February 15th, 2014 - SPECIAL "NEHAN-E" 4-hour ZAZENKAI! (w/ SPECIAL START TIMES!)

[Jundo]

NOTE THE SPECIAL START TIMES!





http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/images/h2/h2_L.1993.69.4.jpg




WELCOME to our Memorial & Celebration of NEHAN-E, (Pari-Nirvana) the traditional day to mark the historical Buddha's death and passing from this visible world. This is also a day for each of us to remember in our homes those family and friends who have gone before. As well, we mark the passing of Nishijima Gudo Wafu, my Teacher (and Taigu's Grand-Teacher).



http://www.dogenzen.net/wp-content/uploads/Nishijima11.jpg


There is a portion of our Memorial & Celebration for you AT HOME (see description below in this thread), and also a commemoration during this 4-Hour Treeleaf Monthly Zazenkai (SEE SPECIAL CHANTS ANC CEREMONY CONTENT BELOW IN THIS THREAD). We recall (as appropriate to each family) our parents, grand-parents, siblings, our relatives near and distant, all our ancestors reaching back through the generations, and our dear friends and other cherished ones who have passed. As mentioned, our Memorial is also in honor of Master Nishijima, who passed from the world this month.

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?11930-Announcement-Nishijima-Gudo-Wafu-Roshi-has-Passed

So, do 'sit-a-long' with our 4-hour ZAZENKAI, netcast LIVE 9pm Saturday night to 1am Sunday morning Japan time (that is New York 7am to 11am, Los Angeles 4am to 8am (Saturday morning), London noon to 4pm and Paris 1pm to 5pm (Saturday afternoon)) ... and visible at the following link during those times and any time thereafter ...

LIVE ZAZENKAI NETCAST at GOOGLE+ IS HERE:
CLICK ON THE TAB ON LOWER RIGHT FOR 'FULL SCREEN

http://youtu.be/i8W-z2cL0Ck

FOR THOSE NOT ALREADY MEMBERS OF THE CIRCLE WHO WISH TO JOIN TO SIT LIVE WITH A CAMERA, INSTRUCTIONS are posted AT THIS LINK (http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?10200-How-to-Join-GOOGLE-for-Zazenkai). WE ARE NOW LIMITED TO 10 INDIVIDUALS WITH CAMERAS, BUT ANY NUMBER CAN WATCH LIVE 'ONE WAY' AND SIT-A-LONG VIA THE ABOVE SCREEN. IF JOINING WITH CAMERA, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR MICROPHONE IS MUTED:

To mark this time, our Ceremony at the start of the Zazenkai will include a chanting of “The Verse of Homage to Buddha's Relics, Shariraimon” and Heart Sutra in Chinese-Japanese (to mark our "roots"). Words and details are provided below in this thread. After that, we will celebrate the Buddha (and Master Nishijima) in the way most vital to each ... with Zazen. Our sitting schedule for the 4-hour gathering will be as follows ...

00:00 - 00:50 CEREMONY (SHARIRAIMON in ENGLISH / HEART SUTRA in JAPANESE) & ZAZEN
00:50 - 01:00 KINHIN
01:00 - 01:30 ZAZEN
01:30 - 01:50 KINHIN

01:50 - 02:30 DHARMA TALK on "Parinirvana, Remembrance & Celebration" & ZAZEN
02:30 - 02:40 KINHIN

02:40 - 03:15 ZAZEN
03:15 - 03:30 KINHIN
03:30 - 04:00 METTA CHANT & ZAZEN, VERSE OF ATONEMENT, FOUR VOWS, & CLOSING


For this special Zazenkai, a statue of the reclining ‘Buddha Entering Parinirvana’ will be given special prominence on the Altar, as will a portrait of our late Teacher, Master Nishijima.

As always, we close with the 'Metta Chant', followed at the end with the 'Verse of Atonement' and 'The Four Vows'.


I STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT YOU POSITION YOUR ZAFU ON THE FLOOR IN A PLACE WHERE YOU ARE NOT STARING DIRECTLY AT THE COMPUTER SCREEN, BUT CAN GLANCE OVER AND SEE THE SCREEN WHEN NECESSARY. YOUR ZAFU SHOULD ALSO BE IN A POSITION WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE COMPUTER SCREEN WHILE STANDING IN FRONT OF THE ZAFU FOR THE CEREMONIES, AND HAVE ROOM FOR BOWING AND KINHIN.

ALSO, REMEMBER TO SET YOUR COMPUTER (& SCREEN SAVER) SO THAT IT DOES NOT SHUT OFF DURING THE 4 HOURS.

I hope you will join us ... an open Zafu is waiting. When we drop all thought of 'here' 'there' 'now' 'then' ... we are sitting all together!

[Jundo]

First, what is NEHAN-E (BUDDHA'S PARINIRVANA DAY)?


This is the day that Shakyamuni Buddha died near the town of Kushinagara on the banks of the Hiranyavati River. A big scroll depicting the Buddha entering Nirvana is hung and a ceremony expressing our gratitude to the Buddha is performed. The Sanskrit term ‘Nirvana’ literally means ‘extinction, the extinction of the worldly illusions and passions.’ Wherever the extinction of illusions and passions is being achieved, there will be a calm and peaceful Nirvana, but the term which applies to this particular day means the death of the Buddha Shakyamuni.

It is said that at the time of his death the Buddha was sleeping on a bed that had been prepared between two sala trees; his head to the north, his face to the west, and his right hand for a pillow. At that time, white flowers bloomed on the sala trees and fell continuously. The story is related how many of his disciples, men and women of all ages, and even birds and animals gathered, sighing with sadness. The Buddha gave his last discourse, expounding the fundamental truth – even though the physical body dies, the Dharma is unbounded by time; in order to see the Buddha, it is simply necessary to see the Dharma. In this way, he taught his disciples the Precepts and the way they should maintain the practice of Buddha’s Way. This sermon is called the Yuikyogyo, the Last Teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha (or "Sutra of the Last Teaching Bequeathed by the Buddha"). He passed away at the age of 80 and entered into "Mahaparinirvana", that which cannot be truly "entered" or "departed", the absolute free state of Enlightenment.

Though marking events of some 25 centuries ago and far away, the moment is truly beyond count or time, found here and all places.

And so, might we encounter our lost loved ones and friends as neither gone nor far away, beyond time ... found here and all places ... gassho1




======================================


Parinirvana Ceremony (At Home)
Evening of February 14-15th, 2014

(This Portion is to be conducted at each family's home in the evening,
sometime before ceremony at Treeleaf Japan.
However, the date can be adjusted a bit earlier or later due to family needs and schedules.)


Please frame an image of the "Reclining Buddha" (Buddha on His Death Bed) ... There are many available online ...


http://greatlakezen.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/parinirvana2.jpeg

CLICK HERE FOR OTHER PARINIRANA PICTURES AVAILABLE ONLINE (https://www.google.com/search?q=reclining+buddha+pictures&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=vJXeUu7LIsLfkAXv1IGIBA&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1536&bih=764#q=parinirvana+buddha+painting&tbm=isch&imgdii=_)

At home, after dark, this framed picture should be placed on a table with incense (incense burner to be placed in front of the picture of the Buddha) and/or candles (to be placed in front of the picture of Buddha if without incense, to the sides of the incense if with), photographs or other reminders of the loved ones and friends to be remembered (to be placed to the right and left of the picture of the Buddha), all surrounded by fresh flowers and fruit (such as apples or oranges; this time of year also happens to be the start of Spring on the old Lunar Calendar, the "Chinese New Year", a time of new birth), and a small cup containing sweetened water or tea (representing an offering to quench all thirst). It is fine to place a small toy on the table for any children whose passing is being remembered. Family members will gather, dressed neatly. Family members can stand in Gassho or simply respectfully, as one adult representing the family lights the incense and/or candles, offers Three Standing Gassho Bows, and (holding the paper in the following way) recites the following before the image of Buddha:


http://dharma-rain.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/BOOK-GASSHO-150.gif


This is the day of the Buddha’s Parinirvana, the time some 25 centuries ago when the Thus Come One entered Parinirvana, Final Nirvana, the day of the historical Buddha’s passing from this visible world. With each passing day, let us cherish life. Mindful of transiency, let us live this life and pursue our Path with diligence and care.

We remember our dear (say as applicable, and add their first names where possible) parents, grand-parents, siblings, our relatives near and distant, all our ancestors reaching back through the generations, and our dear friends and other cherished ones who have passed from this visible world. All in their way, by their lives, made our lives in this present moment possible and are the root of our being. They supported us, befriended and nutured us, each in their way, both in ways clearly seen and ways sometimes obscured and hidden to our eyes. To each we express and offer our caring, boundless love, greetings, embrace, gratitude, mutual understanding and forgiveness, tolerance and hope for their peace and rest.

As was taught in the Sutra of the Last Teaching Bequeathed by the Buddha, spoken by the Tathagata with regard to his own passing …


O good followers of the path! Do not grieve! Even if we were to live in the world for as long as great aeons of time, our coming together would someday have to end. There can be no coming together without parting. A life which benefited both self and others has reached completion. What has been said, has been said. What has been done, has been done. Even if we were to live longer, there would be nothing to add. …

Therefore, you should know that all things in the world are impermanent; coming together inevitably means parting. Do not be troubled, for this is the nature of life. Live and Practice diligently with right effort, find liberation immediately and, with the light of wisdom, remove the darkness of ignorance. Thus the Body of the Tathagata’s Dharma will be realized as timeless and indestructible. Yes, nothing is secure, and everything in this life is precarious. Yet, do not think that “The light has ceased.” It should not be seen like this. For what I have lit shall be your light, all living beings shall be the light, this bright world, and your very mind itself, shall be this same light continuing on.

Now, good followers of the way! You should always wholeheartedly seek the path of liberation. Yes, all things in the world, whether moving or seemingly non-moving, are characterized by disappearance and instability. Yet, be as lamps unto yourselves and pass on that light throughout generation after generation and to everyone in this world.

Stop now! Do not speak! Time is passing. I am about to cross over. This is my final teaching.


Family member leading the ceremony then announces that “A moment of silence will now be held in memory of those commemorated here, all our Ancestors and Friends who have departed this visible world.” After the moment of silence, the family leader will then say some words, speaking from the heart in a relaxed and conversational way, in memory of the individuals (remembering some specifically by name, others more generally) who are being recalled, telling something to the others who are gathered (especially any children present) about the people being remembered. The theme of the short talk should emphasize love, friendship, gratitude and (if needed in some cases) forgiveness of the past.

The ceremony is closed with the words, “We will carry each of you in our hearts, and wish peace to you and peace to all who remain behind.” That is followed by Three Standing Gassho Bows, and the ceremony is over.

The altar at home should be kept until after sundown the next day. Candles should not be left burning after the ceremony in the interest of safety.

NOTE: If the person wishes in respect of the religious sensibilities of other members of the family, the images of Buddha and Incense need not be included, and the content of the Ceremony and references to the Buddha can be altered as felt appropriate.

I HOPE OUR SANGHA MEMBERS WILL JOIN US IN THIS MEMORIAL of PASSING and CELEBRATION of LIFE!

Details on our Memorial and Celebration during our monthly Zazenkai will follow ...

Gassho, Jundo

[Jundo]

======================================



Parinirvana Ceremony (At Treeleaf Japan)
Evening of February 14-15th, 2014

At Treeleaf, we will hold our February Monthly Zazenkai midmonth, with a special Ceremony and a short Dharma Talk on the theme of “Rememberance and Parinirvana”, to mark the event.

Unlike our usual Zazenkai, a statue of the reclining ‘Buddha Entering Parinirvana’ will be given special prominence on the Altar.

The Ceremony will begin as usual, with Three Full Prostrations, but with the following differences:

- Shariraimon, in English, will be our first chant.

- Hannya Shingyo will be recited in Japanese.

- Followed by the Ino reading a special Dedication for Parinirvana

+++++++++++++++++

Ceremony begins as always but, after Lighting Incense and Three Prostration:

Ino: “The Verse of Homage to Buddha's Relics, Shariraimon” (shariRAImooonOOON)…

Instrumentation: Bell; Accompanied by Mokugyo. (NOTE TO INO-DOAN: STYLE IS SIMILAR TO "HEART SUTRA IN ENGLISH, BUT SLOWER AS A DIRGE")

With/ whole/heart/ed/ gra/ti/tude/ we/ bow/
to/ the/ re/lics/ still/ pre/sent of/ the/ True/ Bo/dy/
of/ the/ Ta/tha/ga/ta/ Sha/kya/mu/ni,/
who/ is/ ful/ly/ en/dowed/ with/ my/ri/ad/ vir/tues;/
to/ the/ Dhar/ma/ Bo/dy/ which/ is/ Truth/ it/self;/
and/ to/ the/ whole/ u/ni/verse/ which/ is/ his/ Stu/pa./
With/ deep/ res/pect/ we/ ve/ner/ate/ the/ One/
who /lived/ his/ life/ for/ the/ sake/ of/ all/ be/ings./
Though/ the/ sus/ten/ance/ of/ Bud/dha,/ the/ Truth/
en/ters/ us/ and/ we/ en/ter/ Truth./
Let/ us/ strive/ to/ be/ne/fit/ all/ li/ving/ be/ings,/
a/rouse/ the/ thought/ of/ A/wa/ken/ing,/
cul/ti/vate/ Bod/hi/sat/tva/ Prac/tice,/
and/ to/ge/ther/ en/ter/ Per/fect/ Peace,/
the/ pen/e/tra/tion/ of/ the/ e/qua/li/ty/ of/ all/ things./
Now/ let/ us/ re/ver/ent/ly/ bow.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Then … Followed by 3 bells and offering of Incense:

Ino: “Maka Hannya Haramita Shin Gyo”

Following by Hannya Shingyo in Japanese …

Kan Ji Zai Bo Satsu Gyo Jin Han Nya Ha Ra Mi Ta Ji Sho
Ken Go On Kai Ku Do I Sai Ku Yaku Sha Ri Shi Shiki Fu
I Ku Ku Fu I Shiki Shiki Soku Ze Ku Ku Soku Ze Shiki Ju
So Gyo Shiki Yaku Bu Nyo Ze Sha Ri Shi Ze Sho Ho Ku
So Fu Sho Fu Metsu Fu Ku Fu Jo Fu Zo Fu Gen Ze Ko Ku
Chu Mu Shiki Mu Ju So Gyo Shiki Mu Gen Ni Bi Ze Shin
Ni Mu Shiki Sho Ko Mi Soku Ho Mu Gen Kai Nai Shi Mu
I Shiki Kai Mu Mu Myo Yaku Mu Mu Myo Jin Nai Shi Mu
Ro Shi Yaku Mu Ro Shi Jin Mu Ku Shu Metsu Do Mu Chi
Yaku Mu Toku I Mu Sho Tok ko Bo Dai Sat Ta E Han-Nya
Ha Ra Mi Ta Ko Shin Mu Kei Ge Mu Kei Ge Ko Mu
U Ku Fu On Ri Is-Sai Ten Do Mu So Ku Gyo Ne Han San
Ze Sho Butsu E Han Nya Ha Ra Mi Ta Ko Toku A Noku
Ta Ra San Myaku San Bo Dai Ko Chi Han-Nya Ha Ra Mi
Ta Ze Dai Jin Shu Ze Dai Myo Shu Ze Mu Jo Shu Ze Mu
To Do Shu No Jo Is sai Ku Shin Jitsu Fu Ko Ko Setsu Han
Nya Ha Ra Mi Ta Shu Soku Setsu Shu Watsu Gya* Tei
Gya Tei Ha Ra Gya Tei Hara So Gya Tei Bo Ji Sowa Ka
Han Nya Shin Gyo [* * *]

Followed by Dedication after Heart Sutra, as follows:

Buddha Nature pervades the whole universe, Reality, existing right here now: We recall this day when some 2500 years ago, Shakyamuni Buddha, our historical Teacher, entered into Parinirvana. In reciting THE VERSE OF HOMAGE TO THE BUDDHA’S RELICS and THE HEART OF THE PERFECTION OF GREAT WISDOM SUTRA we offer our reverence, and dedicate this gathering, to our great original source teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha. On this day of his entry into Parinirvana, mindful of his Teachings, we go forward with boundless gratitude and joy and vow to practice endlessly…

The Pure Dharma Body of the Buddha is always clear, beyond birth and death and expressed by all things, yet cannot be seen so long as one is lost in duality. The Buddha lived within coming and going, birth and death, a man of great compassion for all living beings. For this we bow in gratitude, and aspire that we may illuminate our minds in the midst of delusion.

On this day we have gathered to commemorate our Great Teacher Shakyamuni Buddha’s entry into Parinirvana, and we offer incense, flowers, light, food and sweet water, all symbols of reverence, life and the satisfaction of all desires. We further dedicate the merit of this Zazen gathering in gratitude for his great Compassionate acts in leaving us these Timeless Teachings.

The moon over Mount Ryoju, the Vulture Peak, shines wonderously in all directions.

The sala trees bloom and their petals convey the fragrance of the Dharma down through time.

The Buddha transcended desire and his understanding has helped all who are deluded until this present moment. The merits of suchness will extend from the beginningless past to the endless future.

All the myriad forms of existence join in recognizing the profound importance of this day and wholeheartedly recite with us, some in words and some in silence. We are filled with awe at the countless voices which thus proclaim the Dharma, and we vow to embrace and sustain it endlessly. We also remember and dedicate this day and these efforts to all our parents, grand-parents, siblings, our relatives near and distant, all our ancestors reaching back through the generations, and our dear friends and other cherished ones who have passed from this visible world.

Thus, let the harmful effects of words, thoughts and actions be dispelled
and Compassion bloom in perpetual spring.
May we all realize and live the Enlightened Way together:

EVERYONE CHANTS:

ø All Buddhas throughout space and time
ø All Bodhisattvas-Mahasattvas
ø Maha • Prajna • Paramita ••••••• (then 3x PROSTRATIONS by EVERYONE) • • •

[Mp]

Wonderful, thank you Jundo it will be an honour to attend.

Gassho
Shingen

[Jundo]

by the way, check back in this thread tomorrow for some short reading passages that will be the topic of the talk ...

[Mp]

by the way, check back in this thread tomorrow for some short reading passages that will be the topic of the talk ...

Will do, thank you Jundo. =)

Gassho
Shingen

[Kyonin]

Ah, perfect for morning crazy people like me.

Of course I'll be there!

Gassho,

Kyonin

[TimF]

4 a.m. may be a bit early for me (I'm in PST and work beckons later that afternoon) but I will definitely follow along later in the weekend if I am unable to attend. [morehappy]

Gassho,
Tim

[Genshin]

Apologies, but it's my daughter's birthday party on Saturday, so it's unlikely I will be able to make this live. Will sit with the recorded version.

Gassho
Genshin (Matt)

[Daitetsu]

I had a small surgical procedure last Monday (nothing serious) and at the moment it is not possible for me to sit longer than 30 mins without back pain getting too much.
So I will either show up for one sitting period and do the rest offline in form of lying zazen in bed or kinhin, or I might do the whole thing live, but offline from G+.
Perhaps things will get better by Saturday, but right now I see no way to do the whole 4 hours in the "regular way"...
Sorry! (the times would have been good for me this time...)

Gassho,

Daitetsu

[Taikyo]

Live wow! I'll be there without fail
Gassho

Taikyo

[Jundo]

Reclining Zazen is fine when sick. See pictures above in this thread.

Gassho, J

[Daitetsu]

Reclining Zazen is fine when sick. See pictures above in this thread.


Thank you, Jundo.
Still I must say I feel bad about this, knowing it must be an important event for you and I can't be there the way I'd like to.
Probably just another attachment, but it is bugging me nevertheless...

I don't give up hope I'll feel better on Saturday...

Gassho,

Daitetsu

[Juki]

I will be there.

Gassho,
Juki

[Jundo]

Also, sorry about the time on the West Coast. It is okay to sit with the "recording" or partly live and partly with the recording ... because we are all together. You are in the room, my friends, and your Zafu is reserved. :)

Gassho, J

[Jundo]

SOME READINGS FOR THE TALK DURING THIS ZAZENKAI
From: Dogen's Extensive Record: A Translation of Eihei Koroku (Leighton, Taigen Dan, and Shohaku Okumura, tr.)

========================================

147, Dharma Hall Discourse [Parinirvana Day, 1246]

Now our original teacher, Great Master Shakyamuni, is passing away, entering nirvana, under the sala trees by the Ajitavati River in Kushinagara.
Why is this only about Shakyamuni Buddha?
All buddhas in the ten directions in the past, future, and present enter nirvana tonight at midnight. Not only all buddhas, but the twenty-eight ancestors in India and the six ancestors in China who have noses and headtops, all without exception enter nirvana at midnight tonight.
There is no before and after, no self and others. Those who do not enter nirvana tonight at midnight are not buddha ancestors, and are not capable of maintaining the teaching. Those who have already entered nirvana tonight at midnight are capable of maintaining the teaching. Those who are already capable of maintaining the teaching are in this same family business.
…Stagnant water hides a dragon; in the entire earth there is no person.
…Today we exist, tomorrow there’s nothing.
At midnight, holding this with empty hands is called practice for three immeasurable kalpas and another hundred kalpas. With full exertion lift up this single stone, and call it the lifespan of as many ages as the atoms in five hundred worlds.
The great assembly has already seen such a principle. However, there is a more essential point. Would you like to thoroughly experience it?
After a pause [Dogen] said: On various people’s faces hang Gautama’s eyes, but still they beat their breast with fists in empty grieving. I cannot bear the heavenly demon, or the demon of life and death, who roll around on the floor with laughter seven or eight times at seeing Buddha [dying].

[Dogen] put down his whisk and descended from his seat.

==============================================

225, Dharma Hall Discourse [Parinirvana Day, 1247]

"If you say Shakyamuni is extinguished you are not his disciple. If you say he is not extinguished, your words do not hit the mark. Having reached this day, how do you respond? Do you want to see the Tathagata's life vein? Offer incense, make prostrations, and return to the monks' hall [for meditation]."

==============================================

311, Dharma Hall Discourse [Parinirvana Day, 1249]

The Mara of Death saw Buddha [passing away], and both the Buddha and Mara laughed. Human and heavenly beings were disturbed and could not stop crying. Do not have doubts about this mountain monk [Dogen] neither laughing nor crying. All buddhas in the ten directions also nod their heads. This [crying] is true for common people, but how is it for patch-robed monks? After a pause Dogen said: Thoroughly investigate life in order to study death. Letting go and taking hold of life and death depend on your refinement.

[Myosha]

Thank you.


Gassho,
Myosha

[Mp]

After a pause Dogen said: Thoroughly investigate life in order to study death. Letting go and taking hold of life and death depend on your refinement.

Beautiful, thank you Jundo.

Gassho
Shingen

[Joyo]

I plan on being there. Whether I can partake in the whole thing or not depends on how well-behaved my kids will be, but the plan is to be there for the entire 4 hrs.

Gassho,
Joyo

[Shinzan]

Altho on the road traveling, I'll be there as connections allow.
Shinzan

[Sekishi]

Well, I was planning to be there "live", but something has come up and I will have to sit this on Sunday. I'm hoping to turn it into a practice day (sitting, samu, oryoki). Anyhow, thank you all for your practice. Deep bows to all who sit and to all our teachers and ancestors. Gassho, Sekishi

[Kyonin]

I can't get in to the Hangout!!

I'll just sit along with you guys.

Gassho,

Kyonin

[Shokai]

Also unable to enter but will sit for 30 minutes then off to the hospital. The opening was impressive; congratulations to Dosho on a job well done.
Gassho, Shokai

[Myozan Kodo]

Kyonin,
Can't get in either. But I'm here, but just not in the "visible world" :)
Gassho
Myozan

[Shinzan]

I was finally able to get in via Firefox. But my apologies for vanishing in the middle of lecture. Connectivity at this location was bad and kicked me out of the hangout. Thanks to all. Shinzan

[Myozan Kodo]

All in all a wonderful Zazenkai. Thank you Jundo. Thank you all.
Gassho
Myozan

[Juki]

Excellent Zazenkai. Thanks to Jundo for the talk. Thanks to everyone for your practice.

Gassho,
Juki

[Mp]

Thank you Jundo and everyone who sat ... was a wonderful Zazenkai ... All Buddhas throughout space and time. =)

Gassho
Shingen

[Daitetsu]

That was nice!
Back pain forced me to do quite some "couch zazen" in between...
Dosho, thanks for posting that link via G+! Without it I could not have logged in.

Thank you everyone and have a great weekend!

Gassho,

Daitetsu

[Myosha]

Hello,

The demons are laughing, the buddhas are laughing, the ineffable is laughing!

The tree never says, "'leaf' me alone".

Thanks to all.


Gassho,
Myosha

[Kyonin]

Thank you all who sat / will sit.

Sorry for not being able to join. I sat lurking in the background :)

Gassho,

Kyonin

[Dosho]

Thanks all...wonderful to be with you (and be you) as always.

Gassho,
Dosho

[Dosho]

Thank you all who sat / will sit.

Sorry for not being able to join. I sat lurking in the background :)


You were most certainly there with me, in every word I chanted. Thank you for that my friend; I needed it! :D

Gassho,
Dosho

[Taikyo]

Thanks to all. It made for a wonderful afternoon here in the UK.I am so grateful for the opportunity of sitting live with everyone (evn tho' not able to access the hangout!). Thank you again Jundo and Dosho
Gassho

Taikyo

[Kokuu]

Lovely Zazenkai! Thank you to all who sat, especially all the north Americans who got up extra early. Was great to be able to sit live (even if just watching).


Parinirvana --
clouds drift over empty fields
weeping as they go.


Gassho
Kokuu

[Koshin]

That was an awesome zazenkai, thank you all for your practice, have a great Paranirvana Weekend :)

Gassho

[Joyo]

Thank you everyone, Dosho you did a lovely job. My back was aching, but it was wonderful to partake with you all :)

Gassho,
Joyo

[Sekishi]

A beautiful Zazenkai, and a beautiful day. Zazen with you all via the recording, Oryoki with Myozan, tea party in the afternoon. This evening my family and I observed the Parinirvana ceremony. There were tears and laughter all around. LED candles will stay (safely) lit through the night on the alter.

Thank you all for your practice. Thank you to our teachers and the many ancestors for helping us along this path.

Deep bows,
Sekishi / Eric

[Myoku]

Thank you everyone,
wonderful dharma talk!
_()_
Myoku

[Daitetsu]

wonderful dharma talk!

Absolutely! Worth listening to again and again - am going to bookmark it.

Gassho,

Daitetsu

[Kantai]

Thank you everyone! An eye opening Dharma talk, thank you Jundo.

Gassho
Kantai

[Steven]

Just sat with this today. It was extremely wonderful :)

Gassho,
Steven