What? Information. Inspiration. Encouragement. Please sit down and take a look around.

Why? Jade Mountains is at heart an expression of gratitude to all those who read, leave comments and provide support by offering dana, friendship, hospitality, guidance, encouragement not to mention valued web expertise. Without you I'd not be here.

Who? I'm a female disciple and Dharma Heir of the late Rev. Master Jiyu-Kennett having been ordained by her in 1981 at Shasta Abbey California. In 2000 I was named a Master. Since 1996 I've served as the international O.B.C. Lay Ministry Adviser, a responsibility which has me regularly traveling back and forth between North America and Europe. Soto Zen within the O.B.C. is the only Buddhist practice I know about first hand and thus I concentrate on speaking about that. In doing so I'm not attempting to persuade or convert anyone to this particular practice.

Teachings: Jade Mountains contains, and points to, various sources of Buddhist teachings. Some blog posts may be labeled as Teachings to make locating them easier. However, one should not assume that teachings are limited solely to that category since they may often occur in more subtle forms in other posts. Those interested in the O.B.C Zen tradition may choose to order books by monks of the order including our founder Rev. Master Jiyu-Kennet. Many additional audio Dharma talks, printed teachings, and articles are available though the O.B.C. Resources index.

Web-log Journey - Thus far: Since 2003 I've maintained a website on the Internet, originally called Jade Mountain Buddha Hall. Some of the original content is still here. In April 2005 I traveled in South East Asia for three months and experimented with writing a web-log called Moving Mountains. My intention at that time was to share the sights and sounds of my journey with fellow monastics and lay friends. In April 2008 after three years of maintaining two web sites, the content of Moving Mountains was transferred to this new-look Jade Mountains.

Here’s a selection of postings.

To Fellow Monastics: I'm grateful you have read this far down the page. I welcome your input either left here as a comment or via e-mail, letter, telephone or in person. Please have compassion for what is still an experiment and an adventure.

The Logo: The ship and three drums, up there on the banner, is a religious symbol and registered logo of the O.B.C. and its affiliated temples. It is based on the Chinese character shin, which means Heart/Mind/Buddha Nature.

Disclaimer: The views/ideas/teachings expressed here do not necessarily represent those of the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives as a whole.