Hello

Greetings Fellow Travelers,

My name is James, and I am Peace Brother Zen. It's just a nice name I came up with because I am a peace activist, but it means nothing at all.

I am a follower of the Teachings of Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Zen Master who has written many books and teaches throughout the world. Those of us who follow him call him Brother Thay (pronounced "Tie"). I don't know exactly why I have created this blog, but I hope it will be beneficial to others and help someone in some way. I am placing some links herein that are good for those seeking more information about Zen and Buddhism in general.

I also enjoy reading about and studying the life and teachings of Suzuki Roshi. Shunryu Suzuki was a Soto Zen priest who became the first abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center. His books have been a huge inpiration to me. Even though I practice in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, Suzuki Roshi is with me, along with Thay during each of my practice sessions. Suzuki Roshi wrote "Zen Mind, Beginners Mind" and "Not Always So."

I would love to read your thoughts on life, especially as they relate to Zen and Buddhism. We don't all have to practice in the same tradition. The Buddha made a lot of room in His teachings for diversity in the Dharma practice.