After I posted my "April Fools" this year about our Sangha's "Jizo 1" rocket program ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ing-into-Space
... one of our members (thanks, Neil!) dug up this old one from 10 years ago, about what a Zen teacher needs to do to really promote him/herself in the west, to get out there and SELL THAT SANGHA! The art of Maha-Marketing!
Frankly, I think it is still as true as true can be. I need a funny hat, a shoji screen, a cute kid and a cat in my videos.
I recommend this to all, let it be a lesson to you.
The only difference from back then is that Tricycle now publishes my foolish musings (look for me to be featured this upcoming May and June! ), and I have a real Zen book out with Wisdom Publications! So, I am now part of the mainstream Zen media literati too!
However, I'm sure not magazine cover material, and I still don't have an actual endorsement from the Dalai Lama.
Nor a tattoo.
Gassho, Jundo
STLah