NOTE TO READER | Zen Wisdom

I wish to apologize to anyone who may be offended by some of my answers and opinions, but I do not make apologies for the answers themselves. I said what I believe to be true. I apologize only for the discomfort I may have caused others.

Finally, it has been brought to my attention that a limitation of the English language is currently causing discomfort for some people. The issue stems from the fact that there is no neuter pronoun in the English language that adequately represents both males and females. Until one is invented, “he” and “him” are the accepted pronouns used to render humans in singular form. The editor has tried to eliminate, to the best of his abilities, all such renderings; however, such manipulations of the English language can become cumbersome.

Buddhism sometimes comes under attack for discriminating against females. I cannot speak for everyone in the long lineage of Buddhist teachers. As I said in the introduction, cultures and times are in a constant state of change. Buddhism, in the United States, will become flavored by some of its values. I see this movement toward equality and non-discrimination as being a positive step. It will be an improvement for Buddhism.

Master Sheng-yen
January 1993

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