A Short Film: Treeleaf's Differently-Abled Ancestors Lineage Recitation

[Kaisui]

Feeling very grateful for this Sangha right now. Thank you to Jundo, Kokuu, Jinkan and all of Treeleaf for making a space where all people are invited to practice together no matter what abilities. Meian thank you for sharing your experiences and feelings, your post earned its length and helps connect us all.

Gassho and deep bows
Charity
sat

[Tomás ESP]

Wonderful Meian, thank you for sharing

Gassho, Tomás
Sat&LaH

[Nenka]

Nenka
ST

[Seibu]

Seibu
Sattoday/lah

[Onkai]

Thank you, Jundo, Kokuu, Jinkan, for this video and service for differently abled practice. The inclusiveness benefits all members. Thank you, Meian, for sharing your experience of Treeleaf.



Gassho,
Onkai
Sat/lah

[Kaishin]

Wonderful project, and beautiful words, Meian!

-stlah

[Bokugan]

Not to shortchange Jinkan in any way, but I don't know them personally, so I cannot speak from personal experience. Deep Bows to Jinkan in honor and respect of your path and excellent example.

Kokuu has been a mentor and good friend to me for a few years, and I want to speak to the serious lack of visibility and recognition in traditional Buddhist world concerning acknowledgement of Buddhists with chronic illness and disabilities.

I told my family just last week that one of many reasons why Treeleaf is so special in my life, is because "all of this" (the physical mess that I am) is generally not an obstacle to what I do with Treeleaf. I've been extremely sick and still reclined, reclined and posted, participated in various events at all hours of the day/night/in-between. I've done lots of research and work on projects here at very strange times, and for hours at a time -- all brain work with a broken body. And also lots of sitting in the FSR and with hours of recorded Zazenkai -- because it lets me know that I am not alone, and it helps to take my mind off how I'm feeling sometimes. Then Covid hit me .... still did not stop me, not at Treeleaf.

Why do I mention this? Because if it hadn't been for Kokuu's friendship and powerful influence in my life, watching Kokuu's practice around his limitations, daily life with illness, family, etc., I would not be doing most of what I do now. I wouldn't know it was possible, allowed, even normal! Kokuu has normalized this way of life -- at least for me -- and has helped me to live the Soto Zen way of life with chronic illness in a way that my family has adjusted to also. He has set an example that I will always aspire to reach -- and I know in Soto Zen there is no reaching, no goal, no achieving. But this is the good kind, a different kind. It is so very easy, when living with incurable illness, to fall into depression, to tip over that edge, unless we can work that mindset around and understand that we are more than our physical selves and use our self/non-self (the riddle that is Zen!) for a better purpose. Then what we are "achieving" with our disability is truly the embodiment of the four vows. In refocusing our own mindset and learning to think differently -- accommodating and modifying everything we do -- we are also influencing and helping others in similar ways, and the Compassionate Way spreads.

Everything I have attempted at Treeleaf, all that I have considered, the goals I have set, what I continue to work towards -- I would not have, especially with my "complicated mess" (as my family calls it), had it not been for Kokuu's extraordinary example of what is possible. I promise I'm not turning him into a saint , but it is very hard to find good role models, mentors, friends who are walking the same special path you are, in an environment (in Buddhism and in life) that refuses to recognize your existence or even acknowledge that you have a voice.

When organizations do not recognize the excellence, talents, and skills in priests like Jinkan and Kokuu, they are also disregarding the populations that these two priests have influenced, taught, guided, and led. This is a most serious discrimination and must be challenged.

I apologize for my very long post. I felt compelled to speak a bit, from long personal experience, and with deep gratitude and respect.

Deep Bows,
meian stlh

Just felt the need to show my support as many others have. This is beautiful, Meian. Your words illuminate why sangha is so precious; one of the three jewels [emoji120][emoji120][emoji120]

Gassho,

Ryan
SatToday

[Tai Shi]

As a lay member, I made it clear from beginning at I treeleaf made clear no usuri for me, have great friends, two know me well, one knows me very well; in talking over usuri, he would know, I still prefer lay membership. Too old, difficult with bipolar and AS, now problems with vision, just too demanding.
Gassho
sat/lah

[Kenku]

Beautiful. Thankyou.


sat & lah

[Tai Shi]

A Short Film: Treeleaf's Differently-Abled Ancestors Lineage Recitation

To you specifically Meian my immediate family, Marjorie and daughter Laurel applaud my Soto Zen Buddhism. Since undertaking the precepts I have become much less angry and more hopeful. Laurel who has lived much of the last 12 years in Japan often explains Buddhism. Marjorie made my rakusu cover to pattern from scraps of cloth in her sewing box. My brother has no comment, I said nothing to my father he would object pointing out I would go to “hell.” All my relatives other than my brother. Marjorie. Laurel. Would hit the ceiling with defamation and condemnation. I keep my beautiful practice from them. As for our Dis- ability priests and women and folks of other than Caucasian in Europe and North America, and the folks who cannot read and write, there are always the deep concern I have for us I was caught off guard with Ubasoku because I felt unworthy. After my brain surgeon more than my Ankylosing Spondylitis and bipolar disorder sands in the way of priesthood. My memory has been damaged and will never be restored. Since surgery 3 months ago I have read 8 books, several very difficult, and writing much better now than at the beginning of the convalescence. I see our two dis-abbled priests and our women priest as examples. I have come to know Kokuu as a dear friends friend who became a friend before a priest in training, and he has been a confident and reassuring friend. And he can vouch that I am more committed to learning since surgery because doctors told me I might need extra help. There was a time I did not make my reading goals of two books while Kokuu’s Ango partner. Now I am more concerned and committed learning than ever an an accomplished poet in our midst has complimented my most recent poetry. I am sure I would never be certified as a priest internationally but I am an intelligent and sensitive man. Thank you our exemplary priests in training. And to our newest friends who soon will be ordained thank goodness you are who you are: always faithful and truly grateful for your kindness.
Gassho
sat/ lah
Taishi


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[Jundo]

... I am sure I would never be certified as a priest internationally but I am an intelligent and sensitive man. ...

If one stays focused in one's practice on service to others, anything is possible with time. Ordination is always a role of service, a heading downward, becoming a servant. Intelligence is not important, but a heart which is sincere and dedicated to the Bodhisattva Vows is key. That is most important around our Sangha.

Gassho, Jundo

STLah

[Tai Shi]

A Short Film: Treeleaf's Differently-Abled Ancestors Lineage Recitation

Tell me to say I’m sorry and mean it. Thank goodness love my daughter and beautiful Marjorie.They are miracles I was told by the chief resident psychiatrist at Broad lawns Polk County Hospital I would never have my education was never supposed to be, my greatest dream at age 18, to be an MFA in creative writing. I am happy and grateful I made it. Without my surgery I hadn’t any chance of living beyond 77, now I will. In spite of the pain I will live beyond 82 and look back to say it’s all worth it. Already I it’s worth it and I am only 70, 70 is a symbol to the women and men who won’t make it beyond 50. I am a man who lives with a serious mental disorder that crippling mental disorder of bipolar one. Yet I taught English and Rhetoric at colleges and universities. All my life is an example that says, “You can have a mental illness and live to 70.” I want there to be a day when the truth comes out that those of us who live daily and plod to work, to have children, to live life in your own rooms. And do this at the age of 70 and beyond. To absolutely pleed an beg and do what it takes to get what some and all people deserve. Life, to live out the old universal truths of the human heart, the absolute incredible truth to life and life for humanity for all of humanity, not just the “sane of humanity who conduct war and destroy the earth in the name of weaknesses” as they turn onto things that are actually important. Loving kindness, compassion wisdom, generosity an understanding, lasting wisdom and friendship with you and me unconditionally helping those people with a mental health and physical condition impeccably understood beyond drug companies and social workers and doctors and especially Therapists who have a doctorate, or who curtail the lives of those they serve in the man or women to treat their patients with dignity and freedom and true support , not hidden ideology but trust and understanding not educated people who disabled those people who are in need, so we will live together with all equality all care and kindness for our thankful grace. Even though I hurt saying I don’t hurt isn’t the answer.
Gassho
Taishi
sat/ lah


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[Tai Shi]

A Short Film: Treeleaf's Differently-Abled Ancestors Lineage Recitation

And I am learning to be soft and gentle with you my heart is open, open up and be myself with wonderful things gracious and lovingly kind. I want above all to be kind to you and to me, and all races, all religion and all disabilities, years of marriage is not a dream, but a beautiful reality. Yes I am learning about loving kindness. This is what the Buddha says and is loving kindness for every atom, every subatomic particle. Especially all sentient beings and not to treat people with disabilities as numbered subjects. We are all with dignity with and without diagnosis can be good with the possibility of being good. Let me know I am a person and then a dignified patient and treated with medication and medicine that works. Research those diseases which seem difficult to diagnose and difficult to treat and understand. Okay thanks I love you all and ask my teacher Jundo lol I love language and language is our medium. Sorry for taking too much computer space.
Gassho
sat/ lah
Taishi


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