April 15th-16th Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai

[Jika]

Thank you all.

I have not found a sit-along on dancing the Heart Sutra, I would enjoy having one.
(Yes, I've listened to the explanation, but I'd love to have more information why we do this, gathered in one place.)

I'm always torn between many thoughts and emotions when we dance (which makes it a good practice).
It feels good to fool around with friends (that's what I do, I can't dance and have never liked dancing).
But I'm always hoping no "outsider" is watching. Prostrations and sitting still are hard to explain, but this?
Are we trying to be "modern"?
Is this meant to be the same as placing diapers or controversial pictures on the altar?
Do you guys just like dancing while, sorry, I don't?
Shouldn't we wear acid green rakusu on these occasions? I'm not being provocative, only confused where tradition is better kept, or intentionally broken.
(Is it broken by dancing? Well, I'm not into this kind of music. Could someone please, please do a rock music or punk version?)

I drink tea with friends who like tea, and coffee with friends who like coffee.
So, I'll rave the Heart Sutra with friends who like doing so.

Sorry for raving

Gassho
Jika
#sattoday

[Ryo Do]

Just sat with the recording. Thank you!

Ryo Do

dancedtoday

[Deirdre]

Sat (and danced!) with the recording this morning. Metta to all.

Gassho,

- Deirdre
sat2day

[Gokai]

Thank you for this Zazenkai, i was with you same hours later.
Thank you Jundo for the talk about dance, life and everything.
Gassho, David
Sattoday

[Jishin]

Hi Jika,

I no longer drink. When I drank I enjoyed dancing. When in Rome do as the Romans do so I danced sober and without rhythm.

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Jundo]

But I'm always hoping no "outsider" is watching. Prostrations and sitting still are hard to explain, but this?
Are we trying to be "modern"?
Is this meant to be the same as placing diapers or controversial pictures on the altar?
Do you guys just like dancing while, sorry, I don't?
Shouldn't we wear acid green rakusu on these occasions? I'm not being provocative, only confused where tradition is better kept, or intentionally broken.
(Is it broken by dancing? Well, I'm not into this kind of music. Could someone please, please do a rock music or punk version?)

Hi Jika,

I would say we dance just to dance, because it is a fun and energetic way to celebrate ... but truly, it is nothing new. When I traveled to Tibet many years ago, I witnessed this kind of Buddhist dance ... (and please do not ask me to explain the significance) ... like whirling dervishes, no?

https://vimeo.com/31846218

And there is Baika, a kind of Buddhist hymm, that is a dance I would say. My Dharma Grandfather, Rempo Niwa Zenji, was a noted practitioner of Baika ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vY70f9L6u0

But if you want heavy metal, how's hard core? ... Kind of a contrast to the Baika!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pSuQx8gZak

Gassho, J

SatToday

[Ryo Do]

Hi Jika,
I can understand your feelings - every time my German zen teacher started doing things like tai chi or even massage in the middle of our one-week sesshin, I was like, Oh no, please, not again - just let me sit in peace and practice what I came here for to practice: zazen!
And yet... I remember one particular evening when we were doing the evening chants and came to the one dedicated to Kannon Bodhisattva, our zen master gave out all sorts of percussion instruments and we happily banged away on them, repeating the "Emmei jiku kannon gyo" over and over and going ever faster... and louder... Still, one elder student obviously found this quite frivolous, took his zafu and zabuton and went out to sit outside, not without banging the zendo door first.
As far as I know, although in Rinzai zen there is much emphasis on group discipline, nobody ever scolded him for this, his going to sit outside with his anger was in itself a complete act of reflection.
And I don't know why, that time it felt right for me to celebrate the chant that way and so I did, and the last zazen that night was filled with enormous joy and energy!
Since then, I do give it a try every time something like our Hannya shingyo dance comes my way.
(Though it felt kind of strange hopping away on my own in front of my ipad...)

Gassho
Ryo Do

satanddanced today (not two)

[Washin]

Thank you everyone. Have just danced with you all.

Gassho
Washin

[Jika]

Oh, Ryo Do, I've been thinking about how to build a simple kind of mokugyo!
Would not mind making a lot of noice with percussion

Jundo, the third one had me smiling and got a lot of head nodding

Given the average length of hair in the Sangha, head banging seems rather impractical, I'm afraid

Thank you all.
Gassho
Jika
#sattoday

[Roland]

Thank you for a beautiful opportunity to dance.

Gassho
Roland
#DancedToday

[Shurin]

Sat with this today.

Gassho,

Kyle

[Jundo]

Oh, Ryo Do, I've been thinking about how to build a simple kind of mokugyo!
Would not mind making a lot of noice with percussion

Hi Jika,

An ordinary rectangular piece of wood that has a good sound when struck with a mallet of some kind is a "mokugyo". It does not need to be shaped like a fish.

You really need to try them if ordering online, by the way. Some cheap little ones that have the right shape are clunky in sound, some are nice. I would just make one.

Gassho, J

SatToday

[Washin]

I've been thinking about how to build a simple kind of mokugyo!

Hi Jika,

For a time I've used the small rectangular presswood base from the artificial flowers
and a wooden stick which produced a sound similar to a small mokugyo.

Now I'm using this one for our 'Sunday Sits' which I believe makes a good sound even if
it's cheap and small.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221763411334?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Anyhow, I think with some handy stuff and bit of fantasy one can make a good mokugyo
No need in the expensive ones...

Gassho
Washin
ST

[Jika]

a lot of noice

Obviously, I thought noise would be nice!

Yes, the mallet is a problem too. A wooden spoon is probably not heavy enough, no? One day I'll build something.

Gassho
Jika
#sattoday

PS Thank you, Washin. I'm always wondering what other people find/use. You seemed to have all doan equipment at hand, I was very impressed! Deep bows. CU/Hear you.

[Matt]

Sitting this now.

Gassho
Matt