Diary 1963 - Murshid Sam's Living Stream

Diaries 19631088 Fulton St.San Francisco 17, CalfApril 22, 1963Rev. Jack Austin, Editor“The Western Buddhist”Dear Jack:Memories of a Rice Pounder.Life got too hard so we decided to go back to the neglected profession of rice-pounding. Thiswas taught to me by one Sokei-an Sasaki years ago, but during prosperity and adversity, one tendsto be concerned with self. But while most people have road-blocks, this must-be-different personhas a bottle-neck. And belonging to the bottle-necks instead of the road-blocks makes one more thansuspect. So we began pounding the pavements a la Sasaki, and to use a popular phrase, “Then thefun began.”You see by this method of rice-pounding you find yourself surrounded by a world which wemight call Prajna. It is not the same as the “Prajna” you read of in books, which is translated “wisdom”and which with equal validity might be translated “madness,” “wisdom,” “chicanery,” or“oofle-doofle-ism.” The difference between this Prajna and all the other “prajnas” or pannas is (1) itworks and (2) you lost your ego.Money. There was not any road-block, only a bottle-neck, and as soon as the Prajna steppedin, the shekels followed. I don’t know whether there is any karma or not in it. So we went out andbought some things and were told one must not pay for a whole month at least. This is our “creditsystem.” Then the bank statements came in, and oh-me, oh-my, there was a mistake, and I had moremoney than I thought and went out to spend it, and could not. Oh, yes, I bought things all right, butmust not pay; this would be social revolution or something.a. Must send money order to Japan to “International Institute for the Study of Religions,” soone Jack Austin can get the stuff free.b. Determined to get copy of latest translation called, “Most Excellent Means of Rice-Pounding”or “Sutra of Sixth Patriarch” by one Hui-Neng or Daikan Enō or somebody, translated by Revs.George and Paul Fung (the last shall be first), so bought two copies and then George said, “Will yousend one to Jack Austin?” Already having the copy, will do so you will get it under separate cover.c. The Buddhist Encyclopedia is out, at least First Fascicule. Have you purchased it? Can youget it? If it is available, will reimburse you, and if it is not available will send from here.Note: The above don’t come off income tax returns because now being free, white, and over 65,no income tax.