March 1st-2nd, 2019 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI! - IN THE NEWS!

[Jundo]

Today's Talk will look at a variety of STORIES and ISSUES IN THE NEWS today. Recently, there has been much discussion in the Buddhist world about "leaving politics at the door" of the Buddhist Sangha, where we encounter a way beyond opinions and debates. Generally, I very much agree. Zazen is beyond "right left and middle," and points to something beyond mere worldly concerns. However, I also believe that Buddhist teachings and values do guide us in certain directions in daily life, and toward certain outlooks and behavior, that must impact how we approach some social issues and stories in the news. In today's Talk, I would like to see if I can thread this needle, and explain the important differences (but sometime sameness) among politics and Precepts, equanimity vs. passivity or uncaring, cleaning the oceans and cleaning a temple altar, all by looking at some actual happenings and problems in the news right now. Let's see if I can succeed.

Please 'sit-a-long' with our MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI, netcast LIVE 8am to noon Japan time Saturday morning (that is New York 6pm to 10pm, Los Angeles 3pm to 7pm (Friday night), London 11pm to 3am and Paris midnight to 4am (early Saturday morning)) ... and visible at the following link during those times ...

... to be visible on the below screen during those times and any time thereafter ...

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


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eCVDLQToog

Dharma Talk Audio / Podcast Episode:
https://treeleaf.podbean.com/e/march-2019-zazenkai-talk-in-the-news/



FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO JOIN TO SIT LIVE WITH A CAMERA, A LINK TO JOIN WILL BE POSTED BELOW IN THIS THREAD ABOUT 15 MINUTES BEFORE START TIME. JUST CLICK AND JOIN. 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:

The Sitting Schedule is as follows:

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

01:50 - 02:30 DHARMA TALK & ZAZEN
02:30 - 02:40 KINHIN & HOKEY-POKEY

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


Our Zazenkai consists of our chanting the 'Heart Sutra' in Japanese and the 'Identity of Relative and Absolute (Sandokai)' in English (please download our Chant Book at the link below), some full floor prostrations (please follow along with me ... or a simple Gassho can be substituted if you wish), a little talk by me ... and we close with the 'Metta Chant', followed at the end with the 'Verse of Atonement' and 'The Four Vows'. Oh, and lots and lots of Zazen and walkin' Kinhin in between!

Please download and print out the Chants we will recite at the following link (PDF):

Chant Book (PDF) (https://sites.google.com/site/jundotreeleaf/Weekly%20%26%20Monthly%20Zazenkai%20-%20Lay%20Version%20-%20Feb2017.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1)

or

Chant Book (SHORT VERSION HTML) (http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?7032-Weekly-Monthly-Zazenkai-Chant-Book-is-Here)

Not everyone realizes that they can join in the Chanting of the Heart Sutra, Identity of Relative & Absolute, Metta Verses, Verse of Atonement and Four Vows (although we ask that you keep your microphone down). Please follow along with the Chant Book, and let your voice ring!

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!


Gassho, Jundo

SatTodayLAH

PS - There is no "wrong" or "right" in Zazen ... yet here is a little explanation of the "right" times to Bow (A Koan) ...



https://youtu.be/GR6POpsXh9Q

The other video I mention on Zendo decorum is this one, from our "Always Beginners" video Series:


Sit-a-Long with Jundo: Zazen for Beginners (12) - Basic Zendo Decorum At Home
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?14884-Sit-a-Long-with-Jundo-Zazen-for-Beginners-%2812%29&p=189093#post189093

[Mp]

Thank you Jundo, I will be there live two way. =)

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

[Kakunen]

Thank you Jundo.I will sit on one way:)

Gassho/Kakunen
Sat today.

[Kyonin]

Thank you Jundo. I'll be there live with instruments ready :)

Gassho,

Kyonin
Sat/LAH

[Onkai]

Thank you, Jundo. I will be there live, two-way.

Gassho,
Onkai
Sat/LAH

[Mp]

Hey folks,

Here is the event link for today's monthly zazenkai: https://hangouts.google.com/hangouts/_/ytl/O9ggxuCmnFHalRI0YDiqEl1oOj_39ja2EcXAJgtIUKA=?hl=en _GB&pli=1

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

[Jakuden]

Thank you everyone!
Bowing out early because I may have surgery early in the morning.

Look! I’m not afraid to show Zazen in a hospital bed. This is what it is like to be at peace with whatever life brings, with the help of Teacher and Sangha and Shikantaza.

[emoji120][emoji120][emoji120] SatToday
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190302/6afd86fb31926417a9c69b5730166953.jpg

Jakuden


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Geika]

Get well soon, Jakuden <3 Sitting with you.

Gassho, sat today, lah

[Doshin]

gassho2

Doshin
St


Thank you everyone!
Bowing out early because I may have surgery early in the morning.

Look! I’m not afraid to show Zazen in a hospital bed. This is what it is like to be at peace with whatever life brings, with the help of Teacher and Sangha and Shikantaza.

[emoji120][emoji120][emoji120] SatToday
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190302/6afd86fb31926417a9c69b5730166953.jpg

Jakuden


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mp]

Thank you everyone!
Bowing out early because I may have surgery early in the morning.

Look! I’m not afraid to show Zazen in a hospital bed. This is what it is like to be at peace with whatever life brings, with the help of Teacher and Sangha and Shikantaza.

[emoji120][emoji120][emoji120] SatToday
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190302/6afd86fb31926417a9c69b5730166953.jpg

Jakuden


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank Jundo, Kyonin, Jakuden, and everyone ... even the AI ... lovely to just be present with you all. =)

Be well Jakuden. gassho2

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

[Sekishi]

Thank you to all the hands and eyes, fake news and real news, and Buddhas and Maras.

Deep bows,
Sekishi
#sat #hokeypokey

[Onkai]

Jakuden, I hope you get well soon. Thank you for sharing. Thank you, Jundo, Kyonin, and everyone. It was a great zazenkai.

Gassho,
Onkai
Sat/LAH

[Kakunen]

Thank you very much,Jundo Kyonin and everyone.

I sat on one way and walked long Kinhin at Tokyo.

I hope you will get well soon,Jakuden.
I also take care my body and mind.

Nine bows
Sat today
Kakunen


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jundo]

Dedicated for you and all in hospital today. My Metta chant was for your health, Jakuden.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Jundo]

Our Hokey Cokey today ... Kraftwerk be British comedian Bill Bailey ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwaxWoJPUC0

[Beakon]

That was a lot of fun. Normally I am unable to make the 4-Hour Zazenkai, so this is my 2nd! I've been thinking that I need to pay more attention to TreeLeaf than mindlessly scrolling through Facebook feeds.


ADHD TESTIMONY FOR ZAZENKAI

I failed to reply to the last Zazenkai I attended two weeks ago. Last weeks was spent eating sushi for the Mrs. birthday party. I wanted to write to the sangha about how I felt during the beginning of that Zazenkai. When you sat with me, I sat with you and practiced together. My mind was in an "accelerated motor" state where I wanted to make an excuse to run around freely and burn off energy. When you sat with me, I found that I was able to slow it down and continue at a stabler pace. I am writing this to you to inspire you, and to encourage your practice no matter how hard it gets.

JOB SEEKING UPDATE

This week I was hired in Safeway for serving customers with kindness and giving them a helping hand as a cashier. In the interview, my boss Lisa said that I have a smile that can light up the entire room. I attribute that to my Buddhist practice, as I've had to accept conditions as they are and make the best out of bad situations. There is a wonderful book by Thich Nhat Hanh in my library that talks about the importance of smiling. You hear about polishing your resume, writing the perfect cover letter, and volunteering. I was unemployed or close to a year, about hm, eight months. Have you ever heard about how smiling is good for getting the job? Thank you for sitting with me during those eight months of anxiety, adventure, comfort, and excitement.

Sat/LaH

Sean

Edit: I prayed for my sister who is reluctant to call me. I was tempted to call her out on her BS, but I kept my Buddha Way. I was nice to her, even when she wasn't kind to me. She gave me a phone call this week.

[Beakon]

Get well soon, Jakuden.

[Jundo]

Good to have you with us, Beakon. May you use that smile to bring sunshine to all your customers.

I will include you and your sister in Metta.

Gassho, Jundo

STLah

[Souchi]

Jakuden, hope you will get well soon. Good luck with the surgery.

Gassho
Souchi

SatToday

[newby_x86]

Thank you Jakuden and Sean for sharing with us, best wishes. gassho1

Anant
SaT

[Tairin]

Thank you everyone. Metta Jakuden. May your surgery go well

gassho2
Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Joyo]

Thank you everyone!
Bowing out early because I may have surgery early in the morning.

Look! I’m not afraid to show Zazen in a hospital bed. This is what it is like to be at peace with whatever life brings, with the help of Teacher and Sangha and Shikantaza.

[emoji120][emoji120][emoji120] SatToday
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190302/6afd86fb31926417a9c69b5730166953.jpg

Jakuden


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I hope you are doing well. Sending you metta.

Gassho,
Joyo
sat today/lah

[Gero]

Thank you Jundo, Kyonin and everyone sitting with this Zazenkai.
The Hokey Pokey is quite a challenge for me (even lyrics in German didn't help me), but acceptance is key to equanimity, so I gave it my best shot.

All the best to Jakuden, hope you get well soon!
[gassholook]

Gero (sat today)

[Tai Do]

Thank you all for this Zazenkai. The political news are something that always makes me worried.
Much Metta to you, Jakuden. May you be healthy.
Gassho,
Mateus

Sat today/LAH

[Jundo]

Here is an article, with links to the paper written by the Trump Administration nuclear policy adviser who is also a Zen Buddhist chaplain ...



The Zen Buddhist Nuclear Weapons Expert in Trump's White House
A senior official in the White House tasked with advising President Donald Trump on weapons of mass destruction is an ordained Zen Buddhist chaplain.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-zen-buddhist-nuclear-weapons-expert-in-trumps-white-house

Gassho, J

STLah

[Washin]

Thank you everyone. Much Metta to our Jakuden gassho2

Gassho
Washin
just sat

[Seishin]

An interesting talk, thank you Jundo.

Been a while since I posted a musical response but this oldie popped into my head this morning, when thinking about the topic,


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AglW6QpmPp8

[Kotei]

Thinking of you, Jakuden...

Thank you everyone.

Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today.

[Seishin]

Thank you everyone!
Bowing out early because I may have surgery early in the morning.

Look! I’m not afraid to show Zazen in a hospital bed. This is what it is like to be at peace with whatever life brings, with the help of Teacher and Sangha and Shikantaza.

[emoji120][emoji120][emoji120] SatToday
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190302/6afd86fb31926417a9c69b5730166953.jpg

Jakuden


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Missed this I jumped in at the end. Much metta Jakuden hope all went well.

[Jakuden]

Thanks for everyone who wished me well, it was really comforting to sit with you all and listen to Jundo's talk on what could have been an otherwise nerve-wracking night. All went well with my surgery, and I am now home recovering. Much love to every leaf on the tree here!!

Gassho,
Jakuden
SatToday

[Kakunen]

Thanks for everyone who wished me well, it was really comforting to sit with you all and listen to Jundo's talk on what could have been an otherwise nerve-wracking night. All went well with my surgery, and I am now home recovering. Much love to every leaf on the tree here!!

Gassho,
Jakuden
SatToday

Sending metta to you :)

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190306/44d4ac7c3cfdccf8ecdff8405ceef2d5.jpg

Gassho
From Tsukuba,near Treeleaf.

Sat today
Kakunen


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kokuu]

Lovely sit. Thank you all!

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

[Sekishi]

Hi everyone,

Now that I have internet access again, I am working through the backlog of talks -- getting them turned into podcast episodes. My apologies for the delay. Here is Jundo's March talk:
https://treeleaf.podbean.com/e/march-2019-zazenkai-talk-in-the-news/

Gassho,
Sekishi
#sat #lah

[Shōnin Risa Bear]

Thank you, Sekishi; you are a wizard. _()_

gassho
doyu sat and lah