*A Record is just what it says it is, the recorded sayings of a Zen Master, his or her enlightenment experiences, teaching koans, anecdotes, dharma lineage, and other interesting stuff—basically the monks’ crib notes for their study after an encounter or teaching in the assembly hall. And that’s what I use it for too—my practice.
The Chinese masters and their disciples began using this traditional title during what is considered Zen's Golden Age, cc 700-900 C.E. My notes about Issan, his teaching, and the teachings of his dharma friends come from a more recent period—between 1988, when I moved into the Hartford Street Zen Center, and Issan’s death in 1990.
I have included some teaching stories by Zenshin Philip Whalen, who was part of Hartford Street Zen Center and the Maitri sangha, as well as some tales about the Hospice.
I have also tried to include photographs, notes, memories, sayings, jokes, happy memories, and sad ones from other periods of his life.
Some material I do not fully understand which I will try to present as honestly I can hoping that Manjushri might enlighten me down the road.
And because I am the recorder, and not objective, I have included some things about me.
"The End of the Rainbow," Sunday, August 29, 2021
“The world is ending. Where is the great peace when we need it?”
Don't Worry. Be Happy. Just do your best! Monday, August 30, 2021
Issan loved Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t worry, be happy,” but he added a line
I have also tried to include photographs, notes, memories, sayings, jokes, happy memories, and sad ones from other periods of his life.
Some material I do not fully understand which I will try to present as honestly I can hoping that Manjushri might enlighten me down the road.
And because I am the recorder, and not objective, I have included some things about me.
"The End of the Rainbow," Sunday, August 29, 2021
“The world is ending. Where is the great peace when we need it?”
Don't Worry. Be Happy. Just do your best! Monday, August 30, 2021
Issan loved Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t worry, be happy,” but he added a line
“They Never Get the Pleats Right,” Thursday, September 2, 202
A Mondo, Master Nansen was washing clothes
Is life over when it’s over? Thursday, September 16, 2021
A reflection on the death of Alan Watts and Issan’s answer to a student’s question about suicide.
A Mondo, Master Nansen was washing clothes
Is life over when it’s over? Thursday, September 16, 2021
A reflection on the death of Alan Watts and Issan’s answer to a student’s question about suicide.
Sex, death, and food, Friday, October 1, 2021
Dainin Katagiri Roshi admonishes Issan!
Dokusan goes Kung-an, August 17, 2021
Talking publicly about sex
When the Breath Ends, May 7, 2021
Master Ba Is Ill, Hekiganroku Case 3
Issan’s meditation instructions when he was dying.
Issan said, "I have things to do!" April 23, 2010
Reflections on the koan "Little Jade." This story about Issan’s last week of life came back to me when another Buddhist friend received news of a grave diagnosis from his doctor.
Issan hears the parable of the Good Samaritan—for the first time!
Originally posted on April 22, 2010, and revised on Palm Sunday 2021
My friend Joe Devlin, S.J., celebrated a Catholic mass in the zendo at the Hartford Street Zen Center for Issan and other men at Maitri Hospice.
Issan’s Jesus Koan, April 23, 2010
Bruce Boone’s memory of Issan at the shrine of Saint Francis.
Mindfulness Is Not a Part-Time Job, originally posted on January 13, 2012
This may be the only surviving transcript of any of Issan’s dharma talks. It appeared in the newsletter of the Gay Buddhist Fellowship in January of 1995, four years and five months after his death from AIDS. Though I can see an editor's hand, Issan comes through in his simple eloquence and the depth of understanding.
On the 20th anniversary of the death of Issan Tommy Dorsey Roshi, September 6, 2010. Some of my own memories shared at the Founder's Ceremony on the 20th anniversary of his death, Maitri Hospice.
Tommy D, “the boy as pretty as the girl next-door,” May 22, 2010
Candid, totally staged pictures of Issan from Del Carlson's collection. From the Hartford Street Zen Center.
Buddhist Heaven, Monday, April 29, 2024
Volunteering in an AIDS Hospice, Tuesday, May 11, 2021
A short piece I wrote for a German Buddhist magazine, Ursache & Wirkung, in an edition about "Buddhismus unter dem Regenbogen.”
"The Three Key B’s of Buddhism: Bowing, Boring and Bliss," by Phil Whalen & Ken Ireland, October 29, 2020
The Road to Rohatsu, March 8, 2021
Ryutan’s Candle and Kenosha
The Hands and Eyes of Great Compassion, Wednesday, August 18, 2021
The Funeral of Osel Tendzin. Deliver us from cults, Thursday, May 13, 2021
Goa, Saint Francis and Me, April 7, 2014, reposted April 15, 2020
This was written for the publication of "Spiritual Journeys" by a group of former Jesuits.
This was written for the publication of "Spiritual Journeys" by a group of former Jesuits.
I welcome your comments and suggestions. There is a comment box at the end of each post. Please let me know if you would like to share a story about Issan.
