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Ruben Habito Roshi is the founding teacher of the Maria Kan-non Zen Center. He is a former Jesuit priest and now a Zen teacher practicing in the Sanbo Zen lineage which was founded by Yaustani Roshi in Japan. He received Dharma transmission from Yamada Koun in 1988. He is a faculty member at Southern Methodists University Perkins School of Theology where he teaches World Religions and Spirituality, and directs the Spiritual Formation Program.More about Ruben and Maria Kannon Zen Centerhttps://www.mkzc.org/More about Simplicity Zen Podcast:https://simplicityzen.com/
Ruben Habito is the founding teacher of MKZCRuben began Zen practice under Yamada Koun in Kamakura, Japan in 1971 when he was a Jesuit seminarian in Japan. He came to Dallas in 1989, and is now married with two grown sons. He is a faculty member at SMU's Perkins School of Theology where he teaches World Religions and Spirituality, and directs the Spiritual Formation Program. https://www.smu.edu/PERKINS.Ruben Habito speaks four languages, travels widely and dialogues comfortably with people of many different faiths. But one simple, short Bible passage serves as his “home base.” It's Mark 1:11, “You are my beloved, in whom I am well pleased.”In Mark 1:11, Habito said, he finds a message that runs much deeper than a “warm fuzzy feeling” of being loved.“It's a way to look at the suffering and agony of all the people in the world throughout history and even now, including our own, and to understand, that in the midst of our travails, there is something or Someone that whispers into our ear, in and through all of this, that we are not forsaken, that ‘I AM with you,' that ‘You are my beloved,'” he said. Grounded in that verse, Habito has become a low-key but influential voice on the Perkins campus and beyond, as a faculty member, author, spiritual director and Zen Roshi (teacher). At Perkins, Habito heads the spiritual formation program, as well as a certification program for spiritual directors, with the goal of giving students a spiritual grounding for their ministry. He also teaches courses in world religions, with an eye toward “unpacking what we can learn from the world's religions and enhancing and enriching our ways of doing Christian theology, ministry, and spirituality.”Beyond campus, Habito is founding teacher of Maria Kannon Zen Center, housed at White Rock United Methodist Church in east Dallas. He began Zen practice under Yamada Koun in Kamakura, Japan in 1971 when he was a Jesuit seminarian in Japan. “The Zen Center is a central aspect of my life,” he said. “It is nourishing for me to be able to sit in silence with people from all backgrounds and traditions, or none at all, who are seeking something genuine and authentic in life.” Mark 1:11 also informs Habito's personal practice of daily meditation, which he describes as “basically just sitting in silence, and basking in Love.” Habito recently returned from gatherings of the Parliament of World Religions and the American Academy of Religion; he is often called on to speak at international interfaith gatherings and to participate in Buddhist-Christian dialogue. He's also the author of several books – his most recent is Be Still and Know: Zen and the Bible – that explore connections between Buddhism and Christian faith. Habito hopes his books and his work help make Zen accessible to people of all faiths as well as those with no religious beliefs. “Zen practice leads to an experience of our connectedness with one another,” he said. “That's an underlying and recurring theme in my own work and in my own life. Going deep into the core of our being enables us to open our hearts to that transcendent mystery, and at the same time, see our intimate connectedness with all beings, with all the earth.” Habito's current research is aimed at crystalizing an understanding of the Trinity from an experiential perspective. With the developments in systematic theology over the last few centuries, he said, a disconnect has arisen between spirituality and theology, with spirituality becoming a subdivision of practical matters that does not inform systematic theology, which attempts to explain ultimate reality in the light of Christian faith. Habito believes reconnecting the two areas can be mutually enriching. “More and more theologians are seeing that those two areas need to be reunited in order to do theology in a viable way that would address the crucial issues of our contemporary world,” he said.
Our conversation continues with Zen roshi and a Catholic spiritual director Ruben L. F. Habito. Ruben L. F. Habito is both a former Jesuit and a master of the Sanbo Kyodan lineage of Zen. In his early youth the Society of Jesus sent him from his homeland in the Philippines to Japan, where he began his Zen practice under the guidance of Yamada Koun-roshi. Koun-roshi was a Zen master who taught many Christians students, an unusual practice for the time. In 1988, Habito received Dharma transmission from Yamada Koun. He left the Jesuit order shortly after that, and in 1991 founded the lay organization Maria Kannon Zen Center in Dallas, Texas. He has taught at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University since 1989 where he continues to be a faculty member. He is married and has two sons. Dr. Habito is the author of several books, all of which explore various aspects of Buddhist-Christian dialogue, including Be Still and Know: Zen and the Bible, Zen and the Spiritual Exercises, and Living Zen, Loving God. In this concluding part of his conversation with the Encountering Silence team, Rubito speaks about what inspires him as a writer, the difference between centering prayer and zazen, the centrality of the breath in contemplation, and other topics related to his singular path as a Zen Christian. Spend one hour a week doing nothing; doing nothing in a very intentional and purposeful way. In short, not attempting to do anything, but just allowing... to be. — Ruben L. F. Habito Some of the resources and authors we mention in this episode: Ruben L. F. Habito, Be Still and Know: Zen and the Bible Ruben L. F. Habito, Zen and the Spiritual Exercises Ruben L. F. Habito, Healing Breath, Zen for Christians and Buddhists in a Wounded World Ruben L. F. Habito, Living Zen, Loving God Ruben L. F. Habito, Experiencing Buddhism: Ways of Wisdom and Compassion Maggie Ross, Silence: A User's Guide, Volume 2 Nicholas of Cusa, Selected Spiritual Writings World Spirituality: Jewish Spirituality, Volume One World Spirituality: Jewish Spirituality, Volume Two World Spirituality: Hindu Spirituality, Volume One World Spirituality: Hindu Spirituality, Volume Two World Spirituality: Islamic Spirituality, Volume One World Spirituality: Islamic Spirituality, Volume Two World Spirituality: Christian Spirituality, Volume One World Spirituality: Christian Spirituality, Volume Two World Spirituality: Christian Spirituality, Volume Three World Spirituality, Spirituality and the Secular Quest Simone Weil, Waiting For God Simone Weil, Gravity and Grace Frances S. Adeney, Christianity Encountering World Religions Mary Oliver, Devotions: The Selected Poems Ignatius of Loyola, The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Dainin Katagiri, Each Moment is the Universe Episode 69: Christianity, Buddhism and Silence: A Conversation with Ruben L. F. Habito (Part Two) Hosted by: Carl McColman With: Cassidy Hall, Kevin Johnson Guest: Ruben L. F. Habito Date Recorded: May 3, 2019
Our conversation continues with Zen roshi and a Catholic spiritual director Ruben L. F. Habito. Ruben L. F. Habito is both a former Jesuit and a master of the Sanbo Kyodan lineage of Zen. In his early youth the Society of Jesus sent him from his homeland in the Philippines to Japan, where he began his Zen practice under the guidance of Yamada Koun-roshi. Koun-roshi was a Zen master who taught many Christians students, an unusual practice for the time. In 1988, Habito received Dharma transmission from Yamada Koun. He left the Jesuit order shortly after that, and in 1991 founded the lay organization Maria Kannon Zen Center in Dallas, Texas. He has taught at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University since 1989 where he continues to be a faculty member. He is married and has two sons. Dr. Habito is the author of several books, all of which explore various aspects of Buddhist-Christian dialogue, including Be Still and Know: Zen and the Bible, Zen and the Spiritual Exercises, and Living Zen, Loving God. In this concluding part of his conversation with the Encountering Silence team, Rubito speaks about what inspires him as a writer, the difference between centering prayer and zazen, the centrality of the breath in contemplation, and other topics related to his singular path as a Zen Christian. Spend one hour a week doing nothing; doing nothing in a very intentional and purposeful way. In short, not attempting to do anything, but just allowing... to be. — Ruben L. F. Habito Some of the resources and authors we mention in this episode: Ruben L. F. Habito, Be Still and Know: Zen and the Bible Ruben L. F. Habito, Zen and the Spiritual Exercises Ruben L. F. Habito, Healing Breath, Zen for Christians and Buddhists in a Wounded World Ruben L. F. Habito, Living Zen, Loving God Ruben L. F. Habito, Experiencing Buddhism: Ways of Wisdom and Compassion Maggie Ross, Silence: A User's Guide, Volume 2 Nicholas of Cusa, Selected Spiritual Writings World Spirituality: Jewish Spirituality, Volume One World Spirituality: Jewish Spirituality, Volume Two World Spirituality: Hindu Spirituality, Volume One World Spirituality: Hindu Spirituality, Volume Two World Spirituality: Islamic Spirituality, Volume One World Spirituality: Islamic Spirituality, Volume Two World Spirituality: Christian Spirituality, Volume One World Spirituality: Christian Spirituality, Volume Two World Spirituality: Christian Spirituality, Volume Three World Spirituality, Spirituality and the Secular Quest Simone Weil, Waiting For God Simone Weil, Gravity and Grace Frances S. Adeney, Christianity Encountering World Religions Mary Oliver, Devotions: The Selected Poems Ignatius of Loyola, The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Dainin Katagiri, Each Moment is the Universe Episode 69: Christianity, Buddhism and Silence: A Conversation with Ruben L. F. Habito (Part Two) Hosted by: Carl McColman With: Cassidy Hall, Kevin Johnson Guest: Ruben L. F. Habito Date Recorded: May 3, 2019
How does silence form and shape the life of person who is both Zen roshi and a Catholic spiritual director? Ruben L. F. Habito is both a former Jesuit and a master of the Sanbo Kyodan lineage of Zen. In his early youth the Society of Jesus sent him from his homeland in the Philippines to Japan, where he began his Zen practice under the guidance of Yamada Koun-roshi. Koun-roshi was a Zen master who taught many Christians students, an unusual practice for the time. In 1988, Habito received Dharma transmission from Yamada Koun. He left the Jesuit order shortly after that, and in 1991 founded the lay organization Maria Kannon Zen Center in Dallas, Texas. He has taught at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University since 1989 where he continues to be a faculty member. He is married and has two sons. Silence for me is not so much a set of external conditions, but more of an inner state of mind. — Ruben L. F. Habito Dr. Habito is the author of several books, all of which explore various aspects of Buddhist-Christian dialogue, including Be Still and Know: Zen and the Bible, Zen and the Spiritual Exercises, and Living Zen, Loving God. In his conversation with the Encountering Silence team, he speaks about the relationship with silence and the fullness of a joyful life, as well as how his engagement with both Christianity and Buddhism has shaped his own relationship with silence. I felt some kind of unspeakable joy of just being in the middle ... if you are at a place within you that enables you to be at home where you are, that's where you can find that interior silence that can connect, and enable you to really open your heart in a warm embrace. That's what silence is for me. — Ruben L. F. Habito Some of the resources and authors we mention in this episode: Ruben L. F. Habito, Be Still and Know: Zen and the Bible Ruben L. F. Habito, Zen and the Spiritual Exercises Ruben L. F. Habito, Healing Breath, Zen for Christians and Buddhists in a Wounded World Ruben L. F. Habito, Living Zen, Loving God Ruben L. F. Habito, Experiencing Buddhism: Ways of Wisdom and Compassion Ignatius of Loyola, The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Barbara Brown Taylor, Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others Krister Stendahl, Energy for Life Nicholas of Cusa, Selected Spiritual Writings Paul Knitter, Without Buddha I Could Not Be A Christian William Johnston, Christian Zen: A Way of Meditation Tilden Edwards, Living in the Presence: Spiritual Exercises to Open Our Lives to the Awareness of God Thomas Merton, Mystics and Zen Masters Susan Stabile, Growing in Love and Wisdom: Tibetan Buddhist Sources for Christian Meditation Mary Margaret Funk, Discernment Matters Charles Curran, Loyal Dissent: Memoir of a Catholic Theologian Francis Sullivan, Creative Fidelity: Weighing and Interpreting Documents of the Magisterium Episode 68: Christianity, Buddhism and Silence: A Conversation with Ruben L. F. Habito (Part One) Hosted by: Carl McColman With: Cassidy Hall, Kevin Johnson Guest: Ruben L. F. Habito Date Recorded: May 3, 2019
How does silence form and shape the life of person who is both Zen roshi and a Catholic spiritual director? Ruben L. F. Habito is both a former Jesuit and a master of the Sanbo Kyodan lineage of Zen. In his early youth the Society of Jesus sent him from his homeland in the Philippines to Japan, where he began his Zen practice under the guidance of Yamada Koun-roshi. Koun-roshi was a Zen master who taught many Christians students, an unusual practice for the time. In 1988, Habito received Dharma transmission from Yamada Koun. He left the Jesuit order shortly after that, and in 1991 founded the lay organization Maria Kannon Zen Center in Dallas, Texas. He has taught at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University since 1989 where he continues to be a faculty member. He is married and has two sons. Silence for me is not so much a set of external conditions, but more of an inner state of mind. — Ruben L. F. Habito Dr. Habito is the author of several books, all of which explore various aspects of Buddhist-Christian dialogue, including Be Still and Know: Zen and the Bible, Zen and the Spiritual Exercises, and Living Zen, Loving God. In his conversation with the Encountering Silence team, he speaks about the relationship with silence and the fullness of a joyful life, as well as how his engagement with both Christianity and Buddhism has shaped his own relationship with silence. I felt some kind of unspeakable joy of just being in the middle ... if you are at a place within you that enables you to be at home where you are, that's where you can find that interior silence that can connect, and enable you to really open your heart in a warm embrace. That's what silence is for me. — Ruben L. F. Habito Some of the resources and authors we mention in this episode: Ruben L. F. Habito, Be Still and Know: Zen and the Bible Ruben L. F. Habito, Zen and the Spiritual Exercises Ruben L. F. Habito, Healing Breath, Zen for Christians and Buddhists in a Wounded World Ruben L. F. Habito, Living Zen, Loving God Ruben L. F. Habito, Experiencing Buddhism: Ways of Wisdom and Compassion Ignatius of Loyola, The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Barbara Brown Taylor, Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others Krister Stendahl, Energy for Life Nicholas of Cusa, Selected Spiritual Writings Paul Knitter, Without Buddha I Could Not Be A Christian William Johnston, Christian Zen: A Way of Meditation Tilden Edwards, Living in the Presence: Spiritual Exercises to Open Our Lives to the Awareness of God Thomas Merton, Mystics and Zen Masters Susan Stabile, Growing in Love and Wisdom: Tibetan Buddhist Sources for Christian Meditation Mary Margaret Funk, Discernment Matters Charles Curran, Loyal Dissent: Memoir of a Catholic Theologian Francis Sullivan, Creative Fidelity: Weighing and Interpreting Documents of the Magisterium Episode 68: Christianity, Buddhism and Silence: A Conversation with Ruben L. F. Habito (Part One) Hosted by: Carl McColman With: Cassidy Hall, Kevin Johnson Guest: Ruben L. F. Habito Date Recorded: May 3, 2019
In this episode, we discuss David Loy’s latest book, ECODHARMA: Buddhist Teachings for the Ecological Crisis, available from Wisdom Publications. EcoDharma is a landmark work that is simultaneously a manifesto, a blueprint, a call to action, and a deep comfort for troubling times. David masterfully lays out the principles and perspectives of Ecodharma—a Buddhist response to our ecological predicament, introducing a new term for a new development of the Buddhist tradition. David Robert Loy is a professor, writer, and Zen teacher in the Sanbo Zen tradition of Japanese Zen Buddhism. David began Zen practice in Hawaii in 1971 with Yamada Koun and Robert Aitken, and continued with Koun Roshi in Japan, where he lived for almost 20 years. He was authorized to teach in 1988 and leads retreats and workshops nationally and internationally at places such as Spirit Rock, Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, Omega Institute, Upaya Zen Center and many others. David was a formerly a professor of Buddhist and comparative philosophy, and recently received an honorary PhD from his alma mater, Carleton College for his scholarly work on socially engaged Buddhism. David Loy is one of the founding members of the new Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Retreat Center, near Boulder, Colorado.
Becoming an ox at the bottom of the mountain, or "Nothing distinguishes the enlightened person." (Yamada Koun-roshi) Main Text(s) quoted: Cultivating the Empty Field, The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi, translated by Taigen Daniel Leighton with Yi Wu and The Method of No-Method, The Chan Practice of Silent Illumination by Chan Master Shengyen