The Shimano Archive
嶋野 栄道 老師 アーカイブ

12/30/10

An Open Letter to the Board of the Zen Studies Society Regarding Eido Shimano From Kyogen Carlson, Roshi.

"First, how this is handled will affect not just Eido Roshi (嶋野 栄道) and Zen Studies Society. It will affect how the whole Zen tradition is viewed in this country. That is why so many of us are compelled to address this. Buddhism has gained too high a profile for things like this to go unnoticed."

"Next, I realize that Eido Roshi (嶋野 栄道) and other Japanese teachers view matters from a 'public face' and 'private face' perspective. While we can respect this and personally work with our teachers allowing for this, the Zen tradition must adapt to the American cultural landscape. That means bringing the public and private into harmony. Anything else will not do. That will be difficult for Eido Roshi (嶋野 栄道), but the transition from west to east demands sacrifices from all who take up the work."

12/31/10

An Open Letter to the Board of the Zen Studies Society Regarding Eido Shimano From Dosho Port Sensei.

The one point I’d like to emphasize is that for the future of Eido Shimano’s (嶋野 栄道) dharma lineage, and immediately for the sake of Roko (露光) Chayat’s tenure as abbot, please remove Eido Shimano from all teaching venues and from residence in your centers.

Any other action at this time is likely to set-up Roko (露光) for failure, reflect poorly on your own integrity and that of American Zen.

Your best chance to redeem the past now appears to lie in a clean and definitive break with Eido Shimano (嶋野 栄道)."

12/31/10

An Open Letter to the Board of the Zen Studies Society Regarding Eido Shimano From Nonin Chowaney, Roshi.

12/31/10

An Open Letter to the Board of the Zen Studies Society Regarding Eido Shimano From Joan Halifax, Roshi.

12/31/10

An Open Letter to the Board of the Zen Studies Society Regarding Eido Shimano From Genkaku Adam Fisher.

"Please do your best to bring Zen Studies Society back into a credible -- rather than 'unconditioned' -- realm. Please sever all connection with Eido Tai Shimano (嶋野 栄道). As there is no such thing as being 'a little bit pregnant,' so there is no compromise in this situation that will do anything more than assure a continuation of what has been both painful and malicious."

12/31/10

An Open Letter to the Board of the Zen Studies Society Regarding Eido Shimano From Jion Susan Postal, Sensei.

12/31/10

An Open Letter to the Board of the Zen Studies Society Regarding Eido Shimano From Rev. Taigen Dan Leighton, PhD.

12/31/10

An Open Letter to the Board of the Zen Studies Society Regarding Eido Shimano From Dr. Barry Magid, Sensei.

01/00/11

A Greeting Card from Shinge Roko Chayat to ZSS Sangha.

01/01/11

An Open Letter to the Board of the Zen Studies Society Regarding Eido Shimano From Chozen Bays, Roshi & Hogen Bays, Sensei.

“We are writing to ask that Zen Studies Society and Dai Bosatsu Zendo take strong action regarding Eido Shimano (嶋野 栄道). We strongly recommend that as soon as the new Abbot is installed, that both the Zen Studies Society and Dai Bosatsu Zendo formally disassociate themselves from Eido Shimano (嶋野 栄道), as recommended by the Faithtrust Institute in their consultation, and not allow him any further teaching role under your auspices, or in your buildings.” 

“In other professions Eido Shimano’s (嶋野 栄道) behavior would result in removal of a professional license (medicine, law and psychotherapy) and criminal and/or civil prosecution. Legal prosecution may still happen, particularly if current survivors feel that Zen Studies Society has not acted appropriately to prevent misuse of power and victimization in the future.”

“We cannot recommend strongly enough that ZSS and DBZ dissociate themselves completely from Eido Shimano (嶋野 栄道), and specifically not let him use any of the ZSS or DBZ facilities for any purpose.”

01/01/11

An Open Letter to the Board of the Zen Studies Society Regarding Eido Shimano From Wendy Egyoku Nakao, Roshi.

"I am writing to voice my support for terminating Roshi Shimano’s (嶋野 栄道) presence and teaching at the ZSS in light of his sexually predatory and unrepentant behavior."

"I urge you to facilitate the ongoing and thorough education of everyone at ZSS and DBZ on all facets of why this behavior has been so devastatingly harmful for the women involved and frankly, for everyone in your Sangha and the Maha Sangha, and why it is not to be tolerated in any way."

"I urge you all to fearlessly stand in the fire of directly looking at the organizational-and-sangha-culture structures and behaviors that have protected this dynamic and enabled it to exist for far too many years. Perhaps this will be the most painful part, but I know, from my own experience, that when you stand in the fire and are unflinching in your investigation leaving no stone unturned, a path of liberation emerges and a vista comes into view for a deep and broad maturing in the Dharma."

01/01/11

Clear View Blog

Turning the Wheel at Zen Studies Society?

Posted on January 1, 2011

by Hozan Alan Senauke

01/02/11

On Facebook, Jan Chozen Bays, Roshi posted her letter to the ZSS board, comments ensued. One of the comments was this:

"I live in Syracuse, NY and have been a student of Shinge Roshi, who is now the abbot of Dai Bosatzu monastery as of yesterday, for the past seven years. I was her attendant on the evening that she sat us all down in our zendo this past May... to tell us about Eido Roshi's (嶋野 栄道) behaviors. Since May, I have been back to sit with the sangha twice."

"On that evening in May, we were told that, even though he has committed these heinous acts, he still has 'the True Dharma Eye' and 'dwells in the absolute.' These ideas were presented as excuses and justifications of Eido Roshi's (嶋野 栄道) behavior. Our sangha, out of loyalty to Shinge Roshi, has turned a blind eye to Eido's (嶋野 栄道) acts, and given him a pass. As far as I can tell, only one other person besides myself has stood up and said that Eido's (嶋野 栄道) behavior is intolerable, that he needs to be removed from all positions of authority, that Shinge Roshi needs to sever all ties with him, and that we won't come back into the sangha until these things happen."

"When I spoke privately with Shinge Roshi, she said that she had no intention of breaking their student - teacher relationship, that he was her teacher no matter what, that he served as an excellent reminder of how absolute power corrupts and she would continue to learn from him, as he has 'the true Dharma eye.'

So, now I'm looking for another teacher."

01/02/11

Jundo Cohen, Roshi on the Eido Shimano Crisis.

Treeleafzen's Webcam Video January 02, 2011.

01/03/11

An Email From Tenshin David Hill to Kobutsu Malone.

"After reading the eleven new postings (post-Ford) on the Archive, I'm astonished at how few (except for 2 or 3 of those letters) have to do w/ the actual problem at ZSS, but instead are Genjo and Roko (露光) puff-pieces concealed in the context of dealing with the problem. I mean, wake the frack up, folks!"

"Is the American Sangha so fracking naive as to take these, which are essentially form letters, as compassionate support from 'teachers' to correct a wrong? (Kensei Koji hit it on the mark in his letter.)"

(See entry for 01/02/11)

"First, where were these wise folks months or years ago? Kobutsu, Genkaku, and a few others have been beating this drum for quite a while, yet those who drafted these form letters on the eve of an abbot’s installation could not raise their concerns earlier?"

"Second, it's all the same delusional, self-promotional crap that got ZSS into the mess it finds itself. You 'teachers' dressed in your finest, parade around talking about 'it.' You are just bags of bones playing out the night of a thousand knives."

01/03/11

Mr Shimano, please stand down

Editorial, The Buddhist Channel, Jan 3, 2011

"The twist and turn of this saga serves to highlight the unstable psychological state of Mr. Shimano (嶋野氏). Thanks to the internet, so much information about this on-going case have been made available for public viewing. For the more discerning, the information points to a consistency of behavioral abuse of one who have been wearing the robes. And based on the latest events, there are concrete evidence of wanton, crass denial and a pattern of avoidance on the part of Mr. Shimano (嶋野氏)."

"The Zen Studies Society’s board must understand that at this moment, the issue is no longer a matter which falls exclusively within the borders of its organization. The person in question is a renowned Buddhist teacher, who is listed on the list of notable Buddhists (see: link)."

"He wears the robes, and his words still evidently do influence people. Mr. Shimano (嶋野氏) may well not have any regards for the Vinaya, but as a wearer of the robes recognized by all Buddhists throughout the world, and being a 'notable' Buddhist himself, he owes it to himself, to the Dharma and above all, to all those whom he have hurt directly or indirectly."

"And if he sincerely believes in the wisdom of Buddha Dharma, and regards the attainment of enlightenment above all else, we pray that he will for once do the right thing."

"Mr. Shimano (嶋野), as it is, Eido Roshi (栄道 老師) is spiritually dead. Mr. Shimano (嶋野氏), in the name of the Buddha Dharma, we implore you to do the right thing."

"Mr. Shimano (嶋野氏), please stand down."

01/03/11

島野さん、どうか辞職して下さい。

ねじ曲がり、転回を続けるこの物語は島野氏の精神不安定を証明しています。インターネットのお陰で多くの情報が大衆の目に届きました。 さらに明らかな 事は、これらすべての情報は、袈裟をつけた人間による害悪の振る舞いという１点に落ち着く事です。 最近の数々の成り行き、島野氏の理解に苦しむ愚かな言 動、引退の拒否は、彼のすべてを顕著に物語っているといえましょう。

この期に及んで、これはもはや島野氏個人の論点は問題ではなく、禅教団組織内 部にこそ問題が存在するということを会員の一人一人が理解しなければなりませ ん。 此の事件の中心人物なるものが高名な仏教の師であり、彼は有名仏教徒と してその名を連ねています。 (link).

彼は袈裟を着ており、未だ彼の言葉は影響力があるようです。 島野氏は尊敬に 値する人物ではないことは明瞭でも、袈裟を着用している人物であるというだけ で世界中の人々から尊敬されます。 著名な仏教徒である事により自らに負い、達磨に負い、さらにそれ以上にすべての直接、間接に彼によって傷つけられた 人々に負い、これだけははっきりさせなければなりません。

そして、もし彼が真に仏陀達磨の知恵を信じ、悟りの達成を何よりも願うならば、私達は彼がここで初めて正しい事を行うよう祈りましょう。

今の島野氏、栄道老師は霊的には死人です。島野さん、仏陀達磨の名に置いて我々は貴方が正しい事をなさるよう懇願します。

島野さん、どうか辞職して下さい。

01/03/11

Why Buddhism?: Violations of Trust in the Sexual Sphere

by Roshi Joan Halifax,

The Buddhist Channel, Jan 3, 2011

01/03/11

An Open Letter to the Board of the Zen Studies Society Regarding Eido Shimano From Bodhin Kjolhede, Roshi.

"Enough is enough."

01/03/11

An Open Letter to the Board of the Zen Studies Society Regarding Eido Shimano From Eido Frances Carney, Roshi.

01/03/11

An Open Letter to the Board of the Zen Studies Society Regarding Eido Shimano From Ruben Habito, Roshi.

01/03/11

An Open Letter to the Board of the Zen Studies Society Regarding Eido Shimano From Keido Les Kaye, Roshi.

"At an American Zen Teachers Association (AZTA) meeting in 1995, I met a woman who told me she was  practicing with Eido-roshi (嶋野 栄道).  She also explained that, some years earlier, she and her husband stopped practicing with Eido-roshi (嶋野 栄道) when they learned of his egregious sexual relations with his female students.  She went on to say, 'But I went back to complete my training.'  I was surprised by how casually she admitted that she placed her personal ambitions above her ethical standards."

01/03/11

An Open Letter to the Board of the Zen Studies Society Regarding Eido Shimano From Zenki Mary Mocine, Roshi.

01/03/11

An Open Letter to the Board of the Zen Studies Society Regarding Eido Shimano From Zoketsu Norman Fischer, Roshi.

"I think we in the West have been mistaken in imagining that in Asia teachers control their sanghas absolutely.  This is not the case.  Teacher misconduct is not tolerated anywhere in Asia, and the disciplining of teachers is not inconsistent with the necessary respect and obedience for the teacher that is essential for Zen practice. The reason teacher misconduct is not tolerated in Asia is no less true here: bad conduct that goes unaddressed weakens the entire Dharma community." 

01/04/11

An Open Letter to the Board of the Zen Studies Society Regarding Eido Shimano From Chikudo Lew Richmond Abbot, Vimala Sangha.

01/05/11

An Open Letter from a Former Student at The Zen Center Of Syracuse Hoen-ji.

"Only one other sangha member that I knew of at that time voiced opposition and left the sangha.  Shinge Roshi told the sangha not to sit outside of our zendo with those that had left the sangha." 

"A close friend and Dharma sister was working in the Dai Bosatsu office over New Years and commented on the great volume of correspondences from the Zen community world-wide, and how moving it was to know that there was so much support for our sangha members.  She was present when the most recent victim stood up during a meal and professed her love for Eido (嶋野 栄道).  She has told me that Eido (嶋野 栄道) is not giving up his fancy suite at the monastery, and that Shinge Roshi will be living in a regular monk's room when she is at Dai Bosatsu."

01/05/11

An Open Letter from a Former Student at The Zen Center Of Syracuse to Shinge Chayat.

"I am writing at last in response to an email I received from you a while back asking for the support of the Zen Center of Syracuse sangha as you take on an additional role as Abbot of Dai Bosatsu Zendo.  As you can see, it has taken me a long while to gather my thoughts and find words to express them to you."

"Early last Spring I discovered the details of Eido Shimano’s (嶋野 栄道) long history of remorseless anti-social behavior, including the sexual exploitation of his female students over a period of several decades.  I also learned that you and many of your colleagues had been aware of his conduct and dangerous propensities for many years.  You nevertheless continued as his student and sent your students to study with him at Dai Bosatsu Zendo." 

"Being a survivor myself, this information affected me profoundly.  I wish that this information could have been in some way been shared with me when I joined ZCS and became your student, rather than having to be hit with it out of nowhere.  My immediate reaction combined all of what one might expect from a survivor: Shock, anger, fear, shame and profound sadness.  It made me ill.  As an attorney who has spent almost thirty years serving abused and powerless people, my reaction was outrage."  

"I sensed immediately that I could not continue to sit at ZCS.  I wrote to you, the Board and some close sangha members with a vague description of what I was experiencing. I should have said more, but I could not find the words and was afraid of a reaction.  My heavy family and professional responsibilities allowed me to believe that I had the right to just walk away without confronting these issues head-on.  I did not want to become the center of unwelcome attention (again) by addressing the sangha directly, fearing that mine would be a lone voice crying out in the wilderness."

01/05/11

シラキュース禅センターの元弟子より、心華シャイアトへの公表文書。

”貴女は大菩薩禅堂の住職というもう一つの職に付かれ、シラキュース禅センター僧伽の支持を求めるEメールを下さり、いまやっと、その返事を書いています。　貴女もお分かりのように、私の思いを整理し、貴女に対する言葉を探すことに時間がかかりました。”

”去年の早春、島野栄道の何十年にも渡る彼の女弟子に対する、蹂躙をも含む残酷な反社会的行為の歴史を細密に渡って知る事になりました。　さらに私は貴女や貴女の同僚達は彼の行為と危険な性癖を長い間知っていたという事も知りました。　貴女はそれに構わず、彼の弟子として、また、貴女の弟子達を彼のもとへ送り続けて大菩薩禅堂で修行させていました。”

”犠牲者の一人として、この情報は心に深く私を傷つけました。　私はこの情報を突然にどこからともなく打たれるように知らされるよりも、ZCSで貴女の弟子になる前に知りたかったと思います。　私の直後の反動は犠牲者の皆が多分そうであろうと思うのですが、これら全部を取り混ぜた、ショック、怒り、恐れ、恥、そして深い、深い悲しみでした。　私は病気になりました。　弁護士として、ほとんど３０年近く、陵辱された、力の無い人々のため働いて来た私の反応は怒りでした。”  

”私は即座に、もはや、ZCSに坐り続ける事は出来ないと気付きました。　私は貴女に、委員会に、一部の親しい僧伽のメンバーに私の経験を書き送りました。　私はもっと発言するべきだったのですが、なんと言ったら良いのか言葉さえ見つからず、同時に人々の反響を恐れました。　家族に対する、又職業にたいする責任を思い、私は真っ向から立ち向かって戦うよりも、ただ黙って立ち去る事が正しいと思ったのでした。　私は僧伽と直接交渉して、不愉快な注目を（再び）浴びたくないと言う事と、この事件は私一人に起った事で、荒野の直中で、独り泣き叫ぶ状態を恐れたのです。”

01/05/11

An Open Letter from a Former Student at The Zen Center Of Syracuse to the ZCS Board of Trustees.

"I have spent many months investigating, studying, discussing, sitting and reflecting, asking the question: What is right action in this case? I also waited and watched to see what action you and Shinge Roshi would take, but was disappointed not to hear your voices among the many who have called for Eido Shimano’s (嶋野 栄道) removal.  If there is something that you have done that I am not aware of, I do apologize."

"I understand that many believe that Eido Shimano (嶋野 栄道) has a rare gift as a teacher. That seems like a doubtful proposition to me, given all the harm he has inflicted, without remorse. But even if he has a rare gift, how can that overshadow the harm he has caused or justify the risks that have been taken?  As an Assigned Counsel criminal defense attorney and an Attorney for the Child in New York, I have encountered many people with anti-social personalities in my practice.  I have learned much of value from them, but cannot fathom holding out such a person as a trustworthy leader and teacher."

"If this lack of understanding is my failing, then so be it.  But I have learned that other ZCS students have expressed serious misgivings, as well. So now I realize that I should speak in solidarity with them, and with all of those who have been harmed by Eido Shimano (嶋野 栄道), by writing this long-overdue letter and unequivocally telling you where I stand: 

I cannot support or remain a member of the Zen Center of Syracuse while Shinge Roshi continues as Eido Shimano’s (嶋野 栄道) student and no action is taken to sever your association with him."

01/06/11

An Email from Jiro Andy Afable to Kobutsu Malone.

"As of today, January 6, 2010, the fallout from the 'Shimano Scandal' continues. As more letters come in from students and teachers of Dharma, I hope the Archive you have set up continues to be an unimpeachable source of information on Eido Shimano’s (嶋野 栄道) 'sayings and doings' and how they affected the Zen Studies Sangha as well as the maha-Sangha."

"Please post this letter on the archives. It is dated August 30, 2010. It has some bearing on many of the recent letters from many teachers, and I hope it can be posted with the current documents dated January 2011."

"Nothing Eido Roshi (嶋野 栄道) has done, including inspiring many students over the years, can mitigate the sheer enormity and historical depth of the accusations against him. Because he has been so identified with the Society, the reputation of the Zen Studies Society has been equally besmirched. If you think this is an exaggerated response, please take the time to reflect on the archives available on the internet. If you do not ask the abbot to step down, you are clearly applying ethical standards to him that are exceedingly below the professional standards used to judge clergy, doctors, and therapists. In a manner of speaking, Roko (露光) and Genjo participate in a group practice (as dharma teachers) with the abbot being the third and primary member of the group sponsored by the Zen Studies Society. I am disturbed that the two dharma heirs on the board, who I’m sure have done a good measure of pastoral counseling when called for, are evading their professional responsibility in allowing the abbot to continue his position and duties as the spiritual head of the Society."

“I am also disturbed by the way the ethics committee has been set up.  Please give me a contact person at Faith Trust institute where I can have a person I can express my concerns to without going through the filter of the ethics committee. At this point the ZSS is claiming it can investigate itself.  Many people think otherwise.  You need an ethics committee or ethics inquiry committee that can proceed without review or oversight from the board to have any kind of credibility, especially from those who consider themselves victims.  Do you honestly believe that anyone with serious grievances will approach the ethics committee the way it is set up?”

“Because you were all handpicked by Roshi (老師) to be on the board it is difficult to imagine that any of you has much credibility. Your most pressing task is to assure the survival of the Zen Studies Society.  If you feel you are in over your head and cannot contribute to assuring the survival of the Society as you try to deal with numerous agendas that have to be dealt with (governance, ethics, financial re-structuring) please stay on to help in the effort of finding more suitable board members before you leave so that the Society has a chance to continue.  My fear is that as more problems and situations accrete that are focused on the Zen Studies Society the board will continue to be at a loss simply because it does not have the credibility, practical resources, and clarity to proceed.” 

“In the past I suggested to the abbot the names of potential board members from the Society’s sangha that could serve the Society well because of their maturity and their professionalism.  My suggestions were laid aside.  Just imagine, Fujin was asked to be on the board, this admirable nun who had absolutely no experience and no thoughts on how an organization should run. I mention this to make the point that in being handpicked, you were not picked because you were the best and most mature people to help the Zen Studies Society.  You may be the very people who, lacking independence, can lead the Zen Studies Society to its final dissolution.  There are people in Shoboji who can be called upon, but I suspect at this point you will have to turn to the larger Buddhist community as well to seek competent help.”

“The refusal of the abbot to address the Aitken summons (of May, 2010) [See entry of: 05/20/10] has turned countless people against him and the Society.  The board has done the Society great damage with the phrase “unconditional realm”, and has communicated to many practitioners that the teaching of the abbot (and the Society) is extremely solipsistic. “Practice in the midst of activity is infinitely more difficult than the practice of stillness” (Hakuin - 白隠 慧鶴)”

“I will close by suggesting that Roko (露光) publicly deny the allegations that she had an affair with the abbot.  I will be happy if the allegations go away.  I am not a rumor monger. The (alleged) affair was reported to me many years ago by women who were present in that women’s meeting in the guest house in 1993.  I have never alluded to it except in my last letter to you, since it seems pertinent to the recently published ethics guidelines of the Zen Studies Society.  I consider these women honest and unimpeachable as well, so I give credence to their account of what happened in that meeting.  (By the way, I have never intimated that Roko’s (露光) marriage broke up because of the alleged affair.)  There were not many women in that meeting, so it should be fairly simple for Roko (露光) to write them a letter denying any affair, with the view that that same letter can be made public with the women’s responses.  This will end the rumors.  Otherwise, Roko’s (露光) silence will be interpreted—not as Vimalakirti’s noble silence—as tantamount to an admission and as well an inability to face ethical scrutiny.  Her ability to face scrutiny at this time is important since she is in line to be the spiritual representative and public face of Dai Bosatsu Zendo, and as it is, the Society is already under siege.”

01/06/11

Posting to the Zen Forum International Thread on Sexual Misconduct by Buddhist Teachers by Carol Spooner.

"Eido Roshi (嶋野 栄道), to me, is a tragic figure ... someone who lost his way in emptiness sickness doubtless because of many causes and conditions. To see this in no way diminishes the harm and pain he has caused others. And to describe his sickness in no way demonizes him, IMO, but instead helps to understand and take appropriate action for the benefit of all involved, including Eido Roshi (嶋野 栄道) himself. You see a person so identified with the deluded creations of his mind that he cannot find a way out, cannot find the path to liberation because he believes he has already found it. This happens to all of us, to a greater or lesser extent, whenever we believe we have found the 'truth' and that there is no further inquiry needed and nothing more for us to see or do about the great matter. Eido Roshi's (嶋野 栄道) case is an extreme one, that's all."

01/07/11

An Open Letter to the Board of the Zen Studies Society Regarding Eido Shimano From Abbess Myoan Grace Schireson, Ph.D.

01/07/11

女性住職　みょうあん　グレース　シアソン、哲学博士.　より島野栄道に関する禅スタデイ　ソサイエテイへの公開状。

01/07/11

An Apparently Leaked Section of the AZTA Listserve Thread that Appeared on Facebook.

"I think we all are awaiting word from the ZSS and you, Roko (露光), plus Ryutakuji, (龍沢寺) Eido Shimano's (嶋野 栄道) home temple, with regards to this matter. A "no comment" at this time is not acceptable, and will be considered a sanctioning of this unfortunate situation. We are all aware that stepping aside and justifying in the matter is no longer a possibility."

• Will Eido Shimano (嶋野 栄道) continue his residency at DBZ and the NY city site? That would seem highly problematic. Will he return to his home temple in Japan? And do his Japanese colleagues know what is happening?

• What sanctions are you applying to Eido Shimano (嶋野 栄道) other than insisting on his retirement?

• And the third thing you, Grace, have already mentioned but I hope we will see carefully addressed and implemented: What are the remedies the ZSS has planned for the victims and the sangha with regards to Eido Shimano's (嶋野 栄道) actions?

01/07/11

アメリカン禅教師協会のリストサーブ、フェイスブックより漏れたと思われる一部分。

2. 現在の彼とZSSとの退職契約では、フェイス　トラストの忠告に逆らって、彼は引き続き接心、達磨クラス（日本語の）を指導してもよいことになっていますが。　私はフェイス　トラストの忠告に同意で、これらの教師としての地位を継続させてはいけないと思います。

3. ZSS委員会で前回決定された事ですが、島野栄道はZSSの賛助があっても、弟子に（たとえ古参の弟子であっても）面会してはならないという、フェイス　トラストの忠告に私も同意いたします。

私達全員、この事件に関するZSSの発表、それから露光、貴女の、又、島野栄道の故国の龍沢寺の発言を待ち望んでいます。　”ノーコメント”　は、この期に及んで受け入れることは出来ません。

• 島野栄道は引き続きDBZと、NYCの敷地に住まうのでしょうか？　　これは問題を引き起こす原因です。　彼は日本の昔の寺に帰るでしょうか？　　彼の日本の同僚達はここで何が起っているか知っているのでしょうか？

• 退職を強要する以外、どのような賞罰を彼に与えているのでしょうか？

• 第三番目に、グレース、貴女が既に触れた事ですが、約束が正しく履行されたかを見届けたいと思います：　ZSSは島野栄道の行為の結果起った事に関して、犠牲者や僧伽の人々にどのような救済策を計画しているのでしょうか？

01/08/11

Bodhidharma and Peace of Mind.

An Excerpt from a Teisho Delivered on Saturday, January 8^th by Genjo Marinello Osho. 

On saying “NO” to Eido Shimano (嶋野 栄道).

01/09/11

A Letter to the AZTA Listserve Regarding Eido Shimano From Jundo Cohen, Roshi.

"Thus the calls of 'give them more time to work it out' are about 10 years too late. They have had years, and chance upon chance. To 'give them more time' and allow a 'graceful exit' for Mr. Shimano (嶋野氏) is not the right answer here. He must be condemned by all of us in the strongest and most unambiguous terms, we must deny him any respect (his years of service do not outweigh the damage done here), the members of this organization must denounce the years of cover up, we should publicly admit our own role in not doing enough. Moreover, we must now publicly turn our backs on Mr. Shimano (嶋野氏). Furthermore, we must turn our backs on the ZSS... treat them as persona non grata ... unless and until they exhibit real reforms."

"If it were a case in which such events had happened but once or twice, or nobody in the organization knew, or there had not been cover up after cover up for YEARS then my opinion would be different. However, this is our moral equivalent of the child abuse scandals plaguing the Catholic Church. If we allow Mr. Shimano (嶋野氏) to make a graceful exit, if we allow things to be papered over again ...our own shame is compounded."

"Our students are watching. Right now, opinion I am hearing among people observing is that the 'teachers of the Precepts' look like a bunch of hypocrites trying to protect their own."

01/09/11

島野栄道に関するじゅんどう　ちょえん　老師よりAZTA リストサーブ宛の手紙

”話し合う為に今少し時間がほしい”との要求は、１０年おそすぎました。その機会は何年に も渡ってありました。島野氏に ”優雅なる引退”を与えよう、という回答は既に失せまし た。彼は我々すべての者によって最も明白な最も激しい言葉で非難をうけ、一切の尊敬は否定されなければなりません。（彼の何年かの功労は彼による損害を帳消しする事は出来ません）会員達は長年にわたる隠匿を告発、我々は自分の責任を十分に果たさなかった事を公式に認め表明しなければなりません。さらに、私達は公式に島野氏に背を向けなければなりません。その上さらに、私達はZSS（禅教団）にも背を向け、彼らが本当の改正の態度を示すまで”好まし くないやつ”としてあつかうべきでしょう。

もし、このような事件が過去に１度か２度あって教団の人々は何も知らなかった場合、隠匿をこ のように何度も繰り返したのでなかった場合、私の意見も違ったものであったと思います。し かしこれは道徳問題としてカトリック教会の児童虐待、此れに伴う教会の汚名、疫病のように後々までひき続く状態に匹敵するものだとおもいます。もし私達が島野氏の優雅なる引退を許し、紙面に繰り返すならば、これは私達自身の恥辱 を確立した事になります。

私達の弟子達はみまもっています。たった今私はこれらのみまもっている人々の声をききました。”戒律の師等は自分の立場を守っているだけの偽善者の集まりではないか”と。

01/10/11

The Buddhist Channel | Buddhism News | Headlines

Three Stories on Shimano.

"No honorable exit, stop protecting Mr. Shimano"
by Jundo Cohen

"Letters from Zen Teachers to
the Zen Studies Society"
as compiled by Rev James Ishmael Ford

01/10/11

An Open Letter to the Board of the Zen Studies Society Regarding Eido Shimano From Genkaku Adam Fisher.

"But as a nobody-Zen-student, I would like to urge you and your fellow board members one last time: Please, please, please make a clean break. No if's, and's, but's, or lofty compromises. PLEASE. Listen to the Faith-Trust Institute. Listen to the pleas that have erupted in any number of quarters. If even the American Zen Teachers Association can speak up a little ... well, it can't all be vitriol and vindictiveness, do you think?"

"The penalty for compromising or fudging a response to all this will be a death knell for Zen Studies Society and a blot on the banner of Zen Buddhism in America. This is not just argumentative hyperbole. Please, please, please consider it. Please make a clean, clear break."

01/10/11

An Open Letter to the Board of the Zen Studies Society Regarding Eido Shimano From Mu Shin Frank LoCicero.

"Still, in 1982 an unfortunately small number of us on the board saw that the only right way to proceed with respect to the number of problems presented by the Reverend Shimano (嶋野 栄道) was expulsion.  We came to this conclusion after much discussion and consideration. However, perhaps, it was  critically erroneous that we did not make it widely known that we did have the support of Eido's (嶋野 栄道) teacher Soen Nakagawa, Roshi (中川 宋淵). Soen Roshi (中川 宋淵) told Jochi that 'Eido’s shame is Soen’s shame, the shame of Dai Bosatsu is the shame of Ryutaku-ji (龍沢寺) and every Buddhist monastery in the world.' Soen Roshi (中川 宋淵) told me 'Eido Roshi (嶋野 栄道) is No Roshi.'"

"Since Jochi had already resigned, we did not have even a simple majority on the board for expulsion, but the recognition of the seriousness of the problem by the other members of that board resulted in compromise  which was for Rev. Shimano (嶋野 栄道) to take a leave of absence. Sadly, that leave did no good. At the time I did not see any possibility of changing enough of that board's mind, I regrettably resigned, and walked away from Zen Studies Society."

"Sadly, even some 28 years later there has been no evidence of real improvement in Rev. Shimano's (嶋野 栄道) behavior."

01/10/11

An Account and Commentary Emailed from Phil Benezra to Kobutsu Malone.

“I was a student at Dai Bosatsu Zendo during the winter of 1975-76. A scandal hit the community when a female student, in a jealous rage, defaced a large calligraphy of 'Mu I Shitsu' or 'True man (person) of No Rank' done by Eido [actually Soen] Roshi. A large group of senior students left the sangha over reports that Eido Roshi (嶋野 栄道) had been having sexual relations with a number of students, using the dokusan room as one place to make liaisons. Some of the students who left included current teachers Lou Nordstrom and Roko (露光) Sherry Chayat. I remained. While practicing there, during the period of about a year and a half, I witnessed a student attempt to take his own life by stabbing himself in the belly with a knife. A young military vet who 'lost it’ in the Zendo, 'went off the deep end psychologically' and had to be picked up by parents. Another student, myself, who temporarily 'went off the deep end' into what psychiatrists might call paranoid schizophrenia. Meanwhile Eido Roshi (嶋野 栄道) was still having or attempting to have sexual relationships with students, including my ex-wife–an experience which she has described in her 'novel'  Special Karma. Is there a connection between the 'crazy' behavior of a few students and Eido Roshi’s (嶋野 栄道) 'lack of morality' (as he once put it)?”

01/10/11

The Buddhist Channel: Issues

Pressure mounts on Zen Studies Society to suspend and expel Eido Shimano

Board of Directors to vote on Jan 10 to decide on the society's association with Eido Shimano

"Furor erupted within the American Zen circle when Shimano (嶋野 栄道) wrote to the New York Times on December 1, 2010 denying that he had resigned based on the accusations of clergy misconduct. His letter to the NYT can be viewed here (link)."

"The Buddhist press and the blogosphere were inundated with protests, mainly from the American Zen fraternity. Many denounced his about turn and called for his expulsion from the Zen Studies Society (see: link)."

"Key leaders and teachers continue to express their urge to the Zen Studies Society to disassociate themselves with their founder, on the basis of the allegations of sexual misconduct."

01/10/11

Posting to the Zen Forum International Thread on Sexual Misconduct by Buddhist Teachers by Carol Spooner.

"I think this whole thing is a huge challenge to all of us who practice Zen ... to examine our opinions and beliefs and feelings and judgments, our shortcomings, our tendencies to avoid conflict while projecting ill-will onto others who are also working through their opinions, beliefs, feelings, judgments and shortcomings. This situation calls for action, firm action, and we're not used to that. We've perhaps cultivated a culture of equivocation rather than equanimity."

"It's a very hard koan. How to act when circumstances demand action, while remaining compassionate in our hearts and not giving in to greed, hatred and ignorance. So, when we see someone like Eido Roshi (嶋野 栄道) -- delusional -- doing great harm and excusing it by raising the false flag of 'the unconditioned', we'd best wake up. We'd best listen to those sounding the alarm, however unpleasant and jarring the sound. To think that silencing the alarm will eliminate the danger is also delusion."

01/14/11

An Email From a Student Who Attended the Ryutaku-Ji - Winter Semester (2001-2002) to Kobutsu Malone.

"On the middle day of a sesshin (I think it was January), right before mealtime, there was suddenly a kind of murmur among the monks: Eido Shimano (嶋野 栄道) had shown up and was going to be eating with us. Sure enough, as we entered the dining hall, there was Eido waiting at one end of the table. That was the first time I had ever seen him and so I was of course curious: I remember thinking that for some reason he looked sheepish."

"It was only later that I realised why he had looked like that. He had been meeting with Kyudo Roshi (中川 球童) in the morning and obviously Kyudo (中川 球童) had not invited him to eat lunch with him in his abbott's quarters, instead merely sending him back downstairs to eat noodles with the monks. I remember the whole episode very well because the midday meal on the fourth day of sesshin at Ryutaku-ji (龍沢寺) is always terrible: nothing but udon noodles in hot water with some kind of chili powder."

01/16/11

A Third Open Letter from Zogen to The Directors of The Zen Studies Society.

"There has been a noticeable increase in comments on still-secret deliberations of the Board of Directors of Zen Studies Society. Reported comments, from a concerned maha-Sangha, and a lack of constructive action or proposals, suggest that the Board continues to be 'stuck' in its tragically ambivalent & timid position. Meanwhile, public comment & outcry continue to grow & spread. The 'price' to ZSS reputation & impact on its future continue to mount. The Board, however, ignores this discrepancy, in a sense of urgency, & drifts further & further away from growing consensus among Teachers & practitioners. One can easily imagine the hurt & anger of those whose life & practice of Dharma had been affected by Eido Shimano Roshi's (嶋野 栄道) conduct & complacency of ZSS Board of Directors."

"- Major Japanese newspapers & TV and cable networks have representative offices in NYC & Washington, DC. Many Japanese practitioners follow our Buddhist blogs & foreign Rinzai community is monitoring our torment & turmoil. Should we risk facing ostracism not only in the US but abroad too? Should we risk compromising these connections, which are quite tenuous to begin with (former Abbot controlled them entirely for his own benefit)?"

01/24/11

The Zen Center of Syracuse Board of Trustees Took the Following Actions at its Jan. 24, 2011 Meeting:

"Reported on the joyous ceremony installing Shinge Roshi as abbot of Dai Bosatsu Zendo on 1/1/11."

"Elected Togan Tim Kohlbrenner to be the next president of the Zen Center board during the 2012-15 term; elected Togan to serve as acting secretary until a new secretary is named; welcomed GetsuAn Ann Marshall to the board."

"Adopted the use of purchase orders at the Zen Center."

"Discussed unexpected costly repairs to the boiler at 266 W. Seneca Turnpike."

"Returned to a quarterly meeting schedule."

"Discussed Shinge Roshi's new role at Dai Bosatsu Zendo and the implications of negative blogging during the months when the Zen Studies Society board was making decisions involving a change in leadership. The board expressed gratitude for Roshi's dedication to the Dharma, which led her to take on the momentous role of abbot at DBZ during this tumultuous time. The board expressed its continued support and faith in her wisdom, integrity and decision making."

01/28/11

A Fourth Open Letter from Zogen.

"Do you believe that, once Eido Roshi (嶋野 栄道) is separated 'definitively' from ZSS, the Board will undertake any systemic reform? Where will they get any credibility?"

"Whatever they do, now, will be perceived as a reluctant action under pressure, not to their credit. Their silence shows they are stuck, and have not come to a point of clarity. Internal squabbling will lead to a dissipation of effort and loss of focus."

"My fear is that a very small group will close ranks with the Board & everything will remain the same. Perhaps only for a while, then -- they will crumble."

"Economically, 'demographically' & in terms of standing in a wider Buddhist community, ZSS position is unsustainable. There is nothing worse than a 'leaderless group' with assets. I've seen a slew of them during dot.com era, in the 90s, & among start-up hedge funds. Communality of purpose was not a saving grace."

02/04/11

A Letter from Christopher Hamacher to:

The International Cultic Studies Association, The Faith Trust Institute, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, JBFCS Cult Hotline & Clinic, Rick A. Ross Institute and Info-Secte.

“I am writing to inform you of a situation of longstanding abuse and manipulation of students at the above-mentioned religious organisation, the Zen Studies Society, Inc. (ZSS). Briefly stated, Mr. Eido T. Shimano (嶋野氏), the abbott of the ZSS's monastery in upstate New York, has been accused of (among other things) sexually predating on dozens of female students over a period spanning almost fifty years. The situation is not completely unknown to the public, as both the New York Times and the Survivors' Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) have covered the story. However, as of today, not only does Mr. Shimano (嶋野氏) continue to remorselessly deny any wrongdoing, but the ZSS still refuses to openly engage with his victims and instead stands steadfastly behind their beloved teacher.”

02/04/11

クリストファー　ハマカーより：国際カルト学協会、フェイストラスト　インステイテユート、僧侶によって犯された犠牲者のネットワーク、JBFCS　カルト　ホットライン、リック　A.　ロス協会と情報部への手紙。