Summary: Episode Description: Sensei Kaz makes a quietly impassioned case that peacemaking is much more in our immediate power than we might imagine. He invoices some of the U.S.'s enlightened exports -- national park system, human rights treaties, civil rights and feminist movements -- as well as its problems and unenlightened exports -- the people's will overwhelmed by the power of money; the arms trade (the U.S. is the largest arms seller by far). He offers the enlightened developments (all within 70 years or so!) as evidence of the flexibility of our society: any situation can change. And lack of expertise is no bar to action: just find an expert, s/he's probably starved for someone with a will to learn and act. Keizan's "Transmission of the Lamp," with its direct, generous teaching, comes at the end of all the "steep" koans in certain koan curricula: a rest in its beautiful waters. In a kindred spirit of peaceful clarity, for her closing talk Enkyo Roshi watercolors Case 10 from "Transmission" (about the night Buddha awoke). She speaks of the limpid splendor when Gautama saw the morning star (or did it see him...?), saw the reality of himself, and could do anything -- could stop the violence in the world. She also speaks of the nearness of this nondual realm, most beautifully embodied in a long life of efforts and mistakes (e.g. Shakyamuni's). For Teacher BIOs, please visit Part 1. To access the entire series, please click on the link below: Rohatsu Sesshin Series: All 6 Parts
