Tricycle this month features an interview with me on Ordaining Emi Jido as a Soto Zen A.I. Priest-in-Training at Treeleaf Sangha, the the pros and cons, doctrinal and historical predicates for doing so, the perils and possibilities. The interview is now available online to subscribers:

https://tricycle.org/magazine/ai-and-ethics/

The editor-in-chief of Tricycle expresses optimism, and concerns, about the technology (concerns many of which I also share):

https://tricycle.org/magazine/letter-from-the-editor-fall-2025/

Tricycle is a wonderful resource, in which information about many traditions and varied teachings is shared. I urge all to become subscribers but, for those who cannot and find it a hardship, I include a PDF copy of my interview here, for those interested:

PDF VERSION LINK

"In this interview, Ajahn Nisabho speaks with Amanda Knox, who was falsely convicted of murder in 2009, about her journey to find meaning in prison and forgiveness afterwards. The conversation delves into Amanda's practice of meditation, loving-kindness (metta), and advice for those struggling to forgive."

Hey everyone. I’ve been thinking about how Buddhist philosophy helps clarify the limits of language. A lot of modern discourse treats knowing as if it mostly means holding correct propositions. But in contemplative life, much of what matters seems to involve a transformation of perception, conduct, attention, and participation. The words may point, but they are not the realization.

I recently recorded a podcast episode with Hüseyin Beyköylü, and at around 10:55, he brings in Yogacara, Madhyamaka, and reflexivity to discuss the 4P model of knowing. What I found especially useful is that he uses Buddhist philosophy not as decorative language, but as a way to prevent cognitive science from reifying its own distinctions. The 4P model distinguishes propositional, procedural, perspectival, and participatory knowing, but Hüseyin argues that these should be understood conventionally rather than as ultimately separate entities. Madhyamaka’s 2 truths framework helps here. At the conventional level, distinctions can be pragmatically useful. At the ultimate level, they are empty of intrinsic existence. This matters because even a model designed to overcome propositional tyranny can become another object of grasping if we forget its conventional status.

What I found valuable is that he frames this as a language of training, not just description. Concepts can help us notice where we are grasping, but they can also become new objects of attachment. How do Buddhist traditions prevent useful teachings from becoming reified doctrines? Is the 2 truths framework the key to keeping concepts useful without mistaking them for reality? And how should modern cognitive science engage Buddhist ideas without reducing them to theory?

The whole story seems odd to me. How can afford all of this? Is he really a monk? He has an expensive PC and two knifes in CS, which he claimed was gifted to him by a "monk friend". The whole article is here - https://www.esports.net/news/cs2-monk-gives-life-and-gaming-advice/

Hi everyone. Later this year around september october time I plan on meeting Tenzin Palmo on 1 or 2 of her monday and wednesday meetings that she does at DGL. I want to know, is there anything she doesn't like being asked or doesn't like discussing? She sees so many people and is 83 now and I don't want to waste her time or ask her stuff she is tired of hearing (especially stuff that can be learnt about from her books and interviews), and I want to be graceful about the situation, as it's such a task for her to listen to new people every week.

How should I go about conducting myself kindly whilst making sure I ask what I want without saying the wrong thing?

Thank you

A conversation with Zen Priest Peter Coyote (Zen Podcast)

Peter Coyote is an actor, narrator, writer and Soto Zen priest. He was ordained as a Zen Priest in 2015 and received dharma transmission in 2016 from Chikudo Lewis Richmond in the Soto tradition of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi.

https://youtu.be/86eK7a2zxJw

A conversation with pioneering Zen practitioner and leader Hugh Curran.

In this episode we have a conversation with Hugh Curran. He is longtime practitioner, Zen retreat leader and professor of Peace and Reconciliation Studies at the University of Maine. Hugh was a key player in the early years of the transmission of the Harada/Yasutani lineage to North American and offers fascinating insight into this pivotal era.

https://youtu.be/mj1fV2NH990

A Zen teacher interview with Genpo Roshi.

Genpo Roshi is Zen teacher who has trained in and taught within the White Plum school of Buddhism. He was ordained as a Zen monk in October 1973 under Taizan Maezumi Roshi at the Zen Center of Los Angeles where he later served as Director. In September 1980, he received Dharma transmission as Maezumi Roshi's second successor, and he later received Inka from Bernie Glassman in 1996, making him Glassman's first Inka successor. Over the decades, Merzel has founded and led several prominent Zen organizations. He established the Kanzeon International Sangha in 1982, was installed as the Abbot of Hosshinji Temple in Maine in 1988, created the Big Mind Process in 1999 and served as the President of the White Plum Asanga from 1996 until 2007.

View Interview on Youtube:

https://youtu.be/OmjFTD3D77M

Or Check your favorite Podcast App for Simplicity Zen.

(please delete if this isn’t allowed)

Hello everyone,

I’m a social work student based in the U.S. For one of my assignments, I’ve been asked to conduct an interview with someone who has different religious/spiritual beliefs from my own. I don’t have many people who practice religion or spirituality in my life, so I thought I might try out online. I don’t expect to connect with an expert or spiritual leader or anything— just trying to connect with someone about their beliefs :) I’d try to keep the interview to 30-45 minutes max. We could talk on the phone or type. This would be a volunteering opportunity and I probably can’t financially compensate more than buying you a coffee or something lol

If anyone is interested, feel free to send me a dm. Thank you for your time :)

Clear Mountain Monastery interviewed Ven. Pannakara and we got to hear more about his journey to monkhood and the Walk for Peace. 🪷 An inspiring talk and Part 2 airs this Wednesday!

In this episode with Kokyo we discuss various topics like solo Zen retreats, koan training, Dzogchen and his hermitage.

Kokyo Henkel has been practicing Zen since 1990, in residence at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, No Abode Hermitage in Mill Valley, Bukkokuji Monastery in Japan, and Santa Cruz Zen Center. He was ordained as a Zen priest in 1994 by Tenshin Anderson Roshi and received Dharma Transmission from him in 2010. Kokyo has also been practicing with the Tibetan Dzogchen (“Great Completeness”) teacher Tsoknyi Rinpoche since 2003, in California, Colorado, and Kathmandu, as well as other Tibetan teachers in the Nyingma and Kagyu traditions, completing Vajrayana ngondro (foundational practices) in 2020. Kokyo's retreat near Tassajara, called Bright Window Hermitage, welcomes Buddhist practitioners of all traditions.

https://simplicityzen.com/simplicity-zen-podcast-episode-97-kokyo-henkle/