https://forum.treeleaf.org/ en Fri, 12 Jun 2026 20:12:05 GMT vBulletin 60 https://forum.treeleaf.org/images/og/treeleaf-circle-og-logo.png https://forum.treeleaf.org/ https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/beyond-words-letters-book-club/571547-stories-of-the-lotus-sutra-chapter-19-bodhisattvas-of-the-earth Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:28:00 GMT Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you had a fantastic weekend. Thanks so much for coming to practice, the monthly zazenkais on Friday and Sunday, and... image-32.jpg Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you had a fantastic weekend. Thanks so much for coming to practice, the monthly zazenkais on Friday and Sunday, and the Book Club Meeting!

As we kick off the new week, we’re diving into a new chapter in our book. Get ready for some truly amazing events—you won’t believe your eyes!

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Reading Assignment: Chapter 19 - Bodhisattvas of the Earth

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As always, take your time reading and thinking about what Reeves says about the story’s lessons. Try to spot the tricky parts and the ones that seem like they could be useful in real life. You’ll see the bodhisattva vows again, and the interesting way in which Reeves connects them to the Sutra.

If you missed the Zoom meeting on Saturday, you can catch the recording on our Study Page. It was a blast! If you have any thoughts to share after watching, please post them in the previous threads, and we’ll keep the conversation going.

Have fun reading! I’m really looking forward to hearing what you think about this chapter!

With metta, and in gassho
sat lah]]> “Beyond Words and Letters” Book Club Bion https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/beyond-words-letters-book-club/571547-stories-of-the-lotus-sutra-chapter-19-bodhisattvas-of-the-earth https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/beyond-words-letters-book-club/571302-stories-of-the-lotus-sutra-chapter-18-the-jewel-in-the-topknot Mon, 01 Jun 2026 18:53:22 GMT Hello, friends. Happy Monday and a great start to this new month! It’s time to turn the page in our book and move on to the next chapter. I have a... image-28.jpgHello, friends. Happy Monday and a great start to this new month!

It’s time to turn the page in our book and move on to the next chapter. I have a feeling there will be plenty to discuss about this one, and it excites me.

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Reading Assignment: Chapter 18, The Jewel in the Topknot.

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I believe this chapter might be the most practical among those we’ve studied so far, offering valuable lessons for everyday life. That’s always a wonderful thing. Please read the chapter, and when you’re ready to share your reflections, return to this thread to do so. Also, pay attention to others’ comments and engage with them as well.

Next Saturday, we’ll gather for our usual Zoom meeting, and I’m very excited about it. Everyone is invited and welcome, whether you’re part of the Book Club or not. It’s fun and insightful. Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 6th.

Happy reading, and I can’t wait to see where this discussion leads.

With metta and in gassho.


sat lah]]> “Beyond Words and Letters” Book Club Bion https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/beyond-words-letters-book-club/571302-stories-of-the-lotus-sutra-chapter-18-the-jewel-in-the-topknot https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/beyond-words-letters-book-club/571003-stories-of-the-lotus-sutra-chapter-17-two-nuns Mon, 25 May 2026 10:11:23 GMT Hello, everyone, and happy Monday. I hope you all had a good weekend. Thank you to those who joined us for practice—Friday’s zazenkai, Saturday’s... nuns and Buddha.jpg Hello, everyone, and happy Monday. I hope you all had a good weekend. Thank you to those who joined us for practice—Friday’s zazenkai, Saturday’s Book Club meeting, and Sunday’s zazenkai.

We now move on to a new chapter of our book. After the serpent princess, we encounter more devoted female practitioners.

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Reading Assignment: Chapter 17 – Two Nuns

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As always, please spend some time reading and reflecting on the chapter. When you’re ready, come back to this thread to share your reflections. I’m looking forward to seeing what arises for you from this chapter.

If you missed last Saturday’s meeting, you can catch up with the recording on our Study Page.

Enjoy the reading, and I’ll see you back here for the discussion.


With metta and in gassho,
sat lah]]> “Beyond Words and Letters” Book Club Bion https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/beyond-words-letters-book-club/571003-stories-of-the-lotus-sutra-chapter-17-two-nuns https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/oryoki-practice-circle/570918-oryoki-oryoki-meeting-on-may-22nd-2026 Fri, 22 May 2026 16:35:37 GMT Hello Everyone, As it will be the Fourth Sunday of the month on the 22nd we will be having our monthly Oryoki on Sunday. Please check the calendar...
As it will be the Fourth Sunday of the month on the 22nd we will be having our monthly Oryoki on Sunday. Please check the calendar for the meeting time in you area. It will be 11:00 am Eastern.

Please come and join us for the ceremony. And please don't worry if you are a little rusty. We are all in this together.

Gassho, Shinshi]]> Oryoki Practice Circle Shinshi https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/oryoki-practice-circle/570918-oryoki-oryoki-meeting-on-may-22nd-2026 https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/beyond-words-letters-book-club/570635-stories-of-the-lotus-sutra-chapter-16-the-dragon-princess Mon, 18 May 2026 15:38:46 GMT Hello everyone, I hope you all had a good weekend. Thank you once again for your practice and your dedication to the sangha’s activities. Our... image-30.jpg Hello everyone,

I hope you all had a good weekend. Thank you once again for your practice and your dedication to the sangha’s activities. Our Sunday zazenkai had record attendance, and the event with Prof. Heine was also very well received.

Since it is Monday, we move on to a new chapter in our book. This is another of those stories that are well known to many, and I have a hunch this one will stir the pot quite a bit.

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Reading Assignment: Chapter 16 – The Dragon Princess

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Please read it mindfully, reflect on it carefully, and then let’s discuss. As always, consider what new insights you are discovering and what lessons might be useful for us today. Acknowledge what challenges you, and take note of anything you disagree with. By the way, you were all fantastic in engaging with last week’s chapter, and I am grateful for your contributions.

Next Saturday, the 23rd, we’ll meet for our usual Zoom gathering, so please mark your calendars if you wish to participate. I hope you do! Remember, we also have a Study Page for our Book Club.

Enjoy the reading!

With metta, and in gassho
sat lah]]> “Beyond Words and Letters” Book Club Bion https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/beyond-words-letters-book-club/570635-stories-of-the-lotus-sutra-chapter-16-the-dragon-princess