There is a topic on ZFI, where somebody asked whether or not Zen practice (and, in particular, Eido Shimano's lineage) constitutes a cult, or a "cultish" practice.
These postings took place in January 2013 - -a couple of years after the Aitken papers on Eido Shimano were released to the public. So, to put things in context, everyone in the discussion is very well aware of the extent of Mr. Shimano's sexual predations and backhanded financial dealings.
You can read the discussion, if you want. There is the link.
In the thread, two of Mr. Shimano's dharma heirs, Genjo Marinello and Denko Mortensen, discuss the idea of "harm" caused to students.
Denko offers something that you often hear when the subject of a "master"'s improprieties is breached. Denko infers that nobody is ever really "hurt":
It is the company line.
The idea expressed is that the "regular people", forever enslaved by our monkey minds, are at fault, for falling under the spell of our wild egoic perceptions. Nobody was actually harmed! Can't anyone see? We masters are the only ones who can see!
To me, that just screams "Cult"
I'm not saying that there isn't a perspective from which Denko's statement is "true".
I'm saying WHO CARES?
Most people don't have the insight that Denko is talking about. Fine.
But does that give a "master" the right to thieve from students, lie to them, molest their wives and daughters, lie about it, and spread false rumor about those who notice?
Hmmmm.... And then portray them as "spiritually immature" if they so much as object to this treatment?
Does this make sense?
No.
That is why you can call these places "cults". They foster an idealized notion of "Zen", built on the foundations of quizzical saying of long-dead Chinese monks. They use this notion to suggest that they, as "masters" exist somehow beyond the realm simple, basic social grace.
Ridiculous, if you think about it, to present such an argument in the face of so many scandals, so many deceptions.
And dangerous, if the idea is held, at all, within a group.
These postings took place in January 2013 - -a couple of years after the Aitken papers on Eido Shimano were released to the public. So, to put things in context, everyone in the discussion is very well aware of the extent of Mr. Shimano's sexual predations and backhanded financial dealings.
You can read the discussion, if you want. There is the link.
In the thread, two of Mr. Shimano's dharma heirs, Genjo Marinello and Denko Mortensen, discuss the idea of "harm" caused to students.
Denko offers something that you often hear when the subject of a "master"'s improprieties is breached. Denko infers that nobody is ever really "hurt":
"Indeed: felt hurt or rejected. But that is not at all the same as actual harm - whatever is said by the 'hurt' person."OK, so here you see it again.
It is the company line.
The idea expressed is that the "regular people", forever enslaved by our monkey minds, are at fault, for falling under the spell of our wild egoic perceptions. Nobody was actually harmed! Can't anyone see? We masters are the only ones who can see!
To me, that just screams "Cult"
I'm not saying that there isn't a perspective from which Denko's statement is "true".
I'm saying WHO CARES?
Most people don't have the insight that Denko is talking about. Fine.
But does that give a "master" the right to thieve from students, lie to them, molest their wives and daughters, lie about it, and spread false rumor about those who notice?
Hmmmm.... And then portray them as "spiritually immature" if they so much as object to this treatment?
Does this make sense?
No.
That is why you can call these places "cults". They foster an idealized notion of "Zen", built on the foundations of quizzical saying of long-dead Chinese monks. They use this notion to suggest that they, as "masters" exist somehow beyond the realm simple, basic social grace.
Ridiculous, if you think about it, to present such an argument in the face of so many scandals, so many deceptions.
And dangerous, if the idea is held, at all, within a group.
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