Welcome Back (Though Never Left) our Daido/Jiken
Dear All,
So many of you know Jiken (née Daido), Mike, our old friend.
Jiken was Ordained by Taigu and has been Practicing over at the Blue Mountain for awhile, but has now come over here to partake in the flavors of Training we offer our trainee priests at Treeleaf. So, he is going to hang his hat here in our Hall, and be one of our "Treeleaf Unsui" ('clouds and water' ... the traditional words for a novice priest in Soto Zen). It is an old Zen Tradition for wandering monks to hang their straw hat and sandles someplace in a temple to Practice and call Home.
Fugen, Shokai, Yugen, Kyonin, Dosho, Shugen and Shingen all welcome their brother Jiken and tell him to make himself at home, though he never left. Of course, Taigu sends his greetings to all, and we both express the hope that Jiken will continue to serve as a good ambassador between here and the Mountain.
However, how can one "return" to a place never left, when one has always be home? (A Koan from the Book of Equanimity)
Quote:
Attention! Master Jizo asked Hogen, "Where have you come from?"
"I pilgrimage aimlessly," replied Hogen.
"What is the matter of your pilgrimage?" asked Jizo.
"I don't know," replied Hogen.
"Not knowing is the most intimate," remarked Jizo.
At that, Hogen experienced great enlightenment.
Let us welcome him back to Always Here. :encouragement:
Gassho, Jundo
SatToday
