Big Mind, Big Money, Big Scam

[BuddhaSoup]

"5-day Big Heart Circle with Roshi (?) Genpo

This event is now only $8000 if you sign up on or before January 4th. After January 4th the cost goes up to $12,000.

This Big Heart Retreat will allow each participant to clarify their lives and work through deeply rooted barriers and untie knots that may be adversely affecting you for years or even since childhood. These unhealthy and painful patterns have a way of showing up in relationships and in the workplace."

[Mr. G]

See this thread: Dennis Genpo Merzel disrobes as a Zen priest

[BuddhaSoup]

See this thread: Dennis Genpo Merzel disrobes as a Zen priest

Yes, thanks for the cite to the thread.

I'm just amazed that Genpo stills markets himself as Roshi, and a Zen Master, and peddles these Big Mind events for the many thousands of dollars that he charges. I suppose that if he has the grapes to charge $12,000 for a five day seminar, there are enough confused and hurting people willing to drop these amounts to spend time talking to their "disowned selves."

Genpo has greedily monetized the Dharma, wrapped it in Hal and Sidra psychoanalysis, and sugar coated it with the idea that anyone willing to drop $12K can fast track themselves into Nirvana.

Phooey.

[Malcolm]

I'm just amazed that Genpo stills markets himself as Roshi, and a Zen Master.

He's got bills, like everyone else.

[Mr. G]

I'm just amazed that Genpo stills markets himself as Roshi, and a Zen Master.

He's got bills, like everyone else.

Yes, how else is he going to afford his Harley Davidson:

[BuddhaSoup]

I'm just amazed that Genpo stills markets himself as Roshi, and a Zen Master.

He's got bills, like everyone else.

Yes, how else is he going to afford his Harley Davidson:

Richard Baker Redux...

"Besides the personal power of his position Baker lived with paid travel, an abundance of high-priced worldly goods, a number of well-appointed residences, a steady supply of household help and assistants, sex with his students and access to high profile friends."

[Astus]

I can't totally disagree with charging money for such sessions. In China (any practically everywhere else) monks had to go to kings, princes and officials to get appropriate support for entire monasteries and such. Today that is not the situation, but things still cost money. In the old times religious things were covered by the taxes paid to the state or directly to the church. In many countries today that is not even an option, or only a couple of locally important churches (Catholic, Kalvinist, Lutheran, Paroslav, etc.) recieve such money from the state. Another historical example, Genpo roshi may have a Harley, in the old times (and in traditional countries) they have silk-brocade robes, golden statues, etc. It is a big illusion to believe that Buddhist organisations can miraculously function without material wealth, and with wealth comes corruption and other such things.

[Jikan]

Is there anything new to discuss here that has not been covered elsewhere?

If so, please PM me to re-open the thread. If not, this thread is done.