Bernie Glassman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bernie Glassman |
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| 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 January 18, 1939 Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Died | November 4, 2018 (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 (born January 18, 1939 – died November 4, 2018) was an American Zen Buddhist teacher. He was known as a "roshi," which is a title for a respected Zen master. Bernie Glassman started an organization called the Zen Peacemakers in 1980.
He was a student of Taizan Maezumi-roshi. Glassman was famous for his new ideas about helping society. He combined spiritual practice with social work. He led special "Bearing Witness Retreats" at places like Auschwitz. He also spent time on the streets with people experiencing homelessness.
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About Bernie Glassman
Bernie Glassman was born in 1939 in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, New York. His parents were immigrants. He went to college at the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. There he earned a degree in engineering.
After college, he moved to California. He worked as an aeronautical engineer. Later, he earned a Ph.D. in applied mathematics from the University of California, Los Angeles.
How Bernie Glassman Found Zen
Bernie Glassman first learned about Zen in 1958. He read a book called The Religions of Man for an English class. This made him want to learn more. He read books by famous authors like Alan Watts and D. T. Suzuki.
In the early 1960s, Glassman started to meditate. He soon looked for a Zen teacher. He found Taizan Maezumi in Los Angeles, California. Glassman became one of the first members of the Zen Center of Los Angeles. He received special teachings from Maezumi in 1976.
Starting the Greyston Bakery
In 1980, Bernie Glassman started the Zen Community of New York. In 1982, he opened Greyston Bakery in Yonkers, New York. This bakery first gave jobs to Zen students. It soon grew into a way to help people without homes.
The bakery hired people from the local area. Many of them had little education or job skills. Some were even homeless themselves. Greyston Bakery sold its delicious baked goods to shops and restaurants in Manhattan. In 1989, the bakery made a deal with Ben & Jerry's. Since then, Greyston Bakery has supplied brownies for several of their ice cream flavors.
The Greyston Foundation and Zen Peacemakers
The bakery became very successful. In 2016, it earned $12 million. With this success, Glassman started the Greyston Foundation in 1989. He started it with his wife, Sandra Jishu Holmes.
He left the Greyston Foundation in 1996. He wanted to focus on Buddhist projects that helped society. The Foundation still helps people today. It offers programs for people with health challenges. It also provides job training, housing, and child care.
In 1996, Glassman and his wife founded the Zen Peacemaker Order. This group helps people connect with the world's pain and joy. It encourages people to heal themselves and others. One expert said the Zen Peacemaker Order could become a major force for peace.
Bernie Glassman passed away on November 4, 2018. He was 79 years old.
Bernie Glassman's Teachings
Bernie Glassman taught about something called "unknowing." This was a key idea from his teacher, Taizan Maezumi. Glassman explained that "unknowing" is the main source of everything in life. It means being open to what you don't know.
He was also known for his "street retreats." During these retreats, people would live like those experiencing homelessness. They would eat at soup kitchens. They would sleep in public places or shelters if they weren't taking a spot from someone in need. They would also meditate in parks.
In the 2000s, Glassman created "Peacemaker Circle International." This was a way for people to learn from each other. It helped different faiths work together. He also started "Clowning Your Zen" workshops. He even created a "clown order" within the Zen Peacemakers. In his later years, Glassman focused on helping regular people practice Zen.
Bernie Glassman's Legacy
Bernie Glassman trained many students. He appointed several "senseis" and "roshis." These are titles for Zen teachers. He also created new roles like 'Steward' and 'Circle Dharmaholder.' These people help continue the Zen Peacemaker Circles. Many of his students have also gone on to teach others.
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.
Video
- Wegmüller, Roland (documentarian). Japan Tour of Temples, Monasteries and Tradition.
- Wold, Christof (director) (2006). Instructions to the Cook: A Zen Master's Lessons in Living a Life That Matters. Loyola Productions Munich GmbH.
- Gregory, Peter (director) (2004). Gate of Sweet Nectar: Feeding Hungry Spirits in an American Zen Community. Zen Center of Los Angeles.
- O'Keefe, Michael (director) (2001). Raising the Ashes. Polonia Films.
- Eich, George (director) (1999). Zen on the Street. Project Ananda Productions.
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
