Meeting Myozan Ian Kilroy: Author of Do Not Try to Become a Buddha

Do Not Try to Become a Buddha is a collection of short essays. Irish Soto Zen priest Myozan Ian Kilroy describes how he came to practice Zen, introduces some basics of Zen philosophy, and recalls the challenges of establishing a Zen Buddhist community in Catholic-dominated Ireland.

A former journalist, Rev. Myozan’s clear yet entertaining storytelling style paints a clear picture of how Zen has adapted to the culture and traditions of Ireland. Rev. Myozan describes how he came to practice Zen, introduces the basics of Zen philosophy, and recalls the challenges of establishing a Zen Buddhist community in Catholic-dominated Ireland. He also explores the rituals and practices that Zen brings to everyday life, from holidays to weddings to birth ceremonies to funerals.

Dana and Claire Parsons, Tattooed Buddha columnist and blogger at Brilliant Legal Mind, sit down and chat with Rev. Myozan about rituals and teachings, his history of working as a journalist, his current job for the last 16 years at the school of media at the Technological University Dublin. He has represented Buddhism on national radio and television, in advisory panels for the Taoiseach (Ireland’s prime minister), and in the National Day of Commemoration in Ireland, which remembers all Irish people who have died in past wars.

We talk about the current state in global politics and how Zen fits into that, and into every day life.

Do Not Try to Become a Buddha

Rev. Myozan’s YouTube Channel

zenbuddhism.ie

Photo: School of Media

Podcast editing: Hallie Gornall

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