In conclusion

Just finished reading the book "Wind Bell: Teachings from the San Francisco Zen Center ." In conclusion to the entire experience of reading each of the teachings, the entire last chapter from the book is shared in the following lines; it begins with an introduction by Michael Wenger who is the editor of the book. Hope you like it! :)

This confrontation between Abbot Sojun Weitsman and Mitsuzen Lou Hartman took place on January 29, 1997 on the occasion of Sojun stepping down as Abbott of the San Francisco Zen Center. It is a moment in a thirty-year discussion between two practitioners of The Way. Dogen once said life is one continuous mistake. Dear reader, continue on! -M.W.

Mondo (Dharma Dialogue)

Mel Weitsman and Lou Hartman

Summer 1997

MITSUZEN LOU HARTMAN: One third of my life has been spent in this practice and you were my first teacher. I can still remember your original teaching. One morning, I ran into your old house on Dwight Way, waving Daisetz Suzuki's No Mind and saying, "I just have to talk to you about this book!" And you said "I don't have to talk with you about that book. But if you want to go up to the zendo and sit, that's fine with me."

   Well, I didn't realize it at the time, but that was my first step away from the practice "based on intellectual understanding." Now it's twenty-seven years later and not only don't I talk about books anymore; I don't write books anymore, and I don't even read them. So I'll tell you something--your advice was a big mistake. [laughter] So what do you have to say to me now?

SOJUN MEL WEITSMAN [without a pause]: Make the best of a bad mistake.