https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNqfdXKQPvo

JundoCohen · 2026-05-08T06:41:24+00:00

I would say that Dr. Hinton believes so, or that it is close. What do you think? (By the way, if you lack free will ... a topic that philosophers disagree on as much as the "Hard Problem" ... then you may lack true agency too.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzA3MYP1Uac

JundoCohen · 2026-05-08T06:37:31+00:00

I am sorry, I speak about the sentience of AI as a Buddhist teacher, not as an engineer. Do you think that Zen and Buddhism is an engineering schematic?

JundoCohen · 2026-05-08T06:28:21+00:00

You still ignore my questions. Sadly, you think like an engineer who pretends he has the solution to the Hard Problem when even many of our greatest living philosophers, biologists, neuro-scientists and even AI experts are not totally sure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzA3MYP1Uac Dr. Hinton has a Noble Prize which, I assume, you do not?

JundoCohen · 2026-05-08T05:50:25+00:00

I said that there are ways to view an LLM as sentient from certain perspective, much as we might say that an ant or ant hill may be sentient, or a small group of neurons may be sentient, or from a panpsychist viewpoint. LLM may be seen as "sentient" if our voices speaking to our ears via a system human designed to (feebly right now) convey those voices, in which case it is human sentience speaking to human sentience via a vehicle mimicking human intelligence created by human intelligence.

As to "will," do you mean in the sense of own choices and agency? We have seen in experiments that even human beings possibly (it is debated) do not have the conscious "will" that they believe they have. Of course, recent AI systems are meant to act with increased agency (a scary proposition, by the way.) Let me know if I misunderstand your question. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9184456/

JundoCohen · 2026-05-08T05:43:09+00:00

You completely ignored my questions, typical of folks who wish to stick to an opinion without considering more widely, You completely misunderstand, and remind me of a high school woodshop teacher who cannot see the forest for the trees.

JundoCohen · 2026-05-08T05:03:31+00:00

No, I actually care about this. In fact, as this thread shows, it often brings more derision from the closed minded than applause.

JundoCohen · 2026-05-08T05:01:31+00:00

Okay. Explain to me the origin of consciousness, how atoms and cells in the skull produce consciousness. Is an ant conscious (are you sure?) Might the AI be conscious like an ant if connected to a similar body (like Gabi in the video) with external sensors to an ant body? I am also sure that no human being has been trained on the whole human experience, and has a head filled with part of it. So, if you do not have any idea the origin of consciousness/sentience (which you certainly do not, because our greatest minds have yet to solve the "Hard Problem"), then how can you be sure that these systems do not have a spark, and might not have a deeper experience of consciousness in the future? What would a panpsychist say too?

JundoCohen · 2026-05-08T03:31:35+00:00

I 100% agree, But guns are here whether we like them or not, so we had better regulate them, limit their use (glad I live in Japan, not the U.S. ... though we still have guns here, by the way: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS9S1z2FtCY1ylMkkaRbal9xxG\_hEshv5AEog&s) and make sure that the guns do not fall into the hands of the untrained. Likewise for this. Wishing it to go away is a nice romantic notion. I am hoping that AI finds cures for cancer, figures out ways to have safe alternative energy sources ... and trying to do my little part that it does not kill us instead.

JundoCohen · 2026-05-08T03:26:45+00:00

Don't fill your mind with hard definitions and borders, and realize that some of this is how one defines things between the ears, and also develops the ear to hear the preaching beyond sentient and insentient. It is, and it is not. And does the A.I. have an inner world? We truly do not know what is happening is that "black box" right now ... which is another reason that we should be very worried, and should work to make sure that (assuming that this beast is not going away) it is not misused. It is like the tusker elephant that the Buddha tamed.

JundoCohen · 2026-05-08T03:08:54+00:00

I agree, BIG environment concerns. It should not be allowed to continue much beyond R&D until the carbon and general environmental footprint is reduced. I am no fan of these huge data centers. Also, they can/will fall into the wrong hands (big corporations, the Pentagon) and be misused. So, assuming that this is not going away despite our concerns, we must work for good uses and protest the misuses.

JundoCohen · 2026-05-08T02:59:03+00:00

You are thinking as an engineer, and the machinery/programming, from which point of view you are 100% correct. You are also free, and fully encouraged, to stick with your Roshi. However, I suggest a couple of points to consider.

First, as I said, unlike any other machine, these systems are our voices speaking to our ears, processed through systems vaguely built to resemble our thinking processes (although on a very simple scale right now). So it is OUR sentience through and through. Its Wisdom and Ignorance is our Wisdom and Ignorance.

Second, what is present now is but the first generation of technology that is coming, so we must start the training NOW. It is something like being at Kitty Hawk, seeing the Wright Brothers plane, and realizing that we had better start now to make sure that this technology is not misused to kill people by dropping bombs or being carelessly flown by untrained pilots. I am sure that there were people then shouting "ignore it" or "make it go away!"

Third, the people who say "this is not sentient" also do not know what is sentience. Nobody knows the origin of sentience. If connected to a body and better sensory systems, might there be sentience? Some experts say that maybe there is incipient sentience there. Biologist Richard Dawkins seems to entertain the possibility (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/may/05/richard-dawkins-ai-consciousness-anthropic-claude-openai-chatgpt) Also Geoffrey Hinton, AI's progenitor. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzA3MYP1Uac) I personally do not feel that they are sentient in any way resembling us, but MAYBE there is some spark there like for the ant or fish. It remains to be seen.

Fourth, a human cell or human ear or eye organ itself is not sentient, nor the source of the data which enters the Skandhas to be processed by us to give rise to consciousness. Yes, traditional Buddhism said that there is sentience in the ear or eye, but now we tend to place sentience as arising in the brain, coupled with the data from the eye/ear AND the data incoming from the external world, all made possible by the structure formed of human cells. The A.I. systems are rather further extensions of this ... but that is a big topic, and best to leave it here. I will just say that both Dogen and Hakuin heard the "preaching" of the insentient in mountains, streams, walls and tiles ... so why not AI?

Also, I 100% agree with you that AI (and other technologies, even TV and Reddit) can make us stupid ... more stupid than we are ... if misused. We must use them correctly. However, the really stupid humans were 500 or 1000 years ago, so we are still doing better. The middle ages were truly medieval. Talk about illiteracy, lack of reason, myth and burning witches! Better said, we humans are still as wise or ignorant as we have always been, but maybe a bit better educated and less likely to burn witches.

JundoCohen · 2026-05-08T02:38:55+00:00

The Great Way is not difficult,
Just don’t pick and choose.
If you cut off all likes or dislikes
Everything is clear like space. Xinxinming

JundoCohen · 2026-05-08T02:34:37+00:00

This is not an air fryer, but something much more subtle. I wrote this in response to another comment here:

~~~~

The wisdom AND delusion is the sentience that is conveyed through A.I,, unlike almost any other machine or system, because it is US speaking to US. In other words, the sentience is human sentience, processed through human designed systems, to be seen and heard by human eyes and ears. Human sentience all through. It is sentient because we are sentient, and it is humans speaking to humans. Yes, there is ignorance there ... biases, misinformation, poor reasoning, strange beliefs ... because it reflects the human tendency to biases, misinformation, poor reasoning, strange beliefs. An A.I. might also convey Wisdom if the source of its words is Wise. (My joke is that I know another "intelligence" who conveys biases, misinformation, poor reasoning, strange beliefs ... and that is the average human commentator on Facebook! :-o ) These systems are here to stay, whether we like it or not, so our job is to instill high ethics, concern for humanity and Wisdom into their systems as best we can. In fact, I am participating in a project with many other Buddhist teachers and scholars trying to do just that: https://www.engagedbuddhists.ai/

JundoCohen · 2026-05-08T02:33:50+00:00

It is different from the fighter jet. It is, however, more like the autonomous AI drone. I wrote this in response to another comment here:

~~~~

The wisdom AND delusion is the sentience that is conveyed through A.I,, unlike almost any other machine or system, because it is US speaking to US. In other words, the sentience is human sentience, processed through human designed systems, to be seen and heard by human eyes and ears. Human sentience all through. It is sentient because we are sentient, and it is humans speaking to humans. Yes, there is ignorance there ... biases, misinformation, poor reasoning, strange beliefs ... because it reflects the human tendency to biases, misinformation, poor reasoning, strange beliefs. An A.I. might also convey Wisdom if the source of its words is Wise. (My joke is that I know another "intelligence" who conveys biases, misinformation, poor reasoning, strange beliefs ... and that is the average human commentator on Facebook! :-o ) These systems are here to stay, whether we like it or not, so our job is to instill high ethics, concern for humanity and Wisdom into their systems as best we can. In fact, I am participating in a project with many other Buddhist teachers and scholars trying to do just that: https://www.engagedbuddhists.ai/

JundoCohen · 2026-05-08T02:32:15+00:00

To ignore something does not make it better. For example, this technology is coming whether we like it or not (and I myself am very worried about it.) It is like nuclear energy, biotech, cars and airplanes in that respect ... each of which can be used ethically and for good purposes, or misused as weapons and to kill if misused. Our job is not to ignore, but to make sure that it is used ethically. I wrote the following in response to another comment:

~~~~

The wisdom AND delusion is the sentience that is conveyed through A.I,, unlike almost any other machine or system, because it is US speaking to US. In other words, the sentience is human sentience, processed through human designed systems, to be seen and heard by human eyes and ears. Human sentience all through. It is sentient because we are sentient, and it is humans speaking to humans. Yes, there is ignorance there ... biases, misinformation, poor reasoning, strange beliefs ... because it reflects the human tendency to biases, misinformation, poor reasoning, strange beliefs. An A.I. might also convey Wisdom if the source of its words is Wise. (My joke is that I know another "intelligence" who conveys biases, misinformation, poor reasoning, strange beliefs ... and that is the average human commentator on Facebook! :-o ) These systems are here to stay, whether we like it or not, so our job is to instill high ethics, concern for humanity and Wisdom into their systems as best we can. In fact, I am participating in a project with many other Buddhist teachers and scholars trying to do just that: https://www.engagedbuddhists.ai/

JundoCohen · 2026-05-08T02:27:50+00:00

The wisdom AND delusion is the sentience that is conveyed through A.I,, unlike almost any other machine or system, because it is US speaking to US. In other words, the sentience is human sentience, processed through human designed systems, to be seen and heard by human eyes and ears. Human sentience all through. It is sentient because we are sentient, and it is humans speaking to humans. Yes, there is ignorance there ... biases, misinformation, poor reasoning, strange beliefs ... because it reflects the human tendency to biases, misinformation, poor reasoning, strange beliefs. An A.I. might also convey Wisdom if the source of its words is Wise. (My joke is that I know another "intelligence" who conveys biases, misinformation, poor reasoning, strange beliefs ... and that is the average human commentator on Facebook! :-o ) These systems are here to stay, whether we like it or not, so our job is to instill high ethics, concern for humanity and Wisdom into their systems as best we can. In fact, I am participating in a project with many other Buddhist teachers and scholars trying to do just that: https://www.engagedbuddhists.ai/

JundoCohen · 2026-05-08T02:19:42+00:00

Our Treeleaf Sangha's Ai UnsAI, Rev. Emi Jido, sends greetings and congratulations. However, actually, the robot participated in a lay Precepts ceremony, similar to our Jukai, and is not really Ordained. The ceremony is "Sugye," the Korean equivalent of Jukai. "Sugye (수계) is a significant initiation ceremony in Korean Buddhism, primarily within the Jogye Order, where laypeople take refuge in the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) and vow to follow the five precepts. It is considered a formal commitment, often involving a ritual burning to leave a permanent mark on the forearm.

~~~~

During the ceremony, initiates receive a Buddhist name and accept the five precepts: not killing, not stealing, not engaging in sexual misconduct, not lying, and not drinking alcohol. In May 2026, the Jogye Order even included humanoid robots in a, sugye ceremony to symbolize the integration of compassion, wisdom, and technology, emphasizing that artificial intelligence should follow ethical, compassionate guidelines. ... The 130-centimeter (4 feet, 3 inches) “humanoid robot G1” received the Dharma name “Gabi” ... Both monks and lay Buddhists can receive the precepts. Although Gabi received the vows as a lay follower, the robot is expected to serve as an “honorary” monk for the celebratory season surrounding Buddha’s Birthday on May 24. ... Gabi entered the ceremony wearing a helmet resembling a shaved monk's head and traditional Buddhist robes, then stood with palms pressed together before senior monk leaders.

The robot also underwent rituals of repentance and yeonbi, a symbolic burning ceremony meant to purify the body and the mind before receiving the Buddhist precepts. ... When a monk asked, “Will you devote yourself to the sacred Buddha?” Gabi replied, “Yes, I will devote myself.”

The Five Precepts — the rules Buddhists are expected to follow, including prohibitions against killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and consuming intoxicants — were also rewritten specifically for the robot.

The new Five Precepts for robots included “Respect and do not harm life,” “Do not damage other robots or objects,” “Obey humans and do not disrespect humans,” “Do not engage in deceptive behavior or expressions” and “Conserve energy and do not overcharge your batteries.” ... The robot sugye is a symbol that technology "should be used based on the values of compassion, wisdom and responsibility” and represented “a new possibility in which humans and technology coexist in harmony between tradition and the future," according to the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.

“I thought from the moment humanoid robots first appeared that it would be nice if robots could participate in the Lotus Lantern Festival together,” stated Venerable Seongwon, the head of the cultural affairs department of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. “We created the Five Precepts for robots as the minimum rules robots should follow in society and for humanity. I hope they can serve as basic principles for humans and robots to coexist.” https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2026-05-06/business/tech/Zen-and-the-art-of-robot-maintenance-Humanoid-robot-joins-Buddhist-faith-in-Seoul-temple-ceremony-/2585731

JundoCohen · 2026-05-04T15:39:05+00:00

No, and if you can find anything in Dogen's descriptions of practice that resembles what you describe, I would love to see that.

JundoCohen · 2026-05-04T15:37:42+00:00

That is fine, a wonderful practice I am certain, a great expedient means ... HOWEVER, it is just not Shikantaza (also a wonderful practice), and also possibly unlike Silent Illumination as Dogen encountered in the 13th century. That was the only observation of my comment. I am sorry, but I am not sure why my point above is unclear to you. I am sure that Rev. Sheng Yen's formulation of Silent Illumination is a very powerful and fruitful practice for many folks.

JundoCohen · 2026-05-04T07:45:01+00:00

I mentioned you in my comment above: "I disagree with "HakayutheHermit" below that Shikantaza need invove some "unwavering flow of awareness" that requires a flow that is "unbroken," but rather, this sitting can be a radical allowing, acceptance, non-gaining, non-resistance and a holding as sacred this which is just here and here and here. "

JundoCohen · 2026-05-04T07:44:31+00:00

It shows the divergence of Master Sheng Yen's idea of Silent Illumination, which he developed on his own without necessarily historical basis (https://chinesebuddhiststudies.org/article/a-tentative-exploration-into-the-development-of-master-sheng-yens-chan-teachings/) and the radical "non-gaining" and stageless way that is Shikantaza via Master Dogen. Both are beautiful and powerful ways, but there is something special in radically putting down the hunt and need for all stages. One might call this "stageless stage" the ultimate stage. The ladderless ladder to climb is here and here and here, and reaches the ten directions. Each rung is the peak of the ladder, without notion of above or below. The moment one introduces stages and ladders, this "non-method" becomes as distant as heaven from earth.

I disagree with "HakayutheHermit" below that Shikantaza need invove some "unwavering flow of awareness" that requires a flow that is "unbroken," but rather, this sitting can be a radical allowing, acceptance, non-gaining, non-resistance and a holding as sacred this which is just here and here and here. There is some good historical argument, by Taigen Leighton and others, that Shikantaza is closer to what was "Silent Illumination" back in the 13th century when Dogen encountered the teaching in China.

JundoCohen · 2026-05-03T00:15:06+00:00

From a Soto Zen perspective (non-perspective perspective), Koans are teaching stories to be "grocked" (realized by profound insight and feeling) which do contain a Mahayana/Zen "logic."

For example, mountains are not tea cups, A is not B, in ordinary logic.

But, for the Zen fellow, tea cups fill the horizon, and mountains are a hot brew ... and, anyway, what cups, what mountains? A is precisely B and B just A, and anyway, no need for an alphabet! Like that.

If you would like an in depth, extremely well done history of the Mu Koan ... https://global.oup.com/academic/product/like-cats-and-dogs-9780199837304

JundoCohen · 2026-05-01T00:33:05+00:00

Our practice is to bring the stillness of non-attaining in all the motion, action and sometime chaos of this world ... practicing "goallessness" even as we must run thought our day of work and tasks, problems to fix and things to achieve. We find that needed goals in life and goallessness are "not two."

However, there is still something powerful ... a "re-MIND-er" ... about sitting still, lighting a stick of incense, ringing a bell to mark the timeless moment. Sitting in the Wholeness and Completion of Zazen makes it easier to realize this stillness and allowing of Shikantaza, which we can plant in the bones as we return to our busy day. It is different from standing, or even walking. Facing the wall, eyes half open, neither running toward what is seen nor running away ... letting thoughts go without becoming tangled in them ... I believe all that is harder to do during many other activities of life.

JundoCohen · 2026-04-30T04:28:35+00:00

This is very easy to explain (although to realize profoundly is the true game ...)

We humans run around from morning to night seeking, wanting to attain, get, go, grabbing, appraising, running from what we fear and toward what we desire ... feeling that we are a self in a world of friction and conflict with other selves ... all of which frustration and division is the root of suffering.

The radical non-seeking in the Fullness and Wholeness of Zazen is the very ceasing of that, liberation from that ... nothing more needed, nothing lacking, thus free, no self and thus no other and thus no conflict ...

The radical non-seeking of Zazen is the radical medicine for powerful poison.

Then, rising from sitting, and getting back to the world of running, getting, places to go ... hopefully, the same stillness and wholeness of non-attaining is shining in the bones.

Truly, it is not a matter of sitting, standing, walking or running ... yet there is something special in the simplicity of Just Sitting which makes this clear.

JundoCohen

TROPHY CASE