May 24th. Recommended Threads - Introducing "LEND-A-HAND" (LAH)

[Jundo]

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

We are asking all our Treeleaf folks to join in a great experiment for us ... EVERYONE’S PARTICIPATION REQUESTED: “LAH” (Lend A Hand) ... a few more drops of good in the world ...

I am asking that all Treeleaf members, in some way, perform an extra “good deed” each day (something that they do not otherwise daily do) dedicated in their heart to Treeleaf Sangha. When they do so, they should put “LAH” or “Lent A Hand” next to their signature too, as a way to show their participation by having done a special deed during the previous day.

Details Here ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...Lend-A-Hand%29

As well, please sit any place any time ... our May 19th-20th Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai - Dedicated to "LEND A HAND ('LAH') ... we sit, then get up and do ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...ND-%28-LAH-%29

And speaking of our Vow to aid all the Sentient Beings ... LIVING by VOW: The Four Bodhisattva Vows (First Half) - PP 13 to 31 ... in our "beyond words book club" ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...29-PP-13-to-31

More children hurt, terrible violence ... yet let us not react in anger, let us act for peace and the benefit of children in the world ... The Best Response to Terrorism - Don't be Angry or Terrified! ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...r-Terrified%21

And despite the screaming headline, and the pain we must not overlook, we also lose the big view ... Better Angels Of Our Nature ... the world is safer than it has every been, and that is just a fact ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post199266

If there is one thing I have tried to get across in 10 years of Treeleaf (beside LAH ) ... What's for Breakfast? Beyond Distinctions.... ... why we don't eat dog poop, though dog poop is sacred too ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...d-Distinctions

Sometimes there are no easy answers ... Finding Peace in Our Ills Even When We Cannot Have Hope ... to hope or not to hope. perhaps hope beyond hope ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...nnot-Have-Hope

A book recommendation (although have not read it yet myself), written by a friend of Treeleaf ... Inside Vasubandhu's Yogacara ... Thanks to Kokuu for the introduction ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...dhu-s-Yogacara

Who says that Zen does not provide some very clear answers to some very big questions? Sure does! ... Who we are, life and death and much more ... (more on) Oh, those big questions! ...

Oh, wait! You believe this Way does not address such questions?! You mean that knowing ... and more vitally, experiencing ... that one-self is fully, most intimately, a manifestation and expression of all of reality looking at all of reality ....

... that is not sufficient for you?

That is just about the clearest answer that one is gonna get to "what is in front of you" (query: what has no front or back??).

... one knows that thine is this and this just that.

What is wrong with knowing ... and experiencing ... just this/that?

The Universe is truly the Cosmic Hokey Pokey, and the hands and legs of the dancing universe are yours and mine!

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post199425

The Goallessness and "Just This" of Shikantaza is found in many places in Zen history ... The Shikantaza Teachings of ... Master Rinzai! ... beyond Soto or Rinzai and all categories ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...ster-Rinzai%21

And if we still haven't gotten the point across ... SIT-A-LONG with Jundo: The Treeleaf LEND-A-HAND ('LAH') Project ... WE NEED YOU! ... we need you! ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...WE-NEED-YOU%21

I am so glad if this place and the practice are benefiting you. If so, you might consider a DONATION to Treeleaf at this LINK, although there is absolutely no need or requirement to do so. Thank you.



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.

(BUT 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.

Oh, and we do ask folks to note that they have SAT ZAZEN THE PREVIOUS DAY BEFORE POSTING IN THE FORUM (please read about that here):

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...ore-Forum-Chat

Gassho, Jundo

SatTodayLAH

[Tai Shi]

And so I sent $10 to UNICEF and cannot do this everyday, or I would be broke pretty soon. I try to find a gentle word to help those in fast food which sometimes my wife and I consider going out, and to be honest sometimes we go to some place that charges $25. Or the clerk in our grocery store. There is also a kind word. Yet, sometimes I forget.

Tai Shi
std LAH
Gassho