Brian Daisaku McCloskey believed that his Buddhist practice was for the purpose of accomplishing the impossible, and he made many seemingly impossible changes during his lifetime of not-quite-29 years. He died young, but he was certainly victorious. Brian was wholeheartedly dedicated to activities for the peace and happiness of all living beings. We are inspired by the many deep relationships he created with all kinds of people, all over the world. His legacy is: “Dream the impossible! Do the impossible!”
The calligraphy you see in the background of this page was in Brian's wallet when he died. Brian was studying Chinese in anticipation of a motorcycle trip across Central Asia to Shanghai along the Silk Road. It translates to something like, "The shame of being shameless is no shame at all," and can be understood as an expression of his conviction that one should pursue one's objectives without hesitation and without being dependent on the opinions of others.
When you would compliment Brian on an amazing accomplishment, his frequent reply was, “I’m not done yet.”
Brian didn’t sleep much – there was always just too much that he wanted to do. And he felt that one should never wait to do them.
In his early 20’s he worried that he was such an extreme person, but once he realized that he could get the value out of his extreme nature, he excelled in a positive direction at a surprising rate.
Brian didn’t see the differences in people, he was just your friend.
He knew that the potential in his life and others’ was unlimited.
He was also known as Big Wu because he really liked the musical group, Wu Tang Clan. Ironically, one meaning of wu in the Chinese classic “Journey to the West” is enlightenment.
He never missed a performance of his brother, Vincent, or his sister, Mary, even if it meant getting on a plane to be there.
Click here to read a reprint of an article about Brian's extraordinary life.