Hi all,
Back in the day I used to go to the Triratna Center in Mexico City for Tuesday night teachings and zazen. It was wonderful and I learned quite a bit with them.
Now as you may know, part of Mexican food are tamales. There are several types of tamales. Pretty much every state of the country has its own tamale recipe. The state of Oaxaca has the very best tamales, so people sell them, buy them and eat them like crazy. Tamales Oaxaqueños (from Oaxaca) are very popular in Mexico City.
The traditional way of selling those tamales is by going out on a bicycle and offer this delicacy.
What does this have to do with zazen?
Well, imagine a group of about 70 sitters. All in silence and deep in zazen. Incense fragrance fills the air. Controlled light sets the mood and a big Buddha statue sits in the altar, flowers and all.
And then you hear this:
The tamale guy shouting and selling tamales. Not only that, but he stops right in front of the Buddhist Center and stays there for about 10 minutes.
Every single time zazen session was interrupted by laughter. After that zazen was resumed.
So for a couple of years Tuesday nights were zazen-tamale night. I learned to just let go the noises, not minding how disturbing or funny.
We sit with what we got. Runny nose, black belts, memories, thoughts, worries... and of course, tamales.
Gassho,
Kyonin
Back in the day I used to go to the Triratna Center in Mexico City for Tuesday night teachings and zazen. It was wonderful and I learned quite a bit with them.
Now as you may know, part of Mexican food are tamales. There are several types of tamales. Pretty much every state of the country has its own tamale recipe. The state of Oaxaca has the very best tamales, so people sell them, buy them and eat them like crazy. Tamales Oaxaqueños (from Oaxaca) are very popular in Mexico City.
The traditional way of selling those tamales is by going out on a bicycle and offer this delicacy.
What does this have to do with zazen?
Well, imagine a group of about 70 sitters. All in silence and deep in zazen. Incense fragrance fills the air. Controlled light sets the mood and a big Buddha statue sits in the altar, flowers and all.
And then you hear this:
The tamale guy shouting and selling tamales. Not only that, but he stops right in front of the Buddhist Center and stays there for about 10 minutes.
Every single time zazen session was interrupted by laughter. After that zazen was resumed.
So for a couple of years Tuesday nights were zazen-tamale night. I learned to just let go the noises, not minding how disturbing or funny.
We sit with what we got. Runny nose, black belts, memories, thoughts, worries... and of course, tamales.
Gassho,
Kyonin
Hahaha! Thank you for sharing this story. Many times I sit and there are absurd things happenng all around me. The Philippines is a very loud place, with loud, simple people. A lot of times, vulgar, sometimes people try to cheat you, but underneath all that is just a wish to help the family. I used to really dislike all this loudness and vulgarity. I don't know about letting go, but I sure do end up smiling or even cracking a laugh nowadays.
Gassho, Ben
Comment