Chanting & Zazen Circle (Mo thru Sa)

[Rinmeies]

Maka Hannya Shin Gyo ❤
I work evenings most days this week, but will be there whenever able.

Gassho,
Rinmei
(sat)

[Ryokudo]

Maka Hannya Shin Gyo ❤
I work evenings most days this week, but will be there whenever able.

Gassho,
Rinmei
(sat)

Hey Rinmei,

Who doesn't love Maka Hannya, I'll look forward to you joining the chant, (or leading if you would like).

If you don't make it this week then we can always slip it in the next time you are here, you can never have 2 much Maka Hannya.

We'll look forward to seeing you when work permits, many of us are in similar positions after all. To be honest we don't mind if people are there everyday or they turn up every now and again. We're all part of the zen family and always welcome

In Gassho,

Ryokudo,

SAT/LAH

[Rinmeies]

Thank you, Ryukudo

I have been searching for the four vows in Dutch and French. A search that might be complicated by not knowing much of either language. Would anyone be able to direct me (or copy-paste here)?
Thank you

Gassho,
Rinmei
(sat)

[Guest]

Bonjour Rinmei,

Here is my French translation of the four vows, followed by the Dutch translation.

See you soon,

Yuki (雪)

___________
Les quatre vœux du bodhisattva


Je fais vœux de :

Sauver la totalité des êtres vivants, bien que les êtres soient innombrables ;


Transmuer toutes les illusions, bien que les illusions soient inépuisables ;


Percevoir la Réalité, bien que la Réalité soit illimitée ;


Parvenir à la Voie de l’Éveil, Voie impossible à atteindre.

__________________
(Dutch)

Hoe talloos de levende wezens ook zijn,
ik beloof ze alle te bevrijden.

Hoe talloos de oorzaken van lijden ook zijn,
ik beloof ze alle weg te nemen.

Hoe talloos de poorten van de dharma ook zijn,
ik beloof ze alle door te gaan.

Hoe eindeloos de weg van Boeddha ook is,
ik beloof hem ten einde te gaan.

__________________


And, of course, sat during the last 24 hours.

[Rinmeies]

Thank you, Yuki!

And here the Norwegian translation used by the Norwegian Soto Zen Order:

---

Uansett menneskehetens mangfold
jeg lover å redde dem alle

Uansett hvor utrettelige mine vrangforestillinger
jeg lover å slette dem alle

Uansett hvor omfattende Dharmas lære
jeg lover å mestre dem alle

Uansett hvor endeløs Buddhas vei
jeg lover å følge den

---

Thank you all for a lovely evening!

Gassho,
Rinmei

(sat)

[Anchi]

Thank you, Rinmei.

Chanting was a wonderful '' Four Vows'' in Norwegian.

Thank you so much

Always great to sit and chant with You and everybody.

Thank you all

Gassho,
nobody

[Guest]

Hi everybody !

Here is the Fukanzazengi from master Dōgen. As it is a long text, I put it in four parts.

Part I

Fukan-zazengi The Standard of Sitting-Zen Recommended for Everyone

Now, when we research it, the truth originally is all around: why rely upon practice and experience?
The vehicle for the fundamental exists naturally: where is the need to expend effort?
Furthermore, the whole body far transcends dust and dirt: who could believe in the means of sweeping and polishing?
In general, we never depart from the place where we should be: of what use, then, are the tip-toes of training?
However, if there is a thousandth or a hundredth of a gap, heaven and earth are far apart,
and if a trace of disagreement arises, we lose the mind in confusion.
Even if, proud of our understanding and richly endowed with realizations, we obtain special states of insight,
attain the truth, clarify the mind, manifest a zeal that pierces the sky,
and ramble through those remote spheres that are entered with the head;
we have almost completely lost the vigorous path of getting the body out.
Moreover, remembering the natural sage of Jetavana park, we can [still] see the traces of his six years of upright sitting.
We can still hear rumors of the transmitter of the mind-seal at Shaolin, spending nine years facing the wall.
The ancient saints were like that already: how could people today fail to practice wholeheartedly?
So cease the intellectual work of studying sayings and chasing words.
Learn the backward step of turning light and reflecting.

Body and mind naturally drop off, and the original face appears.
If we want to attain the matter of the ineffable, we should urgently practice the matter of the ineffable.

__________

Yuki (雪)
Zafu

[Guest]

Part II

In general, a quiet room is good for experiencing Zen balance, and food and drink are taken in moderation.
Abandon all involvements. Give the myriad things a rest.
Do not think of good and bad. Do not care about right and wrong.
Stop the driving movement of mind, will, consciousness.
Cease intellectual consideration through images, thoughts, and reflections.
Do not aim to become a buddha.
How could it be connected with sitting or lying down?
Usually on the place where we sit we spread a thick mat, on top of which we use a round cushion.
Either sit in the full lotus posture or sit in the half lotus posture.
To sit in the full lotus posture, first put the right foot on the left thigh,
then put the left foot on the right thigh.
To sit in the half lotus posture, just press the left foot onto the right thigh.
Let clothing hang loosely and make it neat.
Then place the right hand over the left foot,
and place the left hand on the right palm.
The thumbs meet and support each other.
Just sit upright,
not leaning to the left, inclining to the right, slouching forward, or arching backward.
It is vital that the ears vis-a-vis the shoulders, and the nose vis-a-vis the navel, are directed away from each other.
Let the tongue spread against the roof of the mouth. Let the lips and teeth come together. The eyes should be kept open.
Let the breath pass imperceptibly through the nose.
Having readied the posture, make one complete exhalation, and sway left and right.
_______________

Yuki (雪)
Zafu

[Guest]

Part III

Sitting in balance in the mountain-still state, "Think the concrete state of not thinking."
"How can the state of not thinking be thought?"
"It is different from thinking." This is the secret of sitting-Zen.
What is called sitting-Zen is not learning Zen meditation.
It is just a peaceful and effortless gate to reality.
It is practice-and-experience which perfectly realizes the Buddha's enlightenment.
The Universe is realized, untouched by restrictions or hindrances.
To grasp this meaning is to be like a dragon that has found water, or like a tiger before a mountain stronghold.
Remember, true reality is naturally manifesting itself before us,
and gloom and distraction vanish at a stroke.
If we rise from sitting, we should move the body slowly. Rise with calm confidence.
We should not be hurried or violent.
We see in the past that those who transcended the ordinary and transcended the sacred,
and those who died while sitting or died while standing,
relied totally on this power.
Moreover, changing of the moment through the action of a finger, a pole, a needle, or a wooden clapper;
and exact experience of the state through the manifestation of a whisk, a fist, a staff, or a shout,
can never be understood by thinking and discrimination.
How could they be known through mystical powers or practice and experience?
They may be dignified behavior beyond sound and form.
How could they be anything other than criteria that precede knowing and seeing?
Therefore, we do not discuss intelligence as superior and stupidity as inferior.
Let us not choose between clever persons and dull ones.
If we make effort devotedly, that is just wholehearted pursuit of the truth.
Practice-and-experience is naturally untainted.
The direction of effort becomes more balanced and constant.
____________________

Yuki (雪)
Zafu

[Guest]

Part IV

Broadly then, in this world and in other worlds, in India and in China,
all similarly maintain the Buddha-posture,
and solely indulge in the fundamental custom:
we simply devote ourselves to sitting, and are caught by the still state.
Although there are myriad distinctions and thousands of differences, we should just pursue the truth through Zen balance.
Why should we abandon our own sitting platform,
to come and go without purpose through the dusty borders of foreign lands?
If we misplace one step we pass over the moment of the present.
We have already received the essential pivot which is the human body: let us not pass time in vain.
We are maintaining and relying upon the pivotal essence which is the Buddha's truth: who could wish idly to enjoy sparks [that fly] from flint?
What is more, the body is like a dewdrop on a blade of grass.
Life passes like a flash of lightning.
Suddenly it is gone.
In an instant it is lost.
I beseech you, noble friends in learning through experience,
do not grow used to images and doubt the real dragon.
Apply yourself to the path which is directly indicated and straightforward.
Revere people who are beyond study and free of the intention to achieve.
Accord with the enlightened state of the buddhas.
Be a rightful heir to the balanced state of the ancestors.
If you practice the ineffable for a long time, you will be ineffable.
The treasure-house will open naturally, and you will receive and use [its contents] as you like.

Master Dogen's Fukan-zazengi rufubon (the popular edition).
Trans. Gudo Nishijima & Chodo Cross, New Year 2003.
________________

We will see today how we will use it. See you !

Yuki (雪)
Zafu

[Anchi]

Aloha everybody,

Sounds lovely, the Fukanzazengi from master Dōgen.

Thank you Yuki & Ryokudo.

Maybe Aprāpti ,can chant 3 times '' Four Vows'' in Dutch ?

It is always pleasant and joyful to sit with everybody.

See you all!

Gassho

[Seiko]

Hello "Chanting & Zazen" friends.
Who is joining in Ango and Jukai this year? I would whole-heartedly recommend you do. "An experience not to be missed."
You can quote me.

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?18972-ANNOUNCEMENT-Treeleaf-ANGO-%28The-90-Days-of-Dedicated-Practice%29-2021

I am sure you have thought of this already, but just on the off-chance that people have not.... perhaps some thought needs to be given to how this group continues during Ango? Same or different? Are any changes in schedule needed so as not to clash with Ango activity? Should the theme follow Ango study? We have a nice little ready made study group here, where we *could* discuss - if people want to. Or should the group rest during Ango and reconvene after Rohatsu?

All questions for everyone to voice their opinions/ preferences. Also it may be useful to ask the opinion of one of the Unsui, to see what their advice is.

Thank you for reading this rather long message.

Bows.
Seiko
stlah

[Kokuu]

Hi Seiko

That is a good question to ask.

Jundo can answer with more certainty but, as far as I am aware, your timing is unlikely to conflict with anything in Ango so I don't see any reason to stop. It seems like you have a good group going now.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

[Jundo]

Hi,

Yes, I would just continue as you are. If there is some conflict with our Retreat (December) or the like some particular weekend, then maybe just take a break that day.

No need to change a thing.

Gassho, Jundo

STLah

[Seiko]

Hi Seiko

That is a good question to ask.

Jundo can answer with more certainty but, as far as I am aware, your timing is unlikely to conflict with anything in Ango so I don't see any reason to stop. It seems like you have a good group going now.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

Thank you