Volume 51. May 15, 2024
My friends, we have reached a poignant moment. This moment marks the end of the Buddhist Studies Certificate Program at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Waukesha.
What started in India in 500 BC, what spread across Asia for millennia, what ended in Tibet in 1959, will continue after we are gone. Buddhism, like love, is eternal. But the Buddhist Studies Program at our school ends here and now.
Like most things in life, I look on it as a koan. It’s a problem that can’t be solved through rational thinking.
In twelve months, our campus will close. These buildings and hallways and classrooms will become a ghost town.
Twenty years of teaching has truly been a labor of love.
At this poignant moment, I recall the words of the Japanese Zen Master Ryokan (d.1831).
I’m so aware that it’s all unreal.
One by one, the things of this world pass on.
But why do I still grieve?
We can take solace in Buddhist truth: All things are impermanent. All things are without a self.
On a happy note, our friendships will endure. The unexpected blessing of this program was the people we met and the community we built.
I am grateful that together we have done some good in the world.
Where do we go from here? I have no idea.
But did you know that the middle word in Life is If ?
The world is open to new possibilities. When one evening draws to a close, there is always a new day. Be open to new horizons.
Yet, if we have to put an epitaph on the Buddhist Studies Program, let that epitaph be this epitaph:
HERE WE LEARNED THAT LEARNING IS IGNORANCE.
My friends, if you hope to reach enlightenment by taking classes, you will never succeed. If you hope to reach the goal by digesting concepts, you will only get indigestion.
Book-learning, academic classes, canonical teachings are merely remedies for temporary needs. They have no lasting value.
The True Dharma is simple. In Buddhism, we put all mental activity to rest and thus achieve tranquility, unity, oneness.
Learning is ignorance. Observe things as they are, with no judgement. Be mindful of the present moment, every moment.
Then you will achieve what the Buddha achieved in his Great Awakening.
Adoration to the big, blank mind of the Buddha!
The Buddha Times 
I’m sad to hear a space for this teaching is disappearing. My hope is that these teachings will continue somehow. I have yet to “LEARN” THAT LEARNING IS IGNORANCE”, as you say. So please keep teaching, Master!
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Mike, This blows!! Have you attempted to reach out to UWM religious studies or philosophy department? I don’t know where their budget is at, but if you could offer a course there, the certificate program could potentially be resurrected.
On the other hand, higher education seems to be in some sort of radical change, for example, coach’s university closing. The CSU just made a budgetary freeze on all travel, sure sign of trouble!
But at the same time, 22% of Americans define themselves as spiritual, but not religious ( https://www.pewresearch.org/search/Spiritual) Like Suzuki said, something’s happening here in America. There is a hunger, and 12 step programs are feeding some of that hunger- but not all of it. [ Richard Rohr makes the observation that America’s biggest donation to the world’s wisdom traditions is the 12 step programs, a spiritual program that has all the markings of a religion but lacks much of the negative baggage.]
Lilly and Johnny are perfect examples of these seekers- two well-educated, Catholics who might go to Xmas mass and Easter at most, but who both make some sort of effort at prayer/meditation, albeit haphazardly unguided and uninformed.
I would hate the market economy to somehow capture that persistent interest in mystery. then again, it would’ve captured it by now if it could have.
Ps I missed the wry laugh at the end of your post, but I haven’t heard the audio version so maybe you’ll provide one ha ha ha!! Love you my brother, Jim
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With every death comes a resurrection!
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