Today was one of those slow days here in Montana, the night brought a little more snow. My father and I was sweeping the snow off the sidewalk when my father asked me, "What is this Zen that you practice?" At that moment a large soft fluffy snowflake passed between us and I responded, "This is Zen?" My father smiled and said "it is pretty simple isn't? It is like a bell ringing with no knocker." So we stood there in the moment of the silent bell ringing, then my father said, "It is a sad thing that few can understand the now."
We continued our chores in silence. My father is a pretty strict Catholic in his practice and so when I told him that I was becoming Zen before our Jukai he was kind of dumbfounded. Then this evening as I was preparing to do Zazen my father asked if he could join me to hear the silent bell ringing. Of course I said yes. When we were done my father looked as though he was in his forties again (currently 83) and had the most soft and gentle smile upon his face (I have never seen him like that before). He stood up and when I stood up he bowed gassho to me, thanked me and went about his business.
The silent bell rang like thunder, the peace and joy is beyond words.
My mother since has pursued me trying to figure out why my father is so relaxed and happy. To her I said, "One flake of snow is enlightenment and the silent bell announces its awakening?" My father laughed and my mom is still perplexed. Maybe tomorrow my mom will find her bell too.
Just wanted to share this little experience with all of you.
Gassho
拡手
Koushu
Satoday
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T377A using Tapatalk
We continued our chores in silence. My father is a pretty strict Catholic in his practice and so when I told him that I was becoming Zen before our Jukai he was kind of dumbfounded. Then this evening as I was preparing to do Zazen my father asked if he could join me to hear the silent bell ringing. Of course I said yes. When we were done my father looked as though he was in his forties again (currently 83) and had the most soft and gentle smile upon his face (I have never seen him like that before). He stood up and when I stood up he bowed gassho to me, thanked me and went about his business.
The silent bell rang like thunder, the peace and joy is beyond words.
My mother since has pursued me trying to figure out why my father is so relaxed and happy. To her I said, "One flake of snow is enlightenment and the silent bell announces its awakening?" My father laughed and my mom is still perplexed. Maybe tomorrow my mom will find her bell too.
Just wanted to share this little experience with all of you.
Gassho
拡手
Koushu
Satoday
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T377A using Tapatalk
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