TREELEAF SANGHA online 2-DAY ANGO-JUKAI-ROHATSU RETREAT -- 2015 -- (MAIN PAGE)

[Seido]

My first time sitting for so long. I learned so much about myself and non-self.

A few times I really could have used a good swat with a keisaku.

Much gratitude.

Gassho,
Ken
SatToday

[Banto]

Ken too funny. I too was considering looking around for a yardstick for a self whack. Haha
Gassho
Rodney SatToday



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[Jundo]

Ken too funny. I too was considering looking around for a yardstick for a self whack. Haha
Gassho
Rodney SatToday



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In the future, I am looking to develop one that can be plugged into a USB connection and I can swat you remotely from here.

Actually, Nishijima and most of his students avoid the Kyosaku. Originally, it was a little stick for a gentle prod, not a wacker. Nishijima once said this in a radio interview ...

While on the subject of Zazen practice I would like to say something about the use of the kyosaku, the
wooden stick used by some people to strike participants on the shoulders during practice to stop them
dozing off. I once watched a documentary on the TV about new company employees straight out of school
who were sent to a Zazen retreat as part of their induction course. During the retreat, someone was using
the kyosaku while they practiced. Later in the program, one of the participants was telling of his
experiences on the retreat, and he said that he never wants to join a retreat again because of the indignity of
receiving the kyosaku. I think that teaching people Zazen in this way is utterly wrong. Although the
kyosaku is much used in Zazen practice today, I never use it. My reason is that Master Dogen never once
mentioned the use of the kyosaku in any of his writings. He was meticulous in his descriptions of all the
Buddhist customs and traditions. If he had approved of its use, he would have written about it, describing in
detail its form and the way it is used. There is no such description in any of his works. This convinces me
that the kyosaku was not used at all in his time. It is likely that people started to use it at a much later
date.
Another reason against using the kyosaku is that it disturbs our practice. It is essential that we
individually take responsibility for our own posture during Zazen as far as possible. Practice in which an
authority figure makes us do it has little value. We must make ourselves practice. It is up to us to make
sure that we are sitting straight. To use the kyosaku to wake practitioners up so that they will not
embarrass themselves before the others is not useful.

Gassho, Jundo

[CK732]

In the future, I am looking to develop one that can be plugged into a USB connection and I can swat you remotely from here.

Actually, Nishijima and most of his students avoid the Kyosaku. Originally, it was a little stick for a gentle prod, not a wacker. Nishijima once said this in a radio interview ...



Gassho, Jundo

I would run away from Buddhism too if I had to get whacked with the Kuodaku it looks pretty extreme to me hahaha! [emoji15]

Gassho

Clarisse Sat2Day


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[Banto]

Interesting on Dogen from Nishijima, Jundo. Thanks!
I love the remote/USB idea! I'd like to have an option on that for a cattle prod. For me, for my kids and my staff hhaaaaa!
Joking aside, I did always wonder if my sitting would include anticipation of the whack and listening for the footsteps behind.


;o)

RodneySatToday

[CK732]

Interesting on Dogen from Nishijima, Jundo. Thanks!
I love the remote/USB idea! I'd like to have an option on that for a cattle prod. For me, for my kids and my staff hhaaaaa!
Joking aside, I did always wonder if my sitting would include anticipation of the whack and listening for the footsteps behind.


;o)

RodneySatToday

Hahaha! No pain - no pain! I bet I wouldn't sleep knowing that I could get hit by that. Maybe not even sleep at night too!! [emoji848] yup still looks extreme to me [emoji15]

Gassho

Clarisse Sat2Day


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[Nindo]

Wonderful. I sat with you for a little bit on Saturday morning. I am so looking forward now to my retreat in 10 days, knowing that it will be a collage of unsui at different locations, and still all together throughout time and space.

My 2 performances of the Messiah oratory went really well. It was my first time performing the piece (choir, alto). The orchestra, soloists and especially the conductor were marvellous. For now, I'm not thinking about the fact that as long as I want to stay in this choir, I will have a conflict the first weekend of December. That's for next year to worry about.

Joking aside, I did always wonder if my sitting would include anticipation of the whack and listening for the footsteps behind.

Rodney, when I sat with a Zen Mountain Monastery affiliated group, one had to request the whack. The monitor walks through the zendo, and when he/ she is directly behind you or in front of you, you make a sitting bow. Then you get whacked and bow to each other again. It hurts far less than you would think from the sound it makes. It is like acupressure if applied correctly and relieves tension. I got to appreciate it.

Gassho
Nindo
sattoday

[Jundo]

It hurts far less than you would think from the sound it makes.

That depends on who is wielding the stick, their mood, aim, strength and sometime sadism.

Gassho, J

SatToday

[Sozan]

Many thanks to Jundo and Unsui for a great first Rohatsu/sesshin experience. I sat it in as close to real time as possible, an eight year old wanting grampi's time to decorate for the holidays and read "The Night Before Christmas" is hard to deny.

As for "the stick", I found it helpful. It was used with care and compassion in the Rinzi group I sat with long ago.

Gassho,
John

s@2day

[Doshin]

Thanks for the hard work everyone.

Gassho
Randy
sattoday

[Matt]

I enjoyed sitting Rohatsu with everyone. Thanks to each of those who lead this year.

Deep bows,
Matt
#SatToday

[Gi Shu-George]

Sitting this weekend. Great job of you all.
Deep Bows to all.
Gi Shu-George

[Anshu Bryson]

Back from travelling; finally get to sit a belated Rohatsu this weekend!

Gassho,
Anshu

-st-

[Mp]

Back from travelling; finally get to sit a belated Rohatsu this weekend!

Gassho,
Anshu

-st-

Welcome back happy traveler. =)

Gassho
Shingen

#sattoday

[Anshu Bryson]

Welcome back happy traveler. =)

Gassho
Shingen

#sattoday

Thank you Shingen!

Gassho,
Anshu

_/st\_