'I wanted a faith that was deeper': Jesuit priest and Zen master
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Jesuit Fr. Robert E. Kennedy is an American Catholic priest and a Zen master (roshi). "I have never felt that I was a Buddhist. I have always felt that I am Catholic and a Jesuit," Kennedy tells Tom Fox. "But I wanted a faith that was deeper, that was rooted in my experience, that was not a theory that could be blown away with a change in culture." He explains: "Christianity is not a triumphal march to the Kingdom." It is an emptying of self. "This profound teaching of Christian life is very close to Buddhism. Buddhism tries to empty ourselves of a false identity and to come to the world as naked and as crucified as Christ was."
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Episode 1: Come at life fresh, moment by moment (27 min.)
"I was talking with a Chinese Zen master once and he said one of the difficulties of dealing with Catholics is that they love their spiritualities ... as if it was a parallel life," Kennedy tells Tom Fox. Buddhists root us in this moment, he said. "Buddhists would say, 'If God isn't present in this moment, where is he? You meet God in doing the deed of this moment in front of you. Never withdraw from it.' "
Episode 2: Helping a person take another step (24 min.)
When Kennedy went to study with a Japanese Zen master, the Buddhist told him: " 'I do not want to make you a Buddhist. I want to empty you in imitation of your Lord Jesus Christ who emptied himself and poured himself out.' This is at the heart of what it means to be Catholic. To follow Christ is to empty ourselves." He continues: "I remember thinking then, 'This Buddhist might make a Christian of me yet.' It was so profoundly Christian and beautiful."
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Ordained a priest in Japan in 1965, Jesuit Fr. Robert E. Kennedy was installed as a Zen teacher in 1991 and was given the title Roshi in 1997. Kennedy studied Zen with Yamada Roshi in Japan, Maezumi Roshi in Los Angeles and Bernard Glassman Roshi in New York. He teaches in the theology department of Saint Peter's College in Jersey City, N.J. In addition to his work at the college, he is a practicing psychotherapist. He is the author of two books, Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit and Zen Gifts to Christians.
Very good job! I hope that
Very good job! I hope that Roshi Kennedy will come to Poland soon. Thank you for this interview!
Jacek Prusak SJ
It is curious that I found
It is curious that I found these pod casts after getting an email from John Dear, S.J., another New York Province Jesuit. In John's email he gave me some suggestions toward prayer that sound like the suggestions of Fr. Kennedy.
Living in Louisiana, not too far from the area in La that was hit by Hurricane Katrina, I would hope to meet with Father Kennedy in the future.
I have come to the belief that Jesus may not have been God but that since Constantine got control of the Eastern as well as the Roman Jesus movements, it was necessary for Jesus to be seen as someone who had the authority to break civil laws.
I could use a deeper spirituality and a shallower religiousity.
Peace!
Rey
Jesus Died because he couldn't use violence in his defense.
I do you check back in to
I do you check back in to this page, because God and the Jesuits routinely send Father Kennedy to Grand Coteau to present Zen retreats at the Jesuit Spirituality Center. The next one will likely be in early 2008. You can check jesuitspiritualitycenter.org. I find the place peaceful enough with all my Texan anxieties - the Zen retreat under the eyes of Father Kennedy gets rave reviews from those able to get past the Buddhist/Christian hurdle.
I attended a retreat on Long
I attended a retreat on Long Island with Kennedy Roshi about ten years ago. That weekend continues to feed me. I'd like to share an experience I had there, but with another master who was not a priest. I went in for a personal interview. I sat beside him in silence until I began to cry. I cried for about five minutes. He smiled and blessed me. I left. Those were moments radiant with compassion and trust. I have not had another like it.
"I have come to the belief
"I have come to the belief that Jesus may not have been God but that since Constantine got control of the Eastern as well as the Roman Jesus movements, it was necessary for Jesus to be seen as someone who had the authority to break civil laws."
Don't forget that there are a variety of ways to view the divinity of Jesus. If you can get your hands on a copy of Jesuit Roger Haight's "Jesus: Symbol of God," I think it'll provide you with a lot of food for thought.
Thank you Tom Fox for yet
Thank you Tom Fox for yet another fine podcast. Just when I think I have it all, there seems to be more.
Thanks for the interviews.
Thanks for the interviews. I am grateful to Fr. Kennedy for having written his two books about Christianity and Zen. I have read them and they continue to help me. In real life I am a 61 year old, gay, Catholic, Camaldolese/Benedictine oblate, male, in recovery from I.V. drug addiction and alcoholism plus I have been infected with the AIDS virus for 20 years.
From the Hasidim I learned that God's glory can only come into the world where women and men let it in. From Buddhism and especially from Zen I have learned that God's life giving glory comes in the present moment. I have been very lucky for having had the opportunity to go to a Jesuit high school and a Jesuit college (University of San Francisco). Jesuits keep helping me.
Peace,
Michael, San Francisco, CA