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

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  • Jundo
    Treeleaf Founder and Priest
    • Apr 2006
    • 40308

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


    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 >>
    .
    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:
    .
    .
    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:
    .
    .
    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) ...
    . .
    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
    Last edited by Jundo; 10-07-2024, 02:08 AM.
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE
  • Jundo
    Treeleaf Founder and Priest
    • Apr 2006
    • 40308

    #2


    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."
    .
    Last edited by Jundo; 10-04-2024, 04:05 AM.
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

    Comment

    • Jundo
      Treeleaf Founder and Priest
      • Apr 2006
      • 40308

      #3
      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
      Last edited by Jundo; 10-04-2024, 04:04 AM.
      ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

      Comment

      • mdonnoe
        Member
        • Feb 2024
        • 223

        #4
        I'm looking forward to being there with you all tonight!

        Gassho,
        Michael

        Comment

        • Bion
          Treeleaf Unsui
          • Aug 2020
          • 4535

          #5
          See you all later!

          Gassho
          sat lah
          "Stepping back with open hands, is thoroughly comprehending life and death. Immediately you can sparkle and respond to the world." - Hongzhi

          Comment

          • PaulH
            Member
            • Apr 2023
            • 70

            #6
            Sat (partly) with you today, thank you!

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

            Gassho
            Paul
            satlah

            Comment

            • BikeZen
              Member
              • Jan 2024
              • 63

              #7
              Sat with i don't know who but if you know you know. IYKYK not to be confused with IKKYU.

              Gassho
              Bill

              Sat

              Comment

              • Houzan
                Member
                • Dec 2022
                • 512

                #8
                Sat with you all just now.
                Thank you, Treeleaf

                Gassho, Hōzan
                satlah

                Comment

                • Tairin
                  Member
                  • Feb 2016
                  • 2820

                  #9
                  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
                  泰林 - Tai Rin - Peaceful Woods

                  Comment

                  • Kotei
                    Treeleaf Unsui
                    • Mar 2015
                    • 4159

                    #10
                    Thank you everyone!
                    The past days have been a bit full, so I sat with this in two slices.
                    Gassho,
                    Kotei sat/lah today.
                    義道 冴庭 / Gidō Kotei.

                    Comment

                    • Paco
                      Member
                      • Aug 2024
                      • 108

                      #11
                      Thank you all. I am a bit behind. I just finished sitting with you just now.

                      Gassho,
                      Paco
                      sat/lah

                      Comment

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