The Jizo Chronicles Project: What’s this about?

“Beings are numberless, I vow to save them.”

An impossible vow that lots of people chant each day, knowing there is no chance in hell of ever fulfilling it. Why do we do this? What does it look like to even attempt to keep this vow in these times of globalized fear, greed, aggression, and delusion?

The Jizo Chronicles aspires to be a place to explore these questions, share stories, and keep a joyful heart and good sense of humor all at the same time. If indeed there is no separate ‘self,’ then we certainly shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously.

I hope that some of the people I’ve met along my own path as an ‘engaged Buddhist’ (which Robert Aitken Roshi would probably say is a redundant phrase) will join on the way to offer their reflections as well. And while this blog will focus on Buddhism, it will at times also bring in voices from other “spiritual activist” traditions.

I hope that the writing here will provoke and inspire you. As the years go on,  I find that I’m no longer so sure about things I was certain about before. The practice of “being with not knowing” gets  more important, and labels like “liberal” and “conservative” become less meaningful. This blog is an experiment in socially engaged Buddhism beyond labels, or at least that’s the intention.

This won’t be a theoretical exercise only; we’ll pass along events and actions you may want to consider joining. And please check out the websites and blogs on the right side of the page.  Good work is happening everywhere–please support these folks.