For my students

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  • Taigu
    Blue Mountain White Clouds Hermitage Priest
    • Aug 2008
    • 2710

    For my students

    Hi everybody,

    My deepest wish is to transmit the teachings and empower people. Some of you will become teachers one day, may be, some won't. Remember that my deepest wish is to set you free .

    Because some people asked, here it is. I cannot speak for my Dharma relative and brother in Treeleaf, Jundo, but I would like to list the directions I would like to point out, what I do require from people who are willing to study with me:

    First and foremost a complete and utter dedication to sitting.
    To give your life to the okesa, sewing it, wearing it, giving it, sharing it. And to learn to even relinquish any attachment to it seeing in every corner of this boundless universe the corner of a single-yet-multiple kesa.
    To study texts and sutras but also to walk the walk.
    To get back on track if you loose your way.
    To surrender to Kannon as she-he-it comes, in whatever form. And laugh and cry with life as it is.
    To give your body-mind to the unknown, to "I don't know"
    To manifest again and again ZETSUGAKU MUI NO SHINJIN as expressed by Dogen in the Fukanzazengi: "a true person beyond study and the intention to achieve".
    To be ready not to be attached to my teaching or form and follow not me as Taigu but what I myself follow: so study and practice with other teachers are seen as important.
    This one pearl-universe, this single jewel has many sides. Understand that what we point out is yours already from the very start.
    To sit at least one retreat within a community or sitting group a year.
    To not play the teacher or be willing to teach and preach too early. Years of ripening are necessary, the more eager you are to teach, the less you will be given possibility to teach :twisted: .

    That's about it ...If you are willing to formally become my student, this is what you have to expect and do. Yoou may get in touch if you would like to discuss this possibilty.

    gassho


    Taigu
  • Jundo
    Treeleaf Founder and Priest
    • Apr 2006
    • 40311

    #2
    Re: For my students

    That about goes for me too.

    Deep Bows, T.

    Jundo
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

    Comment

    • Khalil Bodhi
      Member
      • Apr 2012
      • 317

      #3
      Re: For my students

      Sadhu! Deep bows to you both!

      Gassho,

      Mike
      To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one's mind — this is the teaching of the Buddhas.
      -Dhp. 183
      My Practice Blog

      Comment

      • Myozan Kodo
        Friend of Treeleaf
        • May 2010
        • 1901

        #4
        Re: For my students

        Gassho.
        Myozan.

        Comment

        • Jinyo
          Member
          • Jan 2012
          • 1957

          #5
          Re: For my students

          Dear Taigu and Jundo - I would like to clarify one point from what is a commendable list.

          Is the list intended for those students who have a 'calling' to become priests/eventual teachers?
          What of those of us who for various reasons do not fall into this category but are never- the - less comitted
          students of the Way?

          I can only refer to my own situation - it is a physical impossibility for me to attend a community retreat or sustain
          long periods of sitting. This makes me sad but I try not to make it frustrating - I have to accept the limits placed upon
          me with equanimity. Buddhism is helping me to do that.

          Also my age is against me - at nearly 6o I am never going to clock up the years/experience required to be a teacher. It
          gives me joy to see a number of much younger members taking this path here - they will have the time to bring their
          path to fruition and maturity.

          So - what I am asking - more to Taigu - because I think I can pre-empt Jundo's answer, is does my not being able to commit to this
          one (no doubt very important pre-requisit) mean that I can not be your student?

          I am very commited to this sangha - and to study - and to my (limited) sitting - and to putting the precepts into practice.

          So does this pass muster?

          Gassho

          Willow

          Comment

          • Taigu
            Blue Mountain White Clouds Hermitage Priest
            • Aug 2008
            • 2710

            #6
            Re: For my students

            Dear Willow,

            It does pass of course. One cannot expect the same level of commitment from everybody. The direction, the deep wish is important, being a lay person you can sew and wear the okesa and yes retreats are difficult for understandable reasons ( these lines were written for peple taking jukai and beyond).

            I might add that vey few people will meet all the criteria :wink: but they should have this ideal and work on it

            Much love and gratitude for your practice


            Gassho


            Taigu

            Comment

            • Yugen

              #7
              For my students

              This is a very beautiful post and discussion. Thank you Taigu and Thank you Willow. I learn from you both.

              Taigu, a question: I am interested in the evolution of the practice (in the United States at least in certain Soto lineages) that the Okesa is to be worn only by ordained priests. I have read Dogen's Shobogenzo fascicle "The Power of the Robe" and as far as I can understand it is quite clear that sewing and wearing the Okesa is a practice available to all who seriously embark on the path - it is embracing the body and teachings of the Buddha. Dogen is very clear that the Okesa should be embraced by laypersons. What is the evolution of the Okesa being reserved for Priests? I personally have a hard time with the assumption that only certain people can embrace the Okesa... its power is immense and very humbling. As the trite expression goes however, "with power comes responsibility..."

              It is entirely possible that my interpretation is mistaken.

              Gassho
              Yugen

              Comment

              • Marek
                Member
                • Jan 2012
                • 161

                #8
                Re: For my students

                _/_
                Gassho,
                Marek

                Comment

                • Jundo
                  Treeleaf Founder and Priest
                  • Apr 2006
                  • 40311

                  #9
                  Re: For my students

                  Originally posted by willow

                  I am very commited to this sangha - and to study - and to my (limited) sitting - and to putting the precepts into practice.

                  So does this pass muster?

                  Gassho

                  Willow
                  If I may add ... just keep on being Willow, as you have been. Not everyone need show commitment in the same way, and you are showing great commitment in your Willow way as such an important and vital person in this little community of Dharma friends.

                  In the Buddha orchestra, some folks play the violin, some the harp, some the oboe ... all make beautiful, harmonious music.

                  Gassho, J
                  ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

                  Comment

                  • Graceleejenkins
                    Member
                    • Feb 2011
                    • 434

                    #10
                    Re: For my students

                    My dear esteemed Taigu and Jundo, of course, even if not formal students, we are all students of yours. I have learned of water birds, pie-eating, and blenders to name a few. And, I think that by informal example, we also all teach and pass on what we have learned. Thanks much. Gassho, Grace.
                    Sat today and 10 more in honor of Treeleaf's 10th Anniversary!

                    Comment

                    • Mp

                      #11
                      Re: For my students

                      Originally posted by Jundo
                      In the Buddha orchestra, some folks play the violin, some the harp, some the oboe ... all make beautiful, harmonious music.
                      Jundo ... beautifully put!

                      Gassho,
                      Michael

                      Comment

                      • Seiryu
                        Member
                        • Sep 2010
                        • 620

                        #12
                        Re: For my students

                        Thank you for the post Taigu
                        Humbly,
                        清竜 Seiryu

                        Comment

                        • Shohei
                          Member
                          • Oct 2007
                          • 2854

                          #13
                          Re: For my students

                          Thank you for your openness and clarity Taigu. Also so very well put too Jundo, I think I play the spoons and hambone in the symphony, but that is a wonderful way to put things.

                          deep bows

                          Shohei

                          Comment

                          • alan.r
                            Member
                            • Jan 2012
                            • 546

                            #14
                            Re: For my students

                            Thank you both.

                            _/_

                            -a
                            Shōmon

                            Comment

                            • Ekai
                              Member
                              • Feb 2011
                              • 672

                              #15
                              Re: For my students

                              Thanks Taigu and Jundo. I appreciate Taigu's comments and I will reflect on these. I do wish I could post more, sit more retreats, attend the 4-hour Zazenkai regularly. Sometimes I feel that I don't participate enough but I do my best with the time I have.

                              Willow—I agree with Jundo that you are an important and vital person to our Sangha. Thank you for your presence. In fact, everyone here contributes in their own unique way that serves us all.

                              Gassho,
                              Ekai

                              Comment

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