I’ve been working with this koan for a long time, thirty years at least, since that early Ox Class when Jishu introduced us to “Who are you?” I didn’t know then that she was leading us into the longish story of Bodhidharma’s arrival in China and his meeting with the emperor. Bodhidharma has managed to piss off the emperor. When the emperor asks, “Who is facing me?” I hear, “Who the hell do you think you are?” Bodhidharma replies, “Don’t know,” one of the great moments in Zen.

A lot of us think of ourselves as peacemakers, but we only talk to our friends. It’s more comfortable that way. We maintain friendships by avoiding the topics which could lead to blow outs. We go to summer barbeques with relatives from the other side of the divide. We maintain the “peace” by avoiding the hot topics, politics for sure, maybe religion, maybe we just agree not to mention Cousin Charlotte or Uncle Joey. Why aren’t they at the barbeque? They weren’t invited. We’re

I have never been comfortable with liturgy. My parents were committed atheists. So, how did I end up as a Zen priest? I’ve told the story before of a dinner with Roshi Bernie and Jishu when I was still new to Zen. “Who will be your first shuso?” Bernie asked. Who would Jishu choose to serve as “senior student” during her first three-month training period as a teacher? As a Dharma Holder, Jishu had many students. She named one. “No,” said Bernie. Jishu named another. Another “