Podcast 8 of the Zen Buddhist Podcasthosted by Buddha Zhen of the shaolinZEN.org Cybertemple. Buddha Zhen Shen-Lang, founder of the shaolinZEN.org CyberTemple leads Buddhist Zen lessons to be aired and brodcast over the internet discussing Chinese Chan Buddhism from the Shaolin Zen CyberTemple Sangha. "Thanksgiving Podcast of ShaolinZen.org" Buddha Zhen reads from the Shaolin Zen CyberTemple website, the "DONATIONS" webpage. Buddha Zhen explains how Buddhism has always been a religion of donations and how Zen Buddhism was created by Bodhidharma after meeting the Chinese Emperor. His stories include the formation of Shaolin Zen, the creation of the nonprofit education organization, Tai Chi Youth, his grandmaster, Chiu Chuk Kai, who was the bodyguard of the Vietnamese President during the sixties and seventies, how his son was hunted by a Puma, his Shaolin monk spade, being bitten by a black widow spider and how he lost 55 pounds by attending his own Tai Chi classes at the YMCA. Japanese Zen Buddhists will hopefully, not be offended by Buddha Zhen pointing out that "without exercise, Zen Buddhism has no Zen." Buddha Zhen refers to himself as, "romantically foolish," then details how he has dedicated his life to helping others at the expense of losing his wife and children. "Whatever your life is, you realize there are ways you can think and things you can do to make your life better and to enjoy your life better." Tai Chi Kids programs are currently supported entirely by Buddha Zhen, but he wants to expand into multimedia with his students producing videos and music. Buddha Zhen tells how after being bitten by a black widow spider he gained 55 pounds which he reduced by adding Tai Chi classes at the YMCA and how his kids have not benefited by his wife removing them from the programs when she divorced him. More examples include how he enjoys helping people for free but his collections of jade and Chinese instruments are in storage, previously supported by the NEA National Endowment for the Arts. Buddha Zhen's elementary school programs are remembered with a visit to www.BuddhaKungFu.com Buddha Zhen gives special thanks to the Utah Chinese associations who supported and donated to him in the 1990s. "I just enjoy what I'm doing and realize I'm helping people. Whether I'm getting paid for it or not -- I still enjoy it, I especially enjoy the feeling I get from changing and improving people's lives..." "I want to provide a traditional atmosphere..." begs Buddha Zhen who desires a school location to teach more students and keep youths out of trouble. He includes the story of one of his prison inmate students who credits Buddha Zhen with changing his life into a productive husband. Senior programs may also prolong and improve lives by reducing falling injuries, he explains. "By improving the balance and leg strength...less injuries, less bone breaks..." Podcast Host: Buddha Zhen "Spirit Wolf of Truth" Dharma Online: Shaolin Zen CyberTemple BUDDHISM DHARMA FOR TODAY: "My romantically foolish lifestyle of helping people." Buddha Zhen laughs as he explains the many reasons, despite all his family hardships and not having a car the past 10 years, that he couldn't stop his teaching lifestyle without guilt and regrets. FEATURED DHARMA: "Donate To Shaolin Zen" Author: Buddha Zhen Shen-Lang (private lessons) Read by: Buddha Zhen Published by Shaolin Communications Used by permission of Shaolin Zen Under license from shaolinMUSIC.com INTRO MUSIC: "5th South" (flute music) Composer: The Hippy Coyote Performed by American Zen From the album, Level 2 = Christ Killer by American Zen Produced, Mixed, and Mastered by Richard Del Connor Used by permission of shaolinRECORDS.com Under license from shaolinMUSIC.com ASCAP Download Song: shaolinCOM.com (Flute instrumental song with some cool cowboy background vocals in a few places.) FEATURED SONG of Buddha Zhen's DHARMA AND A SONG: "Just For You" (folk rock) Composer: The Hippy Coyote Performed by American Zen From the album, LEVEL 2 = CHRIST KILLER Produced, Mixed, and Mastered by Richard Del Connor Used by permission of shaolinRECORDS.com Under license from shaolinMUSIC.com ASCAP Download Song: Shaolin Records RECORD STORE (Coyote's plea to his ex-wife to try to keep their marriage together. The song didn't work.) BACKGROUND MUSIC SCORE: "Tai Chi Magic" (flute music) Composer: Buddha Zhen Shen-Lang Performed by Buddha Zhen From the album, Tai Chi Magic 1 by Buddha Zhen Produced, Mixed, and Mastered by Richard Del Connor Used by permission of shaolinRECORDS.com...
