September 28th Recommended Threads

[Jundo]

A re-MIND-er ... if you have said you wish to undertake Jukai yet, but have not begun sewing a Rakusu, IT IS NOT TOO LATE. PLENTY OF TIME STILL TO SEW, STITCH BY STITCH.

However, please get started soon!!

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

We will spend a couple of weeks with ... PRECEPTS III - To Refrain From Taking Life ...

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...om-Taking-Life

I would like to direct all our Ango-ers and everyone to ... A Talk by Kyonin ... for Ango ... Kyonin, our current "Head Seat" Shuso leading Ango this month spoke on sticking with Ango and other things in our life. You will note the neighbor's baby, rain and cats joined in the talk!

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...yonin-for-Ango

Kyonin also led our Zazenkai this week, for which we all thank him.

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...eekly-Zazenkai

When you have a moment, please listen to ... "Is Zen About Doing Things Slowly One At A Time?" - From Wohl Sensei ...

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...nd-SweepingZen

A question about those suddent WOOWY times ... "Sudden enlightenment" ...

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...-enlightenment

Don't miss this lovely Teaching from Mike there ...

Zen has taught me to experience life as it occurs, experience these fleeting moments of clarity, along with everything else in life, the good and the not so good, the happy and the sad, the blade of grass and the ripples on the pond,yet at the end of the day I try not to become attached to these things. I head home with an empty bowl.

Various ways to express the music ... TNH and the Heart Sutra ...

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...he-Heart-Sutra

A re-MIND-er of some introductory materials for new beginners ... New and Hesitant ...

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post137571



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

[Jundo]

I will also add a couple of posts about what the historical Buddha seemed to have to say on "householder" vs. "monastic" Practice ...

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post137916

... as well as what Abbot Muho Noelke and I (Jundo) have to say ...

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post137985