October 4-5 2024 -OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI- Some Koans of the Blue Cliff

[Jundo]

Dharma Talk this time will reflect on some Koans of the ...
Blue Cliff Record
碧巌録
... looking at the meaning in our ordinary lives.
(text below)

Dear All,

Please sit our Monthly 4-Hour Treeleaf Zazenkai LIVE with Zazen, Heart Sutra and more. We meet virtually in our Zoom Scheduled Sitting Room here:
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JOIN ZOOM >>.
The password (if needed): << dogen >>

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For local times, please check the Practice Calendar here: TREELEAF NOW >> (8am to noon Japan time Saturday morning, New York 7pm to 11pm, Los Angeles 4pm to 8pm, Friday night, London midnight to 4am and Paris 1am to 5am on early Saturday morning) and also sittable any time thereafter:
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However, "one way" live sitters are encouraged to come into the Zoom sitting, and just leave the camera and microphone turned off.
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Audio recordings of the Talks in this series are available here:
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Dharma Talk Audio / Podcast Episode:
LINK

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The Sitting Schedule is as follows:

00:00 - 00:50 CEREMONY (HEART SUTRA IN JAPANESE / SANDOKAI IN ENGLISH) & ZAZEN
00:50 - 01:00 KINHIN
01:00 - 01:30 ZAZEN
01:30 - 01:50 KINHIN

01:50 - 02:30 DHARMA TALK & ZAZEN
02:30 - 02:40 KINHIN & HOKEY-POKEY RITUAL

02:40 - 03:15 ZAZEN
03:15 - 03:30 KINHIN
03:30 - 04:00 METTA CHANT & ZAZEN, VERSE OF ATONEMENT, FOUR VOWS, & CLOSING

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ATTENTION: Everyone, when rising for Kinhin or Ceremonies after Zazen, get up slowly, don't rush, hold something stable, you won't be "late," so TAKE YOUR TIME! Make sure you are careful getting up!

Gassho, Jundo

STLah


PS - There is no "wrong" or "right" in Zazen ... yet here is a little explanation of the "right" times to Bow (A Koan) ...
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Chant Book is here for those who wish to join in: CHANT BOOK LINK

The other video I mention on Zendo decorum is this one, from our "Always Beginners" video Series:
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Sit-a-Long with Jundo: Zazen for Beginners (12) - Basic Zendo Decorum At Home
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...093#post189093

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I also recommend a little Talk on why small rituals and procedures are so cherished in the Zendo:
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SIT-A-LONG with Jundo: Small Things in the Zendo
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...s-in-the-Zendo

[Jundo]

tsuku.jpg

We will reflect on some Koans of the Blue Cliff Record (碧巌録; Hekiganroku in Japanese) compiled in Song China in 1125. We are currently dancing with its Koans each week in our 'No Words Book Club' (LINK), and you are invited to join in the fun and games. The book includes Chan master Yuanwu Keqin's annotations and commentary on 100 Verses on Old Cases collected by Xuedou Chongxian a century earlier. The Blue Cliff Record derives its name from the temple where Yuanwu Keqin wrote most of his commentaries. Master Dogen is credited with introducing the collection to Japan, although that is historically doubtful. He did revere and cite many of the Koans included in the collection, however.

CASE 1:
Emperor Wu of Liang asked the great master Bodhidharma, "What is the highest meaning of the holy truths?" Bodhidharma said, "Empty, without holiness." The Emperor said, "Who is facing me?" Bodhidharma replied, "I don't know."

CASE 2:
Chao Chou, teaching the assembly, said, "The Ultimate Path is without difficulty; just avoid picking and choosing. As soon as there are words spoken, "this is picking and choosing," "this is clarity," this old monk does not abide within clarity; Do you still preserve anything or not?" At that time a certain monk asked, Since you do not abide within clarity, what do you preserve? Chao Chou replied, "I don't know either." The monk said, "Since you don't know, Teacher, why do you nevertheless say that you do not abide within clarity?" Chao Chou said, "It is enough to ask about the matter; bow and withdraw."

CASE 3:
Great Master Ma was unwell. The temple superintendent asked him, "Teacher, how has your venerable health been in recent days?" The Great Master said, "Sun Face Buddha, Moon Face Buddha."

CASE 5:
Hsueh Feng, teaching his community, said, "Pick up the whole great earth in your fingers, and it's as big as a grain of rice. Throw it down before you: if, like a lacquer bucket, you don't understand, I'll beat the drum to call everyone to look."

CASE 6:
Yun Men answered ..., "Every day is a good day."
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images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTc3SNuI3E65HSpk4OEhAOynzwRF0oqfFdrmw&amp;s.jpg

[Jundo]

One of the great forms of Dukkha is being away from whom one loves. All things are change. We are always looking for our missing happiness ...

Not the 'Blue Cliff Record' ... But a Record of Cliff singing the Blues ...

Well, now that she is gone
You won't feel bad for long
For maybe just an hour
Or just a moment of the day

*Then blue turns to grey
And try as you may
You just don't feel good
And you don't feel alright

And you know that you must
Find her, find her, find her

[Bion]

See you all later!

Gassho
sat lah

[PaulH]

Sat (partly) with you today, thank you!

Jundo you had me at "You guys are all failures"

Gassho
Paul
satlah

[BikeZen]

Sat with i don't know who but if you know you know. IYKYK not to be confused with IKKYU.

Gassho
Bill

Sat

[Houzan]

Sat with you all just now.
Thank you, Treeleaf

Gassho, Hōzan
satlah

[Tairin]

Thank you everyone. I sat with you this morning and this evening.

Jundo, I enjoyed your discussion on the Koans we’ve been looking at over the past few weeks.


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Kotei]

Thank you everyone!
The past days have been a bit full, so I sat with this in two slices.
Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today.

[Guest]

Thank you all. I am a bit behind. I just finished sitting with you just now.

Gassho,
Paco
sat/lah

[Ester]

Hi!
I'm in Europe and my health requires me to be careful with my sleeping patterns, so, so far, I didn't attend any monthly zanzekai but I'm watching them (the talks, Q&A and the dance). I love the dance. I love music, I love dancing and it's really beautiful to see you all dancing together. Still, I have a question, why do we dance in the zanzekai? Don't get me wrong, I don't think there is any need to have an external reason to dance. Dancing and celebrating is worth just for the sake of dancing and celebrating. But I'm curious to know if there is any reason to dance in the zanzekai beyond enjoying music and beyond enjoying being together.

Thanks!
Gassho,
Ester
Satlah

[Jundo]

Hi!
I'm in Europe and my health requires me to be careful with my sleeping patterns, so, so far, I didn't attend any monthly zanzekai but I'm watching them (the talks, Q&A and the dance). I love the dance. I love music, I love dancing and it's really beautiful to see you all dancing together. Still, I have a question, why do we dance in the zanzekai? Don't get me wrong, I don't think there is any need to have an external reason to dance. Dancing and celebrating is worth just for the sake of dancing and celebrating. But I'm curious to know if there is any reason to dance in the zanzekai beyond enjoying music and beyond enjoying being together.

Thanks!
Gassho,
Ester
Satlah

Hi Ester,

First, no reason to join the Zazenkais live from Europe, where it is the middle of the night. That is why they are recorded in "real time" and, when you forget about place and time, here and there, you are here with us/

As to dancing, there are two reasons. One is just to shake the legs and body after so much sitting! Second is that, after serious "Dharma Talk," why not smile and laugh. It is always a good time to dance! You know Zorba the Greek?
.

Gassho, J
stlah

[Ester]

Hi Ester,

First, no reason to join the Zazenkais live from Europe, where it is the middle of the night. That is why they are recorded in "real time" and, when you forget about place and time, here and there, you are here with us/

As to dancing, there are two reasons. One is just to shake the legs and body after so much sitting! Second is that, after serious "Dharma Talk," why not smile and laugh. It is always a good time to dance! You know Zorba the Greek?
.

Gassho, J
stlah

They sound like wonderful reasons

I've listened to the music many times but I haven't watched the film yet

Gassho,
Ester
Satlah

[ZenJay]

Thank you all. I am a bit behind. I just finished sitting with you just now.

Gassho,
Paco
sat/lah

Im even more behind! Just sat this with you all! Now getting the heck out of here and into the world of mattress sales! Thank you for sharing practice everyone!

Gassho,
Jay

Sat/lah today