December 14th recommended threads

I encourage looking at these threads, topics and posts today ...

Jukaibies ... please note that our date for the upcoming Jukai Ceremony has been set ... Sunday January 12th ... look here ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post116744

Please sit along with our December 14th-15th, 2013 Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai ... even though it is a resit of a prior Zazenkai due to "technical non-difficulties" with Google today ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...eekly-Zazenkai

Our next reflection ... PRECEPTS XI - To Refrain from Being Angry ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...om-Being-Angry

Getting angry while talking to people about "anger" is not the best way ... Talking to ignorant people ... (and there are no ignorant people, except all of us!) ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...gnorant-people

A lovely and wise poem by Enkyo on gratitude for all that supports our life ... Count the stars ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...ount-the-stars

... and my little reminder of gratitude for even the hard stuff, the less pleasing, the ugly and obstacles too ... gratitude & Great Gratitude ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post117342

Some wise perspectives on Depression and Hope ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...ssion-and-Hope

More than anyone probably needs to know about Buddhism & Funerals and "Faux-Christian Weddings" in Japan ... Buddhist Funeral Business in Japan ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...iness-in-Japan

Our Newsletter is out ... The Leaf. Issue 5. Winter Holidays Special 2013 ... thanks to all who helped put it together ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...s-Special-2013



A RE-MINDER on SIMPLICITY:

In a Zen Monastery, SILENCE or A FEW WISE WORDS are cherished over MANY WORDS. Thus, I advise folks to restrain the need to speak unless the heart truly calls. If you find yourself posting many times each day, maybe consider what truly needs to be said ... and when it is best just to answer with silence and an inner Gassho.

SILENCE OR A FEW HESITANT WORDS OF FRIENDSHIP AND SUPPORT OFTEN SPEAK MOST PROFOUNDLY. Post when it is truly important to you and needs to be spoken from the warm heart.

(too much silence or shyness can also be excessive ... so take the Middle Way!)

Also, to those who may get lost among the many threads and conversations in our Forum, please think of a monastery made of wood or brick, with 100 monks holding 10,000 conversations in the hallways, kitchen, Abbot's rooms and library (I assume no chatting in the Zendo where people sit Zazen).

Would you need or want to hear or join in all or most conversations? Of course not! You would, at best, pick and choose the conversations relevant and helpful to you.

So here too in our Sangha, NO NEED TO READ EVERY CONVERSATION: Try to note the ones that seem helpful to your Practice or interests, leave the rest. The above threads are a few suggestions.

Gassho, Jundo