Eight Ways GUDO WAFU NISHIJIMA Will Help Change ZEN BUDDHISM

[Yokai]

Thank you Nishijima Roshi , and Jundo

What a legacy and inspiration!

Gassho, Yokai sat/lah

[Tobiishi]

Gassho

I appreciate the ideas and efforts outlined in this article. Since rejoining my personal sitting practice a few months ago, I have felt a desire building in me to bring my understanding of Zen and the practices I learn here at Treeleaf and in my other studies into the dusty mental rooms of Christianity I have neglected for many years. Although I do not practice or believe in the tenets of modern American mainstream Christianity, I often wonder if, by reaching back to the beginning (and before) of the birth of that religion, one could pick up certain pieces and include them in a personal mosaic of spirituality. This is by no means an original idea of course, but what is mine is the path I am walking of searching for that possible compatibility. I did not rush out to the book store searching for someone else's recipe for Buddhist Christianity. I'm more on the path of looking up and researching the ingredients themselves, and finding the commonailities that work for me. I do not endeavor to become a Zen master of renown, but only a zen student of this body, as I live it and use it to help others in whatever capacity presents itself. That, to me, is Tao doing it's thing. Jundo's article is reassuring and helpful in keeping my efforts true, thank you!


Kodo Tobiishi sat today

[Stephan]

Thanks for this great essay! For somebody who didn't come much into contact with Nishijima Roshi and his teaching so far, it's very instructive.

Gassho,
Stephan

SatToday

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[Gregor]

Miss his blog, I'm going to dig, "To Meet the Real Dragon" off the bookshelve and re-read this month.

I always appreciated his real world living take on Buddhism and that influence is alive and well at Treeleaf.

[Dogukan]

Nishijima provided a home to such folks, each very devoted to this Zen path in his or her own sincere way. Our Treeleaf Sangha, and Nishijima’s other students, will continue to serve as a haven for other “misfit toys” in the future.

This is beautiful, just beautiful... The main thing that kept me from practicing for a long time was that very "misfit toy" feeling. I was culturally unfamiliar with Buddhism, there was no one around me practicing, and seeking a different quest from my surroundings, family, and friends alienated me. And I was worried that this sense of alienation would deepen if my interest in Buddhism turned from theory to practice. So I was letting these worries stop me in order to maintain harmony with my environment.

When I was looking for a community where I could practice, I had many options. You know, the pandemic has created dozens of online Zendo. However, in many of these, there was no opportunity to establish a community relationship where I could relieve the feeling of being a misfit toy. That's why I'm here now. I thank Nishijima Roshi for all he has done, but especially for this one. And of course, thank you Jundo & everyone here for continuing this mission of Nishijima.

It has been more than three sentences but these things were what I have in my heart to say.

Gassho,
Doğukan.
Sat.

[Jundo]

Miss his blog, I'm going to dig, "To Meet the Real Dragon" off the bookshelve and re-read this month.

I always appreciated his real world living take on Buddhism and that influence is alive and well at Treeleaf.

Except I still feel that dear Nishijima Roshi went a bit overboard and "whole hog" with his ideas of breaking Dogen (and the Four Noble Truths, MMK) down to a line by line association with "materialism, idealism, action and reality." A brilliant, helpful insight, very perceptive and true, but he tended to run too far with it and apply it in a bit of a forced way (he basically reinterpreted the Four Noble Truths to fit his idea, for example, and each line of Dogen had to fit into one of the four categories. It is a stretch.) Likewise with his idea of Zazen as balance of the autonomic nervous system, which is a idea confirmed by researchers years ago, but he really ran with that ball very far.

Nishijima Roshi was someone who sat Zazen, knew the peace and balance of Zazen, and then sought creatives ways to express that. I miss him.

Gassho, Jundo

STLah

[Gregor]

Except I still feel that dear Nishijima Roshi went a bit overboard and "whole hog" with his ideas of breaking Dogen (and the Four Noble Truths, MMK) down to a line by line association with "materialism, idealism, action and reality." A brilliant, helpful insight, very perceptive and true, but he tended to run too far with it and apply it in a bit of a forced way (he basically reinterpreted the Four Noble Truths to fit his idea, for example, and each line of Dogen had to fit into one of the four categories. It is a stretch.) Likewise with his idea of Zazen as balance of the autonomic nervous system, which is a idea confirmed by researchers years ago, but he really ran with that ball very far.

Nishijima Roshi was someone who sat Zazen, knew the peace and balance of Zazen, and then sought creatives ways to express that. I miss him.

Gassho, Jundo

STLah

Hey Jundo, I don't disagree his breakdown was a little further than I personally would take things. But, it was a good check for me as someone who probably took things too metaphysical at the time. Anyway Treeleaf and your teachings have always struck me as a good middle ground.


Gassho,

Greg
ST

[Tai Shi]

Point 8 brings me closer to a Christian heritage, where I might find escape in magic. I think and feel away from superstition. I know myself more in faith with freshness.
Gassho
sat/lah