I encourage looking at these threads, topics and posts today ...
Our TREELEAF SANGHA online 2-DAY ANGO-JUKAI-ROHATSU RETREAT -- 2024 -- MAIN PAGE is NOW OPEN! (LINK) Preparatory Lessons are here: (LINK)
We also have our Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai ... available any time ... this time's theme: Pre-Rohatsu Roundup! (LINK)
I heard some really good gossip ... PRECEPTS VIII - To Refrain from Discussing Faults of Others ... (LINK)
It is the birthday of my late teacher, Nishijima Roshi ... but here is why he really didn't worry about birth or death
... (LINK)
In the 'No Words Book Club' ... ANNOUNCEMENT ... Our Next Book Selection in January: The Platform Sutra with Rev. Kokuu ... (LINK)
... and for this week ... Blue Cliff Record (Case 15) Yun Men's Upside-Down Statement ... (LINK)
Our member Jenn is ... Finding Direction ... (LINK) ... She also appreciates Uchiyama Roshi's 'Opening the Hand of Thought,' a great book (LINK)
A little documentary recommendation and rant from me
... "BUY NOW!" - Building the Future Buddha & the Failure of Buddhism ... (LINK)
Our Friendly Teahouses keep meeting ... drop in freely for some friendly tea and company ... (LINK)
Recent weeks' science news is amazing ... more than just this little planet and time ... (LINK)
And DON'T FORGET! ... the experiment continues, and we need you! ...
REQUEST - SatToday & Lend-A-Hand: Please LAH and SAT before CHAT! (LINK)
.
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!)
As a powerful Zen practice about not falling into words and thoughts, simplifying ideas, not getting tangled, we ask people to keep sentences few in posting. However, it is not some law or hard rule at all. If someone really has something in their heart to say, and it is vital and cannot be said more concisely or silently, then say what one is called to say: In such case, no limit on words needed.
.
A Request to Sangha Members: "Three Sacred Sentences" Practice (LINK)
* * *
As well, 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.
Gassho, Jundo
(Sorry to run long)
SatTodayLAH
Our TREELEAF SANGHA online 2-DAY ANGO-JUKAI-ROHATSU RETREAT -- 2024 -- MAIN PAGE is NOW OPEN! (LINK) Preparatory Lessons are here: (LINK)
We also have our Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai ... available any time ... this time's theme: Pre-Rohatsu Roundup! (LINK)
I heard some really good gossip ... PRECEPTS VIII - To Refrain from Discussing Faults of Others ... (LINK)
It is the birthday of my late teacher, Nishijima Roshi ... but here is why he really didn't worry about birth or death
... (LINK)In the 'No Words Book Club' ... ANNOUNCEMENT ... Our Next Book Selection in January: The Platform Sutra with Rev. Kokuu ... (LINK)
... and for this week ... Blue Cliff Record (Case 15) Yun Men's Upside-Down Statement ... (LINK)
Our member Jenn is ... Finding Direction ... (LINK) ... She also appreciates Uchiyama Roshi's 'Opening the Hand of Thought,' a great book (LINK)
A little documentary recommendation and rant from me
... "BUY NOW!" - Building the Future Buddha & the Failure of Buddhism ... (LINK)Our Friendly Teahouses keep meeting ... drop in freely for some friendly tea and company ... (LINK)
Recent weeks' science news is amazing ... more than just this little planet and time ... (LINK)
And DON'T FORGET! ... the experiment continues, and we need you! ...
REQUEST - SatToday & Lend-A-Hand: Please LAH and SAT before CHAT! (LINK)
.
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!)
As a powerful Zen practice about not falling into words and thoughts, simplifying ideas, not getting tangled, we ask people to keep sentences few in posting. However, it is not some law or hard rule at all. If someone really has something in their heart to say, and it is vital and cannot be said more concisely or silently, then say what one is called to say: In such case, no limit on words needed.
.
A Request to Sangha Members: "Three Sacred Sentences" Practice (LINK)
* * *
As well, 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.
Gassho, Jundo
(Sorry to run long)
SatTodayLAH