Writer, Former Global College Dean and Buddhist Monk

Robert in July 2015 in Gros Morne, Newfoundland.

Robert in July 2015 in Gros Morne, Newfoundland.

Robert Glass spent seven years in training at Shasta Abbey, a Soto Zen Buddhist monastery in northern California. He was ordained and transmitted by Roshi Jiyu Kennett, the only woman to establish an American Zen lineage. After returning to lay life and completing his Ph.D. in Comparative Religion, he spent fifteen years traveling the world as Director of Comparative Religion and Culture and Dean of Long Island University’s Global College.

Robert’s academic publications explore different perspectives on awakening, desire, and love in Buddhism. His memoir-in-progress is titled, The Book of Two Loves.

Buddhism recognizes two kinds of love and desire -"Ai" - the love and lust of a teenage (zemma-ai) and the love and compassion of the Buddhas and Ancestors (fuzemma-ai)

THE CHARACTER FOR LOVE AND DESIRE -- “AI” Buddhism recognizes two kinds of love — attached and unattached.

A lay person asked Daizui: “Is it best to love without attachment?” And Daizui replied, “Well yes. But what’s most important is just to love.”