April 15-16th Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai - When Priests Suffer Too

[Bokugan]

Another lovely Zazenkai

You all are such an important part of my practice -- thank you for yours

Gassho,

Bokugan
SatToday

[Jundo]

I mentioned in my talk the Buddha's reaction when his own people, the Shakya clan, was slaughtered by a neighboring king ...

(5) Buddha’s headache:

Many translations, including some which only contain fragments of the story, state that while the killing was going on the Buddha suffered a severe headache. As for the cause of the headache the opinions are divided. The majority says it was the Buddha’s past karma. Some later texts, however, emphasize that it was the Buddha’s expedient display in order to show to the masses of ordinary people the working of karma.
https://www.academia.edu/30061724/Ch...of_the_Shakyan

It is sometimes said that the headache lasted three days!

http://tibetanbuddhistencyclopedia.com/en/index.php/Buddhist_Story:_The_massacre_of_the_Sakya_clansmen

Hmmm. I think that he was just having a really bad week.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Seishin]

Thank you Jundo for this timely talk and reminder. My wife's health issues over the last 2 and a bit years, covid and an aging dog, have all had an impact restricting me doing things I would like to be doing. I've called it The Curse of the Harley, as it all seemed to start after I bought the Low Rider late 2019. So many periods of anger and frustration but my practice and music puts all into perspective. Its just life getting in the way of life and as you say we are just human (after all) cue song. Sitting each morning with my Eurocrew Sangha buddies is a daily refreshing restart, wipe the slate, start again.

Deep bows

Sat for peace

[Tairin]

Thank you everyone. I sat with you this morning.

This week’s talk was very touching. I know that despite years of practice and the near constant reminders here I still hold on to a bit of an idealized view of what Zen practice means. It is good to be reminded that we are human and not unfailing Zen robots. Thank you Jundo for sharing yours and the stories of our other priests.

Thank you everyone for your practice.



Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Anchi]

That was very lovely! Thank you everyone.

The talk was deep and moving. That's what I needed today.
Your words of wisdom are so valuable and they become even more meaningful when we actually experience those moments.
Thank you so much Jundo.

We humans, all of us create our own happiness and our own suffering - other people do not do this for us.

We are never “free” from suffering, as suffering is a part of life. But what this practice did teach me is that if there is suffering, I don’t have to suffer.


Wishing you all peace and freedom from suffering.


ln Peace with Nine Bows,
Anchi

[Ippo]

So much was said already,

I think we all confer, our "open-hearted" sharing, revealing the "other side" of the same coin of practice is a really great reminder that ALL of this is our practice. I am consistently reminded and humbled.

Beautiful to hear everyone's stories.

Lovely week,

Gassho,

Ippo

SatLah

[Kotei]

Thank you everyone!
Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today.

[Kokuu]

Thank you all for sitting and sharing.

It is a great pleasure to be part of this sangha of dedicated practice.

Gassho
Kokuu

[Tosei]

Tears mixed with the rain today. Thank you Jundo. Thanks to all the priests whose suffering bandages our own. And to all, I’m so grateful.

Nine bows.

SatLah.

[Tomás ESP]

What a beautiful talk and Zazenkai. Sending metta to all of the priests and priests in training. I am so happy that this place is welcoming of emotions, it is so healing for all. Thank you

Gassho, Tomás
Sat&LaH