Diary 1963 - Murshid Sam's Living Stream

Diaries 1963June 3, 1963My dear Della:It is never my intention to write to anybody in particular, but to select somebody who might beinterested or concerned with events. I find that Dr. Radhakrishnan may be here Friday, so I am goingto the World Affairs Council today to see if I can get two tickets. I may try to take a young ladywho is a disciple of Ramdas; otherwise, somebody from Hollywood.I am downtown in L.A. for the moment waiting for a telephone call in regard to the Buddhistorganization work here. So far, it has been very awkward. The official Japanese group was giving apicnic yesterday, and besides, the different Japanese are not on good terms with each other, nor arethe Americans either.Whereas generally the disciples of Hinduism don’t cooperate and the Buddhists do, here it isoften the opposite. Sometime Sundays I go to the Shingon Temple. They were having a ceremonyyesterday, poorly attended, but as I had just come from the Zendo I did not remain.The very nice thing was the Soto Zen temple on South Hewitt St. After very good introductions,I decided to come to the meditation, which was supposed to be from 1-3 in the P.M., but lastedconsiderably less. I found it easy. Bishop Yamada then gave a detailed technique and I was going towrite it up, but they gave me a book and I shall either give it to you or show it to the Sangha. As it isshort, I shall probably have it typed and send the original to Jack Austin of “The Western Buddhist”and add, as a sort of commentary, the sermon and talk given by the Roshi. This may not be doneuntil I return.I have about four American contacts here but they, outside the Soto group, are more, not less,individualistic than the Soto Sangha. It is curious to me, after the defection of my very best friendshere, that I need not look for others. Between the old acquaintances of Paul Reps and the membersof this Sangha, I shall feel very much at home. Although they seem to be younger, in some respects,than your Zendo or the one in New York, this was equal to the best group meeting I have come uponin my whole life. But instead of contributing to them (and I certainly have far less funds than somepeople wish to think) I prefer going over my finances and sending whatever I can to Jack Austin,who acts as a go-between between both the Soto Zen groups among themselves, and the Buddhistgroups generally.Especially with Sensei Suzuki away, the booklet will give you good lesson material.It is raining now and I have to wait in anyhow for a telephone call. I have gotten nowhere inthe question of information concerning Leslie Lowe and Dwight Goddard, which is one of the basicreasons for being here. I should leave Tuesday for India and be back, if possible, by Thursday night.