I encourage looking at these threads, topics and posts today ...
We take a moment to recall family and friends who have left this world ... Our SPECIAL "NEHAN-E" ZAZENKAI! ...
... and a memorial that one can undertake at home as well ... Parinirvana Memorial ...
It is always also a good time to reflects on one's acts, and to renew the Precepts ... The Treeleaf Ryaku Fusatsu Precepts Recommitment Ceremony ...
Four Missing Instructions ... to sitting Shikantaza Zazen ... Their absence makes all the difference in the world ...
There is no bad Zazen, even sleepy Zazen ... yet we do our best not to sleep during Zazen (a Koan) ... Dull, sleepy zazen ...
A Koan that seems strange at first, or just a joke or meaningless ... yet actually is saying something hard to say ... Asked and answered
Another darn good Koan ... Time to scream ... enlightened beings are still human beings ...
Shikantaza ... just this step and this step and this ... each its own step ... Graduated study ...
Same book, but encountered later, not the same book ... Heraclitos and the reading of zenbooks ...
Superiority Conceit in Buddhist Traditions ... I feel that no Buddhist tradition is superior or inferior, each a path suited to different feet ... and yet, I am an unabashed "Buddhist modernist" too for people who that path suits ...
There is a reason that Zen folks value simplicity ... Tiny Homes ... size does not make the home ...
In our "no words" book club ... Zen Women ... how the other half lives ...
... and keep on the lookout ...
Our members Seiko and Ryokudo are organizing an informal Chanting and Zazen circle ... be sure to check it out ... first meeting is March 1st ...
And DON'T FORGET! ... the experiment continues, and we need you! ... A TREELEAF EXPERIMENT with EVERYONE’S PARTICIPATION REQUESTED: “LAH” (Lend A Hand)
I am so glad if this place and the practice are benefiting you. If so, you might consider a DONATION to Treeleaf at this LINK, although there is absolutely no need or requirement to do so. Thank you.
A Re-MINDer on SIMPLICITY:
In a Zen Monastery, SILENCE or A FEW WISE WORDS are cherished over MANY WORDS. Thus, I advise folks to restrain the need to speak unless the heart truly calls. If you find yourself posting many times each day, maybe consider what truly needs to be said ... and when it is best just to answer with silence and an inner Gassho.
SILENCE OR A FEW HESITANT WORDS OF FRIENDSHIP AND SUPPORT OFTEN SPEAK MOST PROFOUNDLY. Post when it is truly important to you and needs to be spoken from the warm heart.
(BUT too much silence or shyness can also be excessive ... so take the Middle Way!)
Also, to those who may get lost among the many threads and conversations in our Forum, please think of a monastery made of wood or brick, with 100 monks holding 10,000 conversations in the hallways, kitchen, Abbot's rooms and library (I assume no chatting in the Zendo where people sit Zazen).
Would you need or want to hear or join in all or most conversations? Of course not! You would, at best, pick and choose the conversations relevant and helpful to you.
So here too in our Sangha, NO NEED TO READ EVERY CONVERSATION: Try to note the ones that seem helpful to your Practice or interests, leave the rest. The above threads are a few suggestions.
Oh, and we do ask folks to note that they have SAT ZAZEN DURING THE LAST DAY BEFORE POSTING IN THE FORUM (please read about that here):
Gassho, Jundo
SatTodayLAH
We take a moment to recall family and friends who have left this world ... Our SPECIAL "NEHAN-E" ZAZENKAI! ...
... and a memorial that one can undertake at home as well ... Parinirvana Memorial ...
It is always also a good time to reflects on one's acts, and to renew the Precepts ... The Treeleaf Ryaku Fusatsu Precepts Recommitment Ceremony ...
Four Missing Instructions ... to sitting Shikantaza Zazen ... Their absence makes all the difference in the world ...
There is no bad Zazen, even sleepy Zazen ... yet we do our best not to sleep during Zazen (a Koan) ... Dull, sleepy zazen ...
A Koan that seems strange at first, or just a joke or meaningless ... yet actually is saying something hard to say ... Asked and answered
Another darn good Koan ... Time to scream ... enlightened beings are still human beings ...
Shikantaza ... just this step and this step and this ... each its own step ... Graduated study ...
Same book, but encountered later, not the same book ... Heraclitos and the reading of zenbooks ...
Superiority Conceit in Buddhist Traditions ... I feel that no Buddhist tradition is superior or inferior, each a path suited to different feet ... and yet, I am an unabashed "Buddhist modernist" too for people who that path suits ...
There is a reason that Zen folks value simplicity ... Tiny Homes ... size does not make the home ...
In our "no words" book club ... Zen Women ... how the other half lives ...
... and keep on the lookout ...
Our members Seiko and Ryokudo are organizing an informal Chanting and Zazen circle ... be sure to check it out ... first meeting is March 1st ...
And DON'T FORGET! ... the experiment continues, and we need you! ... A TREELEAF EXPERIMENT with EVERYONE’S PARTICIPATION REQUESTED: “LAH” (Lend A Hand)
I am so glad if this place and the practice are benefiting you. If so, you might consider a DONATION to Treeleaf at this LINK, although there is absolutely no need or requirement to do so. Thank you.
A Re-MINDer on SIMPLICITY:
In a Zen Monastery, SILENCE or A FEW WISE WORDS are cherished over MANY WORDS. Thus, I advise folks to restrain the need to speak unless the heart truly calls. If you find yourself posting many times each day, maybe consider what truly needs to be said ... and when it is best just to answer with silence and an inner Gassho.
SILENCE OR A FEW HESITANT WORDS OF FRIENDSHIP AND SUPPORT OFTEN SPEAK MOST PROFOUNDLY. Post when it is truly important to you and needs to be spoken from the warm heart.
(BUT too much silence or shyness can also be excessive ... so take the Middle Way!)
Also, to those who may get lost among the many threads and conversations in our Forum, please think of a monastery made of wood or brick, with 100 monks holding 10,000 conversations in the hallways, kitchen, Abbot's rooms and library (I assume no chatting in the Zendo where people sit Zazen).
Would you need or want to hear or join in all or most conversations? Of course not! You would, at best, pick and choose the conversations relevant and helpful to you.
So here too in our Sangha, NO NEED TO READ EVERY CONVERSATION: Try to note the ones that seem helpful to your Practice or interests, leave the rest. The above threads are a few suggestions.
Oh, and we do ask folks to note that they have SAT ZAZEN DURING THE LAST DAY BEFORE POSTING IN THE FORUM (please read about that here):
Gassho, Jundo
SatTodayLAH