TREELEAF SANGHA online 2-DAY ANGO-JUKAI-ROHATSU RETREAT -- 2024 -- MAIN PAGE

**Jundo** · 11-13-2024, 01:32 AM

Our Talks for This Year ...

Dharma Talks this year will be offered by the following Priests, each reflecting on a Parable of the Lotus Sutra, its traditional meaning as well as its meaning in our daily lives and this complicated world now ...
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1-3 Bion - Parable of the Blazing House

1-5 Seiko - Parable of the Father and His Lost Son

1-7 - Ankai - Parable of the Jewel in the Robe

2-3 - Shujin - Parable of the Imaginary City

2-5 Onki - Parable of the Naga Princess

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~ ~ ~

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TEXTS:

1-3 Bion - Parable of the Blazing House

A wise and wealthy old man was aware that his crumbling mansion was ablaze ("The building was old and in disrepair, the fences and walls dilapidated, the bases of the pillar rotten"). His children, however, were trapped inside the blazing house. (The father thought, ""The children will die if they remain inside. I have to get them out quickly by any means, even by force if necessary.") To save his children, he told them to leave the house but his children were too caught up in their toys to heed his father’s advice.

The father realized that he would have to save them by some expedient. He knew that children are attracted by rare toys, so he shouted to them, "There are toys out here which you love. You'll be sorry if you don't come out quickly and choose the ones you want. There are sheep-carts, deer-carts, and bullock-carts here outside the house. You can have whichever one you want if you come out right away."

Once the rich man saw them all safely outside, he felt relieved. The children said to him, "Give us the carts you promised us!" Instead of giving them separate presents, the rich man gave each of them an identical bullock-cart, more magnificent than anything they had longed for. It was called the "great white bullock-cart." ("It was adorned with many treasures, surrounded by railings, and had bells hanging on the four sides. A richly adorned canopy was fixed on top. Garlands of flowers, tied with jeweled ropes, were hanging from the canopy. In the cart, there were quilts spread on one another, and a crimson pillow. The cart was yoked to white bullocks. ... Because the father was so wealthy and loved all his children equally, he gave them only the best - a splendid white bullock cart for each one.")

Shakyamuni asked: "Shariputra, do you think that the rich man was guilty of falsehood when he gave his children the sumptuous white bullock-carts instead of the ones they asked for?"

Shariputra answered, "No, World-honored One. The rich man saved his children from the fire and caused them to survive. He should not be accused of falsehood, because the children were, indeed, given their toys, even if these toys were better than they had previously imagined. He used an expedient to save their lives, not a falsehood."

~ ~ ~

1-5 Seiko - Parable of the Father and His Lost Son

A boy deserted his father to lead the life of a vagabond. He wandered aimlessly from place to place, taking meager odd jobs just to survive. ("He had long ago forgotten the happy home of his childhood which he had left many years before. Now every year he grew poorer and poorer and more miserable as he drifted aimlessly about") One day, he stumbled upon a great mansion owned by his father. The boy did not recognize his father but his father immediately spotted his son. ("He never forgot his son who had left home so many years before, and someday he hoped to find him again") The father quickly sent his men to capture him. Yet, his son who had an inferior sense of self-worth was incredibly terrified of the dignity and affluence of his father. ("In fact, the sight of his old father frightened him. He thought, "Whoever that man is, he looks too important to bother himself with the likes of me. I had better leave this place before I get into some kind of trouble." He turned and ran away.")

When the rich man saw how low his son had sunk, he realized he could hold him only by using some ruse. ... The father sent two other servants with instructions to offer the poor son a menial job. The son accepted, happy to get a day's work. In this way, the father kept his son close by doing menial labor day after day. The son, who was pleased to get regular employment, worked hard."

The father secretly watched his son compassionately. Sometimes, the father removed his fine clothes and disguised himself as a foreman. He approached his son and spoke to him in a friendly manner. "You do good work, boy. It's time you had a better job. I am going to promote you to a task involving more responsibility. If there is anything you need, just speak to me about it. I am an old man without a son of my own. From now on, I'll be just like a father to you." So the son continued working at the estate, passing gradually from one job to another, always accepting more responsibility as he became ready for it.

When the death of the father was imminent, the father revealed the truth of the father-and-son relationship between them and bequeathed all his treasures to his son. ("The son was astonished to hear this. "I never dreamed that I was the rightful heir to all this," he said.")

~ ~ ~

1-7 - Ankai - Parable of the Jewel in the Robe

A poor man visited a good friend. He was soon drunk and fell asleep. Before leaving for business trips, his good friend left a priceless jewel by sewing it into the lining of the poor man’s robe. "He knew that his poor companion generally lost his wits when drinking, but he felt sorry for him and wanted to help him in some way. So before leaving, he fastened a priceless gem to the garment of the poor man as a gift. Then he departed, certain that his poor friend would be delighted when he awoke and discovered his new wealth.")

When the poor man woke up, he resumed his life as a vagrant, completely ignorant of his priceless jewel in his robe. Over the years, he became increasingly destitute.

One day, he bumped into his good friend again. His good friend was surprised to know that his poor man remained impoverished. ("What's wrong with you?" he asked. "I left a priceless gem sewn in your garment that last evening we were together. I expected you to sell it, invest the money in some business, and get on your feet at last. Why didn't you do so?")

The poor man was bewildered. "Gem?" he asked. "What gem?" He felt along the lining of his garment, and was astonished to find a precious stone attached to it. He had been a wealthy man all this time without realizing it.

~ ~ ~

2-3 - Shujin - Parable of the Imaginary City

A wise and experienced caravan leader led a group of travelers in search of a great treasure. The journey was long and hazardous, crossing mountains, valleys, and deserts. As time passed, and the trip turned out to be harder and more dangerous than they had imagined, the group became weary and disheartened, wanting to give up half-way and turn back. The leader thought, "They are giving up too easily. If they turn back now, they will have wasted all this effort for nothing. It would be a shame to stop now that we have gone more than half way. I must think of some expedient to encourage them to continue."

To help his group continue the journey, the caravan leader conjured up an imaginary city through his divine powers and told his group to take a temporary respite in the city ahead. "Look!" he told the travelers. "There is a city ahead of us! I know that you are all tired, but we can enter that city, find safety there, and refresh ourselves before continuing our journey." Delighted with what they saw, the treasure-hunters entered the "city," lay down in shady spots, and rested, feeling themselves secure at last from brigands and wild animals.

After the group was well-rested, the city was made to vanish. The caravan leader then revealed to them that the city was nothing more than an illusion for them to take a break and that their true treasure destination is close at hand. ("Now that you feel rested and stronger, let's continue our journey. We have not much further to go." Encouraged by their leader, the travelers set forth again, helped each other when they encountered difficulties along the way, and finally reached their destination, the treasure site.")

~ ~ ~

2-5 Onki - Parable of the Naga Princess

Mañjuśrī said,[to Shariputra], “There is the daughter of the dragon king who has just turned eight. Her wisdom has keen roots, and she is good at understanding the root activities and deeds of living beings. She has been able to accept and embrace all the storehouse of profound secrets preached by the Buddhas ... She thinks of living beings with compassion as though they were her own children. ... Kind, compassionate, benevolent, yielding, she is gentle and refined in will, capable of attaining bodhi.” …

… (Doubtful), at that time Śāriputra said to the dragon girl [the Naga Princess, daughter of the Dragon king, but 8 years old], “ ... A woman’s body is soiled and defiled, not a vessel of the Law. How could you attain the unsurpassed bodhi? The road to Buddhahood is long and far-stretching. Only after one has spent immeasurable kalpas pursuing austerities, accumulating deeds, practicing all kinds of pāramitās, can one finally achieve success. Moreover, a woman is subject to the [many] obstacles ... she cannot become a Buddha. How then could a woman like you attain Buddhahood so quickly?” …

The girl said, “Employ your supernatural powers and watch me attain Buddhahood. …” At that time the members of the assembly all saw the dragon girl in the space of an instant change into a man and carry out all the practices of a bodhisattva, immediately proceeding to the Spotless World of the south, taking a seat on a jeweled lotus, and attaining impartial and correct enlightenment. With the thirty‑two features and the eighty characteristics [of a Buddha], he expounded the wonderful Law for all living beings everywhere in the ten directions. …

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**Jundo** · 12-03-2024, 05:11 AM

Dear All,

Our TREELEAF SANGHA online 2-DAY ANGO-JUKAI-ROHATSU RETREAT -- 2024 -- MAIN PAGE is .... NOW OPEN!
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Let's Get Ready to Rohatsu!

Gassho, Jundo
stlah

**Kotei** · 12-03-2024, 10:10 AM

I am looking very much forward to the coming Weekend.
What a wonderful way to end the Ango period and celebrate Rohatsu.
Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today.

**Ester** · 12-05-2024, 04:38 PM

Hi,
I need some help understanding this part of the bath gatha: "to pierce defilement"

Thanks!
Gassho,
Ester
Satlah

**Bion** · 12-05-2024, 04:48 PM

Originally posted by Ester

Hi,
I need some help understanding this part of the bath gatha: "to pierce defilement"

Thanks!
Gassho,
Ester
Satlah

The way I understand, it, Ester is to see through and beyond the idea of "defiled" or foul, dirty, impure etc.To cut through, or pierce the concept itself, to see that it is but a made-up idea that we employ and maintain and that moves some of our actions. We vow to try to realize the purity that lies even in the impure, the dirty or defiled. Perceiving reality, we understand that discrimination and judgment come from our own minds. But, even though we understand that, we bathe the body, clean the hands and face and remove the dirt from our feet when needed. Something like that!

Gassho
sat lah

**Ester** · 12-05-2024, 05:23 PM

Originally posted by Bion

The way I understand, it, Ester is to see through and beyond the idea of "defiled" or foul, dirty, impure etc.To cut through, or pierce the concept itself, to see that it is but a made-up idea that we employ and maintain and that moves some of our actions. We vow to try to realize the purity that lies even in the impure, the dirty or defiled. Perceiving reality, we understand that discrimination and judgment come from our own minds. But, even though we understand that, we bathe the body, clean the hands and face and remove the dirt from our feet when needed. Something like that!

Gassho
sat lah

Thanks!!!
Gassho,
Ester
Satlah

**John MacBrayne** · 12-05-2024, 07:54 PM

Looking forward to joining live on Saturday
Gassho
J
sat/lah

**Bion** · 12-06-2024, 09:22 PM

I wanted to come and wish everyone a good, peaceful retreat together. I want to remind you that you are among friends and we practice together. We all face challenges together during this intense practice time and we all struggle in one moment or another. There is nothing to be worried about or scared by, not even the long sittings. Listen to your bodies, be kind to them, adjusting or giving them a break when needed and be mindful of when the mind drifts away or becomes deceitful. Remember that sitting right where you are is the sitting under the bodhi tree. Throw yourselves fully into these two days of practice and enjoy it! I cannot wait to spend this time with you all!

Gassho
sat lah

**Jundo** · 12-09-2024, 02:13 AM

Thank you to everyone!

I feel that it was the best Rohatsu Retreat we have had at Treeleaf.
And the Second Best Rohatsu ever in 2500 years!

Wonderful!

Gassho, Jundo
stlah

**Chikyou** · 12-09-2024, 02:42 AM

I want to say THANK YOU for everyone for putting this together! I tried to jump in and say thanks along with everyone else at the end but I couldn’t for the life of me manage to unmute!

The retreat was fantastic and I got through it with less difficulty than in prior years. I really enjoyed the Dharma talks, they gave me a lot of new perspectives on the stories I’d heard many times before!

Gassho,
Sat (and sat, and sat, and sat

)
Chikyō

**Kotei** · 12-09-2024, 08:35 AM

Thank you for sitting this Rohatsu Retreat together, everyone.

I saw a lot of suffering but also smiling faces.

Deep bows to all of you who sat or will sit all or just a portion.
Kotei sat/lah today.

**John MacBrayne** · 12-09-2024, 10:16 AM

I managed to come to first day live but due to family commitments I’ve had to do the rest on ‘ catch up’. That said, I’ve got a much deeper understanding of how being separated in both time and space doesn’t actually make any difference. I’ve got a lot out of this Rohatsu for sure.
Gassho
J
sat/lah

**Bion** · 12-09-2024, 10:36 AM

Thank you, everyone for such dedicated and diligent practice. I don't know if it was the same for you, but I could feel the warmth of our group, the friendliness and genuine affection. I think we all truly saw each other during this weekend and deepened our appreciation for the different ways in which we all practice. I am grateful that you all made this sesshin possible.

Gassho
sat lah

**ZenJay** · 12-09-2024, 12:59 PM

First, let me say thank you to all our priests! The work and effort you all put into this retreat- the talks, the services, Oryoki, (and with all we do outside Rohatsu too!) all to make it so wonderful for us is nothing short of incredible, and greatly appreciated by myself, and I think it safe to say, by the whole Sangha as well. Thank you to all our Sangha members and all who joined or will join us for the Rohatsu retreat to share practice together! Words can’t begin to describe what this weekend meant for me and the gratitude I feel right now. Thank you all for sharing our practice together during Rohatsu and beyond. My heart is so full right now!

Gassho,
Jay

Sat/lah today

TREELEAF SANGHA online 2-DAY ANGO-JUKAI-ROHATSU RETREAT -- 2024 -- MAIN PAGE

TREELEAF SANGHA online 2-DAY ANGO-JUKAI-ROHATSU RETREAT -- 2024 -- MAIN PAGE

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