Question
I do not know whether this page is the right place for my question. Before
asking it, I would like to say I have only one purpose: to choose
the most suitable place and master for beginning Zen practice this summer
by attending a sesshin.
I have read quite a few things that do not really favor certain masters in
France. Even things about Taisen Deshimaru and Kodo Sawaki. I am
rather cautious by nature. But this phrase from your film touched me:
“doubt and believe”… I doubt, but I am ready to believe; it is all
I ask.
The thing is, without taking everything I read as established
truth, I have to acknowledge that however much of a master or monk
you are, you remain a human being… And that little internal wars
over succession, shiho, proof of belonging to the Soto school
and so on really do exist, and even concern
well-known organizations such as the AZI… And I really do not want to be part
of that.
So, although I was ready to sign up for a session at La Gendronnière,
I am beginning to ask myself questions. Not about my desire
to try zazen, but about whom I can trust.
Obviously, instinct has to speak; you have to meet a master to
understand the impact they have on you (at least I imagine so). But
I am studying in London, and traveling around France to meet the
various people who received shiho from Niwa Zenji is beyond
my budget at the moment.
Sorry for this long message. Yet my question is simple: what do you
think of the AZI, from which you have distanced yourself? Obviously I am not asking you
to say whether they are good or bad, but whether someone wishing
to practice zazen properly should turn to them or to you.
Haha, I imagine it is hard to answer without speaking ill of others or glorifying
yourself, but I really cannot see another way to phrase my
question…
And if it all amounts to the same thing, is it better when starting out to
be surrounded by 300 or 400 people at La Gendronnière, or by
a smaller group?
I have many other questions, but I suppose I will have to
learn to be patient and write less!
Anonymous
Answer from Master Kosen
You are the one who can know what is good for you. Trust your intuition.
Kosen