Sitting for Joshu Sasaki and the Well Being of His Sangha

[Jundo]

I ask our folks to sit in remembrance of Joshu Sasaki Roshi, a most influential Teacher yet equally complex figure in the coming of Zen to the West. He left this visible world today at age 107 (age 108 in the traditional way of counting in Japan).

Rev. James Ford posted a very frank obituary today. Sometimes a gifted Teacher can be also troubled, Teaching us in ways not intended.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/monkeymind/2014/07/joshu-sasaki-dies.html#disqus_thread

We also sit and offer Metta for the peace and well being of the community he leaves behind, including several fine Teachers who have faced a difficult circumstance these past years.


Gassho, Jundo

[Byokan]

Gassho
Lisa

[Myosha]

Misery only doth exist, none miserable,
No doer is there; naught save the deed is found.
Nirvâna is, but not the man who seeks it.
The Path exists, but not the traveller on it.

Visuddhimagga (chapt. 16)

Metta to all.


Gassho,
Myosha

[Mp]

Thank you ... will dedicate my evening sit.

Wow ... that was direct and to the point article. I hope Sasaki Roshi can now find peace from the trappings of greed and desire. Whether good or bad, teachings and teachers are all around us.

Also I feel bad for the Sangha and Ordained Priests who are left behind in limbo ... what will come of it Jundo? Will the Rinzai community appoint someone?

Gassho
Shingen

[Kyotai]

Gassho, shawn

[Kyonin]

Thank you, Jundo.

Sitting for Sasaki Roshi and his sangha.

Gassho,

Kyonin

[Byokan]

Metta for his victims.
Metta for the Sangha that is left in limbo.
Metta for the ones who tried to call attention to his behavior.
Metta for the ones who knew and stayed silent or shamed the ones who spoke up.
Metta for the ones who really didn't know and stood by him and were betrayed.
Metta for a great and learned man who did much good, but must have known in his heart how wrong his actions were.


"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
- Edmund Burke

Gassho
Lisa

[Seimyo]

Deep bows to Sasaki Roshi for his contributions to Zen in the west.

Gassho
Seimyo

[Saijun]

May all beings be free from suffering.
May all beings abide in the Great Buddha Way.

[Ishin]

C

[Risho]

[Geika]

Metta for all. Gassho