-
-
thank you everyone for lovely Zazenkai,
I really enjoyed catching up with everyone .
Gassho, eva
sattoday and also LAHComment
-
Thank you Jundo and Kyonin and all who participated. I tried to get in last night but my internet connection was not working. However, I've been able to sit with you this morning. Jakuden, I particularly enjoyed your opening prat fall, it reminded me of a couple of times I fell of the cushion; good for a couple of embarrassed giggles, right.
And with that,let's Ango on.
gassho, Shokai
stlah合掌,生開
gassho, Shokai
仁道 生開 / Jindo Shokai
"Open to life in a benevolent way"
https://sarushinzendo.wordpress.com/Comment
-
Gassho
Shingen
Sat/LAHComment
-
We need Zafu's with seatbelts and airbags.
Gassho J STLah
PS - I am not actually recommending that anyone sit in some contraption like that!Last edited by Jundo; 09-01-2018, 04:42 PM.ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLEComment
-
I've fallen off the cushion a few times too, trying to go from standing to sitting in one graceful movement - total fail!
I just completed sitting with you all, noticing that even though I'm watching a recording, when Jundo asks if we can hear him I always give the thumb up, and I always join in waving goodbye at the end
Thank you again everyone, to the technology that makes this possible, and much gratitude to the inventor of cable ties, the modem lives to route another day.
Gassho
Meitou
satwithyoualltoday/lah命 Mei - life
島 Tou - islandComment
-
[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]It sounds like that Zafu seatbelt might not be a bad idea for some of us. And some of us also need to stay away from sharp knives during Sesshin...
Meitou, I saw you waving!
Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday/LAH
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkComment
-
Greetings everyone and happy ango!
Thanks for the helpful talk today
1) This discussion of the precepts also helps address a, in my view, common misperception of Zen & Buddhism as “nihilism.” (in other words, there is no such thing as good/bad – I can go out and do whatever I want!). Not so, I don’t want to speak too generally, but most religions, spiritualities, life philosophies start with ethical basic lessons (that we all need to return to on a regular basis). In other words if I’m heisting banks, shooting people, kicking kittens, and doing overall mayhem I can expect to go nowhere in spiritual practice.
2) I’ve been been meaning to throw the word “asceticism” out there. Words can mean different things depending on context. In “Buddhist” asceticism seems to have a negative connotation – the Buddha next to starving himself in his practice, but, his practice improved once he had a bit to eat (suggesting looking for a ‘middle way’?) Angoers mention what many other spiritualities/religions would call “asceticism.” Say, fasting from meat, rich food, tobacco, alcohol, certain entertainments, consumer buying…at least for a season. Even, ‘just sitting’ for a whole half-hour is an ascetic practice, depending on what you mean by asceticsm!
Why do we do these things? I think that’s a good question! Some folks I’ve talked to dismiss all this as ‘pathological’ (and it certainly can be that if you take it too far) However, these practices are common almost world over – any many benefit therefrom.
3) Master Dogen as ‘politician’. This is a word that often has negative connotations. However, wherever two or three are gathered politics are also involved and it sounds he had the good sense to know that. What I’m really trying to get at is words and actions that would be helpful for a monk in a monastery may not be as helpful if you have a family and a job in the big city. Can the same practice, spirituality, speak to both in spite of very different contexts – I certainly hope so!
Sorry for going on, and I’m sure much of this is ‘restatement.’
Gassho
Sjl
Sat,lahComment
-
Thanks everyone,
Gassho,
Enjaku
Sat LAH援若Comment
-
Hi Sj,
Good to sit with you today.
Someone who would kick kittens is filled with anger, divided thinking, lack of empathy, and just cannot taste the fruits of this Way. We actually sit beyond "right and wrong, good or bad" but with a subtle sense of wholeness and rightness to this universe. It helps us, in turn, not to be the kind of person who would kick kittens.
We actually had a discussion of this about a famous koan regarding the master who "cut a cat in two" to stop an argument between younger monks over who owned the cat. In fact, it is probably not literal, and a "Zen sword" (unlike an ordinary sword) cuts the cat "into one beyond one, wholeness." It is the argument between people that actually had cut the "cat in two" by dividing people and the world in two.
One of the most easily misunderstood of Koans is 'Nansen Kills the Cat.'
Here is how I take it: The "Sword of Wisdom" in Mahayana Buddhism actually makes the separate things of the world one when it "uncuts." It is the opposite of a worldly sword. The monks, in fighting over the cat, are the ones who had already mentally divided it. There was unlikely to have been any literal killing celebrated by Buddhist priests who take a vow to avoid violence, not to mention all the Karmic ramifications. Instead, Nansen actually brought wholeness and the cat back to life by ending the monk's arguing and divisive thoughts, and returning to Wholeness and the Absolute. No cat was harmed, in either the relative or the absolute sense. The "shoes on the head" at the end is a traditional gesture of mourning at Chinese funerals, showing that Joshu got the message.Nanchuan (Nansen) saw the monks of the eastern and western halls fighting over a cat. Seizing the cat, he told the monks: “If any of you can say a word of Zen, you will save the cat.” No one answered. Nanchuan cut the cat in two. That evening Zhaozho (Joshu) returned to the monastery and Nanchuan told him what had happened. Zhaozho removed his sandals, placed them on his head, and walked out. Nanchuan said: “If you had been there, you would have saved the cat.”
Pretty simple. The ASPCA certifies that no animal was actually harmed in the making of this Teaching
Manjushri with the "Sword of Wisdom" as found in many Zazen Halls
Middle way. one does not punish the body, but neither should we be a prisoner of indulging in our every whim, constantly running toward and craving what we want, running from and fearing what we don't in life. Giving up a little helps us realize that we have more mental control over that than we might think, as is freeing. Also, it help us appreciate a bit more the gift of life just as it is, and the things that money cannot buy.2) I’ve been been meaning to throw the word “asceticism” out there. Words can mean different things depending on context. In “Buddhist” asceticism seems to have a negative connotation – the Buddha next to starving himself in his practice, but, his practice improved once he had a bit to eat (suggesting looking for a ‘middle way’?) Angoers mention what many other spiritualities/religions would call “asceticism.” Say, fasting from meat, rich food, tobacco, alcohol, certain entertainments, consumer buying…at least for a season. Even, ‘just sitting’ for a whole half-hour is an ascetic practice, depending on what you mean by asceticsm!
Why do we do these things? I think that’s a good question! Some folks I’ve talked to dismiss all this as ‘pathological’ (and it certainly can be that if you take it too far) However, these practices are common almost world over – any many benefit therefrom.
"Politician" was probably a bad word choice by me. Better would be "sports coach" who encourages her players whoever they are to build morale. When Dogen spoke to lay folks, he encouraged lay folks; when speaking mostly to monks he encouraged monks. Yes, he knew his listeners.3) Master Dogen as ‘politician’. This is a word that often has negative connotations. However, wherever two or three are gathered politics are also involved and it sounds he had the good sense to know that. What I’m really trying to get at is words and actions that would be helpful for a monk in a monastery may not be as helpful if you have a family and a job in the big city. Can the same practice, spirituality, speak to both in spite of very different contexts – I certainly hope so!
Sorry for going on, and I’m sure much of this is ‘restatement.’
Gassho
Sjl
Sat,lah
Gassho, J
SatTodayLAHLast edited by Jundo; 09-02-2018, 02:29 AM.ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLEComment
-
Indeed, and as one who lives with a cat in my household I am relieved that no cats were harmed!
Thanks and gassho,
sjl
sat, lahComment
-
Wonderful way to start Ango. Thank you all.
Gassho
Eishuu
ST/LAHComment
Comment