https://forum.treeleaf.org/ en Thu, 13 Aug 2026 05:40:39 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/the-zen-of-health-ailments-in-body-and-mind-practice-group/mental-health-issues-practice-group/573871-recovery-dharma-group Sun, 09 Aug 2026 20:47:12 GMT https://recoverydharma.org/ There is a group near where I'm currently located and it seems like a much better alternative than a 12 step program for addiction recovery. Has anyone heard of this organization and can give me some info?

Gassho,
Dainei
Sat

]]> Mental Health Issues Practice Group Dainei https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/the-zen-of-health-ailments-in-body-and-mind-practice-group/mental-health-issues-practice-group/573871-recovery-dharma-group https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/treeleaf-arts-music-sports-circle/poetry/573747-arts-less-is-more-dharma-poetry-discussion—han-shan-august-2026 Thu, 06 Aug 2026 01:37:51 GMT
As usual, I am including multiple translations for us to consider. As we’ve discovered over the past two months, different translations can speak to each of us in unique and powerful ways. This month, I am including three different translations (plus the original text) for your consideration—one from Red Pine, another from Kazuaki Tanahashi, and the last from Gary Snyder, the American “Beat” poet.

As you read, perhaps first notice how each translation feels to you before considering what each one says.

Translation #1:

People ask the way to Cold Mountain
but roads don't reach Cold Mountain
in summer the ice doesn't melt
and the morning fog is too dense
how did someone like me arrive
our minds are not the same
if they were the same
you would be here

(Translation by Red Pine)


Translation #2:

You ask the way to Cold Mountain,
but the road does not go through.
In summer, the ice is not yet melted,
the morning sun remains hidden in mist.
How can you get here, like I did?
Our minds are not the same.
When your mind becomes like mine,
you will get here, too.

(Translation by Kazuaki Tanahashi)


Translation #3:

Men ask the way to Cold Mountain
Cold Mountain: there’s no through trail.
In summer, ice doesn’t melt
The rising sun blurs in swirling fog.
How did I make it?
My heart’s not the same as yours.
If your heart was like mine
You’d get it and be right here.

(Translation by Gary Snyder)


And for those of you so inclined, here is the original Chinese text:

人問寒山道
寒山路不通
夏天冰未釋
日出霧朦朧
似我何由屆
與君心不同
君心若似我
還得到其中
​

Once again, there is no need to search for a "correct" interpretation or translation. Instead, spend some time simply sitting with each translation. You may find that one resonates more deeply than the others—or that a different one speaks to you each time you return to it.

Read each of them slowly—both silently and out loud. Return to them several times, perhaps over the course of a few days. Consider what words, phrases, or lines stand out to you in some way. Before asking yourself what the poem means, perhaps begin by noticing how it affects you personally.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and reflections here on the forum. And if you’re able, I invite you to join us for our live discussion via Zoom on Sunday, August 16 at 11:00am New York time (check the Practice Calendar for your local time). Remember, there is no deadline for participation. When and however you choose to participate, every response is a welcome and valuable part of our discussion.

Gassho,
Seikan
stlah
]]> Seikan https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/treeleaf-arts-music-sports-circle/poetry/573747-arts-less-is-more-dharma-poetry-discussion—han-shan-august-2026 https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/treeleaf-arts-music-sports-circle/zen-cooking-aa/573120-arts-zen-cooking-soy-caramalized-sweet-corn Mon, 20 Jul 2026 01:22:44 GMT Ingredients •1/6 cob of fresh sweet corn •1 tsp sake •1 tsp soy sauce •oil for sautéing Method 1.Cut the corn kernels off the cob 2.Heat the... Ingredients
•1/6 cob of fresh sweet corn
•1 tsp sake
•1 tsp soy sauce
•oil for sautéing

Method
1.Cut the corn kernels off the cob
2.Heat the oil, add the corn kernels and sprinkle with sake and sauté until the corn is sweet and cooked through.
3.Drizzle in the soy sauce and toss quickly, letting it cook for a few seconds until it slightly caramelizes and coats the corn.
4.Turn off the heat.

IMG_2603.jpg IMG_2601.jpg IMG_2602.jpg

Enjoy / Bows
Hoshuku
Satlah]]> Hoshuku https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/treeleaf-arts-music-sports-circle/zen-cooking-aa/573120-arts-zen-cooking-soy-caramalized-sweet-corn https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/treeleaf-arts-music-sports-circle/zen-cooking-aa/573114-arts-zen-cooking-chilled-summer-tofu-takigawa-tofu Mon, 20 Jul 2026 01:02:42 GMT Takigawa tofu (滝川豆腐) is a chilled Japanese summer dish made from soy milk and agar-agar and served cut into thin, noodle-like strips to look like the... Takigawa tofu (滝川豆腐) is a chilled Japanese summer dish made from soy milk and agar-agar and served cut into thin, noodle-like strips to look like the flowing water of a river. It has a firm, jelly-like consistency rather than the creamy texture of standard tofu, allowing it to hold its shape as noodles. The first written recipe is in the 1782 Edo cookbook Tofu Hyakuchin.

Ingredients
•2g agar-agar powder (kanten powder)
•120ml soy milk
•120ml kombu dashi stock or water
•A pinch of Salt

Method
1. In a small saucepan, mix the kanten powder and kombu dashi stock together well.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
3. Once boiling, lower the heat slightly and let it cook for another 1–2 minutes to ensure the powder is completely dissolved.
3. In a separate pan, warm the soy milk (do not let it boil).
4. Add a dash of salt and the warmed soy milk to the kanten mixture.
5. Mix thoroughly until well combined, then turn off the heat.
6. Pour the mixture into a flat, rectangular container. Let it cool to room temperature, then chill and set completely.
7. Carefully slice the set tofu into very thin, noodle-like strands.
8. Arrange the tofu strands in a graceful, flowing wave across the plate to represent the Milky Way (Amanogawa) or the Takigawa River.
9. Garnish as preferred, e.g. grated ginger, soy sauce, wasabi as preferred.
241efb87-c080-433a-b700-b05911d1b007.jpg IMG_2604.jpg IMG_2586.jpg IMG_2605.jpg

Enjoy / Bows
Hoshuku
Satlah]]> Hoshuku https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/treeleaf-arts-music-sports-circle/zen-cooking-aa/573114-arts-zen-cooking-chilled-summer-tofu-takigawa-tofu https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/treeleaf-arts-music-sports-circle/poetry/572934-arts-less-is-more-dharma-poetry-discussion—ikkyū-july-2026 Wed, 15 Jul 2026 03:22:18 GMT This month, we turn our attention to the fifteenth-century Japanese Zen monk and poet Ikkyū Sōjun (1394-1481). Few figures in the history of Zen are...
Many of Ikkyū's poems are richly layered with historical, literary, and Buddhist allusions that would have been more familiar to readers of his own time but can be less accessible to modern readers without considerable background knowledge. However, this month’s selection is one of his more direct and approachable poems that doesn’t require an extensive knowledge of historical, cultural, or literary references.

Just like last month, I've included two different English translations for your consideration. Rather than comparing them to determine which is "better" or "more accurate," I invite you simply to notice how each one resonates with you. What feels different? What seems to remain the same?


I Hate Incense

Who can even discuss a master's methods?
Speaking of Dao, talking of Zen, your tongues grow long.
Old Ikkyū abhors your scrambling after marvels.
I make a pinched, sour face, all this incense thrown on the Buddha.

—Translated by Sarah Messer & Kidder Smith in their book, Having Once Paused; Poems of Zen Master Ikkyū (1394-1481).


I Hate Incense

Who can measure a master's means?
Explaining the Way, discussing Zen, their tongues just grow longer.
Old Jun instinctively dislikes sanctimony,
In the darkness, my nose wrinkles, incense before the Buddha.

—Translated by Sonja Arntzen in her book, Ikkyū and the Crazy Cloud Anthology; a Zen Poet of Medieval Japan.


As always, there is no need to search for a "correct" interpretation. Instead, consider spending some time simply sitting with the poem. Read it slowly. Read it again. Notice what arises. Rather than asking what the poem means, perhaps begin by noticing how it affects you personally.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and reflections here on the forum. And if you’re able, I once again invite you to join us this coming Sunday, July 19 at 11:00am New York time (check the Practice Calendar for your local time and the link to the Treeleaf Meeting Room). Remember, there is no specific deadline/timeframe for participation. When and however you choose to participate, every response is a welcome and valuable part of our discussion.

I'm very much looking forward to exploring these poems with you all.

Gassho,
Seikan
stlah]]> Seikan https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/treeleaf-arts-music-sports-circle/poetry/572934-arts-less-is-more-dharma-poetry-discussion—ikkyū-july-2026