Barre Center for Buddhist Studies

Project Description,  Mike Easterling

I am a minister in a midtown Manhattan American Baptist Church. The church would be considered very liberal theologically and the congregation is very diverse. We teach the sacredness of all cultures and we attempt to honor other religions as we desire to be honored.

In 1992 I spent time at Green Gulch Farm in the San Francisco Bay area as a part of my sabbatical.

Green Gulch is operated by the San Francisco Zen Community. While there I was exposed to the teachings of Shunryu Suzuki. Since then I have re-read Zen Mind Beginners Mind several times and also read other Buddhist writings with some consistency.

I have also attempted to practice Zen and to integrate it with the Christianity which has been so much a part of my life. Intentional silence, contemplation and study are very much a part of my daily life.

I have been strongly influenced by Christian mystics and monastic traditions through the years have spent time in many silent retreats.

While staying at the Center for Buddhist Studies I desire to read early Mahayana Buddhist writings and trace how they ultimately made their way into American culture. I will need guidance in regard to the selection of texts.

I also want to spend time in meditation and would welcome guidance with this too.

I consider myself a novice in regard to both Buddhist scholarship and practice.