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Bernie Glassman
Bernard Glassman 2.jpg
Religion Buddhist
School Zen Peacemaker Order
Lineage White Plum Asanga
Education Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute
University of California, Los Angeles
Other names Bernie Glassman
Dharma names Tetsugen
Personal
Nationality American
Born Bernard Glassman
(1939-01-18)January 18, 1939
Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Died November 4, 2018(2018-11-04) (aged 79)
Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
Spouse Eve Marko
Senior posting
Title Roshi
Predecessor Taizan Maezumi
Successor Joan Halifax
Father Robert Kennedy
Wendy Egyoku Nakao
Pat Enkyo O'Hara
Lou Nordstrom
Don Singer
Grover Genro Gauntt
Anne Seisen Saunders
Francisco "Paco" Lugoviña
Barbara Salaam Wegmueller
Roland Yakushi Wegmueller
Religious career
Website zenpeacemakers.org


Bernie Glassman (January 18, 1939 – November 4, 2018) was an American Zen Buddhist roshi and founder of the Zen Peacemakers (previously the Zen Community of New York), an organization established in 1980. In 1996, he co-founded the Zen Peacemaker Order with his late wife Sandra Jishu Holmes. Glassman was a Dharma successor of the late Taizan Maezumi-roshi, and gave inka and Dharma transmission to several people.

Glassman was known as a pioneer of social enterprise, socially engaged Buddhism and "Bearing Witness Retreats" at Auschwitz and on the streets with homeless people.

Biography

Bernie Glassman was born to Jewish immigrants in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, New York in 1939. He attended university at the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute and received a degree in engineering. Following graduation he moved to California to work as an aeronautical engineer at McDonnell-Douglas. He then received his Ph.D. in applied mathematics from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Glassman first encountered Zen when he was assigned Huston Smith's The Religions of Man for an English class in 1958. From there, he continued reading including books by Alan Watts, Christmas Humphreys, and D.T. Suzuki. In the early 1960s, Glassman began meditating and soon after sought a local Zen teacher. He found Taizan Maezumi in Los Angeles, California and Glassman became one of the original founding members of the Zen Center of Los Angeles. He received Dharma transmission in 1976 from Maezumi and then inka in 1995 shortly before Maezumi's death.

In 1980, he founded the Zen Community of New York. In 1982 Glassman opened Greyston Bakery in Yonkers, New York, which initially provided jobs for the Zen students and evolved into an effort to help alleviate the widespread homelessness in the area. The bakery provided jobs for inner city residents who lacked education and skills. Greyston employed low-skilled workers from the neighborhood, many of whom were homeless themselves, and sold baked goods to shops and restaurants in Manhattan. In 1989 Glassman entered an agreement with Ben & Jerry's, and Greyston Bakery has become the supplier of brownies for several lines of ice cream.

Through the success of his bakery–which in 2016 was earning $12 million in revenues–Glassman founded the Greyston Foundation (sometimes called Greyston Mandala) with his wife Sandra Jishu Holmes in 1989. He retired from the Greyston Foundation in 1996 to pursue socially engaged Buddhist projects through the Zen Peacemakers. As of 2004 the Foundation had developed $35 million worth in real estate development projects in Westchester County, New York. The Foundation offers HIV/AIDS programs, provides job training and housing, child care services, educational opportunities, and other endeavors. In 2003 the bakery moved to a new building, which allows for higher output and more employment opportunities.

In 1996 Glassman, with his wife Sandra Jishu Holmes, founded the Zen Peacemaker Order. According to professor Christopher S. Queen, "The order is based on three principles: plunging into the unknown, bearing witness to the pain and joy of the world, and a commitment to heal oneself and the world." Richard Hughes Seager writes, "The Zen Peacemaker Order...has the potential to rival Thich Nhat Hanh's groups and the Buddhist Peace Fellowship as a force in American activism."

Glassman died on November 4, 2018, from complications of a stroke in Springfield, Massachusetts at the age of 79.

Teachings

Elihu Genmyo Smith & Bernard Glassman
Bernie Glassman with Elihu Genmyo Smith

Glassman taught about what his teacher, the late Taizan Maezumi, called the "unknowing." Not-knowing is the first tenet of the Zen Peacemakers, and Glassman said of it, "In Zen the words source and essence are the equivalent of Unknowing, and they come up again and again. We have the absolute and the relative perspectives about life, and Unknowing is the one source of both of these." Also, Glassman was known for his many "street retreats." Author James Ishmael Ford writes, "...'street retreats,' for instance, moves sesshin into the streets: participants eat in soup kitchens, and, if they know they're not displacing homeless people, sleep in homeless shelters or, otherwise, sleep in public places. Zazen takes place in parks." In the 2000s, Glassman developed an experiment in sociocratic consensus-based zen training and interfaith facilitation, known initially as Peacemaker Circle International, and later Zen Peacemaker Circles. Interconnected projects were established globally, replacing the role of 'Zen teacher' with participants learning from each other and sharing ideas between Circles. Starting in 2001, Glassman taught "Clowning Your Zen" workshops with Moshe Cohen, and founded a "clown order" called the Order of Disorder within the Zen Peacemaker Order. In his last years, having disrobed from the priesthood, Glassman together with his third wife Eve Marko continued the work of his teacher Koryu Osaka Roshi in developing lay forms of Zen practice.

Lineage

Zen Center of Los Angeles 1
Zen Center of Los Angeles

Bernie Glassman appointed several "senseis" and "roshis" in traditional zen, and established the non-hierarchical roles of 'Steward' and 'Circle Dharmaholder' as coordinators and visionholders to continue the Zen Peacemaker Circles model. A number of his successors have also given dharma transmission to some of their own students:

  1. Ancheta, Alfred Jitsudo Roshi
    1. Arbiter, Eric Kishin Sensei
    2. Bruce-Fritz, Carol Myoshin Sensei
    3. Elkin, Rick Issan Sensei
    4. Fritz, Ralph Kendo Sensei
    5. Helzer, Douglas Red Heart Sensei
    6. Walter, Sydney Musai Roshi
    7. Whalen, Thomas Zenho Sensei
  2. Baker, Nancy Mujo Roshi
  3. Barragato, Stefano Mui Sensei (b. 1930)
    1. Barragato, Margaret Ne-Eka
      1. Wohl, Peter Seishin Sensei
        1. Peter Joryu Harris
        2. Jaime Heiku McLeod
        3. Todd Hotai Watson
    2. Paquin, Linda-Lee Abhaya
  4. Bastien, James Daikan Sensei
  5. Byalin, Kenneth (Ken) Tetsuji Sensei
  6. Ciepielewski, Jakub Bokkuren Roshi
  7. Collande, Cornelius v. Roshi
  8. Dubois, Michel Roshi
  9. Gauntt, Grover Genro Sensei
  10. Gyger, Pia Jinji Roshi
  11. Halifax, Joan Jiko Roshi
    1. Bakker, Irene Kaigetsu Sensei
    2. Byrnes, Brian Joshin Sensei
    3. Kazniak, Al Genkai Sensei
    4. Stolte, Beate Sensei
    5. Palma, José Shinzan Sensei
    6. Quennell, Genzan Sensei
  12. Krajewski, Andrzej Getsugen Roshi
  13. Harkaspi, Helen Kobai Yuho
  14. Hixon, Lex Nur Jikai (1941-1995)
  15. Hixon, Sheila Jinen Sensei
  16. Holmes, Sandra Jishu Angyo Roshi (1941-1998)
  17. Kahn, Paul Kuzan Genki Roshi
    1. Ackerman, Joan Noge
    2. Brown, Tucker Sansui
    3. Bruce, Susan Kijin
    4. Bruner, David Moksui
    5. Dowd, Cathleen Kanno
    6. DuFrene Troy Kyokai
    7. Duncan, Shoko Sings-Alone
    8. Greenberg, Bill Jikai
    9. Kahn, Jacks Jocelyn Myoen
    10. Kahn, Monika Seiryo Genmitsu Roshi
      1. Johnson, Trish Kojindo
      2. Mancuso, John Mitsudo
    11. Kolman, Phil Sengetsu
    12. Koopalethes, Wally Toryu
    13. Noble, Greg Tensho
    14. Peterman, John Reizan
    15. Sato Gerpheide, Karen C. (KC) Zero Kyozen Sensei
    16. Schmachtenberg, Wolfgang Okami
    17. Stern, Paul Kisho Roshi
      1. Hansen, Eileen Toshin
    18. Tirch, Dennis Doshini
    19. Vardi, Eran Kyoka Junryu Roshi
    20. Wagner, Ann Ankai Roshi
      1. Senegeto, Thomas Kian Sensei
  18. Kennedy, Robert E. Jinsen S.J. Roshi (b. 1933-)
    1. Abels, Gregory Hosho Sensei
    2. Abels, Janet Jiryu Roshi
    3. Bachman, Carl Genjo Sensei
    4. Birx, Charles Shinkai Sensei (b. 1944)
      1. Pumphrey, Ben Mui Sensei
      2. Thompson, Scott H. (b. 1948) Dharma Holder (Assistant teacher)
    5. Birx, Ellen Jikai Roshi (b. 1950)
    6. Butler, Tim Tomei Sensei
    7. Cicetti, Raymond Ryuzan Roshi (b. 1950)
      1. Daniels, Michele Keido Sensei
    8. Eastman, Patrick Kundo Roshi
      1. Averbeck, Marcus Hozan Sensei
      2. Collingwood, Chris Ryushin Sensei
      3. Woodcock, Jeremy Ryokan Sensei
    9. Efird, Susan KoDo Sensei
    10. Healy, Miriam Yukan Roshi
    11. Holleran, Michael Koryu Sensei
    12. Hunt, Kevin Jiun Roshi (b. 1933-), O.C.S.O (Order of Cistercians of the Strict Order)
      1. Taberner, Cynthia Kin Ryu Sensei
      2. Tacy, Madeleine Seikai Sensei
      3. Onge, Timothy Mangetsu Sensei
      4. Seul, Jeff Kōgen Sensei
    13. Laheen, Mary Soshin Sensei
    14. Maher, Carl Chimon Sensei
    15. Montecel, Maria "Cuca" Kosen Roblwedo Sensei
    16. Richardson, Janet Jinne, CSJP Roshi
      1. Blackman, Bruce Seiryu Sensei (b. 1942)
      2. Craig, Barbara Shoshin, RSM Sensei [Religious Sisters of Mercy] (b. 1932)
        1. Falcone, Anthony Hoetsu Sensei
        2. Hebb, John Joho Sensei
        3. Sullivan, Edward Sangetsu Sensei
      3. Dougherty, Rose Mary Myoan Sensei
        1. Dietrich, William (Bill) Ji An Sensei
        2. Ertman, Robert Jin Gen Sensei
          1. Palmiter, Martine Taikai Sensei
      4. McQuaide, Rosalie Jishin, CSJP Sensei
    17. Schubert, Paul Seiko Sensei
    18. Yee, Amy Enhai Sensei
    19. Viggiani, Carl Chimon Sensei
    20. von Wobeser-Hopfner, Inge Eigen
  19. Lee, Robert Sokan Roshi
  20. Lugovina, Francisco Genkoji "Paco" Roshi
    1. williams, angel Kyodo Sensei
    2. Nelson, Craig Daiken Sensei
    3. Salazar, Joaquin Ryusho Sensei
  21. Marko, Eve Myonen
  22. Matthiessen, Peter Muryo Roshi (May 22, 1927 – April 5, 2014)
    1. Bastis, Madeline Ko-i Sensei
      1. Cantor, Mitchell Doshin Sensei
        1. May, Wilbur Mushin Sensei
    2. Dobbs, Michel Engu Sensei
    3. Friedman, Dorothy Dai-en (Daien) Sensei
      1. Campbell, Chodo Sensei
      2. Paley Ellison, Koshin Sensei
  23. Maull, Fleet Shinryu Roshi
  24. Merzel, Dennis Genpo Roshi
  25. Nakao, Wendy Lou Egyoku Roshi
    1. Berge, Raul Ensho, Dharma Holder (2006)
    2. Boyd, Merle Kodo Plum Dragon Sensei
    3. Hawley, Kipp Ryodo Sensei
    4. Janka, Gary Myogen Koan Sensei
  26. Nordstrom, Louis Mitsunen Roshi (b. 1943)
    1. Denton, Timothy Issai Sensei
    2. Hawkins, Roger Sensei
    3. Thompson, Phil Zenkai Sensei
  27. O'Hara, Pat Enkyo Roshi
    1. Eiger, Randall Ryotan
    2. Harris, Jules Shuzen
      1. Rapaport, Al Tendo Fusho
        1. Linda Myoki Lehrhaupt
    3. Hondorp, Catherine Anraku Eishun Sensei
    4. O'Hara, Barbara Joshin Sensei
    5. Terestman, Julie Myoko Kirin Sensei
    6. Thomson, Sinclair Shinryu Sensei
  28. Saunders, Anne Seisen
    1. Deer, Herb Eko
    2. Wild, Sara Kokyo
  29. Singer, Don Ani Shalom Rabbi Sensei
  30. Richardson, Janet Jinne Roshi
  31. Waele, Frank de Roshi
  32. Wegmueller, Barbara Salaam Roshi
  33. Wegmueller, Roland Yakushi Roshi

Circle Zen Dharmaholders:

  1. Margueritte Gregory
    1. Jeana Moore
  2. Barbara Wegmueller
    1. Gabriele Blankertz
    2. Chris Starbuck
      1. Geoff Taylor and the Western Massachusetts Circle
      2. Frances Collins
    3. Steve Hart
    4. Franziska Schneider
    5. Kathleen Battke
  3. Roland Wegmueller
  4. Ohad Pele Ezrahi (Rabbi)

Other media

Audio

Glassman, Bernard; Fields, Rick (1996). Instructions to the Cook: A Zen Master's Lessons in Living a Life That Matters. Shambhala Lion Editions. ISBN 1-57062-260-4. OCLC 35811026.

Video

  • Wegmüller, Roland (documentarian). Japan Tour of Temples, Monasteries and Tradition. http://www.peacemakercommunity.org/sales/index.htm.
  • Wold, Christof (director) (2006). Instructions to the Cook: A Zen Master's Lessons in Living a Life That Matters. Loyola Productions Munich GmbH. ISBN 3-939926-00-0. OCLC 182060644.
  • Gregory, Peter (director) (2004). Gate of Sweet Nectar: Feeding Hungry Spirits in an American Zen Community. Zen Center of Los Angeles. OCLC 56132158.
  • O'Keefe, Michael (director) (2001). Raising the Ashes. Polonia Films. OCLC 51062604.
  • Eich, George (director) (1999). Zen on the Street. Project Ananda Productions. OCLC 51062219. http://www.project-ananda.com/main.php?lng=en&cat=videos&action=detail&id=10.

Selected honors

  • 1991 Best of America Award for Social Action, U.S. News & World Report
  • Ethics in Action Award, Ethical Culture Society of Westchester
  • E-chievement Award, E-Town, Tom's of Maine
  • Man of the Year, Westchester Coalition of Food Pantries
  • 2016 Babson College Lewis Institute Social Innovator Award

Selected board participation

  • The Temple of Understanding
  • White Plum Asanga
  • AIDS Interfaith National Network
  • Social Venture Network
  • Westchester Interfaith Housing Corp.

See also

  • List of peace activists
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