General Priory:
Order of Engaged Buddhists
Rev. Brian Shen-Jin Kenna
Shirley, N.Y. 11967
Phone: 631-552-7837
Spiritual Director:
Venerable Rev. David Shen-Xi Astor Sensei
443-994-3551 (+1 for international calls)
Skype: david.astor (by appointment)
Email:
General Prior’s Office: oebdaop@gmail.com
Director of Vocations: oebvocationdir@gmail.com
Spiritual Director: wdavid.astor@gmail.com
New York Chapter House:
Order of Engaged Buddhists
Rev. Dr. Shen-Jin Kenna (Resident Priest)
Shirley, NY 11967 (Long Island Sangha)
Phone: 631-552-7837
Belgium Chapter House:
Rev. Shi Yao-Xin (Luis Lista), Sensei (Resident Priest)
Rue de l’industrie, 5
5002 Saint-Servais
Namur Belguim
Phone: 0032487016749
Florida Chapter House:
Ven. Rev. David Shen-Xi Sensei (Resident Priest)
epiphany Zen center
3115 Hope Street
Sebring, Florida 33875
443-994-3551
Meets on Thursday’s 7pm to 9pm. Meditation & Dharma Talk and discussion
Order of Engaged Buddhists 
I have vacillated back and forth between Christianity (Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox) and Zen or other simple Buddhist meditation practice forms. Honestly, at 66, I am tired of complex and complicated systems of thought. I have worked with the poorest of the poor in Kingston, Jamaica, I love LIFE, and I love to help others. I want to find truth and I honestly cannot say Christianity is the truth although it seems to have more answers to life than other systems. It requires, however, too many cognitive dissonant agreements. What is the simplest form of Buddhism you recommend to me? I like to meditate and read one chapter of the Dhammapada per day. That’s about it. Presently illusion, non-duality, amorality, no soul, and no god, make no sense to me. But, not really knowing all the answers, Buddhism seems to fit me better than Christianity and the non-intervening God. What do you suggest? Let me know. Rico, loseguo@yahoo.com. Thank you.
Rico, thank you for taking the time to comment, and visiting our website. Your qiestions are very good and reflects what all of us have gone through in the beginning when we develop an interest in Buddhist thought. If you read the page that gives a brief background of our leadership you will know I came to Buddhism from a Christian vocation. I often say that I would make a better Christian today as a Buddhist. Where to start is a good question. You listed a few elements of Buddhism as you current understand them that do not make a lot of sense to you. Some are incorrect, and some just reflect a lack of understanding. For example the one about no God. Buddhism, nor the Buddha, says/said there is no god. Buddhist thought just says the idea of a god is unknowable. In other words, the idea of the cause of creation is a transcended reality. Buddhism is not atheistic, it is more agnostic. No self is not saying there is no self reality, but the notion of who we really are is not the self you have come to think it is. It is about understanding how we understand Duality. All this represents why we need a teacher especially in the beginning of our study. As to your question of what “Buddhism” to study, has a more complex answere. There is a simple path to begin however. Just work to begin a meditation practice. Just sit. Try to not think so much. Just be aware of your breathing. When a thought comes to mind try to not follow it and return to just being aware of your breathing again. Do not count your breaths because that is thinking too. Try to find a book to study of the Four Noble Truths. Just study this as Everything that Buddhism teaches comes from this perspective. When your ready seek a teacher. Avoid skipping around in your reading of Buddhist text, respecially legacy master in the beginning. This will cause confusion. When you move beyond the Bibical of reality you will begin to see the world around you more clearly. Buddhism is about human flourishing. We each engage it from our unique perspective.
Shen-Xi Sensei
Thank you so much. What ONE book would you recommend? There are thousands out there. I have read some, but I would covet your input. Thank you.
Unfortunately there’s not just one book that is both traditional and modern enough for Westerners that speaks in a language that crosses the cultural divide between East and West for beginners, though many try including my book. So, here are a few that might be a good beginning for you. None of these speak from a single tradition or lineage. Their approach is more pragmatic. They are all in print and available from Amazon.
The Heart Of The Buddha’s Teaching g by Thich Nhat Hahn
What The Buddha Taught by Walpole Rahula
Buddhism Without Beliefs by Stephen Batchelor
Buddhist Philosiphy by David Kalupahana
DXA
Thank you.
Dearsir
Iam not budhist but i am a strong beleiver to budha lessons probably in my past live i was budist i beleive in that. I have a very deep question to ask
. As i need your guidnances. Iam from the middle east therefore raised as muslem. I was the only child of my parents. My late father was a great doctor. My father loved me very much as he was old when i was born. And my mother was very jaleous of that feeling.i loved my father very dearly.my late father had tumor in his mind. She was very younger than him and married him only for his fortune. She was the cause of his death and involved me some how i was only 10 years old and didn ‘t know what she was doing. Ever since i feel all the time guilty and did ask god and my father spirit for forgiveness. Any how as she was my guardian she sold everything belonging to my father and forced me to marry the nephew of one of her amant despite that i loved some one else he was a dictor too. She ruined and stool my lifee.
Now almost 30 years is passed and still can not forget him. Is it possible after reincarnation i will find him and finaly be with him? Still can not forgive my mother even can not pray for her soul. I hate her so much for steeling my life. I know bhuda says forgiveness. But please belp me on that she did lots of oweful things to me specialy not letting me marry the one i loved so deeply. Be is married now and is happy with his life i guess. Recently i had a cva and those thoughts are killing me. Please help me. Is iit possible i will be finally with the one i loved? Yours truly. God bless.
Hello! I have been drawn to the teachings on engaged buddhism through my own personal struggles in the world today. It is the only way i have found connection spiritually without something absolute. I have planned to leave my job in business to persue a masters in social work, but for my spiritual self, i realize I need a mentor and teacher in order to grow stronger. I was hoping I could ask to learn and be recommended to friends and a community i could connect with near me or virtually to help me spiritually learn more. I currently live in Newark,DE, and will soon be living closer to Baltimore, MD. Any help would be wonderful. Thank you