As a young, female Zen teacher, Gesshin Greenwood struggles to find the line between humility and self-criticism. I received dharma transmission in my late twenties. By American standards, where dharma transmission is supposed to signify the maturity and ability to teach, this is laughably young. By Japanese standards, where sons of male priests are raised to take over the [...]
The Dharma of Pie
Gesshin Greenwood argues that pie-making is the essence of Zen. Some say the world will end in fire, some say ice. Some say the essence of Zen practice is awakening. Some say Zen and tea are one. But I, I think the project of Zen is pie-making. Two months ago, I was going to a meeting about the bizarre, implausible, wondrous Zen temple thing James Ford and company and I [...]
