Why Shikantaza is Complete, Boundless and Unlike Any Other Way, Period, End of Story

[Seibu]

Sounds like this just might have been my teacher, Nishijima Roshi ...



He used to described the underrobes as a formality based on tradition, and sometimes "like dressing up like 1000 year old Chinese people" for a costume party. It is the top robe, the Kesa, that we value as a symbol and embodiment of the Zen Path.

As to the color of the Rakusu, that really has no meaning except that some Sangha (such as San Francisco Zen Center) have decided within their own community that a certain color may mean something (e.g., brown is for teachers). That is just their rule, and really any dark and sedate off-black, brown, blue or the like is fine. For some priests in Japan, the Rakusu can be quite fancy, but that is really a kind of fashion ...



Gassho, J

STLah

Yes it is indeed Nishijima Roshi! What a wonderful coincidence. Thank you for the information on the Rakusku: I did not know this. What does LaH or Lah mean?


Gassho


SatToday

[Shoka]

Yes it is indeed Nishijima Roshi! What a wonderful coincidence. Thank you for the information on the Rakusku: I did not know this. What does LaH or Lah mean?


Gassho


SatToday

Kakedashi,

Here is a link to the information on LAH.

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Etreeleaf%2Eorg%2Fforums%2Fshowthread%2Ephp%3Ft%3D15314&share_tid=15314&share_fid=15740&share_type=t

Gassho,

Shoka
Sattoday

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[Geika]

Nishijima Roshi was just my style! Respect for the kesa as well as straight-forward practicality. I feel if I were ever to become a priest I would aspire to his way: a modern, professional and approachable outfit with the rakusu or kesa, and of course the full set when appropriate. I have a lot of respect for him and they way he taught you and your Dharma brothers and sisters (if there were sisters*), Jundo.

Sat today, lah

*Are there any current modern female teachers or priests who were taught by Nishijima Roshi?

[Seibu]

Kakedashi,

Here is a link to the information on LAH.

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Etreeleaf%2Eorg%2Fforums%2Fshowthread%2Ephp%3Ft%3D15314&share_tid=15314&share_fid=15740&share_type=t

Gassho,

Shoka
Sattoday

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Thank you

Gassho

SatToday/LAH

[Nengei]

But Shikantaza is a little more than that too, as we sit with the conviction in the bones that there is no other place in the world that we can be, better should be, need to be or would ever want to be. Shikantaza is the one action to be doing in that moment that is needed to do in all the world to make the world right. Shikantaza is the conviction that, just by sitting Shikantaza, there is nothing lacking and nothing to fix, all made whole and complete merely by the act of sitting. There is something about such sitting that shines and transcends sickness and health, both sun and rain.

In reading these lovely posts about Shikantaza I am reminded of the comfort of sitting quietly in the early morning, simply being, with a warm mug of coffee. Listening to the silence, maybe still feeling the tug of sleep, fully at peace in that moment. At that moment there truly is no place better to be, to need to be, or to want to be.

My brain wants to ask: Is Shikantaza a state of being to aspire to, to attain? But there is nothing to attain, right? So then I may spend the rest of my life sitting not-quite Shikantaza or way-off Shikantaza, trying not to wonder if I have gotten it because then I don't have it...

Gassho,
然芸 Nengei
Sat today.

[Luigi]

This is a fantastic text. Thanks a lot for that, Judo!

Shikantaza is all, all is Shikantaza.

Gassho,

Luigi
ST

[vanbui]

Hi Jundo,

Sorry, I have to comment but this is wonderful teaching. An absolutely precious gem. I have read it a few times and each time I have learnt something news. Perhaps after sitting for 18 months, I can relate and understand the teaching more thoroughly.

Many bows
Gassho
Van
_/\_
Satlah

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[Yokai]

Thank you Jundo and friends

Nothing to add...off to sit SSR

Gassho, C stlah

[Ryudo]

Thank you Jundo
Thank you all

Gassho/SatToday

[Yokai]

Like VanBui (above), reading these words each day this week is helping "Just Sitting"

Is there a Shikantaza chant?!

Gassho, Chris stlah

[Jundo]

Is there a Shikantaza chant?!

Yes, the sitting with lips closed is the chant.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Archpoet]

Yes, the sitting with lips closed is the chant.

LOL!!

Gassho,
Chris

st/lah

[Yokai]

Is there a Shikantaza chant?!

Yes, the sitting with lips closed is the chant.

Haha!! Point taken Jundo! Well...there's a robe verse and a meal verse, so it's seems reasonable there might be a chant on the true nature of Shikantaza as foundational practice, although i guess I'd have heard of it by now...

Deep bows to all, C stlah

[Guest]

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Ghasso
Bobby
SatTodayLAH


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[Kyotaku]

Just what I needed.
Thank you
Gassho
Hosei

ST