Copyright (2004) Zen Buddhist Order of Hsu Yun, NV, USA

Essays, Poetry and Talks    In LIKABILITY: LEXI ALEXANDER'S FILM LIFTED, Ming Zhen Shakya discusses how easily we are manipulated by emotionally contrived, self-serving presentations. In SUDDEN SCHOOL ZEN AND GRADUAL SCHOOL ZEN, Ming Zhen Shakya explains the two main schools of Zen and shows how their respective goals are followed by the forms and settings they take. In MY NIGHT WITH SUPERSANDY, Jerseyman Abbot John recounts the night the hurricane came ashore and gives some advice about getting things done in an emergency. "Do No Harm" (Ahimsa) is the principle U.S. Regulatory Agencies who are paid to protect the environment follow with invasive species. Meet our new BFF (Best Friend Forever), the Snakehead. In REGULATORY AGENCY INSANITY AND THE THREE GRAM SAMURAI Ming Zhen Shakya looks at a recent instance of bureaucratic lunacy. Ambition often works best when it is a topic of leisurely comment as Abbot John notes in BOTTLES OF AMBITION. Yin Cai Shakya learns a lot more than chokes and joint locks when he begins his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey, with ON STAYING A BEGINNER. Chris Rock's bitter Independence Day remarks are considered by Ming Zhen Shakya in: Veteran Suicide and the Failure of Black Leadership. There is too much vitriol and not enough compassion in the national debate about abortion as Ming Zhen Shakya notes in ABORTION: the emotional debate. Are false claims to having received military awards protected by the First Amendment? Ming Zhen Shakya examines the issue in The Stolen Valor Act: a Zen Buddhist view. Erle Montaigue the late Taiji Master developed a superior tai ji program which inspired and influenced our Yao Xin to write about his experiences in WHY DO I DO TAIJI? Eschewing The Brass Ring, or any other ring for that matter, Yin Cai Shakya prefers to "dream small," and tells us why, in THE BITCH GODDESS OF SUCCESS. Abbot John brings new understanding of the relationship of deer in the headlights (as illustrated here) and THE QUANTUM MECHANICS OF ROADKILL. Just in time for Christmas! Yin Cai Shakya offers some useful advice regarding how to handle inevitable holiday stress, in WHEN THE HOLIDAY GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET TO THE GYM. Scientists reject the sacralizing of scientific truths: the explanations of Creationism or a divine motive in rainfall. In DALI'S CHRISTUS HYPERCUBUS Ming Zhen asks why they then focus on a scientific feature of a sacred work, desacralizing it to the point of banality. Yin Cai Shakya considers Contracts With God as illustrated in this 7th Century Anglo-Saxon warrior's belt offered at a religious shrine in England. The inscription reads: "Rise up, O Lord,and may thy enemies be dispersed and those who hate thee be driven from thy face." Ming Zhen Shakya looks at the resurgence of body art now that ZBOHY's own Personnel Director, Yin Shan Shakya, has obtained a Buddhist-themed tattoo. We are pleased to present Ming Zhen Shakya's excellent commentary on THE AMITAYUR DHYANA SUTRA. In our war to attain the Summit, we first have to win the battle for self--awareness. In NON-ATTACHMENT, STUPID!, Yao Xiang Shakya gives us a sure-fire weapon. In ON GETTING DIVORCED, Yin Cai Shakya offers some advice on expanding one's practice when he finds himself peacefully alone. The Tea Party's whistle should be a Reveille for taxpayers of all parties. In Buerocratic Greed And Sloth, Ming Zhen Shakya looks at the problem from a hillbilly perspective. Long term commitments can be more constrictive than we expect. In Home Owner Associations and the Law of Change Ming Zhen Shakya tells cautionary tales. Lord Acton was right... power corrupts. In The Peter Principle In Government and Religion, Ming Zhen Shakya explores the incompetence of officialdom. In AL-HALLAJ AND THE DARK SIDE OF RELIGION, Shi Fa Jun, who has recently become a member of the Italian Association of Sociologists, explores the gap between religion and the spiritual path. In WHITE DEATH, heroic sled dogs dream their way into Abbot John's psyche as he finds himself marooned by snow. By overwhelmingly popular demand we're featuring an essay from our archives - the History and Science Channel's pitiable attempt to explain THE MYSTERY OF THE TIBETAN MUMMY. When do we do the right thing and step forward to help another? Or when do we wait to let the apologists shift blame onto the victim? In Kitty Genovese and Death on Everest Ming Zhen Shakya looks at two famous cases. Many of us here at the Order of Hsu Yun are reptile enthusiasts; and for the benefit of our readers who are fond of snakes or the concept of virgin births we reprint this article, which appeared in the November 3, 2010 edition of Earth News | BBC Wildlife Magazine. You can never be the best that you can be if you lose your humility. In Black Iron, Yin Cai Shakya relates that moment of truth when he learned that pride is not a cure for shame. In Visiting The Matisses, Poet Robert Rhodes (Yao Xin) yearns for Matisse's love of life, a libido frequently shown in his alluring nudes, and finds that this love cannot compete with the fearful command of sentimental journeys. In July 30, In The Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Public Library, the unexpected discovery of a pressed maple leaf in a library book lures poet Robert Rhodes (Yin Xin) to recalling Fujiyama's effect on Ryokan. Life has tides which always surprise us. Poet Robert Rhodes (Yao Xin) considers fragility of life and time in Tide Map: Mississippi River In Clairvoyance, bone-cancer survivor poet Robert Rhodes (Yao Xin) considers love and death and our inability to be aware of what each of them intends for us. "Plain and Fancy" blend poignantly together in acclaimed poet Robert Rhodes' encounter with an Amish girl in Emily Lantz. (Rhodes, Yao Yin, has been with ZBOHY since 1998. His work can be purchased from Amazon and soon Norton will be publishing a new volume of his poetry.) Beliefs are usually based on emotion, and being so, often override rational thought. In Knowing When It's No We Can't Ming Zhen Shakya discusses how to curb enthusiasm. Abbot John assists Yin Cai with his golf game, and enlightens him to several other important points, in Letter To A Zen Golf Beginner. We do not have to be hostage to foolish preferences. Balance is the answer Yao Xiang Shakya finds in You Are Free To Appreciate The Middle Way The naga kindly spread his hood and kept the Buddha dry as the rains poured down. Yin Shan Shakya discusses The Cobra Spirit, in this perennial favorite. What is it that we're acknowledging when we enter a Zen Temple? In A QUICK COURSE IN ZEN THEOLOGY Ming Zhen Shakya follows a direction given by Paul Reps in Zen Flesh, Zen Bones. Aikido offers the greatest protection with the least strength necessary. Sensei Joe Canon (Chuan Shou Shakya) gives explanations and photos in AIKIDO, THE WAY OF THE HARMONIOUS SPIRIT. In his latest essay, Yin Cai Shakya reviews the documentary film A MAN AMONG WOLVES, about Shaun Ellis and his life's work. In COMMENTS ON THE HURT LOCKER by a soldier's father, Abbot John gives a personal view of men at war. In THE CALL OF THE WILD ANSWERS A NEW DISEASE Ming Zhen Shakya comments on the dangerous failures of federal agencies to solve the problem of Prion diseases. In No One Nose Abbot John reiterates Hsu Yun's warning to a ball that is definitely trying to penetrate the cup. In "Buddhism In The Time Of Blizzards," Yin Cai Shakya discovers that a problem is 1% circumstance and 99% perspective. This week we are pleased to present a commentary on the Avatamsaka (Flower Ornament) Sutra, written by our Dharma brother, Yao Xiang Shakya In a personal autobiographical account and in an instructional letter sent to a student, Master Yin Zhao adds "Introduction to Sexual Mysticism" to the meditation lore for men in Assault on the Summit. (Updated: 08/29/2008) A tribute to our Dharma Brother, Da Shi Yin Zhao, In Memoriam. VM Fo Yuan shares a pleasantry with Ming Zhao

Venerable Master Ming Zhao (xin Jue) In My Eyes Barry Tse (Shi Yao Hui) writes affectionately about his master VM Ming Zhao. Dawn on the lake near Jiang Jun Si, Chi-Bi (Red Cliff) City, Hubei Province. Yao Hui Shakya gives details of the restoration of the old Tang Dynasty Buddhist Temple. Map of China showing Hubei Province, famed location of Wu Dang Martial Arts development. The Yangtze River forms its southern boundary line.  Jiang Jun Si is located near Chi-Bi (Red Cliff) City, down in the dip in the lower right of the province.  This is also the location site of the movie, Battle of Red Cliff which is currently being filmed by Director John Woo.

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