Ewk
@ewkrzen.bsky.social
Papers: www.reddit.com/r/zensangha/wiki/ewk/writing
Podcast: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831
Bibliography: www.reddit.com/r/zen/wiki/getstarted
Podcast: https://sites.libsyn.com/407831
Bibliography: www.reddit.com/r/zen/wiki/getstarted
Buddhism is religions that believe in Christia-esque rules for behavior.
Zen teaches sudden permanent enlightenment from self knowledge.
Zen can never be rules-based.
Zen teaches sudden permanent enlightenment from self knowledge.
Zen can never be rules-based.
November 15, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Buddhism is religions that believe in Christia-esque rules for behavior.
Zen teaches sudden permanent enlightenment from self knowledge.
Zen can never be rules-based.
Zen teaches sudden permanent enlightenment from self knowledge.
Zen can never be rules-based.
The bottom line is that those who claim to be Zen Buddhist are like Scientologists or Christian Scientists.
Facts don't matter. Faith does.
And that is how these Buddhists justify racism and bigotry. And why they can't stand up for themselves online.
Facts don't matter. Faith does.
And that is how these Buddhists justify racism and bigotry. And why they can't stand up for themselves online.
November 15, 2025 at 11:19 PM
The bottom line is that those who claim to be Zen Buddhist are like Scientologists or Christian Scientists.
Facts don't matter. Faith does.
And that is how these Buddhists justify racism and bigotry. And why they can't stand up for themselves online.
Facts don't matter. Faith does.
And that is how these Buddhists justify racism and bigotry. And why they can't stand up for themselves online.
When I stand up to people online who claim to be Zen Buddhist, they are always the same:
Low levels of education
Appeal to authority
Too cowardly for public debate.
It's not Zen. It's Evangelical Buddhism.
Low levels of education
Appeal to authority
Too cowardly for public debate.
It's not Zen. It's Evangelical Buddhism.
November 15, 2025 at 11:13 PM
When I stand up to people online who claim to be Zen Buddhist, they are always the same:
Low levels of education
Appeal to authority
Too cowardly for public debate.
It's not Zen. It's Evangelical Buddhism.
Low levels of education
Appeal to authority
Too cowardly for public debate.
It's not Zen. It's Evangelical Buddhism.
The racism and bigotry of "Zen Buddhism" is a familiar problem. We see it in "American Indians"; people who say "Indians" can't name three tribes.
People who say "Zen Buddhism" can't name the Four statements of Zen.
Ignorance is a poison.
People who say "Zen Buddhism" can't name the Four statements of Zen.
Ignorance is a poison.
November 15, 2025 at 2:48 PM
The racism and bigotry of "Zen Buddhism" is a familiar problem. We see it in "American Indians"; people who say "Indians" can't name three tribes.
People who say "Zen Buddhism" can't name the Four statements of Zen.
Ignorance is a poison.
People who say "Zen Buddhism" can't name the Four statements of Zen.
Ignorance is a poison.
Asked how I continuely deal with people who will not learn new facts, who won't correct themselves when they've made mistakes.
On the one hand, I'm obligated to everybody to share facts. On the other hand, I know that people are inherently Buddhas and you never know for sure what a Buddha will do.
On the one hand, I'm obligated to everybody to share facts. On the other hand, I know that people are inherently Buddhas and you never know for sure what a Buddha will do.
November 15, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Asked how I continuely deal with people who will not learn new facts, who won't correct themselves when they've made mistakes.
On the one hand, I'm obligated to everybody to share facts. On the other hand, I know that people are inherently Buddhas and you never know for sure what a Buddha will do.
On the one hand, I'm obligated to everybody to share facts. On the other hand, I know that people are inherently Buddhas and you never know for sure what a Buddha will do.
Capitalisn't: Behavioral economist says it is NOT what people should do. It's what they can CAN do.
My strat: I make Buddhists admit they've no facts, can't debate, don't read; they admit this is by running away from me.
Buddhist cowardice on social media is the best they can do.
My strat: I make Buddhists admit they've no facts, can't debate, don't read; they admit this is by running away from me.
Buddhist cowardice on social media is the best they can do.
November 14, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Capitalisn't: Behavioral economist says it is NOT what people should do. It's what they can CAN do.
My strat: I make Buddhists admit they've no facts, can't debate, don't read; they admit this is by running away from me.
Buddhist cowardice on social media is the best they can do.
My strat: I make Buddhists admit they've no facts, can't debate, don't read; they admit this is by running away from me.
Buddhist cowardice on social media is the best they can do.
< funnymore > true
Economist lectures psychology students on the Econ Model for retirement: lifespan+ expected income+ expected return. No fancy cars. No fancy vacations no divorce.
The psychology students burst out laughing. Another economist has to intervene and say no no... he's serious.
Economist lectures psychology students on the Econ Model for retirement: lifespan+ expected income+ expected return. No fancy cars. No fancy vacations no divorce.
The psychology students burst out laughing. Another economist has to intervene and say no no... he's serious.
November 14, 2025 at 11:53 AM
< funnymore > true
Economist lectures psychology students on the Econ Model for retirement: lifespan+ expected income+ expected return. No fancy cars. No fancy vacations no divorce.
The psychology students burst out laughing. Another economist has to intervene and say no no... he's serious.
Economist lectures psychology students on the Econ Model for retirement: lifespan+ expected income+ expected return. No fancy cars. No fancy vacations no divorce.
The psychology students burst out laughing. Another economist has to intervene and say no no... he's serious.
www.capitalisnt.com/episodes/nob...
Let's admit that "Capitalist Greed" is a lie.
The truth is "Capitalist Choice Competition".
There.
Three c-words that everyone can find something to hate on.
Let's admit that "Capitalist Greed" is a lie.
The truth is "Capitalist Choice Competition".
There.
Three c-words that everyone can find something to hate on.
November 14, 2025 at 11:44 AM
www.capitalisnt.com/episodes/nob...
Let's admit that "Capitalist Greed" is a lie.
The truth is "Capitalist Choice Competition".
There.
Three c-words that everyone can find something to hate on.
Let's admit that "Capitalist Greed" is a lie.
The truth is "Capitalist Choice Competition".
There.
Three c-words that everyone can find something to hate on.
Read Zen single-mindedly for 10 minutes a day. Then write for 10 minutes a day. Write anything; Zen summaries/complaints/doubts, whatever.
The Zen tradition is trying to point you back into your own life. So leaving your life to get to the Zen tradition is the wrong way around.
The Zen tradition is trying to point you back into your own life. So leaving your life to get to the Zen tradition is the wrong way around.
November 14, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Read Zen single-mindedly for 10 minutes a day. Then write for 10 minutes a day. Write anything; Zen summaries/complaints/doubts, whatever.
The Zen tradition is trying to point you back into your own life. So leaving your life to get to the Zen tradition is the wrong way around.
The Zen tradition is trying to point you back into your own life. So leaving your life to get to the Zen tradition is the wrong way around.
One of the reasons atheism fails is that atheists are boring.
Religion is obviously make believe, atheism is obviously denial.
Zen is the cure for both. Zen says hey, look real life experience is an unfathomable mystery.
And then demonstrates it.
Right in your face.
Publicly.
Religion is obviously make believe, atheism is obviously denial.
Zen is the cure for both. Zen says hey, look real life experience is an unfathomable mystery.
And then demonstrates it.
Right in your face.
Publicly.
November 14, 2025 at 10:29 AM
One of the reasons atheism fails is that atheists are boring.
Religion is obviously make believe, atheism is obviously denial.
Zen is the cure for both. Zen says hey, look real life experience is an unfathomable mystery.
And then demonstrates it.
Right in your face.
Publicly.
Religion is obviously make believe, atheism is obviously denial.
Zen is the cure for both. Zen says hey, look real life experience is an unfathomable mystery.
And then demonstrates it.
Right in your face.
Publicly.
The problem with people saying "Zen Buddhism" or "Zen meditation" is NOT that they don't know that it's racist and bigoted and offensive.
It's that when they find out, they don't care. They care about blackface and they care about workplace sexism.
But if it's racism from Asia then...?
It's that when they find out, they don't care. They care about blackface and they care about workplace sexism.
But if it's racism from Asia then...?
November 13, 2025 at 3:39 PM
The problem with people saying "Zen Buddhism" or "Zen meditation" is NOT that they don't know that it's racist and bigoted and offensive.
It's that when they find out, they don't care. They care about blackface and they care about workplace sexism.
But if it's racism from Asia then...?
It's that when they find out, they don't care. They care about blackface and they care about workplace sexism.
But if it's racism from Asia then...?
I'm working on a new version of Sharing the Night Together retitled Getting Your Sh#$ Together.
Oh yeah
Alright
Oh yeah
Alright
November 12, 2025 at 4:57 PM
I'm working on a new version of Sharing the Night Together retitled Getting Your Sh#$ Together.
Oh yeah
Alright
Oh yeah
Alright
www.cnn.com/2025/11/12/a...
With Europe not going all in on Ukraine this kind of thing has to be expected more and more.
With Europe not going all in on Ukraine this kind of thing has to be expected more and more.
Sanae Takaichi: How Japan’s new prime minister has brought China’s ‘wolf warriors’ back out | CNN
Relations between Tokyo and Beijing have dramatically soured, with nationalist rhetoric in China and an apparent threat of beheading from one of its diplomats.
www.cnn.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:02 PM
www.cnn.com/2025/11/12/a...
With Europe not going all in on Ukraine this kind of thing has to be expected more and more.
With Europe not going all in on Ukraine this kind of thing has to be expected more and more.
Bernard Pearson @ Bluesky blocked me; he doesn't want to debate the racism and religious bigotry that drives the cultural misappropriation that he engages in.
Because he says other cultures don't matter when his own is on life support.
...and on the right you have xenophobia.
Because he says other cultures don't matter when his own is on life support.
...and on the right you have xenophobia.
November 12, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Bernard Pearson @ Bluesky blocked me; he doesn't want to debate the racism and religious bigotry that drives the cultural misappropriation that he engages in.
Because he says other cultures don't matter when his own is on life support.
...and on the right you have xenophobia.
Because he says other cultures don't matter when his own is on life support.
...and on the right you have xenophobia.
People are upset that the Democrats caved.
I can see their point.
On the other hand, Republicans unified in willingness to destroy the economy, starve Americans, in order to deny health insurance to the poor.
Somebody has to put the country first.
I can see their point.
On the other hand, Republicans unified in willingness to destroy the economy, starve Americans, in order to deny health insurance to the poor.
Somebody has to put the country first.
November 12, 2025 at 11:36 AM
People are upset that the Democrats caved.
I can see their point.
On the other hand, Republicans unified in willingness to destroy the economy, starve Americans, in order to deny health insurance to the poor.
Somebody has to put the country first.
I can see their point.
On the other hand, Republicans unified in willingness to destroy the economy, starve Americans, in order to deny health insurance to the poor.
Somebody has to put the country first.
Zen has so little in common with Buddhism that Buddhism in the end has more in common with Catholicism than Zen.
In the 1900s, Buddhists used Zen as a marketing tool for Buddhist doctrine. Like Christian science tries to use science as a marketing tool.
In the 1900s, Buddhists used Zen as a marketing tool for Buddhist doctrine. Like Christian science tries to use science as a marketing tool.
November 12, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Zen has so little in common with Buddhism that Buddhism in the end has more in common with Catholicism than Zen.
In the 1900s, Buddhists used Zen as a marketing tool for Buddhist doctrine. Like Christian science tries to use science as a marketing tool.
In the 1900s, Buddhists used Zen as a marketing tool for Buddhist doctrine. Like Christian science tries to use science as a marketing tool.
Zen koans are all sutras.
Sutras are the highest level of holy text in a tradition.
Unlike the Indian sutras, Chinese Zen "sutra-koans" were recorded by people who actually met these Buddhas these zen Masters in person.
Zen is a pen to paper tradition, not an oral tradition.
Sutras are the highest level of holy text in a tradition.
Unlike the Indian sutras, Chinese Zen "sutra-koans" were recorded by people who actually met these Buddhas these zen Masters in person.
Zen is a pen to paper tradition, not an oral tradition.
November 12, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Zen koans are all sutras.
Sutras are the highest level of holy text in a tradition.
Unlike the Indian sutras, Chinese Zen "sutra-koans" were recorded by people who actually met these Buddhas these zen Masters in person.
Zen is a pen to paper tradition, not an oral tradition.
Sutras are the highest level of holy text in a tradition.
Unlike the Indian sutras, Chinese Zen "sutra-koans" were recorded by people who actually met these Buddhas these zen Masters in person.
Zen is a pen to paper tradition, not an oral tradition.
robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/the-basis-...
Tariff terrorism was never going to work because other countries hold America hostage with the nuclear option of massive US treasury sell-offs.
If people wonder why the president has backed down repeatedly, it's because he had no choice.
Tariff terrorism was never going to work because other countries hold America hostage with the nuclear option of massive US treasury sell-offs.
If people wonder why the president has backed down repeatedly, it's because he had no choice.
The Basis Trade Must Die - Robin J Brooks
China earlier this year used the basis trade as leverage to get the US to fold on tariffs
robinjbrooks.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:38 AM
robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/the-basis-...
Tariff terrorism was never going to work because other countries hold America hostage with the nuclear option of massive US treasury sell-offs.
If people wonder why the president has backed down repeatedly, it's because he had no choice.
Tariff terrorism was never going to work because other countries hold America hostage with the nuclear option of massive US treasury sell-offs.
If people wonder why the president has backed down repeatedly, it's because he had no choice.
Foyan on Zen's transmission:
"The venerable teacher Duan often said: "This Way is the natural, self-attained, subtle marvel; it comes from innate knowledge."
SUDDEN MEANS NO PRACTICE.
OUTSIDE OF WORDS MEANS NOT TAUGHT
"The venerable teacher Duan often said: "This Way is the natural, self-attained, subtle marvel; it comes from innate knowledge."
SUDDEN MEANS NO PRACTICE.
OUTSIDE OF WORDS MEANS NOT TAUGHT
November 10, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Foyan on Zen's transmission:
"The venerable teacher Duan often said: "This Way is the natural, self-attained, subtle marvel; it comes from innate knowledge."
SUDDEN MEANS NO PRACTICE.
OUTSIDE OF WORDS MEANS NOT TAUGHT
"The venerable teacher Duan often said: "This Way is the natural, self-attained, subtle marvel; it comes from innate knowledge."
SUDDEN MEANS NO PRACTICE.
OUTSIDE OF WORDS MEANS NOT TAUGHT
Foyan rejecting Thich Hahn's Buddhism:
These days, many who lack the clear eye of the true teaching set themselves up as teachers. How do they dare to try to teach?
[Their students] remain like the blind and deaf, unmoved, unafraid, just chasing the present moment, careless about what follows...
These days, many who lack the clear eye of the true teaching set themselves up as teachers. How do they dare to try to teach?
[Their students] remain like the blind and deaf, unmoved, unafraid, just chasing the present moment, careless about what follows...
November 10, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Foyan rejecting Thich Hahn's Buddhism:
These days, many who lack the clear eye of the true teaching set themselves up as teachers. How do they dare to try to teach?
[Their students] remain like the blind and deaf, unmoved, unafraid, just chasing the present moment, careless about what follows...
These days, many who lack the clear eye of the true teaching set themselves up as teachers. How do they dare to try to teach?
[Their students] remain like the blind and deaf, unmoved, unafraid, just chasing the present moment, careless about what follows...
Some religious claims fall apart as soon as we doubt them.
Japanese indigenous religions didn't produce anything like Zen historical records (koans).
It does require a little bit of study to understand how koans aren't the same as parables or proverbs.
Japanese indigenous religions didn't produce anything like Zen historical records (koans).
It does require a little bit of study to understand how koans aren't the same as parables or proverbs.
November 9, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Some religious claims fall apart as soon as we doubt them.
Japanese indigenous religions didn't produce anything like Zen historical records (koans).
It does require a little bit of study to understand how koans aren't the same as parables or proverbs.
Japanese indigenous religions didn't produce anything like Zen historical records (koans).
It does require a little bit of study to understand how koans aren't the same as parables or proverbs.
For me, it is about public health policy.
War is a threat to public health. We mitigate war through democracy. Therefore, if people in a democracy vote for economic inequality, then they get it. Because ultimately everything is subsumed under public health policy.
Come and get me.
War is a threat to public health. We mitigate war through democracy. Therefore, if people in a democracy vote for economic inequality, then they get it. Because ultimately everything is subsumed under public health policy.
Come and get me.
November 9, 2025 at 1:14 PM
For me, it is about public health policy.
War is a threat to public health. We mitigate war through democracy. Therefore, if people in a democracy vote for economic inequality, then they get it. Because ultimately everything is subsumed under public health policy.
Come and get me.
War is a threat to public health. We mitigate war through democracy. Therefore, if people in a democracy vote for economic inequality, then they get it. Because ultimately everything is subsumed under public health policy.
Come and get me.
Is America really a plutocracy and we're embarrassed to admit that?
Or is it that a functioning democracy can choose temporary political and economic systems because at the end of the day revolution is easily achieved nonviolently?
Or is it that a functioning democracy can choose temporary political and economic systems because at the end of the day revolution is easily achieved nonviolently?
November 9, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Is America really a plutocracy and we're embarrassed to admit that?
Or is it that a functioning democracy can choose temporary political and economic systems because at the end of the day revolution is easily achieved nonviolently?
Or is it that a functioning democracy can choose temporary political and economic systems because at the end of the day revolution is easily achieved nonviolently?
Why poor? The rich have opinions that influence policy:
1. Poor people are dumb, don't know how to capitalism. They lose at Monopoly.
2. Poor people are too altruistic. They don't pay themselves first.
3. Poor people are lazy.
Now compare those answers to why people are fat/unhealthy.
1. Poor people are dumb, don't know how to capitalism. They lose at Monopoly.
2. Poor people are too altruistic. They don't pay themselves first.
3. Poor people are lazy.
Now compare those answers to why people are fat/unhealthy.
November 9, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Why poor? The rich have opinions that influence policy:
1. Poor people are dumb, don't know how to capitalism. They lose at Monopoly.
2. Poor people are too altruistic. They don't pay themselves first.
3. Poor people are lazy.
Now compare those answers to why people are fat/unhealthy.
1. Poor people are dumb, don't know how to capitalism. They lose at Monopoly.
2. Poor people are too altruistic. They don't pay themselves first.
3. Poor people are lazy.
Now compare those answers to why people are fat/unhealthy.
The problem is that anybody can trade their political rights away for economic rights.
But since political rights are the only rights you can unconditionally take back, the problem is you can't force people to take the exchange.
Which means it won't work in the long run.
But since political rights are the only rights you can unconditionally take back, the problem is you can't force people to take the exchange.
Which means it won't work in the long run.
November 9, 2025 at 12:50 PM
The problem is that anybody can trade their political rights away for economic rights.
But since political rights are the only rights you can unconditionally take back, the problem is you can't force people to take the exchange.
Which means it won't work in the long run.
But since political rights are the only rights you can unconditionally take back, the problem is you can't force people to take the exchange.
Which means it won't work in the long run.