Tonight I played guitar before a gathering for Brother David who is at Upaya this weekend. I read his bio late last night and was surprised to read that he will be 80 years old in 2006. Here is a little quote from the bio:
After twelve years of monastic training and studies in philosophy and theology, Brother David was sent by his abbot to participate in Buddhist-Christian dialogue, for which he received Vatican approval in 1967. His Zen teachers were Hakkuun Yasutani Roshi, Soen Nakagawa Roshi, Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, and Eido Shimano Roshi. He co-founded the Center for Spiritual Studies in 1968 and received the 1975 Martin Buber Award for his achievements in building bridges between religious traditions.
He still has a little bit of that lovely Austrian accent after 50 years and reminded us of a nice word in the German language: Feierabend. The end of work for the day is Feierabend, and it means to celebrate the evening.
It is always nice to play the guitar unamplified and for unsuspecting people.
So you had the chance to talk with him? That sounds like some interesting conversations one could have with him both deriving out of his studies as well as his internationality.
Oh, and unamplified guitar / unsuspected people: how could we ever become part of them?! ;)
“celebrate the evening”, that is a beautiful expression.
Boris and I are the most unsuspecting people I know of. I bet the membership cards are in the mail.