Nov 6-7 2020 OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI- Book Tour Kickoff/DAYLIGHT SAVINGS

[Jundo]

ATTENTION: Please Note Daylight Savings Changes!

Alas, you will be my "guinea pigs" as the very first stop on my
20 City, 4 Continent, Around the World (via Zoom :p) Universal Book Tour
for
The Zen Master's Dance (https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?18241-Released-Today-THE-ZEN-MASTER%C2%92S-DANCE-by-Jundo-Cohen%21)
:encouragement:
(text below in this thread)

Please sit our Monthly 4-Hour Treeleaf 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 also sitable any time thereafter:


https://youtu.be/mBBXaPq6JOY

However, "one way" live sitters are encouraged to come into the Zoom sitting, and just leave the camera and microphone turned off: Join live (with or without a camera & microphone) on Zoom at: TREELEAF Now (https://www.treeleaf.org/now/go.php?l=ssr) OR at DIRECT ZOOM LINK (https://zoom.us/j/4834831244), password (if needed): dogen


Dharma Talk Audio / Podcast Episode:
https://treeleaf.podbean.com/e/november-2020-zazenkai-talk-book-tour-kickoff/


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 RITUAL

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


Gassho, Jundo

STLah


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

Chant Book is here for those who wish to join in: CHANT BOOK LINK (https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?7032-Chant-Book-For-Weekly-and-Monthly-Zazenkai)

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

[Jundo]

For Today's Talk:

We will look today at one passage of Master Dogen's Shobogenzo Uji (Being-Time), rapping and riffing on a famous Koan:


Once, the great master Yaoshan Weiyan asked Mazu Daoyi, “I have digested all the teachings of the three vehicles of Buddhism and the twelve divisions of the scriptures, but what was the ancestral master Bodhidharma’s intention in coming to China from India in the West?

Thus questioned, Mazu responded, “Sometimes I make him raise an eyebrow or wink an eye, and sometimes I do not make him raise an eyebrow or wink an eye. Sometimes to make him raise an eyebrow or wink an eye is what’s right, sometimes to make him raise an eyebrow or wink an eye is not right.” ...

[Dōgen comments:] What Mazu says is not the same as other people’s words. His “eyebrows” and “eyes” are the mountains and oceans, because the mountains and oceans are his “eyebrows” and “eyes.” In his “make him raise an eyebrow” he is to see the mountains, and “make him wink” is to understand the seas. The “right” answer truly is his, and he is actualized by having him raise the eyebrows and wink. But neither does “not right” mean not having him raise the eyebrows and wink, and to not have him raise the eyebrows and wink does not mean “not right.” All are equally the being-time. The mountains are time, and the oceans are time. Without time, the mountains and oceans could never exist, so we should not deny that time is existing in the mountains and oceans right here and now. If time were annihilated, the mountains and oceans would be annihilated, but as time is not annihilated, thus are the mountains and oceans preserved. This being so, the morning star appears, the Buddha Tathāgata appears, the eye appears and raising up a flower appears. Each is time and, were there no time, it could not be thus.”

... Dogen's Jazzy Sound ...

Coltrane riffs on "My Favorite Things," that lovely tune from The Sound of Music ...


https://youtu.be/JEAYIJfTJ3U

Like Coltrane, Dogen is improvising on some classic teachings all found in his words too ...

... The Profound Identity of All Things

... And of All Times, which is All Being ...

... That's Right, and Right Here, yet no Right or Wrong ...

... All as the Buddha's Enlightenment ...

As strange as it all sounds, it is powerful medicine for our lives today, here, in this mess of a 21st century world.

From my book, The Zen Master's Dance ...

Dōgen plays on a cherished kōan about a Zen master who inquires into the real meaning of Zen, which somehow eluded him in all his studies of texts and theory. He asks why Bodhidharma bothered to come to China; in other words, what is Zen all about? The traditional response about eyebrows and such can have a direct meaning: Bodhidharma did nothing special. Traveling to China was the most natural of things, like winking. If he had not done it, something else would have taken place. On the other hand, our own simple acts of winking and looking can also be known as the Buddha looking and winking, Bodhidharma looking and winking, the whole universe looking and winking. Not doing so is still the ancient master’s eyes and eyebrows not doing so, the whole universe not doing so. It is not a matter of our having to be aware of such fact all the time. Our face is still shared with the ancient master although we do not feel so in a particular moment. Even then, it is still Bodhidharma’s eyes and eyebrows as our eyes and eyebrows.

Dōgen plays his “Zen jazz” to take this one step further. His eyes and eyebrows are the mountains and seas (and the whole world and all within it). Winking the eye is an ocean winking, and raising an eyebrow is raising a mountain. There may be right and wrong times to do or not do an action, but ultimately there are no “wrong times,” for each time is its own time, and even “not doing” is the right doing of “not doing,” and “wrong doing” is the right doing of a “wrong doing.” (Nonetheless, Dōgen would often remind us to do what’s right and avoid doing wrong, for doing so helps clarify the heart and mind.)

Dōgen says that eye and eyebrow, mountains, and sea are all time. It is obvious that, without time, none of these could have evolved or come to be. Thus, he states, “Without time, the mountains and oceans could never exist.” But equally, without the motion of their (and our) evolving, time would have been frozen and never flowed. Thus, time needs us and is us, as much as we need time and are time. Dōgen says, “So we should not deny that time is existing in the mountains and oceans right here and now.” It is existing as you and me too, here and now.

And so it is for all moments in time, such as when the Buddha, sitting under the bodhi tree, saw the morning star and realized the
truth. It is said that after many long years of striving and pushing himself to the extremes of body and mind, the Buddha finally eased
his heart under that tree. Seeing the clear light of the morning star in the sky, he said: “I and all sentient beings on earth, together, are enlightened at once.” All are enlightened at once, for all are one in this being-time.

Years later, when the Buddha held up a flower and winked, Mahākāśyapa saw and understood with a smile. In that famous story, the Buddha silently held up a single flower as the wordless expression of the truth, and his disciple Mahākāśyapa understood and also expressed this silently. ...

[Jundo]

For today, a Jazzy Joyful Boogie Woogie Swinging Improvy Hokey Pokey ...


https://youtu.be/ounanrwfKX8

Gassho, J

STLah

[Inshin]

Thankful for the time change. If everything goes well I'll be joining live today.

Gassho
Sat

[Kyonin]

Hi everyone!

I'll be there live with instruments ready!

Gassho,

Kyonin
Sat/LAH

[Seikan]

See you all very soon!

Gassho,
Rob

-stlah-



Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[Geika]

I will be joining one-way today.

Gassho
Sat, lah

[Bokugan]

Still at work -- forgot about what the time change would do to the timing so I will be joining you all later. Have a lovely Zazenkai all!

Gassho,

Ryan
Sat Today

[Naiko]

Apologies to all. I am not feeling well and I left during Kinhin. I hope it wasn't disruptive. I will be sitting with you all later this weekend.
Gassho,
Krista
st

[Hoshi]

Always thank you for the youtube netcast too

Gassho
SaT

[Sekishi]

Thank you all for coming together to practice and manifest Sangha - dancing together.

Gassho,
Sekishi
#sat

[Onkai]

Hope you feel better, Krista. Thank you, Jundo, Kyonin, Sekishi, and everyone for a lovely zazenkai. The talk was wonderful, from a part of the book that is helpful for me to reflect on.

Gassho,
Onkai
sat/lah

[BriJolieG]

I appreciate dancing with you all.
Fully gratefull for this opportunitiy.

Gassho,
Brianna
Sat Today

[Sekishi]

Apologies to all. I am not feeling well and I left during Kinhin. I hope it wasn't disruptive. I will be sitting with you all later this weekend.


I hope you feel better soon Krista.

No need to worry about "disruption" - we sit with what arises. gassho1

Deep bows,
Sekishi
#sat

[gaurdianaq]

Was a lovely dance.

gassho1
Evan,
Sat today, lah

[Seikan]

Thank you Jundo, Kyonin, Sekishi, and all for another wonderful Zazenkai. Tonight's talk was just what I needed, and then to follow up the "cosmic dance" discussion with a jazzy little hokey pokey was just sublime. :)

Gassho,
Rob

-stlah-

[Matt]

Sitting this one now. Gassho, Matt

[Sekiyuu]

Sat with the recording, thank you everyone for sitting.

The "dance" reminds me of Shobogenzo Zenki, where "zenki" can potentially be described as "The Everything Machine". Here's a commentary I read recently which seems pertinent:
https://ancientwayjournal.wordpress.com/2019/01/01/nothing-but-birth-and-death-zenki-part-one/

gassho2
Kenny
Sat Today

[Seishin]

Half way through On Demand and just listened to that very entertaining and enlightening talk. Thank you Jundo.

Having two left feet, to me the reference to the dance, is the dance is just life. Anyway's reminded me of this


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSdkPMc7aEo

We each dance in our own way, often treading on toes and stumbling on in the dark. Sometimes we see the light but the dance goes on.


Sat

[Tairin]

Thank you everyone. I sat with you over the past two days.

Jundo, I thought your talk was interesting and engaging. It is very much in your style of talk which is very personable and not at all stiff or academic.

Good luck on your whirlwind tour Jundo! :encouragement:

gassho2
Tairin
Sat today and lah

(Apologies for the extra sentences)

[Gokai]

Sat today with the monthly Zazenkai.
An excellent talk. A very clear and inspiring speech. Thank you very much Jundo and good luck.
Gassho, Gokai
Sat today

[StoBird]

I can’t believe no ones mentioned the iconic Thelonious Monk dancing: https://youtu.be/XjJYeCYO-hA

Thanks everyone gassho1

Gassho,
Tom

Sat/lah

[Yokai]

Thanks everyone, currently sitting with you daily gassho1

Gassho, Chris satlah

[Ryusoku]

SAT Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed Jundo's 'Dance' rehearsal. Although, I always feel your talks end far too soon!

Gassho,
Brett.

Sattoday

[Naiko]

Thank you all, for your practice. Jundo, thank you for sharing your Dogen talk with us. I hope you have a wonderful time on your zoom tour. And also thank you for your very timely teaching during the Metta chant.
Gassho,
Krista
st

[Kokuu]

Thank you all for sitting. Lovely talk, Jundo! I will be interested to see if it evolves during the twenty presentations!

Gassho
Kokuu

[Kotei]

Thank you everyone.
I enjoyed the talk.
For someone not familiar with your style, it should be uniquely fresh and energetic.

Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today.

[Seishin]

Completed this morning after sitting on demand. Good luck with the book "tour" Jundo, enjoyed the talk. Thank you everyone.

Sat

[Bokugan]

Finished sitting with you all this morning -- lovely as always! Book is on the way and I look forward to reading it over winter break.

Thank you Jundo, Kyonin, Sekishi and everyone, even if asynchronous this is always something I look forward to [emoji120]

Gassho

Ryan
Sat Today

[Bokucho]

Thank you to all who make these sits possible and all of those sitting both live and on demand, what a wonderful way to manifest community and such a special practice. The talk was thought-provoking as always, I look forward to reading the book!

Gassho,

Josh
SatToday/LaH

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

[Inshin]

For Today's Talk:

We will look today at one passage of Master Dogen's Shobogenzo Uji (Being-Time), rapping and riffing on a famous Koan:



... Dogen's Jazzy Sound ...

Coltrane riffs on "My Favorite Things," that lovely tune from The Sound of Music ...


https://youtu.be/JEAYIJfTJ3U

Like Coltrane, Dogen is improvising on some classic teachings all found in his words too ...

... The Profound Identity of All Things

... And of All Times, which is All Being ...

... That's Right, and Right Here, yet no Right or Wrong ...

... All as the Buddha's Enlightenment ...

As strange as it all sounds, it is powerful medicine for our lives today, here, in this mess of a 21st century world.

From my book, The Zen Master's Dance ...

Dōgen plays on a cherished kōan about a Zen master who inquires into the real meaning of Zen, which somehow eluded him in all his studies of texts and theory. He asks why Bodhidharma bothered to come to China; in other words, what is Zen all about? The traditional response about eyebrows and such can have a direct meaning: Bodhidharma did nothing special. Traveling to China was the most natural of things, like winking. If he had not done it, something else would have taken place. On the other hand, our own simple acts of winking and looking can also be known as the Buddha looking and winking, Bodhidharma looking and winking, the whole universe looking and winking. Not doing so is still the ancient master’s eyes and eyebrows not doing so, the whole universe not doing so. It is not a matter of our having to be aware of such fact all the time. Our face is still shared with the ancient master although we do not feel so in a particular moment. Even then, it is still Bodhidharma’s eyes and eyebrows as our eyes and eyebrows.

Dōgen plays his “Zen jazz” to take this one step further. His eyes and eyebrows are the mountains and seas (and the whole world and all within it). Winking the eye is an ocean winking, and raising an eyebrow is raising a mountain. There may be right and wrong times to do or not do an action, but ultimately there are no “wrong times,” for each time is its own time, and even “not doing” is the right doing of “not doing,” and “wrong doing” is the right doing of a “wrong doing.” (Nonetheless, Dōgen would often remind us to do what’s right and avoid doing wrong, for doing so helps clarify the heart and mind.)

Dōgen says that eye and eyebrow, mountains, and sea are all time. It is obvious that, without time, none of these could have evolved or come to be. Thus, he states, “Without time, the mountains and oceans could never exist.” But equally, without the motion of their (and our) evolving, time would have been frozen and never flowed. Thus, time needs us and is us, as much as we need time and are time. Dōgen says, “So we should not deny that time is existing in the mountains and oceans right here and now.” It is existing as you and me too, here and now.

And so it is for all moments in time, such as when the Buddha, sitting under the bodhi tree, saw the morning star and realized the
truth. It is said that after many long years of striving and pushing himself to the extremes of body and mind, the Buddha finally eased
his heart under that tree. Seeing the clear light of the morning star in the sky, he said: “I and all sentient beings on earth, together, are enlightened at once.” All are enlightened at once, for all are one in this being-time.

Years later, when the Buddha held up a flower and winked, Mahākāśyapa saw and understood with a smile. In that famous story, the Buddha silently held up a single flower as the wordless expression of the truth, and his disciple Mahākāśyapa understood and also expressed this silently. ...

Everything has its own time, and I guess spring and autumn can happen in the same instance :

6907

Photo of cherry blossoms and falling leaves from my morning run.

Gassho
Sat

[Heiso]

Completed this yesterday having sat through the week on demand. Thank you everyone who made it happen and good luck with the tour, Jundo.

Gassho
Heiso
StLah

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

[Sekishi]

Jundo's talk is now available as a podcast episode: https://treeleaf.podbean.com/e/november-2020-zazenkai-talk-book-tour-kickoff/

Gassho,
Sekishi
#sat #lah