Ep. 92 - The Resonant Strings - Beacon Series Ft. Meido Moore Roshi - Find the Good News with Brother Oran

2020-07-02

Ep. 92 - The Resonant Strings - A Beacon Series Interview Ft. Meido Moore Roshi, abbot of Korinji, a Rinzai Zen monastery, and author of "The Rinzai Zen Way: A Guide to Practice" by Shambala Publications. ========== Zen. In the circles I’ve traveled it is a word that is often said and even more misunderstood. Truth? I am still trying to understand it myself. More truth? When I feel like I’ve built a nice and sturdy framework for it, the structure I’ve constructed topples to sticks and stone...

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Zen. In the circles I’ve traveled it is a word that is often said and even more misunderstood.

Truth? I am still trying to understand it myself.

More truth? When I feel like I’ve built a nice and sturdy framework for it, the structure I’ve constructed topples to sticks and stones.

I laugh about it. I cry about it. I let go. I start again.

“This,” I think, “is Zen!" But is it?

It’s this question that lies at the heart of my conversation with Meido Moore Roshi, abbot of Korinji, a Rinzai Zen monastery in Wisconsin, where he transmits Zen Buddhist teachings that can find roots as far back as 5th century India.

Meido is an 86th-generation Zen dharma heir and a 48th-generation holder of the lineage descended from Rinzai Gigen.

The Rinzai Zen way, as instructed by Meido Moore Roshi, places particular emphasis on making use of the body as part of the practice, as well as fine arts, and internal energetic work. It was clear to me that he has an elemental connection and appreciation for the natural world, sharing this with his students by incorporating earth, air, fire, and water into their training. While there is certainly an aesthetic to Zen that is quite peaceful and minimalist, Meido is clear that the Rinzai way is much more akin to boot camp than a day at the spa.

In this conversation, Meido graciously helped clarify many of the concepts of Zen Buddhism, not least of all these three; What am I? What is this life for? Why is there suffering? Tucked in the green hills and farmlands of Madison, Wisconsin there is, at this very moment, an abbot and his students sincerely seeking the answers to these very questions. Wisdom and compassion are cultivated. The wheel of the dharma turns. Transmission occurs. I am reminded that it is good to have obtained this human existence.

“This," I think, “is Zen."

Now, it’s time to tune your attention to this Good News Beacon, and press play on a little good news.

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MEET MEIDO MOORE ROSHI >> https://www.facebook.com/meido.moore

BUY "THE RINZAI WAY" >> https://bookshop.org/books/the-rinzai-zen-way-a-guide-to-practice/9781611805178

SUPPORT KORINJI MONASTERY >> https://www.korinji.org/

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