"All the Peaceful Holidays" Short Zazenkai (welcoming Stewart) - December 25th

[Jundo]

We will have an abbreviated Zazenkai on Tuesday night (North America Time), early Wednesday morning (Europe and Japan Time), as part of our "Celebrate All the Peaceful Holidays" philosophy here at Treeleaf (SEE BELOW), and to welcome a visit from Stewart, a Zen Friend who lives here in Japan (I want to show him how we do things at Treeleaf). Please join us if you can.

Hello All,

Please 'sit-a-long' for about an hour from 11am Japan time on Wednesday in Japan (that is New York 9pm, Los Angeles 6pm (Tuesday night 12/25, Christmas Day), London 2am and Paris 3am (early Wednesday morning)

... and to be visible on the following screen during those times and sit-a-long-able any time thereafter ...

LIVE ZAZENKAI NETCAST IS HERE:
CLICK ON THE TAB ON LOWER RIGHT FOR 'FULL SCREEN

FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO JOIN TO SIT LIVE WITH A CAMERA, A LINK TO JOIN WILL BE POSTED BELOW IN THIS THREAD ABOUT 15 MINUTES BEFORE START TIME. JUST CLICK AND JOIN. WE ARE NOW LIMITED TO 10 INDIVIDUALS WITH CAMERAS, BUT ANY NUMBER CAN WATCH LIVE 'ONE WAY' AND SIT-A-LONG VIA THE ABOVE SCREEN. IF JOINING WITH CAMERA, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR MICROPHONE IS MUTED::

00:00 – 00:15 CEREMONY (HEART SUTRA in English) and Dedication
00:15 – 00:45 ZAZEN
00:45 – 00:55 KINHIN
00:55 – 01:00 VERSE OF ATONEMENT & FOUR VOWS

Gassho, Jundo

SatTodayLAH

[Jundo]

I would like to wish each and all a Peaceful Rohatsu, Merry Christmas, Good Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah and many more ...

... as well as simply a Very Tranquil and Content 'Just This Very Moment,' ever new and changing ...

.... whether it is your personal belief or not, celebrating All the Happy Holidays of Peace and Goodwill, whenever and whatever they are.

This also leads to a related topic ...

Heading home to see family and friends always presents a few special "opportunities for Practice" at this time of year ...

Meeting family and old friends ... how do you explain to them about "being a Buddhist"?

You may even start to feel a little guilty for not being part of the religion you were raised in.

How should we celebrate the holidays with friends and family?

My answer: Sing all the songs, be with the ones we love ... Celebrate Peace & Joy!

Nothing to prove or convince others about, and simply be a good son or daughter, brother or sister and friend. That is enough. Join in all the family doings, sing the Christmas songs, go to church services if it makes your poor mom or dad happy ... just nod and say "maybe so" if someone is not so open minded ... .

A Shingon Buddhist priest here in Japan made this ceremony a few years ago, so good hearted and funny, a Dedication to Santa Bodhisattva, the spirit of Giving ... don't miss the first three minutes, and the ending ...

Gassho ho ho, Jundo Santa
SatToday

[Doshin]

Peace and Joy to you Jundo and the rest of the Sangha.

I am headed to friends and most likely will not have internet. I will sit with all of you no matter where I am.

Gassho
Doshin
Stlah

[Koki]

Santa Jundo! Gassho!

A timely teaching! I've run into this a few times, and enjoy the teachable moments!

My son in law, recently questioned my wife regarding Buddhism...her response.."Good questions..you should ask Frank!"

I'll be looking forward to our family gatherings, and sharing the Dharma with friends and family.

Enjoy the moments....

Gassho
Frank (Kunzang) Satoday

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

[Mp]

Peace and joy to you all ... may we all be safe and happy this season and the coming year! =)

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

[Ryushi]

Nothing to prove or convince others about, and simply be a good son or daughter, brother or sister and friend. That is enough. Join in all the family doings, sing the Christmas songs, go to church services if it makes your poor mom or dad happy ... just nod and say "maybe so" if someone is not so open minded ... .

I’m negotiating this family relationship now. My father has been surprisingly open minded about Zen, but my mother feels she’s failed as a parent to have son turn his back on the religion I was raised in. But what about my own mind? Can I be open to my parents religion practice despite having rejected it? I will try!

Sat today.
Gassho

[Anka]

I’m negotiating this family relationship now. My father has been surprisingly open minded about Zen, but my mother feels she’s failed as a parent to have son turn his back on the religion I was raised in. But what about my own mind? Can I be open to my parents religion practice despite having rejected it? I will try!

Sat today.
Gassho

Todd,

I am in a similar situation as you. My sister and cousins know about my practice but my parents don't. My father likely wouldn't care but my mother is a born again evangelical, honestly life is simpler without her knowing. The practice has allowed me to be more accepting of her practices however which is good.

At the same time dealing with a blowout between my sister and father. Thus is family and holidays. Great opportunity for practice.

James F
SAT lah



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[Seishin]

I'll be there Wednesday am via ZOD, 3am is a little too early/late even at Xmas.

[Michael Joseph]

Thank you, Jundo.

Gassho,

Michael

Satlah

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Tairin]

Sing all the songs, be with the ones we love ... Celebrate Peace & Joy!

Absolutely!!


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Shoki]

Thank you. I will sit along. Peace.

Gassho

ST/LAH
James

[Onkai]

Thank you Jundo, and everyone. I hope everyone is having a merry Christmas and that the new year will be good. I will join the abbreviated zazenkai tonight, tech allowing.

Gassho,
Onkai
Sat

[Jundo]

Link to join live ...

https://hangouts.google.com/hangouts/_/ytl/7xJApZL_8UlmuzVWYzUcujI56Gi507so5a9_aCAzRJQ=?eid=116930448607190706458&hl=en_GB

[sjlabat]

very good,
gassho
sean
sat,lah

[Onkai]

Thank you, Jundo, Stewart, and everyone. It was nice to finish the day of celebrating with an abbreviated zazenkai. Merry Christmas to everyone, peace, and a happy new year!

Gassho,
Onkai
Sat