March 29th. Recommended Threads

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  • Jundo
    Treeleaf Founder and Priest
    • Apr 2006
    • 40487

    March 29th. Recommended Threads

    I encourage looking at these threads, topics and posts today ...

    Please sit our March 24th-25th Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai ... available to sit any time and place in the universe ...
    NOTE DAYLIGHT SAVINGS CHANGE TO START TIME IN NORTH AMERICA (NOT YET IN EUROPE)! reMINDer - It struck me that not everyone realizes that they can join in the Chanting of the Heart Sutra, Verse of Atonement and Four Vows (although we ask that you keep your microphone down). Please follow along with the Chant Book, links


    The itinerary is coming together for August's DHARMA WHEELS ACROSS AMERICA ... if you are in one of the following cities, I'll be in touch to firm things up ...
    Dear All, Well, the end of July and most of August of this year (2017) will be very eventful for our community! For those of our members in Western North America, we are trying to bring a little Treeleaf to you! We are holding a "DHARMA TRACKS Across AMERICA 2017". exact dates to be determined, and two of us


    A dandy lesson from Daizan ... Upaya: How the Buddha Basics support our Zazen ...
    In April I am going to post a new topic to explore in the Art Circle. It will be Impermanence which is a rich subject to explore creatively. But first it might be a good idea to talk here about the nature of this Buddhist teaching, and all Buddhist teachings, as upaya. Upaya is a Sanskrit word that is usually interpreted as


    I would also just like to feature some Wise Words this month from a couple of our members ... first from Byokan in response to recent violence in the news and requests for Metta ...

    May this thread be more than a list of horrible things that happen. It's so easy to feel overwhelmed. I hope it's a place to take a moment to really work on looking directly at suffering and practice how to open our hearts, how to soften, to embrace, to realize our connection. Not just sympathy, but realizing the truth of our inter-being. Every moment that you spend in peace adds peace to this world. Every shred of love you give makes the world a more loving place. Metta may not be magic but it does have a real effect. I hope.
    ... and this, from another member on the effects of this Practice in his own life ....

    have accepted birth pain death--out of which grows peace, I have learned to meditate, Loving Kindness, sitting, Jon Kabot-Zinn, Sitting as the Buddha, Thank you I discovered however faultingly, I have accepted all and it hurts, no mater how you cut it, birth, life, death can and are experienced in peace in out let thoughts pass, slide away, let it happen no form formlessness, no time, no space, I hear the Heart Sutra, I hear silence.


    A good discussion of "Emptiness" and what it feels like ... something hard to discuss cause not really an "it" ...
    Emptiness. There was a time in my life when I had no understanding of Buddhism. I was the outcast in school who didn't attend church very often. When I did attend church it was on personal and business matters. The townspeople talked about how they met god and let Jesus into their hearts. I travelled all around town with my


    A celebration of Bankei ... and a little caution perhaps ...
    Hi all, Not sure if this belongs here or in the Book Club but I am currently reading Bankei Zen by Peter Haskel and I'm rather enjoying it so far. I hadn't heard much about Bankei as a historical Zen figure and I'm wondering if any of our more learned colleagues have anything to offer in regards to Bankei Roshi. So far I


    David Loy advocates a new Buddhist "mythology" compatible with modern science ... the universe needs you to make toast ...
    New Buddhist Path - Nonattachment/Letting Go/Something Infinite - PP 47-61 ...
    Hey All Non-selfs, There is a lot in these sections. Many things might strike folks. Can some powerful and mindbending teachings of Buddhism remain relevant in modern times? Yes, says David Loy. Please pick out any sections of particular interest to you. I will just mention a few lines that I found interesting. He said (p.


    A celebration of Japanese care and craftsmanship ... Is it "Zen" or just being Japanese? ... In the Heart of Aizu ...


    Advice from the crowd on Dealing with a difficult mother-in-law ... just like many difficulties and difficult folks in life ...


    When folks of other faith's don't understand, just walk on ... Interfaith Dialogue ...




    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 THE PREVIOUS DAY BEFORE POSTING IN THE FORUM (please read about that here):

    Dear All, Treeleaf Sangha is a Practice Place centered on the daily Sitting of Shikantaza Zazen. We ask all our members to have sat Zazen sometime in the preceding day (today or yesterday) before posting in this Forum and joining in discussion. Please have "Sat" before any "Chat". gassho1 Also, both as


    Gassho, Jundo


    SatToday
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE
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