Documentary on Antaiji: Seek Nothing, Just Sit

[Jundo]

A little English documentary on Antaiji, the temple of Kodo Sawaki and Uchiyama Roshis (although it was actually in a different place back then, later moved), where Friend-of-Treeleaf Muho Noelke was (until his recent retirement) the Abbot and one of the only non-Japanese Abbots in Japan ...

... a place with a unique emphasis on ZAZEN ZAZEN ZAZEN work ZAZEN work ZAZEN without much talk or ceremony, where Treeleaf Member Rev. Kakunen trained for a time and our Kyonin was privileged to visit for retreat.

Watch here:

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/o...ks-7vPImolTLOY

There is a time to sit short, a time to sit long, yet any moment of time is beyond measure of "long" or "short." Sitting at Antaiji, though, is certainly long ... and they sometimes go for 15 hours a day (!), 50 minutes at a sitting (!!), broken only by Kinhin and brief meals.

ALL TO ATTAIN NOTHING TO ATTAIN, WHAT CANNOT BE ATTAINED!

A footnote: And so unfortunate that Antaiji is not recognized as an official training monastery by the Soto-shu, and Soto-shu monks get no credit toward their "licensing" as priests for attending there. That is one reason that few Japanese priests come to sit there, as it is just "lost time" on their official training track. Why? Primarily because of the emphasis at Antaiji on Zazen and work and Zazen ... not ceremonies and such.

So, everyone, as much as your body and physical condition allows ... sometimes sit long, sometimes short, but do not neglect either!

Sorry to run long.

Gassho, Jundo

STLah

[Yokai]

Thank you Jundo

Ideal non-training for an Olympic Zazen no-sided non-medal Very funny Zen of Everything podcast!

Gassho, Yokai sat/lah

[Jundo]

Two personal comments on the content:

-- The fellow at the end forced to choose between his children and monkhood faces a very ancient dilemma, stretching right to the time of the historical Buddha. Even Dogen advocated leaving home and abandoning family for the greater calling of the Ordained path. However, some of us no longer buy that as the only path, and I (like my teacher Nishijima) willingly Ordain folks who find this Buddhist path in family, work and service to others. Each way is the rich path.

-- The fellow from Kyrgyzstan who left after a year, saying that he worked so hard but "there were no results," and "it's like doing nothing" shows that, even then, one can still fail to understand the treasure of "seeking nothing, finding everything." It is a shame. Perhaps they are too silent at Antaiji, and it was not properly explained.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Ryumon]

I watched the first ten minutes or so of the film (I'll watch the rest later). It seems like Antaiji is a rehab center for lost souls.

Gassho,

Ryūmon

sat

[Bion]

Documentary on Antaiji: Seek Nothing, Just Sit

Two personal comments on the content:

-- The fellow at the end forced to choose between his children and monkhood faces a very ancient dilemma, stretching right to the time of the historical Buddha. Even Dogen advocated leaving home and abandoning family for the greater calling of the Ordained path. However, some of us no longer buy that as the only path, and I (like my teacher Nishijima) willingly Ordain folks who find this Buddhist path in family, work and service to others. Each way is the rich path.

-- The fellow from Kyrgyzstan who left after a year, saying that he worked so hard but "there were no results," and "it's like doing nothing" shows that, even then, one can still fail to understand the treasure of "seeking nothing, finding everything." It is a shame. Perhaps they are too silent at Antaiji, and it was not properly explained.

Gassho, J

STLah

Watched it last week and my thoughts on it were that the kids found exactly what they were looking for. The one who left probably needs a different path and more time before he can understand in his bones that “there is nothing to attain”. His case spoke volumes on the importance of sincerity before undertaking a challenge like that. Sincerity with oneself about the motivation behind the decision to do so.
I don’t know how much I agree with Eko’s statement that one needs to go to extremes to attain something when it comes to zazen. Shakyamuni did that almost to the point of suicide and realized the middle way was the path. The idea of “sitting through unbearable pain” as it was put in the documentary, at least for me, especially when it is self inflicted, goes against both the ideals of the Middle Way and the concept of nothing to achieve. It was however just a once a year thing, so meh.. Not too bad. [emoji1]
I do however find Antaiji as a wonderful place for anyone to immerse themselves into nothing but sitting and living each situation as it arises.
Have many more thoughts but I’ve already used way too many words here. Sorry for the length

[emoji1374] SatToday

[Kaishin]

Thank you for sharing, I look forward to watching! I didn't realize Muho had retired. Antaiji definitely seems like a tough place physically. I recall reading that they don't accept people over 40 for residency. Not surprising given the backbreaking daily labor as well as the hours-long daily sitting.

-satToday

[Kaisui]

Thank you, I also look forward to watching this. I am especially curious to watch out for how the fellow Jundo mentioned from Kyrgyzstan could possibly have ended up after a year feeling "there were no results". I wonder why it did not come about that the other practitioners expressing wisdom, insight and compassion through practicing zazen did not tune into his situation and support him...but then no doubt there is more complexity to the story.

-- The fellow from Kyrgyzstan who left after a year, saying that he worked so hard but "there were no results," and "it's like doing nothing" shows that, even then, one can still fail to understand the treasure of "seeking nothing, finding everything." It is a shame. Perhaps they are too silent at Antaiji, and it was not properly explained.

Gassho,
Charity
sat/lah

[Shonin Risa Bear]

Just realized I have children too old to practice at Antaiji. Lordy!

Shovel snow to shovel snow.

gassho
sat lah today

[Onrin]

That was a well done program.

Does anyone know if Antaiji operated similarly when Sawaki Kodo was abbot, or if after Muho became abbot did it become a destination for non-Japanese? It looks like a serious endeavor, I wonder how many who have gone through the three years have gone on to teach or become a monk.
Sat today,
Chris

[Jundo]

That was a well done program.

Does anyone know if Antaiji operated similarly when Sawaki Kodo was abbot, or if after Muho became abbot did it become a destination for non-Japanese? It looks like a serious endeavor, I wonder how many who have gone through the three years have gone on to teach or become a monk.
Sat today,
Chris

I will ask Muho.

Gassho, J

STlah

[Bion]

I will ask Muho.

Gassho, J

STlah

As soon as I was done watching it last week I went straight to Muho as well .. He’s been promoting this doc heavily, which just shows his love for the place (or so it seems) [emoji23] [emoji1]

[emoji1374] SatToday

[Anchi]

Thank you Jundo

Gassho

[Tairin]

Thank you. That was very interesting to watch.

Each of the individuals made for interesting case studies that I suspect we all identified with to some extent.


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Heiso]

Oh nice, there's a few documentaties knocking around about Antaiji and I'm always keen to live vicariously through them and see more.

Gassho,

Heiso

StLah

[Jundo]

That was a well done program.

Does anyone know if Antaiji operated similarly when Sawaki Kodo was abbot, or if after Muho became abbot did it become a destination for non-Japanese? It looks like a serious endeavor, I wonder how many who have gone through the three years have gone on to teach or become a monk.
Sat today,
Chris

My email just got to Muho, we should hear soon ...