Question
I admire you for having created a community, even if you did not mean to, even if your followers came like moths drawn to a flame. I admire you even more if you did mean to. But I ask you: this communal life, this life in which everything is to be experienced, but within the community—how can you know it is not a closed-off life? Because is this woman who wants a baby and has a job lost? You will think I am arguing in bad faith: you have never advised against having a baby! You have never advised against having a job!! You have never forced disciples to come snuggle up like sheep in a nice, warm fold!!! But IN PRACTICE? How can you reconcile a job, a baby, summer camp, and camps in every season?
Anonymous
Master Kosen’s answer
In ancient times, Zen was reserved exclusively for monks, who of course were not allowed to marry or lead a lay life. Master Kodo Sawaki wanted things to be different and began teaching at universities and to laypeople from every walk of life (actors, geishas…). After the war, he even had a finance minister as a disciple, who is now an eminent Zen master in Japan. It was a true revolution for Zen. Master Deshimaru followed his example and transmitted this teaching to French and European laypeople. I myself follow my master’s example and must face the difficulties it entails, but to my mind, what a wealth it brings to Zen, and what a wealth it brings to society!
Kosen