Zen in Africa – News about Massocki

Some of you may remember ‘Max’, Candide Massocki, in Liverpool.  He is now back in Cameroon and has set up the Pan African Institute of Zen Buddhism (PAIZB).  Sensei has just shared news about Massocki with teachers from the White Plum Asanga in the piece below.  SWZ has already supported him with a donation, and maybe you would like to add your support.  To find out more click on the web link to PAIZB.

Massocki

Dear Folks, 

I am writing to you about Candide Shishin Massocki. He is a Cameroonian national who trained with me and the StoneWater Zen Sangha (SWZ) in Liverpool, UK. 

About a year ago, coincidentally on the night before he was to start sesshin and to receive Jukai, he was picked up by the police and eventually deported. Unknown to us he was in the UK without the right papers.  I gave him Jukai by proxy and the Dharma name Shishin (Lion Heart).  Since returning to Cameroon he has founded  Awakening an organisation to encourage Africans not to become economic migrants (Awakening offers business start up advice etc.) and the Pan African Institute of Zen Buddhism (PAIZB).  

Massocki is a born leader and not short on vision!  When he came to me he already had a natural and surprisingly deep understanding of our tradition essentially developed through his own insight and reading.  He has written a book 360 degrees Engaged Buddhism outlining both his experience as an illegal immigrant in UK and his understanding of the Zen tradition. It is in English, his third language, and is a fascinating perspective given his cultural roots. The book can be ordered through the PAIZB web site, see address below together with an edited mission statement.

Shishin badly needs funds (we have helped as much as one sangha can).  If you can help do get in touch with him, details on web site.  To my knowledge Buddhism is very poorly represented across the whole of the African continent and perhaps you will consider the PAIZB a project worthy of support.

Kind regards, 

Dave Keizan Scott, SWZ 

 http://paizb.org/

 The main aim of Pan-Africanism is the unity of all Africans, their empowerment and their liberation from all forms of suffering. ……………. Unless Africans and their political leaders deeply understand the origin of human suffering and the way to put an end to it as the Buddha taught, Pan-Africanism will not be achieved.