Eiheiji in 1985 featuring Niwa

[Jundo]

Re: Eiheiji in 1985 featuring Niwa

The translation of Niwa Zenji's comments (about 20:30 in the video) is ...

Rempo Niwa Zenji, Abbot (Kancho) of Eiheiji

When it is said "Body-Mind are One", this means that the human body in its entirety is the heart-mind. And the heart-mind in its entirety is the human body as well. This is the very fundamental point of the Teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha. We sum it up with the single phrase "Body-Mind are One," and do not divide them into two things. It is a non-Buddhist teaching to divide them into two. It becomes a different teaching. Thus, when the body is straight and true, the heart-mind becomes straight and true. The doorway to the teachings is founded on this "Body-Mind are One", a teaching continuing to us for 2500 years until today. Body is heart-mind. It is something quite deeper than the view of world and society.

[Myozan Kodo]

Re: Eiheiji in 1985 featuring Niwa

Thank you for this translation.
Gassho

[Jinyo]

Re: Eiheiji in 1985 featuring Niwa

thanks Shawn and Jundo - going to read the links later today when I have time to focus.

Gassho

Willow

[Shokai]

Re: Eiheiji in 1985 featuring Niwa

Been there , Done that; back at HMCS Cornwallis in the early fifties. Different strokes for different folks, I'm grateful for my introductions to Zen 8)

[Gary]

Re: Eiheiji in 1985 featuring Niwa

Thank you Taigu for the video and Jundo for the translation,
Eiheiji does seem to be the polar opposite of what most Westerners would expect from a Zen temple, it has inspired me to read "Eat, Sleep, Sit"
Gassho
Gary

[Kaishin]

Re: Eiheiji in 1985 featuring Niwa

Thank you for the video and translation!

[Jiken]

Re: Eiheiji in 1985 featuring Niwa

Thanks Taigu for the post.

A point that resonated for me:

Jundo wrote, “Of course, a central point of it all is that true freedom can be found in what seems, at first glance, to be a rigorous lack of freedom!”

Having been involved in an environment built on rigidity for a long time I would say definitively do not discount it.

Once learned structure and rigidity can be freeing because you know exactly what to do. For example, I was uncomfortable not knowing the procedures and rituals for Treeleaf zazenkai at first but now that I have practiced and I know what to do I feel some freedom and ease. No discomfort from wondering about what comes next if that makes sense.

I guess it all depends on perspective and practice. This thread was a good reminder for me.

Daido