Becoming a Mensch

Bernie Glassman & Paul Genki Kahn

Jan 29-31, 2010

Register Online

Bernie Glassman evolved from a traditional Zen Buddhist
monastery-model practice to become a leading propo-
nent of social engagement as spiritual practice. Internationally recognized as a pioneer of Buddhism in the West, he is a founder of Socially Engaged Buddhism and spiritually based Social Entrepreneurship. One of the most creative forces in Western Buddhism, he has created new paths, practices, liturgies, and organizations to serve the people who fall between the cracks of society.

In this workshop, Bernie will trace his evolution from the dharma hall to blighted urban streets, sharing the practices and principles he has developed to teach service as spiritual practice and to create sustainable, major service projects. He will share the insights, revelations, personalities, and personal experiences that have influenced his life and development, presenting innovations such as Bearing Witness Retreats, living on urban streets, and gathering for a week at Auschwitz-Birkenau. He will talk about the future of socially engaged spiritual practice.

He will be joined by Zen Master Paul Genki Kahn, President and Vice-Spiritual Director of the Zen Peacemakers. Genki will succeed Bernie as Spiritual Director of the Zen Peacemakers over a four year transition. The mission of the Zen Peacemakers is to help alleviate suffering in the world by inspiring and empowering new generations of practitioners committed to Socially Engaged Buddhism and Spirituality and by developing and managing holistic social service projects to meet the needs of underserved people and communities. They publish a free newsletter, Bearing Witness: A Newsletter for Western Socially Engaged Buddhism. To read the latest edition, go to

www.zenpeacemakers.org/bearingwitness, where you can also get a free subscription.

The workshop will include talks by Bernie, dialogue between Bernie and Genki, extensive dialogue with the participants, meditation sessions, and yoga-style bodywork. Please bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and a yoga mat.

Click if you would like to read an article we published in our newspaper The Center Post.

 

Zen Master Bernie Glassman began his Zen studies in 1967 with Hakuyu Taizan Maezumi Roshi, founder of the Zen Center of Los Angeles. In 1976, he became Sensei Glassman. In 1980 he founded his own Zen Community in the Bronx, and, in 1995, he received inka, or the final seal of approval, from his teacher and became known as Roshi Glassman. In 1982, Bernie became a social entrepreneur, articulating a vision that socially responsible businesses can advance the principles of empowerment, empathy, and responsible action. He is the author of Bearing Witness: A Zen Master’s Lessons in Making Peace and Infinite Circle: Studies in Zen; he is co-author, with Rick Fields, of Instructions to the Cook: A Zen Master’s Lessons in Living a Life that Matters.

Zen Master Paul Genki Kahn directs the Zen House Seminary for Socially Engaged Buddhism and is Executive Director of the Zen Peacemakers Sangha, over 60 centers world-wide affiliated with the Zen Peacemakers. Over the past 25 years, Genki has designed and administered public and private mental health programs for disadvantaged people in New York and New Jersey. He received Final Vows as a Priest from Roshi Dennis Genpo Merzel.