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Keizan quote is from Denkoroku I think or the other one he wrote.
The BodhiDharma quote came from an article I read a long time ago. It sounded kind of logical, instead of the alternative theory of protecting the monastery.
Food, shelter, clothing and "water", are just everyday knowledge It think, but can be found in some Buddhist teachings.
I must say that some of my stuff is over the top. Don't take it too seriously. Mostly here I'm just saying that excercise and stuff is good. A lot of my rambling come from an unbalanced practice sitting infront of a computer all day. As soon as something arises, I have the tendancy to post it.
Food, shelter, and clothing (the last one depending on climate). Keizan Zenji recommends that you don't sit in cold places where drafts can get in, otherwise you could get sick.
Sunryu Suzuki recommends that we "do religion", bowing, giving offerings and so on because "we" are not dogs and cats. We are rather selfish sometimes. Religion puts us on a good road. Less selfish I guess.
Today we have to work. We have to go to work. Perhaps you are a janitor, or a manager, or a bus boy. Work = shelter = food = E =mc2
Why did Bodhidharma teach Gong fu at Shaolin temple? It wasn't to have kick ass competitions. It was because the monks were becoming unhealthy from hours of sitting (or so they say), so excercise is good too, to keep body and mind healthy, so you can practice.
Essential to the whole is Zazen, kinhin, oryoki, and so on.
I am not the best person at keeping all this stuff organized, but I think some things I will endeavour to do better.
Then of course, there's all the poetry and blah, blah, blah, yada, yada, yada.
The man sitting quietly is patience. He is Zazen. But he must join the show eventually. Perhaps when his friend arrives.
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