"Jesuit priest," "Zen master" and "psychotherapist" don't often go together.
But they're more closely related than people realize, says the Rev. Robert E. Kennedy.
The 72-year-old professor of theology and Japanese has devoted his life to interfaith work. Although he does not consider himself a Buddhist, he practices Zen, focusing on attaining enlightenment through meditation, self-contemplation and intuition.
Father Kennedy, who is speaking Friday in Richardson, was ordained in Japan in 1965. He earned the distinguished title of Zen master, or roshi, in 1997, after training with Zen master Koun Yamada.
Father Kennedy teaches at St. Peter's College in Jersey City, N.J. Among his several degrees are doctorates in theology from the University of Ottawa and St. Paul University in Ottawa. He also is a graduate of the Blanton Peale Institute, a school dedicated to spiritual and mental health, in New York City.
Father Kennedy is writing his third book, which he said will expand on his earlier works, Zen Gifts to Christians and Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit. He spoke by telephone with Special Contributor Kendall Anderson. Here are excerpts:
How did your dual interests in Catholicism and Zen Buddhism come about?
I was born to a devout Catholic family, so I grew up in a Catholic world. I went to Japan, and this enlarged my vision tremendously, as I encountered Buddhism through the Jesuits.
There are great truths in all religions. It's not a question of one right and the other wrong. It is a multiplicity of truths.
And psychotherapy?
As a young man I wanted to be a doctor, and becoming a psychotherapist was a way of developing that side of my personality. There were other Jesuits doing clinical psychology, and talking to them inspired me.
What does it mean to study Zen?
To study Zen is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. Once we stop focusing on ourselves, the whole world opens up to us in a new way.
How does being a psychotherapist help you as a priest?
I learned how to listen to what people said and how they said it and how often they said it and with what emotion they said it. It all fits together. It's part of the same mind-set.
How do you reconcile your Christian beliefs with Buddhism?
It's not that we have to accept everything that Buddhism teaches. Zen is a practice, not a belief. It is a practice of attention and mental and physical discipline that people of any faith can benefit from.
Have Catholic leaders ever expressed concern about your being a Zen master?
No. The church has encouraged us to engage in interfaith work. The Jesuit order especially has asked us to not just know what other people believe but, as far as possible, to experience what they experience, to walk in their shoes.
Do you feel compelled to convert non-Christians?
Never, and I've never done it. I feel others might be better positioned to do that.
I feel my business is to learn as much as I can and to live my own Christian life as best I can. If other people are interested in Christianity because of me and ask a question, I can answer it.
My contribution to interfaith work is to acquaint Christians with Buddhism. Often they have no idea at all.
Are Catholicism and Zen compatible?
Yes. Zen and Catholic thought have major differences. Zen and any theistic religion would have major differences. Yet we can practice yoga, for example, and differ intellectually from some of the Buddhist teachings but still benefit enormously.
Has society fully accepted a connection between religion and health?
I think so. I don't know that every priest or rabbi has, but it is established.
Religion is not just a spiritual endeavor, it is also psychosomatic.
Kendall Anderson, a Dallas freelance writer, can be reached at [email protected].
aiyah....
there are so many people in the world with so many views of religions....
but you like to choose the weird ones to highlight the anomalies to criticise Christianity....
and maybe you think you damn 伟大 and doing the world a favour....
i am sure you have other more worthwhile thing to do....
Originally posted by Chin Eng:aiyah....
there are so many people in the world with so many views of religions....
but you like to choose the weird ones to highlight the anomalies to criticise Christianity....
and maybe you think you damn 伟大 and doing the world a favour....
i am sure you have other more worthwhile thing to do....
aiyah, of course choose someone with great and open mind. may be you prefer to listen to someone as shallow as rony tan whom can be found all over the streets.