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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 31
What can Buddhism contribute
to Artificial Intelligence?
By Rev Jundo Cohen
Jundo Cohen is a Soto Zen and it has remained so even today,
teacher and founder of the all- some 40 years later.
digital Treeleaf Zendo. Born
in the United States, he lives in The practice of Soto Zen Buddhism,
Japan. He is the author of The and Shikantaza ‘Just Sitting’ Zazen
Zen Master’s Dance: A Guide to which we undertake each day, is a
Understanding Dogen and Who powerful medicine for our human
need to judge, rate, worry, feel
You Are in the Universe (October,
lack that demands filling, regret or
2020), as well as Building the longing for yesterday, to plan for or
Future Buddha: The Zen of AI, fear tomorrow. As human beings,
Genes, Saving the World, and each morning, we get out of bed
Travel to the Stars (January, with a head filled with thoughts
2024). Treeleaf serves those who and opinions, and a divided view
cannot easily commute to a Zen Benny: Can you share how of the world which cuts everything
center due to health concerns; you first became interested in into pieces, “me” who is not “you,”
age or disability; living in remote Buddhism, and specifically why this and that, good and bad, up and
areas; or work, childcare, or Zen Buddhism? down, sickness and health, even
family needs; and provides zazen birth and death.
Jundo: I was a lawyer. As a young
sittings, retreats, discussion,
man, in a tough law school, I was However, Zen practice provides
interaction with a teacher, and living the very opposite of the
all other activities of a Zen Buddhist teachings. Everything was insight and experience of another
way to know the world, one in
Buddhist sangha, all fully online about money, achieving and winning, which there is no conflict or
without thought of location or status, arguing and stretching the division, thus no friction, no
distance. Jundo was born and truth for whoever is paying your fee. “me” who is not “you,” offering a
raised in the United States but I was very unhappy, unsure who I wholeness beyond broken pieces,
has lived in Japan for more than was, unhealthy in lifestyle. with no other time, no lack. And all
half his life. He was ordained and the events and apparent changes of
subsequently received Dharma Then, one day, somebody said that life are seen in new ways, like “two
transmission from Master Gudo I should come to a local Zen group, sides of a no sided coin,” in which
Wafu Nishijima. Benny Liow sit and face the wall, put down all even birth and death is not what it
discussed with Jundo about his my achieving, arguing, doubts and seems. Each thing, being and event
interest in Zen Buddhism, the concerns for a time. While sitting, is seen as wholly complete, like its
there was no need to be elsewhere, own shining jewel on a crown of
Treeleaf Zendo, a digital Zen
no goal left unaccomplished, life, even the tragic and difficult
community he founded, and the nobody else to be, nothing more to times of sickness and loss. There is
role of AI in shaping the future of win. The sense and power of sitting a Goodness and Beauty somehow
Buddhism in the modern world. Zazen was instantly obvious to me, which holds all the small good and
