Blogisattva Awards

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Blogisattva Awards 2011

The wheels of the Blogisattva's are turning and soon voting will be open for the calendar year 2011.

More info to come soon!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Our seventh installment comes from Malaysia. You;ve probabl heard of the teacher this person studies under, but this article is great and gives a perspective on Malaysian Buddhism that we are hoping opens readers eyes to their culture leanings. Thank you Tenzin for this.

I am a Buddhist blogger from Malaysia. Although Islam is the official religion of Malaysia, there is freedom of religion and non-Muslims can choose to practice whatever religion they want. Currently, approximately 20% of Malaysians practice Buddhism.

In Malaysia, we have many Buddhist Traditions such as the Theravada, Mahayana and the Vajrayana. Because of the colourful and broad religious mix of Malaysia, there will be a Theravadan temple on one street, and a Mahayan temple on another, next to a Christian church and a Hindu temple.

I belong to the Kechara Buddhist organisation which is of the Vajrayana school. I began learning about Buddhism since I met my teacher, the Tibetan Master, H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, when I was about seven years old. I do my best to incorporate the teachings of the Buddhas into my daily life. Tsem Tulku is an avid blogger too and his blog covers a very wide range of topics (http://blog.tsemtulku.com).

When learning Buddhism in the Kechara organisation, we get to practice kindness and compassion wherever we go. For example, there is the Kechara Soup Kitchen where we can feed the homeless and we also help them find jobs because that is what helps the homeless in the long term. There is also going to be an animal shelter where we can take care of animals in the future.

Kechara also has the first Himalayan Arts Studio in Southeast Asia (Kechara Saraswati Arts) where people can roll mantras and paint statues or do brocading for thangkas; a publishing house (Kechara Media & Publications) which publishes Buddhist books; two vegetarian restaurants (Kechara Oasis) to encourage compassionate eating; a film production house (Kechara InMotion) which produces documentaries and
TV shows; a travel consultancy and statue maker (Kechara Discovery) and a range of retail shops (Kechara Paradise) which makes Buddhist images, artefacts and prayer items easily accessible to all.

I have written a blog where I show people how my life goes by with Buddhism applied in every corner. (http://tenzinkhenchen.blogspot.com)

It would be nice to be able to interact with other Buddhists all over the world and the Blogisattva awards seems to be the best place to introduce Buddhist blogs to other interested Buddhists everywhere. Malaysia is a country in South East Asia and one of the main languages we speak in Malaysia is English. I am sure that the many Buddhist blogs worldwide will find many Malaysians interested in them.

An ocean of prayers and with folded hands,

Tenzin Khenchen

Thursday, February 10, 2011

BATW: Buddhism in Italy

Our sixth installment in the series Buddhism around the world comes from a Laura, a Buddhist practitioner and blogger from Italy. Laura was kind enough to give us some background of Buddhism as it has evolved in Italy, as well as a taste of the different traditions that are found there today. Thank you Laura for the excellent post!

Though Italy sunk its roots in Christianism, it has a good curiosity for the East. Buddhism with its various expressions is represented in our country for quite a long time. The blog that I run, Buddhismo Loto (http://buddhismoloto.wordpress.com), collects news from the buddhist world, the peculiarity of it is to give curious and unusual informations which relate the buddhist world to everyday life's aspects and events.

This allows me to offer a general panorama of news from all differents traditions to the onlooker of the buddhism.

Most part of italian Buddhist people attend a school which follows the monk Nichiren Daishonin. In particular there is a little group of Nichiren Shu, which is in Italy since 10 years ago and after some shifting of the centre and some organizational difficuties, it seems have found a new centre in Piedmont or the Honmon Butshuryu Shu that, after an initial growing enthusiasm, it seems is through a period of readjustment. The Soka Gakkai too has been present for many years in the country.

Recently in my blog I considered interesting giving some space to the arrival in Italy of the school that follow the ancient tradition of the Kempon Hokke Shu (http://kemponhokkeitalia.org) founded by Nichiju Shonin and come down to us intact, without patriarchal contaminations or pyramid structures. Also if appeared in Italy only some months ago, has already a good website very accurate and very educational for all those interested to learn more about this old school.

Known as the orthodox Nichiren school it believes in the transmission of the Dharma through the rolls of Lotus Sutra and the authentic writings of Nichiren Daishonin. Practitioners of this school, devotees of the Lotus Sutra, follow the Nichiren's teachings in faith and devotion, striving to build a land of peace through the guidance of the Rissho Ankoku Ron, one of the five basic treaties of the same Nichiren Daishonin.

Coordinator of Kempon Hokke Shu in Italy is the Rev. Sinjyo known for his missionary work and for being the founder of Myo Edizioni (http://www.myoedizioni.it) the only record label dedicated to the transmission of the Lotus Sutra and the authentic teachings of Nichiren Daishonin. Myo Edizioni represents a reference point for all enthusiasts and believers of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren. Its publications distributed in all digital music store are very appreciated.

The Zen tradition is also deeply rooted in the Italian territory for several years gathering many believers as well as the Tibetan tradition represented by various Sangha scattered throughout the country. There are many events organized by this tradition, such as exhibitions or gatherings of prayer.
Well known is also the tradition founded by Master Thich Nhat Hanh that suggests a conscious way of life that is manifested in the actions of all practitioners. Many are the practitioners of this tradition that brings together also people who do not have a Buddhist confession.

The Italian territory, with its beautiful scenery and the smiling people, enables certainly a way of life closer to Buddhism that the one proposed by the dogmas of other faiths

Monday, January 31, 2011

BATW: Buddhism in Denmark

Our fifth installment of "Buddhism Around The World" comes from Senshin of Senshin's Lotus. For me, I learned quite a bit from this entry and it has peaked my interest to learn more about the tradition Senshin follows and practices within, Tendai. We hope you enjoy this as much as we did!

Now is an exciting time to be a Buddhist in Denmark. There is steady growth in the number of Buddhists; one estimate states that there are more than 20,000. Most of these are immigrants and refugees from nations such as Thailand, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The rest are ethnic Danes who have converted. The three major schools of Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana are represented.

I practice in the Tendai tradition, a Mahayana school founded in Japan. This tradition teaches that all forms of Buddhist practice lead to enlightenment and thus unites all these practices. Because of this we call ourselves Ekayana or the One Vessel. Danish Tendai groups are well organized and are associated with the Karuna Tendai Dharma Center in the US (www.tendai.org) which was designated as the location for training of those outside Japan who seek ordination. Our primary presence in Denmark is located near Copenhagen. Now there are two branch sanghas in other cities, one served by a doshu priest and one by myself, since I began my training for ordination. Additionally there are two groups who are headed by lay leaders who have received thorough training in leading meditation groups.

In general I have found many Danes are cautious about religious matters. However many have the desire to learn about meditation and through this they come into contact with Buddhism. Of course, there is a wide range of committment that flows out of this contact, from those who go to temples for practice to those who view Buddhism as a path to self-development. Some seek an understanding of life's meaning while others are attracted to the opportunity to meet like minded individuals in a cultural and social community. Some people call themselves Buddhist but have a modest practice. Others perform the practices intensely but never refer to themselves as Buddhists.

I came to Buddhism less than three years ago. Last year I began the training for ordination, and if I do well enough I may be ordained a Doshu, i.e. temple assistant, next year. If I am, the training will not finish then; training never ends for Tendai priests. There is always much more to learn and understand.

Most Tendai priests have a normal family life and support themselves with income from jobs of all kinds. I have dedicated my life fully to the Buddha Dharma and do not have what would be considered a normal job. The sangha I serve meets in a private home, but I am working with the goal of have a temple established in this part of the country one day.

I started my blog, Senshin's Lotus, in December, 2008 shortly after I took refuge. Since then it has evolved into a website (www.senshin.dk) with information about Tendai in Denmark as well as our sangha. I don't write as often as I would like to, but when I do I try to share my life as a Buddhist and as a priest in training. The blog has a relatively large number of visitors. For those who do not read Danish, I have Google Translator incorporated. I enjoy the extended sangha of the internet where I have had the great joy of meeting lots of wonderful people via Twitter, Facebook, blogs and various forums.

Together may we progress along the Buddha path of liberation.

Gassho,
Senshin Karina Blomkvist.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

BATW: Buddhism in Thailand

In our fourth part of the series, Buddhism Around the World, Brooke Schedneck of the blog Wandering Dhamma, gives us a taste of Buddhism in Thailand. Brooke, who was also one of the 2010 Blogisattva winners, was awarded one of the 2009-2010 Fulbright research grants, to conduct fieldwork in Thailand for her ongoing Ph.D. dissertation. Her blog contains many more excellent in-depth first hand accounts of Buddhism as it is in Thailand, and is well worth visiting.

As an American living in Thailand, Buddhism is seemingly omnipresent. From huge monasteries next to shopping malls and young novices all around to lay people offering food into alms bowls each morning, Buddhism here is lively and dynamic, even to the casual observer. However, when one looks deeper Thai Buddhism reveals a diversity of practices and ideas about this religion.

There is not just one Thai Buddhism but a number of different groups. Anyone who has studied about Thai Buddhism knows about the Dhammakaya movement and the Santi Asoke group. These two have been well-studied because of their contrasts: Dhammakaya exhibits a modern religiosity of Buddhism mixed with consumer culture while Santi Asoke, with its focus on natural, simple living and organic products is the opposite. Besides this pair, one can also contrast city temples with forest ones. The forest tradition of Thailand is also one that casual students of Thai Buddhism will be familiar with. Ajahn Mun founded this tradition and today it lives on through his student Luangta Mahabua and his temple and many branch temples in Udon Thani in the Northeast of Thailand, and also through Ajahn Chah and his western disciples, who have founded temples in many English-speaking countries. The forest temples represent an ideal of monasticism with monks who do not even accept money into their alms bowls. This is in contrast to the many monks and novices in city temples who can be seen purchasing items in malls and talking on their cell phones. Many of these monks are temporarily in robes for the education this provides, especially international monks from poor backgrounds who can attain a college degree for free. All of these groups and images of Thai Buddhism can be found in different regions of Thailand.

Another major facet of Thai Buddhism in this era is lay meditation. Throughout Thailand there are many meditation centers with a variety of methods. The most widely-used, however, would be based on the Mahasi Sayadaw technique of noting daily-life activities and following the rising and falling of the abdomen while in seated meditation. However, there are many other indigenous Thai meditation methods such as that of the forest tradition (repeating ‘Buddho’), and the Dhammakaya method of concentrating on a ball of light inside one’s body. Basic methods of mindfulness of breathing and following the four foundations of
mindfulness can be found in abundance as well.

Many Thai lay Buddhists are seen everyday in the popular meditation centers in the cities and in more remote forest temples. Lay meditators dress in white and receive the eight precepts. They stay for a course with a set number of days or come for however many days they can take off from work. The meditation centers run off of donations and often receive much from the laity they serve.

My blog, Wandering Dhamma (wanderingdhamma.wordpress.com), has many more in-depth posts about meditation methods and lay meditation in Thailand. There is certainly a plurality of practices, groups, and ideas about how to be a Buddhist and meditate effectively here. I recommend a trip to see for yourself!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

BATW: Buddhism in Sweden

**The third installment is brought to us from Sweden. Thanks to Fugen for this piece, we hope you enjoy it!

I got the question if i wanted to write something about my view of Buddhism in Sweden.

Although I'm not an authority in the matter, after some discussion with some priest-friends of mine, I decided to go ahead.

First though, who am I?

An answer might be ”dont know”.

Another might be the one have on my blog, ”A nowadays single dad who spends most of my time taking care of my son. When not doing that I work at a school, a bookshop and as a zen priest in training, even though I don't consider any of them as work...”

I am also content to say that I was with part of the first online Shukke Tokudo in August 2010, where I received the Precepts from Jundo Cohen at Treeleaf Sangha.

Buddhism has had somewhat of an upswing here in Sweden, although there is much to work on. The upswing, I believe, has much to do with the introduction of mindfulness, and as we are more or less still in the starting blocks of this, it still remains to be seen where it will land.

A side effect to the introduction of mindfulness is that it has started to get people to realize what Buddhism is really about.

Buddhism has been depicted as a religion which is either all about escaping suffering through different means or baldheaded monks in robes doing strange ceremonies.

Now, I'm not saying Buddhism doesn't contain these things, just that it has a tendency to be depicted primarily as such.

While doing some research for this article I heard about people, in the 70's and 80's, having different contacts with Buddhism in all forms. Some stayed on, some didn't, but today, I think, we have about all the branches of the Buddhist tree represented in Sweden, with the emphasis on Tibetan Buddhism, Zen and the Theravadan Buddhism practiced by Thai men and women.

Aside from the Buddhists who has moved here from other countries, most ”large” Buddhist centres are centered in, or about, larger towns, with some ”small” Sanghas appearing in small towns all over Sweden.

As Buddhism starts to spread, this is about to change.

But in the end it's all good practice.

Thank you for your practice,

Fugen, Unsui Treeleaf Sangha

Wednesday, January 05, 2011

BATW: Buddhism in Hungary

**In the second part of our series Buddhism Around the World, comes a group blog in Budapest, Hungary, who write for the site BuddhaPest. These folks hold a bit of a special place for me, since both my grandparents immigrated to the United States from the area of Transylvania, which at the time was still part of Hungary. We thank Roni and the other bloggers of the BuddhaPest Blog!

The BuddhaPest Blog was started in 2008 by Yoscha (also posting stories by Milaba) and became a group blog in 2010 when Astus and Roni joined in. All 4 of us have graduated from the The Gate of Dharma Buddhist College/Budapest Buddhist University which offers BA and MA degrees in Buddhism.

The name of the blog comes from a very old pun that was already well known in the 15th century, when Galeotto Marzio, the Italian chronicler of Matthias Corvinus, assumed that the town Buda (now the Western part of the capital Budapest) possibly owns its name to "a certain holy man called Buddha". This assumption has lived on to this very day and has given rise to claims that the Buddha in fact was Hungarian.

Instead of giving a historical overview of the early phases of Buddhism in Hungary myself, I would like share a couple of links (in English). First of all A Short History of Buddhism by Ernest Hetényi (PDF, Bulletin of Tibetology, 1973), and some about the most prominent Buddhists and Orientalists Hetényi refers to: Alexander Csoma de Kőrös from Transylvania (at that time Hungary, now Romania), Tivadar Duka (Csoma’s first biographer), Ferenc Hopp and Zoltán Felvinczi Takács (founders of the first Asian art collection), Aurel Stein archeologist and explorer, who disovered the Cave Temples of the Thousand Buddhas in Dunhuang, Trebitsch-Lincoln adventurer, international spy and Buddhist abbot in Shanghai*, who wanted to found a Buddhist monastery in Hungary in 1937.

The more recent history of Buddhism in Hungary begins with the author of the article above: Ernest/Ernő Hetényi and the founding of the Buddhist Mission** in 1951 (which became part of the Arya Maitreya Mandala founded by the German Lama Anagarika Govinda in 1952 and exists up to now). In the Communist Era the activity of the Buddhist Mission (and its educational project, the Kőrösi Csoma Buddhology Institute) was tolerated by the authorities, but Buddhism (as practising religion in general) was certainly not encouraged. With the political changes of 1989 Hungary became a new market for all kinds of religious, spiritual and New Age ideologies coming from the West. From then on we also can see a (reconstruction and) revival of the Shamanism of the early, nomadic Hungarian tribes.

An example of this revival is one of the largest Buddhist communities (Karma Kagyupa**, in Tar), that emphasises the parallels between Vajrayana Buddhism, Mongolian and Scythian culture, and Hungarian folk tales. The largest Buddhist community with many centers all around the country is that of Diamond Way Buddhism by Lama Ole Nydahl. With many more Tibetan Buddhist sanghas (among others the Sakya Community of Sakya Trizin with a resident lama in Budapest, and the Dzogchen Community** of Namkhai Norbu), Tibetan Buddhism is the most popular form of Buddhist practice in Hungary, probably due to the translation of the Dalai Lama’s books and also his visits (most recently in 2010). Zen/Chan/Seon lineages are also present, partly via the West (Mokusho Zen of Deshimaru Roshi, Kwan Um of Seung Sahn and One Drop Zendo** by Harada Roshi), partly by the presence of Chinese teachers whose communities** consist mostly of Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants. Theravada Buddhism is represented by two Vipassana schools: Goenka’s international "movement" and Mahasi Sayadaw’s Buddhist Vipassana, and also by a monastery in progress in the Forest Sangha lineage: Dhammadipa Sangha**. There is one Buddhist monastery/temple functioning in Hungary: Wong Kwang Sa of the Kwan Um lineage. The most recent group is Hang Truong’s ComPaSS, that combines Ken Wilbers’s teachings, Engaged Buddhism, Integral Tai-Chi, meditation and mindful living. Another fairly new group is Jai Bhim, that integrates roma people in the trail of Ambedkar’s Dalit Movement with the help of the Triratna Buddhist Community (formerly FWBO).

The Gate of Dharma Buddhist College was founded in 1991 by a handful of teachers who had studied (and later lectured) at the above mentioned Kőrösi Csoma Buddhology Institute. During its nearly 20 years of existence it has grown to an internationally acknowledged university accredited by the Hungarian State. The university is not affiliated with any lineage or school, the (core) curriculum gives a rather balanced overview of Buddhism.

Astus has a BA and MA in Buddhism from the Gate of Dharma Buddhist College/Budapest Buddhist University, he has been active on Buddhist online boards and he is currently one of the administrators of Dharma Wheel, a Mahayana Buddhist forum. He does translations of Buddhist texts to Hungarian**, also runs two blogs of which one is in English. His main interests are Chan and East Asian Mahayana.

Roni (who has written this summary) is interested in Theravada (especially the teachings of Ajahn Brahm & Ajahn Sujato) and (together with her fellow bloggers) in making Buddhism more popular(ized) via the BuddhaPest Blog.

* Roni wrote her thesis about him, the abstract can be read here (in English)
** Link in Hungarian

Sunday, December 26, 2010

BATW: A Buddhist Blogger from Singapore

Here we present the first in a new series of articles "Buddhism Around The World", which we hope to continue on with here. Our first "highlight" is Lee Yue Heng from Singapore. We hope you enjoy what he has to share...

I am a Buddhist blogger of Chinese ethnicity from the Republic of Singapore, which is a small island in Southeast Asia. Buddhism is a mainstream religion here, adhered to by about 42.5% of the population as of 2000.

We also have a very diverse Buddhist scene here. There are Theravadains, Chinese Mahayanists, Korean Zen practioners, Sokka Gakkai devotees, Vajrayana, etc. and they generally co-exist in harmony.

Personally, I am not exclusively affiliated with any particular school or sect but I do try to integrate aspects of Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism, with a little dash of Tibetan Buddhism, into my daily practice. This is not unusual among Buddhists in Singapore and sectarian lines are not so rigidly defined.

For example, some time ago, I attended a talk by Venerable Thubten Chodron (who hails from the Tibetan tradition) which was hosted at a Theravada Temple and Ajahn Brahamavamso (from the Thai Forest tradition) frequently gives talks at the Singapore Buddhist Lodge, which is a chiefly Chinese Mahayana organization.

Recently, I began a blog exclusively centered on Buddhism and its address is

http://refugee1978.blogspot.com/

I try to write about daily life from a Buddhist perspective and sometimes there are posts on the state of Buddhism in Singapore (from my humble and subjective viewpoint of course)

It would be nice to interact with Buddhists from all over the world and the Blogisattva Awards platform seems like one of the venues for doing so. Recently, you had a post about highlighting bloggers from non-English countries. Singapore is in Southeast Asia, but because of our colonial history, our main language is English. If you feel that any of my posts will be of interest to your readers, feel free to direct them to "The Refugee"!

Hoping this finds you in good health. With Metta

Lee Yue Heng

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Buddhism Around the World

Buddhism is a tradition that is growing exponentially throughout the world, and not just those countries where is English is the dominant language spoken. If you are a blogger, I'm sure you are more than aware of people from around the globe coming to visit your site. But I bet you weren't perhaps aware of the vast and diverse amount of non-English language Buddhist blogs out there. While the Blogisattva awards are primarily about recognizing English language blogs, we feel it is important that those voices around the globe, whatever language they maybe, have a chance to be heard and be part of the community. With technology today, language isn't the barrier to communication and the sharing of ideas that it once was.

With that in mind, Nate and I thought it would be a great idea to get bloggers from traditionally non English language countries to talk a little bit about Buddhism in their country, including a bit of the history, culture, growth and online world. So over the next several months, the Blogisattvas will feature posts from several different bloggers from around the world, who are kind enough to share their thoughts and experience from their perspective. We thought this not only a unique opportunity to expand our community, but a great way we all can learn what other wonderful voices are out there.

So far we have bloggers from Hungary, Brazil and Mexico lined up, and are working on bringing others in. If you are a Buddhist / Buddhist blogger from a non-English language country, and would like to share your thoughts and experience, send us an email here. It would be great publicity for not only your blog, but Buddhism within your country!

Also, Google has this handy tool that anyone can plug into their blog or website, that allows your blog to be translated into almost a hundred different languages instantly. We have put one up here on the right tool bar, and encourage everyone to put up a translator button.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

2010 Blogisattva Award Winners

I'll be perfectly honest, I was trying to find another word other than winner to use in the title here. Not because the winners here are less deserving, and not because I was trying to blur the line between winner and non-winner in the spirit of being a "Buddhist," but because all of these people that have had the heart, the guts and the determination to come online and share their thoughts and their practice with the world, cannot win or lose. What they do, what you do, day after day is immeasurably beyond the realm of relative winners and losers. YOU together are all the voices and the spirit that is moving and shaping the future of Buddhism, the future of an ancient tradition that points to a way beyond winners and losers, a way beyond suffering, a way beyond doubt.

Collectively, all of our words, which are linked together by print or by digital media or by podcasts, is far greater than one lone voice could ever be; and its real power and influence is beyond the poor abilities of human vocabulary to describe. However if I had to choose, I would say this community is the embodiment of Prajñā, Dāna and Śīla. We are all Sangha; Perhaps not in the traditional meaning of the word, but nevertheless a Sangha that I am most humbly overjoyed to be a part of.

In the Dhammapada, Guatama Buddha famously taught:

Are you a shepherd
Who counts another man's sheep,
Never sharing the way?
Read as few words as you like,
And speak fewer.
But act upon the dharma.
Give up the old ways -
Passion, enmity, folly.
Know the truth and find peace.
Share the way

From all of us at the Blogisattva awards, we thank each and every one of you for sharing the way in your own words and in your own way.

Your 2010 Blogisattvas!

✍ Best Achievement with Humor in a Blog or Blog Post

✓ Sweep the dust, Push the dirt - Blogger: John Pappas

✍ Best Achievement in Wide Range of Topic Interests Blogging

✓ Buddhist Geeks - Blogger: Group Blog

✍ Best Achievement in Design

✓ 21awake - Blogger: Rohan Gunatillake

✍ Best Achievement Blogging Opinion Pieces or Political Issues

✓ Dangerous Harvests - Blogger: Nathan Thompson

✍ Best Achievement in Kind and Compassionate Blogging

✓ Discovering the Divine Connection - Blogger: Emily Horn

✍ Best Blogging on Matters Philosophical, Psychological or Scientific
✓ Wandering Dhamma - Blogger: Brooke Schedneck

✍ Best “Life” Blog
✓ Cheerio Road - Blogger: Karen Maezen Miller

✍ Best Buddhist Practice Blog

✓ Mind Deep - Blogger: Marguerite Manteau-Rao

✍ Best Achievement Blogging on Buddhist Practice or Dharma

✓ The Meditative Gardener - Blogger: Cheryl Wilfong

✍ Best Achievement in Skilled Writing

✓ Wandering Dhamma - Blogger: Brooke Schedneck

✍ Post of the Year!

✓Sweep the dust, Push the dirt - Post: Point of Contact - John Pappas

✍ Blog of the year, Svaha!

✓ The Jizo Chronicles - Blogger: Maia Duerr

❁ I would like again thank our judges Rev. Danny Fisher, Philip Ryan, Tanya McGinnity, Barbara O'Brien and Andy Lambert; our resident guru graphic artist Anoki Casey from BuddhaBadges and DharmaDots; my amazing co-administrator and the man whose idea it was to revive the awards Nate DeMontigny; and with special thanks to the founder of these awards, Tom Armstrong.

Also, a big thanks to Shambhala Sunspace, Tricycle Magazine's Editors Blog and Elephant Journal for getting the word out to the world about the awards. We will have some information about the 2011 Awards soon, so stay tuned for that.

With deep gratitude to the entire community, thank you! - Kyle

For those that would like them, here are some badges for the winners to post on your blogs, etc.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Blogisattva Lifetime Achievement Award 2010

This year, the Blogisattva Awards is offering up something new. Kyle and I decided that due to his passing, Robert Aitken Roshi should be the first recipient of the Blogisattva Lifetime Achievement Award. Aitken Roshi was a blogger too, but he will of course be remembered for his impact on Western Buddhism, which was as monumental as it was far reaching; so we felt this would be the right thing to do.

I e-mailed his son Tom about using a bio and was told it was ok to use the bio from Aitken Roshi's site. It was written by Aitken Roshi, and is pasted here to help us all grasp just what this man meant to the Buddhist realm. It is lengthy and I hope you will take the time to read it. Below the bio are comments and remembrances from the likes of Roshi Joan Halifax, James Ford, Rev Danny Fisher, Jundo Cohen, John Pappas...

I came to Hawai'i with my parents in 1922, when I was five years old. My father was an ethnologist at the Bishop Museum. His study, Ethnology of Tubuai is still in print. He was the first to earn a master's degree at the University of Hawai'i. I attended public schools here, with the exception of kindergarten at Hanahau'oli, two years of junior high at Punahou, and two years in California, including my final three semesters of high school. I attended the University of Hawai'i for 2 1/2 years before World War II, and two thereafter, graduating in 1947 with a degree in English Literature. Among my professors I was especially close to Daniel Stemple, Carl Stroven, Willard Wilson, Yukuo Uyehara, Andrew Lind, and A. Grove Day. Close friends among classmates included C. Frederick Schutte, late attorney in the Honolulu firm that bears his name, Jean McKillop (King), and Thomas M. C. Chang, retired professor of Educational Psychology at U.H. Acquaintances included Patsy Takemoto (Mink), Daniel Inouye, Duke Cho Choy, retired pediatrician, and Mary Whang (Choy). After the war, I lived near the University and had supper regularly at Hemmenway Hall with Marion and Allan Saunders. I was president of my senior class.

I returned to the University in 1949 for my masters degree in Japanese studies, graduating in 1950. Dr. Stemple was my thesis chair, and members of my committee included Cheuk-woon Taam, then East Asia librarian. I had a peripheral role in the East-West Philosopher's Conference the summer of 1949, and worked as a kind of gofer with Greg Sinclair, Charles Moore, and D.T. Suzuki. This was the beginning of a long friendship with Dr. Suzuki.

Later my connections with the University included a three year stint at the East-West Center as a program advisor in the Institute for Student Interchange, as student activities coordinator, and as alumnae secretary. Ms. Saunders was my supervisor during much of this time. I subsequently spent a year with the Youth Development Center as assistant to my friend Dr. Chang in the Upward Bound Program, and a year as English instructor at Kapiolani Community College.

Since the late 1960s I have been closely associated with the Religion Department of the University. I am a friend and colleague of David Chappell, Professor of Chinese Buddhism. I have spoken in classes in the Religion Department, taken part in colloquia and conferences which the department has sponsored, and written articles for its Journal of Buddhist-Christian Studies.

My record of community involvements in Honolulu includes stints in the late 1940s and early 1950s at community association coordination in Mo'ili'ili and Wahiawa. In this work I profited from a consultations with my then father-in-law, Ferris Laune, Executive Secretary of the Honolulu Council of Social Agencies.

I have had a long association with peace and social justice movements in Hawai'i. I took part in the Mother's Day Walk for Peace in 1952 with and Marion and John Kelly, an anti-nuclear protest, and the first of many demonstrations. During the Vietnam War as I was active as a resister and draft counselor, and was close to James Douglass, Walter Johnston, Oliver Lee, George Simpson, and Anita and Allen Trubitt. In 1967, while at the Youth Development Center I took part in the Bachman Hall sit-in as part of the faculty contingent. In 1972, I walked around the island for peace and social justice in a group led by Jim Albertini and John Wittick.

I am a founding member of the American Friends Service Committee, Hawai'i, and served on its first board of directors, chaired by Robert Bobilin. I attended the meetings called by Dean Saunders to establish the American civil Liberties Union, and have been active in that organization since, taking part in its campaigns, including the Camp Smith Cross case and more recently the various actions in support of same-sex marriage.

My major work through the years has been as founder, leader, and teacher in the Diamond Sangha, a Zen Buddhist society. With my wife Anne, I established the Koko An Zendo of the Diamond Sangha in Honolulu in 1959, and the Maui Zenda in 1969. In recent times the Diamond Sangha established a second Honolulu temple, the Palolo Zen Center, where I presently reside. The Diamond Sangha is now an international network, with centers on neighbor islands and in California, Arizona, Texas, Washington State, Germany, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.

I have been fairly active in the local Buddhist community, beginning with a stint as a Sunday school teacher at the Hompa Hongwanji in 1957 and 1958, where my supervisor was the now retired Bishop Yoshiaki Fujitani. In recent times I have been a member of the Hawaii Association of International Buddhists.

In the macro dimension I am well established as a teacher of Zen Buddhism. I take part in Buddhist symposia in North America, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area, and am especially close to leaders of the San Francisco Zen Center. I am co-founder with Nelson Foster of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, now an international network of chapters concerned about the application of Buddhism in social, political and economic realms

I am author of eight books, co-author of one more, on aspects of Zen Buddhism, brought out by major publishers, including North Point; Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux; Pantheon; Parallax; Shambhala; and Counterpoint. Some of these books have been translated and published in Spanish, German, Dutch and Italian, with one to come in French. I am a frequent contributor to Turning Wheel, journal of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, and have written also for a large number of other journals, mostly Buddhist, but also including Parabola and The Wallace Stevens Journal. I've also written a number of forewords to books by friends and colleagues, including a lengthy introduction to Hee-Jin Kim's Dogen Kigen: Mystical Realist. I did extensive research on Dwight Goddard, an early pioneer in Buddhist studies, and contributed a long introduction to the reissue by Beacon Press of his seminal work, A Buddhist Bible.

On moving to Kaimu-Kalapana on Hawai'i Island in 1997, I built a small home across the driveway from my son, Thomas Laune Aitken, a school counselor. I became ill with Hodgkins' Disease, and underwent chemotherapy and radiation, which ultimately was at least temporarily cured. The Zen Center of San Francisco sent an attendant to look after me, and since I have hired a series of many people in that role. In time I also hired a secretary, again the first of a series. I started a Zen group in my home.

In the course of this retirement I have taken part in Ho'opakele, a group of mainly Hawaiian people interested in decarceration and prison reform. I helped to organize the East Hawai'i Island Chapter of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, and have taken part regular vigils and periodic rallies.

I have continued to contribute to Buddhist and other publications, and am at this writing completing preparing manuscripts for my 10th book, The Morning Star: New and Collected Writings, and a revised edition of my first book, A Zen Wave: Basho's Haiku and Zen.

After his passing, the online Buddhist community rallied behind him. I asked a few folks for words and or comments about him.

Received these wonderful words from Lama Surya Das
"Aitken Roshi was a great inspiration and spiritual friend to us all. His pioneering books, teachings, scholarship and example helped me grok zen Dharma during the past several decades. He and I both shared a great appreciation for and interest in haiku and oriental poetry, which we both wrote, translated and read widely. We never ran short of things to talk about, and he was always an Elder to me.

In my conversations with him over the years he always brought a different and interesting perspective to things, from his vast experience and Dharma wisdom, although he wasn't always right, which I found that amusing.

I remember once we were both at a Buddhist teachers Conference in San Francisco, discussing some particularly thorny issues around teacher-student relations in the American Dharma scene, and Bob advised shunning; that is, the practice of ostracizing, cutting off, isolating and shunning teachers who exploited their students. Along with my other colleagues, I thought that was just about the worst idea anyone had ever come up, since the time of the Puritans and Pilgrims; but we all had to laugh together, since we were united in being fond of the good ole roshi as well understanding, from knowing him personally, that it was somewhat consistent with his own patrician Protestant background.

A year or two later, when I visited Bob briefly in Hawaii and shared this little insider anecdote to him, he laughed and said, "It seemed like a good idea at the time and may still be, who knows? These things continue to go on anyway."

Robert Thurman was gracious enough to send us the following words re: Aitken Roshi
"Though I didn't know Aitken Roshi very well, his formation of BPF and his leadership in spurring Buddhist ethical activism against war and injustice was very inspiring to us all. I enjoyed some of his writings as well. The few times we met were occasions with lots of people around so never had very full dialogue. He made a great contribution and will be missed and remembered."

Roshi Joan Halifax had the following to say about Aitken Roshi
"Aitken Roshi brought into sharp focus for Western Buddhists the importance of a practice that was not only inward and spare, but as well outward and sharp. His tenaciousness in keeping social and environmental responsibility in the foreground of Buddhism in the West cannot be underestimated. For decades he was our elder, a source of deep inspiration, and as well a source of strength. His death leaves behind for all of us a legacy of integrity and courage."

We received this fantastic remembrance from James Ford of Monkey Mind
"My most vivid memory of Aitken Roshi was following a big Diamond Sangha event we were at a small party in someone's back yard in Northern California. As I was standing enjoying the Summer weather and the amazing view from that yard, I noticed the roshi talking with a young woman. Actually, she was talking to him. He was pretty tired and at first he seemed reluctant to enter into the conversation. Then she mentioned "base communities," communal projects closely associated with the Christian liberation theology movement. He was instantly excited and the conversation quickly expanded to include a number of us, each speaking from our hearts about how our practice, the Zen way, just as it is true for other traditions, has a deep responsibility for the health and well being of all people and, indeed, for the world itself. Only the most vivid of a number of moments where his larger vision of what we're about came to the fore. Now, as I've completed the "formal" aspects of my training and am now teaching, I never forget his profound understanding we are not in this world alone, none of us."

This link goes to a sit-a-long that Jundo Cohen of Treeleaf Zendo put together which was dedicated to Aitken Roshi
http://www.treeleaf.org/sit-a-long/with-jundo-and-taigu/archives/2010/08/sit-a-long-with-jundo----they-cant-eat-merit.html

And we were pointed toward this post by our friend, and fellow judge here at the Blogisattvas, Reverend Danny Fisher which has more links to articles posted by Tricycle, Shambhala Sun and Mahasangha News.
http://dannyfisher.org/2010/08/06/robert-aitken-roshi-1917-2010/

John Pappas of Zen Dirt, Zen Dust/ Point Of Contact Subtle Dharma Mouth Punch had this to say:
"Aitken was a rough and tumble zen master. Simple, profound and with all the scrapes and stories that life can bring. Unlike other Zen rough-necks, Aitken Roshi presented a uniquely simple American dharma composition without settling into zen aphorisms. His words and actions represented a practice that was internalized spiritually, physically and politically ~ a practice that encompassed your life. As a person he was willing to present his humble and flawed side as well. I love his words.."

Old age ain’t no place for sissies...Yet I don’t mourn my loss of youth. What a confused mess I was! What time I wasted! All in all, I am really quite comfortable in these last years. Pass the marmalade.

While it may seem he left us all early, his body of work is nothing to balk at and will be studied for years to come. Those that met him were lucky to know him, those that have read his work are lucky to have studied him. It is with this we dedicate the first ever Blogisattva Lifetime Achievement Award to Robert Aitken Roshi. Thank you and safe travels Roshi!!

For those that would like to, feel free to add your comments below about what Aitken Roshi's teachings meant to you.

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

2010 Blogisattva Award Finalists

This past six months has been quite the wild ride for us here at the Blogisattvas. First off, I want to thank everyone, the readers, the Buddhist publications and most of all the hard working bloggers out there that have made this whole thing possible. The response we received in nominations far exceeded anyones expectations, and that is why we would like to also thank the hard work the judges did in digging through literally hundreds and hundreds of entries. It was certainly no easy task for them!

Below are the 5 finalist blogs and bloggers in each category listed in alphabetical order. Also, we have added a line for honorable mentions, to give as much recognition to the just enormous amount of excellent blogs out there. On Sunday December 12th, we will reveal the winners for each category. Congratulations to everyone!

Without further ado, here are the 2010 Blogisattva Award finalists.