December 20-21st Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai - A Merry Rohatsu & Happy New This Moment!

[Kyōsen]

Happy Holidays and a Happy Solstice to everyone!

When I sat this zazenkai I couldn't help but have thoughts about how the daylight hours in the northern hemisphere are now increasing again, meaning that Spring is on the way! I love Spring and am excited to see all the green and flowering things return, but I'm glad they're getting a chance to rest now and gather their strength so they're ready to put on a show the likes of which only nature can pull off!

Gassho
Kyōsen
Sat|LAH

[Onka]

As I mentioned in my little talk (from 1:09:00 mark), "Gospelizing" our Buddhist chants is really nothing new. The Order of Buddhist Contemplatives (Shasta Abbey, Jiho Kennett Roshi's Lineage) recites most of their chants as evensong (in my understanding, the Anglican version of Gregorian chanting). Here is their Heart Sutra. I think it quite lovely.

http://www.shastaabbey.org/audio/musicGreatwisdom.mp3

Gassho, J

STLah

All I can picture is Monty Python when listening to this.
Gassho
Anna
stlah