I didn’t know much about Tendai Buddhism until reading about it in Frans Stiene’s wonderful book “The Japanese Art of Reiki,” after which I started researching about it and also Mikkyo (Esoteric Buddhism or Tantric Zen). That is how I found the Tendai Buddhist Institute in NY, and started attending their weekly online services led by the Temple’s head, Rev. Monshin Paul Naamon.

Not only a scholar (he is retired as Interdisciplinary Professor at Bard College at Simon’s Rock in Asian Studies and Human Biology) and a Tendai Buddhist Priest and Secretary General of the Japanese Tendai Buddhism in North America, Monshin Sensei is a very charisamatic character with a great sense of humour, and I am so deeply grateful for the time he took to speak to me about his life and work.

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

Here are a few topics we covered:

· Difference between Tendai and Zen Buddhism

· Monshin’s personal journey from Judaism to Zen and Tendai

· Ecounter with his sensei, introduction to Tantric Zen (Esoteric) Buddhism – Mikkyo

· Physical training on Mount Hiei

If you are interested in learning more and perhaps joining one of the weekly services, check out the website at: http://www.tendai.org/

You are also welcome to check out my interview with Frans Stiene on Episode 1 of Kazane Sound of the Wind, and more of my work at www.gasshocenter.com

Gassho