catholic religious, and lay academics. All have been involved in Buddhist, primarily Zen, practice and and share a strong connection to Christianity. Core group presenters were: the Reverend P. Dai-en Bennage Sensei (Mt. Equity Zendo), Roger Corless (Duke University), Ruben Habito (Perkins School of Theology and Zen teacher at Maria-Kannon Zen Center), Father Thomas Hand, SJ. (Mercy Center), John W. Healey (Fordham University), Sister Linda Julian, O.S.H. (Convent of St. Helena), Father Robert Kennedy (St. Peter's College and Zen teacher), Donald Mitchell (Purdue University), Astrid O'Brien (Fordham University), the Reverend Susan Ji-on Postal (Meeting House Zen Group), Sister Ellen Stephen, O.S.H. (Convent of St. Helena), Brother Wayne Teasdale (St. Procopius Abbey), and the Reverend Shari Young (Grace Cathedral). The gathering began with a welcoming address by Susan Postal, in which she remarked that such a conference of practitioners is evidence that Buddhism is now really taking root in America. It does not replace older traditions, such as Christianity, but persons who take up the Buddhist way find new energy for their original traditional religious life. This gathering was formed to examine