Gudo Wafu

[Kakunen]

This is a mixed Soto-Rinzai place in Tokyo, but I do not know much about the details now ...

http://www.toshoji.com/

Gassho, J

SatTodayLAH

Thank you,but I know here....

To hard Kyosaku,and Koan Zen temple.

I can’t choice here.

Gassho
Sit Sesshin
Kakunen


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[Kakunen]

Gudo Wafu

Hi Kakunen,

I am afraid that Gudo's residential community in Ichikawa closed years ago when he became ill, and Ida Ryogokudo, the sponsor, sold the property.

I think that many people have a positive image, but most people have no image. In Japan, he was a critic of the "funeral Buddhism" culture around modern Soto-shu. However, very few people in Soto-shu cared, like a mosquito on an iron ox. Other people did not like his way of making Zazen and the Priesthood open to lay people.

Please read my Obituary, which tells why he was so unique.

Eight Ways GUDO WAFU NISHIJIMA Will Help Change ZEN BUDDHISM

http://sweepingzen.com/eight-ways-gudo-wafu-nishijima-will-help-change-zen-buddhism/

Gassho, Jundo

SatTodayLAH

PS - I thought that you were supposed to be in Sesshin?

I really surprise your article.

This is a fact at Japanese Zen.

My Zen journey was fighting with this fact.
This is a reason I can not my blog in Japanese right now.

Monastery is just like training center of ceremony.And I went lots of temple where do Sesshin,Antaiji Annonji Jyomanji Tentyuji Myotokuji.And lots of person come from overseas and practice together.

I will make Zen center at Tokyo,so now I keep on practicing at here and another temple where do Zazen .

I am really grad to meet this Sangha of begging period of training.

And my Dharma brother Seigaku at Berlin have Zen center,we are encouraging together.


Gassho
Sit Sesshin
Kakunen



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[Chishou]

“You will discover that you need nothing beyond the practice itself, that you need no enlightenment— and that will be your enlightenment. To find that we need no enlightenment is enlightenment itself”

To meet the reals dragon, page 179. Nishijima Roshi.

Chishou
Sat


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[Kakunen]

Gudo Wafu

Hi Kakunen,

I am afraid that Gudo's residential community in Ichikawa closed years ago when he became ill, and Ida Ryogokudo, the sponsor, sold the property.

I think that many people have a positive image, but most people have no image. In Japan, he was a critic of the "funeral Buddhism" culture around modern Soto-shu. However, very few people in Soto-shu cared, like a mosquito on an iron ox. Other people did not like his way of making Zazen and the Priesthood open to lay people.

Please read my Obituary, which tells why he was so unique.

Eight Ways GUDO WAFU NISHIJIMA Will Help Change ZEN BUDDHISM

http://sweepingzen.com/eight-ways-gudo-wafu-nishijima-will-help-change-zen-buddhism/

Gassho, Jundo

SatTodayLAH

PS - I thought that you were supposed to be in Sesshin?

Jundo

I finish Sesshin.

I watch video.

Lots of people practice with him.

Did you practice with him at Ichikawa and Shizuoka?Maybe traditional temple at Shizuoka,maybe temple of Niwa Zenji.

Do you have Dharma brother?Taigu is also trainee monk at Nishijima?

Where is them,lots of treinee people,I have never met person who train by Nishijima?

Did Nishijima do Zuise?He wear brown Okesa,but maybe he didn’t training at monastery...because too old.Did he monk of Soto sect?

I want to meet Japanese trainee monk of Nishijima.

After he died,this Sangha is dissolution?

Are you only trainee monk at now with Nishijima?How long did you train with him?

I wonder about lots of thing,because when I read book of him,really surprised opinion of Zazen and enlightenment,he is very clear.

Sorry for too many questions.

I think we need Sangha at Tokyo,so I ask you,I am searching for my partner.

Also Hosshinji lots of monk at there,but after Sekkei Harada ilness,now there is just two or three monk there....


Gassho
Sat Sesshin
Kakunen


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[Chishou]

Hello Kakunen,

Taigu is a zen master, he lives outside Osaka.

http://www.bluemountainhermitage.org/locations/

Nine bows,
Chishou.


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[Kakunen]

Hello Kakunen,

Taigu is a zen master, he lives outside Osaka.

http://www.bluemountainhermitage.org/locations/

Nine bows,
Chishou.


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Thank you very much.

But I ask Jundo that Jundo and Taigu is Dharma brother at Zen center by Nishijima.

But very helpful about your information ^_^

Nine bows
Kakunen


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[Chishou]

I misunderstood, Kakunen.

Taigu received Dharma transmission from Mike Cross who received it from Nishijima Roshi. So, Taigu is a Jundo’s Dharma cousin.

Bows,
Chishou


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[Jundo]

Hi Kakunen.

Lots of people practice with him.

Did you practice with him at Ichikawa and Shizuoka?

Yes I did, at both those places. Hundreds of foreigners were able to live and study there during those years, and come to his Zazenkai in Tokyo.

Maybe traditional temple at Shizuoka,maybe temple of Niwa Zenji.

Yes, the Tokei-in in Shizuoka.

http://www.treeleaf.org/about-tokei-in/tokei-in-5.html

It is a very old Soto temple, and the temple of Niwa Zenji (Zuigaku Rempo Niwa). Niwa Zenji is Gudo Nishijima's Teacher, so is my "Dharma Grandfather." Niwa Zenji was also the Abbot of Dogen's Temple, Eiheiji,which is the Soto-shu Head Temple with Sojiji, and he was the Kancho (Pope) of the Soto-shu.



More information about Niwa Zenji ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rempo_Niwa_Zenji

Do you have Dharma brother?Taigu is also trainee monk at Nishijima?

As was mentioned, Taigu's Teacher is Chodo Cross, and Chodo Cross was Gudo Nishijima's Heir. Chodo Cross is, with Nishijima Roshi, the Translator of Shobogenzo into English. So, yes, technically Taigu is my "Nephew."

Where is them,lots of treinee people,I have never met person who train by Nishijima?

They are here and there, a few in Japan, Brad Warner and I in the U.S., several in Europe and the U.K.

Did Nishijima do Zuise?He wear brown Okesa,but maybe he didn’t training at monastery...because too old.Did he monk of Soto sect?

Nishijima began Practicing Zazen in the 1930's as a lay person. He continued for the next 60 years. He was already a translator of the Shobogenzo (from classical into modern Japanese) when he became a student of Niwa Zenji. Niwa Zenji Ordained Gudo Roshi in 1973, when Roshi was already in his 50's. At the time, Gudo Nishijima was already a published critic of the "funeral culture" of Japanese Soto, and Niwa Zenji Ordained him, and gave him Dharma Transmission, BECAUSE he was a critic. In other words, the "Pope" of Soto-shu made as his personal Successor a critic of the very church he headed because he believed that critics were necessary to stop stagnation and corruption in the organization. Of course, Nishijima believed in Zazen, and that Soto shu was not emphasizing Zazen enough, and Niwa also shared this feeling. Zenji was very wise. Gudo also believed in combining working life and family with Priesthood so, because of his advance age, his Training was more personal with Niwa Zenji. Niwa Zenji arranged for all formalities, Dharma Transmission, and for Zuisse and such. I do not know all the details. At the time of Nishijima's Ordination, Niwa was still the Abbot of Eiheiji-Betsuen in Tokyo where Nishijima was his student, and I believe Training happened there. Nishijima's Ordination was at Eiheiji-Betsuen as well. He continued his translation in the decades after.

After he died,this Sangha is dissolution?

No, all his Dharma Heirs continue. Treeleaf, for example.

Are you only trainee monk at now with Nishijima?How long did you train with him?

As I said, there are quite a few. 15 still teaching? I first met Nishijima Roshi in 1989, and knew him until he died in 2014. I practiced with several teachers in Japan during that time, but gradually became more devoted to Nishijima Roshi.

Sorry for too many questions.

You can always ask anything, and I will answer as best as I can.

I think we need Sangha at Tokyo,so I ask you,I am searching for my partner.

I don't feel you are ready to teach others now, so you should give it more time and settle. Practice like Nishijima for a lifetime.

Gassho, Jundo

SatTodayLAH

[Jundo]

PS - We stumbled on a little film of Niwa Zenji in Dokusan, from the 1:30 mark here. I never met him, but he was very helpful in Soto Zen coming to the West. Besides Nishijima Roshi, he made several students of Deshimaru Roshi his Dharma Heirs when there was some technical problem with their Dharma Transmission from Deshimaru.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5uvap

More about the Lineage is here too ...

http://www.treeleaf.org/articles/TreeleafTheLineage.html

[Kakunen]

Hi Kakunen.



Yes I did, at both those places. Hundreds of foreigners were able to live and study there during those years, and come to his Zazenkai in Tokyo.



Yes, the Tokei-in in Shizuoka.

http://www.treeleaf.org/about-tokei-in/tokei-in-5.html

It is a very old Soto temple, and the temple of Niwa Zenji (Zuigaku Rempo Niwa). Niwa Zenji is Gudo Nishijima's Teacher, so is my "Dharma Grandfather." Niwa Zenji was also the Abbot of Dogen's Temple, Eiheiji,which is the Soto-shu Head Temple with Sojiji, and he was the Kancho (Pope) of the Soto-shu.



More information about Niwa Zenji ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rempo_Niwa_Zenji

As was mentioned, Taigu's Teacher is Chodo Cross, and Chodo Cross was Gudo Nishijima's Heir. Chodo Cross is, with Nishijima Roshi, the Translator of Shobogenzo into English. So, yes, technically Taigu is my "Nephew."



They are here and there, a few in Japan, Brad Warner and I in the U.S., several in Europe and the U.K.



Nishijima began Practicing Zazen in the 1930's as a lay person. He continued for the next 60 years. He was already a translator of the Shobogenzo (from classical into modern Japanese) when he became a student of Niwa Zenji. Niwa Zenji Ordained Gudo Roshi in 1973, when Roshi was already in his 50's. At the time, Gudo Nishijima was already a published critic of the "funeral culture" of Japanese Soto, and Niwa Zenji Ordained him, and gave him Dharma Transmission, BECAUSE he was a critic. In other words, the "Pope" of Soto-shu made as his personal Successor a critic of the very church he headed because he believed that critics were necessary to stop stagnation and corruption in the organization. Of course, Nishijima believed in Zazen, and that Soto shu was not emphasizing Zazen enough, and Niwa also shared this feeling. Zenji was very wise. Gudo also believed in combining working life and family with Priesthood so, because of his advance age, his Training was more personal with Niwa Zenji. Niwa Zenji arranged for all formalities, Dharma Transmission, and for Zuisse and such. I do not know all the details. At the time of Nishijima's Ordination, Niwa was still the Abbot of Eiheiji-Betsuen in Tokyo where Nishijima was his student, and I believe Training happened there. Nishijima's Ordination was at Eiheiji-Betsuen as well. He continued his translation in the decades after.



No, all his Dharma Heirs continue. Treeleaf, for example.



As I said, there are quite a few. 15 still teaching? I first met Nishijima Roshi in 1989, and knew him until he died in 2014. I practiced with several teachers in Japan during that time, but gradually became more devoted to Nishijima Roshi.



You can always ask anything, and I will answer as best as I can.



I don't feel you are ready to teach others now, so you should give it more time and settle. Practice like Nishijima for a lifetime.

Gassho, Jundo

SatTodayLAH

Thank you very much.

And also I feel I can’t teach other.

Gassho
Sat today
Kakunen


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[Mitka]

I am also reading To meet the real dragon and appreciating its deep wisdom. I was heartened to discover that Gudo's name means "Stupid Path" and that the way he described himself, as someone uninterested in practical matters and interested only in the big questions about life, goes a long ways towards describing me. I too am stupid, I have ADHD and my brain processes things slowly. I miss important details of things and I am easily distracted (even while sitting zazen). I have also no interest in practical matters but have spent my life exploring answers to the big questions about life. So it is encouraging to me to know that if Nishijima can put all his heart into his practice and diligently and lovingly transform his stupidness into a path to realize the Dharma in his own life, then so can I. I will humbly walk my own stupid path, encouraged to know that someone has already walked it before me.

[Jundo]

I am also reading To meet the real dragon and appreciating its deep wisdom. I was heartened to discover that Gudo's name means "Stupid Path" and that the way he described himself, as someone uninterested in practical matters and interested only in the big questions about life, goes a long ways towards describing me. I too am stupid, I have ADHD and my brain processes things slowly. I miss important details of things and I am easily distracted (even while sitting zazen). I have also no interest in practical matters but have spent my life exploring answers to the big questions about life. So it is encouraging to me to know that if Nishijima can put all his heart into his practice and diligently and lovingly transform his stupidness into a path to realize the Dharma in his own life, then so can I. I will humbly walk my own stupid path, encouraged to know that someone has already walked it before me.

Hi Matthew,

I am sorry to say that Nishijima Roshi was actually a pretty smart guy, very sharp. He graduated many decades ago from the law department of Japan's top university, and was a gifted translator.

However, while I am sure that you are not stupid in fact, this Path has never been about smart or stupid or academic credentials. It takes sitting Zazen and practice. In fact, thinking too much, and being too intellectual, is frequently a hindrance because people can't get out of their own heads.

Gassho, J

SatTodayLAH

[Mitka]

Hi Matthew,

I am sorry to say that Nishijima Roshi was actually a pretty smart guy, very sharp. He graduated many decades ago from the law department of Japan's top university, and was a gifted translator.

However, while I am sure that you are not stupid in fact, this Path has never been about smart or stupid or academic credentials. It takes sitting Zazen and practice. In fact, thinking too much, and being too intellectual, is frequently a hindrance because people can't get out of their own heads.

Gassho, J

SatTodayLAH

Thanks for the clarification. I am smart in my own way, but not in ways that our culture values. That's what I meant by "stupid."

Why do you think he chose the name "Gudo" then?

Gassho,
Matthew
SAT

[Jundo]

Thanks for the clarification. I am smart in my own way, but not in ways that our culture values. That's what I meant by "stupid."

Why do you think he chose the name "Gudo" then?

Gassho,
Matthew
SAT

Hi Matt,

Everyone has their talents and faults, but in this universe we are each and all a unique jewel in our way.

Dharma Names are often given with a bit of humor, double meaning or aspiration. He did not chose the name, but it was given by his Teacher (Niwa Zenji, the Abbot of Eiheiji) as a backhanded compliment I think.

My name, Jundo, means "Pure Way," and I am anything but that!

Gassho, Jundo

SatTodayLAH

[sjlabat]

I first encountered Peter Rocca's site "The Stupid Way" several years ago - the name alone cracked me up (I would steal the name for myself if I could get away with it!) A couple of years back I did a presentation on meditation in my work in health care chaplaincy, heard someone under their breath "just sit there? That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!" Did not know the meaning of Gudo's name until now. A takeaway, at least for me, is try not to take myself too seriously & see the humor...
Gassho,
Sean
sat, lah