TREELEAF SANGHA online 2-DAY ANGO-JUKAI-ROHATSU RETREAT -- 2019 -- MAIN PAGE

http://chokokuji.jiin.com/wp-content...2/DSC_2469.jpg

WELCOME ...

... to our TREELEAF 'ALWAYS AT HOME' Two Day 'ALL ONLINE' ROHATSU (Buddha's Enlightenment Day) RETREAT, being held by LIVE NETCAST on Saturday/Sunday December 7th and 8th, 2019.

Please 'sit-a-long' with the LIVE NETCAST at the times below ... to be visible "live" on the screens below during those hours.

HOWEVER, you may still join the Retreat and sit-a-long at ANY AND ALL TIME after, by the real time recorded version at the links below (no different from the original!).

The full sitting schedule is below, and you may download our CHANT BOOK HERE(LINK to PDF). Our Chant Book now includes recitals, not only of the traditional list of Zen Ancestors, but also of our Female Ancestors and 'Differently Enabled' Ancestors, as well as all the many diverse Ancestors known and unknown.


Before sitting, please review the various RETREAT POINTERS HERE(LINK to PDF).

Some PREPARATORY LESSONS on topics such as Oryoki, Bowing and other daily procedures are also posted: LINK TO PREPARATORY LESSONS.


Recordings of each segment are posted below in time order ... and if we drop from mind all thought of 'now' 'then' 'here' and 'there' ... we will all be sitting together right when and where you are!

This Retreat celebrates the 'official' closure of our ANGO (90 day Special Practice Season) at Treeleaf, is a part of current preparations for our JUKAI (Undertaking the Precepts) Ceremony in January, and marks ROHATSU ... the traditional holiday in Japan celebrating the time of the Buddha's Enlightenment.

I, (Jundo) will be guiding the sittings on Saturday and Sunday from Japan, and our Treeleaf Priests including Kyonin (from Mexico), Shingen and Shokai (from Canada), Kokuu (in the UK), Shugen, Sekishi, Byokan, Jakuden, Shoka. Geika and Shinshi (from the USA), and Washin (in Ukraine) with be leading other portions. Because of time zones and other circumstance, one or two portions have been pre-recorded. All other portions will be live.

In case of technical problems, please just go along as best you can with the schedule ... we sit with "what is".. .

OF COURSE, EVERYTHING IN MODERATION ... if the sitting ever feels too much, be sure to walk lots and lots of Kinhin (even if during a sitting period). And if the whole retreat becomes too much, or you feel ill, you may slow down ... , spread things out, shorten the sittings ... or STOP! Be sure that you have someone close by whom you can call, or who can check on you from time to time. If there is any question about health, do not take any chances!

Our thanks to Sangha Member William Anderson for presenting a 15-Minute YOGA LESSON TO HELP US STRETCH DURING ANY BREAK TIME (LINK HERE)

Please write and let us know how it goes. Gassho, Jundo

Our Han (Wooden Block), which hangs outside the front door of our Treeleaf Zendo in Tsukuba, Japan:


https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/atta...3&d=1544417683

It calls all sitters to Zazen. Inscribed is the traditional verse ...

"Life and death are the great matter.
To waste time is a pity.
All is impermanent and passes swiftly away.
Time waits for no one."

_____________________________________________

How to Join Two-Way with Zoom

Except for the pre-recorded units, you can join two-way in the Scheduled Sitting Room using Zoom any one of the following ways:

- Use this direct link: https://zoom.us/j/4834831244
- Open Zoom and join with this meeting id: 483 483 1244
- Go to Treeleaf NOW and select the Scheduled Sitting Room:
-- treeleaf.org/ssr
-- OR https://www.treeleaf.org/now/go.php?l=ssr

Notes:

- The full schedule of the retreat is on the Treeleaf NOW calendar (which will automagically adjust timezones): https://www.treeleaf.org/now/#calendar

- When you first join, you'll need to choose an audio source (usually you can simply select "Join with Computer Audio" on desktop or "Call using Internet Audio" on mobile).

- You can switch between the "speaker view" (the default view) and "gallery view" (a grid / Hollywood Squares / Brady Bunch style view):
-- On desktop, click the "gallery view" / "speaker view" toggle button on the top right
-- On mobile, swipe right for "gallery views" -- only 4 participants are shown at a time on mobile, so keep swiping right to go through different groups, swipe left to go back to the "gallery view"

- You can mute, unmute, etc. with the control bar on the bottom of the screen
-- On desktop, hover the mouse over the window and the control bar should pop up
-- On mobile, tap the screen and the control bar should pop up
-- On mobile, so that your own picture does not take up one of the four slots you see, you can tap for the control bar, then tap "... menu" and select "Remove myself from gallery view"

- If you are on a slow Internet connection and are experiencing drop-outs, try turning off video (you can always turn it on for a bit at the beginning and end to say hi and bow to everyone)

_____________________________________________

DAY 1 UNIT 1
(Live Netcast: Start = SATURDAY LA 6am / NY 9am / London 2pm / Japan 11pm)
(ALL TIMES APPROXIMATE, Calculated from LA TIME)

DAY 1
06:00-06:40 AM Entrance by Officiant (Jundo) & Zazen. If you usually wear a Rakusu, DO NOT wear it yet (keep it in its bag) until Takkesage (Kesa Verse) later in morning.
06:40-06:50 Kinhin *(All Kinhin times can be bathroom break)
06:50-07:20 Zazen
07:20-07:30 Kinhin

07:30-08:05 Zazen + Kesa Verse
08:05-08:50 "Long" Service.Please follow along in the Sutra Books that will be provided. Floor prostrations when hear ching-ching-ching-ching- ching roll of bell.
08:50-09:20 REST PERIOD

RECORDING OF ABOVE IS HERE:
Unit 1-1

Ceremony and Sitting begins -5- minutes from start of video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE5qXQo0tj8

_____________________________________________

DAY 1 UNIT 2
(Live Netcast: Start = SATURDAY LA 9:20am / NY 12:20pm / London 5:20pm / Japan Sun 2:20am)

09:20-09:50 Oryoki Bring you bowls and small table before start.
09:50-10:30 Samu/Rest Period Mindfully wash and repack Oryoki bowls.

RECORDING OF ABOVE IS HERE:
Unit 1-2 Oryoki

Ceremony begins -8- minutes from start of video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeTYaLuJY1Q

___________________________________________

DAY 1 UNIT 3
(Live Netcast: Start = SATURDAY LA 10:30am / NY 1:30pm / London 6:30pm / Sun Japan 3:30am)


10:30-11:10 Zazen
11:10-11:20 Kinhin
11:20-12:00 Zazen & Dharma Talk Chant Gatha on Opening Sutra

12:00-12:10 Kinhin
12:10-12:45 Zazen
12:45-13:10 REST PERIOD

RECORDING OF THE ABOVE IS HERE:
Unit 1-3

Sitting begins -7- minutes from start of video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuZUlnnRR00

_____________________________________________


DAY 1 UNIT 4
(Live Netcast: Start = SATURDAY LA 1:10pm / NY 4:10pm / London 9:10pm / Sun Japan 6:10am)

13:10-13:40 Samu Work Practice Indoor if night time, Outdoor if daytime and possible
13:40-14:10 REST PERIOD

RECORDING OF THE ABOVE IS HERE
Unit 1-4 Samu

Ceremony begins -3- minute from start of video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_8s5C1_L2U

____________________________________________

DAY 1 UNIT 5
(Live Netcast: Start = SATURDAY LA 2:10pm / NY 5:10pm / London 10:10pm / Sun Japan 7:10am)


14:10-14:40 Zazen
14:40-14:50 Kinhin
14:50-15:30 Zazen & Dharma Talk

15:30-15:40 Kinhin
15:40-16:10 Zazen
16:10-16:40 REST PERIOD

RECORDING OF THE ABOVE IS HERE:
Unit 1-5

Sitting begins -1- minute from start of video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9oLTVKkXvQ

____________________________________________

DAY 1 UNIT 6
(Live Netcast: Start = SATURDAY LA 4:40pm / NY 7:40pm / London SUNDAY 12:40am / Sun Japan 9:40am)

16:40-17:10 Samu Work Practice Indoor if night time, Outdoor if daytime and possible
17:10-17:40 REST PERIOD

RECORDING OF THE ABOVE IS HERE:
Unit 1-6 Samu

Ceremony begins from start of video.

https://youtu.be/FVRIEjd3Vdk

____________________________________________

DAY 1 UNIT 7 (THIS UNIT MAY BE DONE RECLINING IF SO DESIRED)
(Live Netcast: Start = SATURDAY LA 5:40pm / NY 8:40pm / SUNDAY London 1:40am / Sun Japan 10:40am)

17:40-18:20 "Short" Service & Zazen Please follow along in the Sutra Books that will be provided. Floor prostrations when here ching-ching-ching-ching- ching roll of bell.
18:20-18:30 Kinhin

18:30-19:00 Zazen & Dharma Talk
19:00-19:10 Kinhin
19:10-19:40 Metta Chant & Zazen Close with Verse of Atonement & Four Vows

RECORDING OF THE ABOVE IS HERE:
Unit-1-7

Ceremony and Sitting begins -7- minutes from start of video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBrdO-XMSEA

______________________________________________


DAY 1 UNIT 8
( No Live Netcast from SATURDAY LA 7:40pm / NY 10:40pm / SUNDAY London 3:40am / Sun Japan 12:40am)
PLEASE CATCH UP WITH MISSED OVERNIGHT UNITS!

(Optional: Yaza = Tradition of 'All Night Zazen' ... but we recommend you sleep instead.
See you in the morning)

19:40 PM-
(Day 2)
05:45 AM
BATH & SLEEP

NO RECORDING OF ABOVE

However, this may be a good time for the 15-Minute YOGA LESSON TO HELP US STRETCH (LINK HERE) presented by our Sangha Member William.


____________________________________________

____________________________________________


DAY 2 UNIT 1
(Live Netcast: Start = SUNDAY LA 6:00am / NY 9:00am / London 2:00pm / Japan 11:00pm)
(ALL TIMES APPROXIMATE, Calculated from LA TIME)

06:00-06:30 AM Zazen Begin sitting without instruction. If you usually wear a Rakusu, DO NOT wear it yet (keep it in its bag) until Takkesage (Kesa Verse) later in morning.
06:30-06:40 Kinhin
06:40-07:10 Zazen
07:10-07:20 Kinhin

07:20-07:55 Zazen + Kesa Verse When instructed, place on Kesa and recite Kesa Verse. All others, hands in Gassho.
07:55-08:30 "Long" Service Please follow along in the Sutra Books that will be provided. Floor prostrations when hear ching-ching-ching-ching- ching roll of bell.
08:30-09:00 REST PERIOD

RECORDING OF THE ABOVE IS HERE:
Unit 2-1

Ceremony and Sitting begins 7 minutes from start of video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2h67iQ05YA

_____________________________________________

DAY 2 UNIT 2
(Live Netcast:Start = SUNDAY LA 9:00am / NY NOON / London 5:00pm / Japan Mon 2:00am)

09:00-09:30 Oryoki Bring you bowls and small table before start.
09:30-10:10 Samu/Rest Period Mindfully wash and repack Oryoki bowls.

RECORDING OF THE ABOVE IS HERE:
Unit 2-2 Oryoki

Ceremony begins 3 minutes from start of video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA38m11d8h0

_____________________________________________

DAY 2 UNIT 3
(Live Netcast: Start = SUNDAY LA 10:10am / NY 1:10pm / London 6:10pm / Japan Mon 3:10am)

10:10-10:40 Zazen & Dharma Talk
10:40-10:50 Kinhin
10:50-11:20 Zazen
11:20-11:50 REST PERIOD

RECORDING OF THE ABOVE IS HERE:
Unit 2-3

Sitting begins -3- minutes from start of video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dAHmsMU3vM

_____________________________________________

DAY 2 UNIT 4
(Live Netcast:Start = SUNDAY LA 11:50am / NY 2:50pm / London 7:50pm / Japan Mon 4:50am)

11:50-12:20 Samu Work Practice Indoor if night time, Outdoor if daytime and possible
12:20-12:50 REST PERIOD

RECORDING OF THE ABOVE IS HERE:
Unit 2-4 Samu

Ceremony begins -2- minutes from start of video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GaWvDU-Z_M

____________________________________________

DAY 2 UNIT 5
(Live Netcast: Start = SUNDAY LA 12:50pm / NY 3:50pm / London 8:50pm / Japan Mon 5:50am)

12:50-13:20 Zazen
13:20-13:30 Kinhin
13:30-14:00 Zazen & Dharma Talk Chant Gatha on Closing Sutra

14:00-14:10 Kinhin
14:10-14:40 Zazen
14:40-15:10 REST PERIOD

RECORDING OF THE ABOVE IS HERE:
Unit 2-5

Sitting begins -5- minutes from start of video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTyi8NbUlbE

_____________________________________________

DAY 2 UNIT 6 - CLOSING
(Live Netcast: Start = SUNDAY LA 3:10pm / NY 6:10pm / London 11:10pm / Japan Mon 8:10am)

15:10-15:50 "Short" Service & Zazen Please follow along in the Sutra Books that will be provided. Floor prostrations when here ching-ching-ching-ching- ching roll of bell.
15:50-16:00 Kinhin

16:00-16:25 Fukanzazengi & Zazen
16:25-16:30 Verse of Atonement & Four Vows ... Closing Words ...

RECORDING OF THE ABOVE IS HERE:
Unit 2-6

Ceremony and Sitting begins -4- minutes from start of video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn8TQIs8Ji4






Nine Bows to All Who Sat This Retreat Together ...






https://daihonzan-eiheiji.com/sou1.jpg

TALKS during our ROHATSU RETREAT:

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/15/ef/a9/1...dscape-art.jpg

Our Priests will offer Dharma Talks during this Retreat on the SONG OF THE GRASS ROOF HERMITAGE by our Great Ancestor, Shitou Xiqian (700–790) (Sekitō Kisen Zenji).

1.
I've built a grass hut where there's nothing of value.
After eating, I relax and enjoy a nap.
When it was completed, fresh weeds appeared.
Now it's been lived in - covered by weeds.

The person in the hut lives here calmly,
Not stuck to inside, outside, or in between.
Places worldly people live, he doesn't live.
Realms worldly people love, he doesn't love.

2.
Though the hut is small, it includes the entire world.
In ten square feet, an old man illumines forms and their nature.
A Great Vehicle bodhisattva trusts without doubt.
The middling or lowly can't help wondering;
Will this hut perish or not?

3.
Perishable or not, the original master is present,
not dwelling south or north, east or west.
Firmly based on steadiness, it can't be surpassed.
A shining window below the green pines --
Jade palaces or vermilion towers can't compare with it.

4.
Just sitting with head covered, all things are at rest.
Thus, this mountain monk doesn't understand at all.
Living here he no longer works to get free.
Who would proudly arrange seats, trying to entice guests?

Turn around the light to shine within, then just return.
The vast inconceivable source can't be faced or turned away from.
Meet the ancestral teachers, be familiar with their instruction,
Bind grasses to build a hut, and don't give up.

5.
Let go of hundreds of years and relax completely.
Open your hands and walk, innocent.
Thousands of words, myriad interpretations,
Are only to free you from obstructions.
If you want to know the undying person in the hut,
Don't separate from this skin bag here and now.

Talks will be offered by Sekishi, Byokan, Jakuden, Kokuu and Shoka.

Gassho, J
STLah

Dear All,

Our annual Rohatsu Retreat Hall is now open ...

Welcome to all.

http://zenopencircle.org.au/wp-conte...dhi-tree-2.png

w00t! Lets do this!

gassho1 gassho1 gassho1

gassho1 See you all there!

Gassho
Byokan
sat + lah

Heading out to the hut now with meals and a change of clothes.

_()_

gassho
doyu sat today

gassho2

Doshin
St

Hi everyone,

Most of the forum has now been taken offline. E.g. threads outside of the following two subs cannot be viewed, posted to, etc.:

- WEEKLY FRIDAY/SATURDAY ZAZENKAI NETCASTS (and other Sittings too!)
- TECHNICAL FAQ

This will persist until Sunday night.

Deep bows to all who will sit this Rohatsu.

Sekishi #sat

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sekishi

Hi everyone,

Most of the forum has now been taken offline. E.g. threads outside of the following two subs cannot be viewed, posted to, etc.:

- WEEKLY FRIDAY/SATURDAY ZAZENKAI NETCASTS (and other Sittings too!)
- TECHNICAL FAQ

This will persist until Sunday night.

Deep bows to all who will sit this Rohatsu.

Sekishi #sat

---

Hey Sekishi,

I just want to confirm, Rohatsu starts Japan time tonight @ 11:00 p.m.???

Thanks in advance,

Gassho,

Brad

SatToday

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BradR89

I just want to confirm, Rohatsu starts Japan time tonight @ 11:00 p.m.???

---

Hi Brad,

Yes, the opening will start at 11pm Saturday night Japan time.

For everyone, we are trying and experiment and put all the sections / units up in the calendar which should allow you to easily view them in your local time: https://www.treeleaf.org/now/#calendar

But it IS an experiment, so when in doubt, what is posted here in the forum is the main schedule.

Gassho,
Sekishi #sat


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

That calendar works great, thanks!

I will be parenting /householding but will try and join if I can find a quiet period and should be able to make the closing at least.

Gassho,

Neil
StLah

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EnlistedHipster

That calendar works great, thanks!

I will be parenting /householding but will try and join if I can find a quiet period and should be able to make the closing at least.

Gassho,

Neil
StLah

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

---

I'm with you on this. Will sit when I can, plenty of Samu over the next two days though. Gassho.

Sat today,
Adam

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Just a reminder: for the last unit tonight, after Geika's Samu, (Day 1 Unit 7) ANYONE WHO WISHES IS WELCOME TO RECLINE. gassho2

Gassho,
Jakuden
SatToday/LAH

Whoooooooo hoooooo! A totally amazing, completely fulfilling, and wonderful Rohatsu! Thank you, my beloved Treeleafers!!!!!

Gassho,
Kate

SAT!!!!! / lah

Thank you everyone for building this grass hut together... again and again...
Gassho,
Kotei sat.

Thank you to all those who took time and did the work to make this happen for the Sangha.Thanks to all who sat and will sit.

Doshin
St

Deep bows and thanks to everyone for your dedicated practice! [grouphug]

Gassho
Byokan
sat (and sat and sat and sat)
and lah

Much gratitude and a few tears with which to season it.

Gassho
Old skin bag sat today

Deep bows for your practice, everybody. What an amazing Sangha and an amazing weekend. [emoji120][emoji120][emoji120]
Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday beyond all space and time


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Deep bows to everyone who sat and will sit. Seeing everyone come together was just wonderful!

Gassho,

Shoka
Sat

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

I really have no words. Virtual hugs, high-fives, and gasshos all around.

Every one of you was in turn: grass, hut, and the person inside!

Deep bows,
Sekishi

P.S. now I’m going to go relax and take a bath. The forum should be back online afterwards (say by 10:30 EST).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Deep bows to everyone who sat, is sitting, or will sit. And special thanks to the priests who made this all happen. You all are amazeballs. gassho1

Gassho

Nenka

ST

That was awesome - thank you to everyone who participated and made this possible!


gassho2

Gassho,

Daitetsu

I enjoyed the cats, dogs (including mine) and horse that joined us. Not sure they were sitting or for that matter needed to! :)

Doshin
St

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sekishi

The forum should be back online afterwards (say by 10:30 EST).

---

Hi all,

The forum should be restored to usual working order.

There is more to that process than you might think, so if anyone has any trouble posting or viewing ("fresh weeds appear"!), please drop me a PM or respond here.

Gassho,
Sekishi #sat

Deep bows and much gratitude for all who participated and put this together. It was really incredible and won't be forgotten.

Gassho
STlah
James

Thank you to the Unsui and everyone who made the Rohatsu possible. It was a wonderful experience to practice together.

Gassho,
Onkai
Sat

Thank you everyone everywhere.
The dedication to differently abled ancestors and the dedication to assigned female and female identifying ancestors almost brought me to tears.
The Dharma talks on such a beautiful poem over the two days filled out Fukanzazengi as read by Jundo in ways I didn't think were possible.
Thank you Treeleaf!
I had to get r e a l l y creative with my Shikantaza practice and how this Rohatsu was able to be completed but hey... I'm still here.
Below is what a LOT of my 'sitting' looked like when sitting was impossible, kinhin was too slow and painful and reclining positions were exhausted. It's a bit faster than kinhin but not as fast as regular walking.
Deep bows with the aid of a bamboo pole, thank you again.
Gassho
Annahttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9d3fc0bab3.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b085895e81.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...17d8caacdb.jpg

Sent from my Lenovo TB-8304F1 using Tapatalk

Had to (literally) run out of the middle of the final zazen period because I heard my grandmother let the dog out of the front door! Sorry about that.

Thank you all for your practice.

Gassho
Sat today, lah

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Thank you everything! This is the first Zazenkai This very first Zazenkai in my friendship with Treeleaf Zendo in about three or two years? Since Jundo came to Omaha, NE USA when Jundo lead four of us in Zazenkai. I was able to fully make it through the outset! Then I listened to the first presentation from Sekieshi what a great expert for my zen practice. My Shikantaza experience will benefit for months and it's great to be aware of my practice of my Sangha!

Sent from my SM-T113 using Tapatalk

Tai Shi,
sat lah
Gassho

Sent from my SM-T113 using Tapatalk

Thank you to everyone who made this happen. As is typical I got nowhere near the free time I thought I might get but managed to join live a couple of times - I'm not sure if anyone noticed the small person running in with a nosebleed which brought that session to an abrupt halt. I also managed to join in one way a few times while doing a bit of 'householder samu'.

Gassho,

Neil

StLah

Thank you, Treeleaf!

Just finished the complete Rohatsu. This is my first full two-day retreat on-line or off-line. I expect there to be many more such days as time goes on. Since I learned of Shitou, I have identified closely with his writings, and it was a joy to contemplate his "Song of the Grass-Roof Hermitage" as a theme for this Rohatsu. This was a sometimes difficult, sometimes illuminating, and always worthwhile experience. Many sincere thanks to those who spoke, those who labored and all those who participated.

With deep bows in gassho,
Mui
Sat/LAH

Thank you to all for your hard work and dedication. I was able to participate at least once "live" and other parts by YouTube, much of it reclined.

The timing with family schedules, but also my health (and my brain) would not cooperate.... I am deeply grateful that I can sit recorded units, and sit other units to practice again. I will keep this link saved.

Very beautiful and comforting, my Treeleaf family.

Gassho2
Kim
Rt

Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk

Thank you ! So grateful for this Sangha. Some great talks, all of them, you spread so much good vibes!
Gassho
Moyku
sat

Thank you all for organising this. Have had to catch up and dip in when I could. Hiw lovely to be part of this.
Gassho
Richard

SAT/LAH

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EnlistedHipster

Thank you to everyone who made this happen. As is typical I got nowhere near the free time I thought I might get but managed to join live a couple of times - I'm not sure if anyone noticed the small person running in with a nosebleed which brought that session to an abrupt halt. I also managed to join in one way a few times while doing a bit of 'householder samu'.

Gassho,

Neil

StLah

---

The nosebleed was the real start of the sesshin!

Even the Buddha had nose bleeds, for sure.

https://images.fineartamerica.com/im...ese-school.jpg

Gassho, J

Stlah

I like these views of your practice a LOT, Anna. _()_ _()_ _()_

gassho
doyu sat today

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jundo

The nosebleed was the real start of the session!

---

That is so true!

Gassho,

Neil

StLah

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Anna

Thank you everyone everywhere.
The dedication to differently abled ancestors and the dedication to assigned female and female identifying ancestors almost brought me to tears.
The Dharma talks on such a beautiful poem over the two days filled out Fukanzazengi as read by Jundo in ways I didn't think were possible.
Thank you Treeleaf!
I had to get r e a l l y creative with my Shikantaza practice and how this Rohatsu was able to be completed but hey... I'm still here.
Below is what a LOT of my 'sitting' looked like when sitting was impossible, kinhin was too slow and painful and reclining positions were exhausted. It's a bit faster than kinhin but not as fast as regular walking.
Deep bows with the aid of a bamboo pole, thank you again.
Gassho
Annahttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9d3fc0bab3.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b085895e81.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...17d8caacdb.jpg

Sent from my Lenovo TB-8304F1 using Tapatalk

---

Thanks for sharing the pictures Anna. As you know I am dealing with a couple of herniated disks in my lower back. One of the things I have found is that regular Soto Kinhin is really painful - I can only last about 3 minutes. But if I speed up - more Rinzai style - it is much more tolerable. Makes me wonder if, back in the day, the Rinzai masters had bad backs. :)

Gassho, Shinshi

SaT-LaH

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shinshi

Thanks for sharing the pictures Anna. As you know I am dealing with a couple of herniated disks in my lower back. One of the things I have found is that regular Soto Kinhin is really painful - I can only last about 3 minutes. But if I speed up - more Rinzai style - it is much more tolerable. Makes me wonder if, back in the day, the Rinzai masters had bad backs. :)

Gassho, Shinshi

SaT-LaH

---

hmmmm, wonder if this is what i started doing? i know nothing about Rinzai, but i tend to topple over or sway when i try kinhin. so i don't.

i was reading something in another forum one day, and the person mentioned something about going out and "just walking." no speed, no purpose, no destination, no timing.

it sounded like a faster version of kinhin to me, and i was in the right mindset for it at the time, and i thought -- i'm going to try this.

i don't know if that is Rinzai style or not. haven't timed it, but i walk slowly now. i used to walk a lot faster, can't anymore. i like walking alone, because i go at my slow pace, and i like to stop and look at things, or just stop and breathe -- lately people have fireplaces (or fire-pits) going again, and it smells nice.

i never know what streets i'll be walking, or how long i'll be. i just go, and my body lets me know when it's time to turn around. it doesn't take long, but i dislike timing it.

i'm noticing that it hurts, but it's a different kind of hurt, and so far, i'm okay with that. i'm enjoying the solitude and the animals that join me on the way .... even if some of them are hunting other animals as they follow me ...... not so pleasant, but that is life.

gassho
kim
st

Anna,

i love your photos, and what beautiful land (and horses!!) you are surrounded by :)

thank you for sharing :)

gassho
kim
st

Hi,
I sat with you all on Sunday and today. Thank you to all who made this possible. I don’t know if you usually co-teach a poem or sutra (since this was my first retreat), but it was really cool. I enjoyed everyone’s perspectives and how you all wove it together. Beautifully done by all.
Gassho,
Krista
sat and sat and sat today

This was my first retreat and participating two-way. Beautiful. Thank you all for your hard work and practice.

Gassho,
Tyler

SatToday

Hello everybody.
Just wanted to thank you a lot for this retreat!
I couldn't join live as much as i would have liked to, but I enjoyed it all the same...and many points for deepening both in insight and in practice (...same thing, uh?) have popped out...
I went through lots of practicing samu though....and comings back here and now while parenting and attending customers at work...trying to share nice vibe and words and thoughts and smiles to everybody around...while at the same time trying to be with you all even when Off line...
I am looking forward for sitting along "on demand" these next days...would like to go through the so many sittings I couldn't join live and the dharma talks and oryokis and bows and chantings I lost....oh geeez! How wonderful....so much good you are sharing with us all...This treeleaf sangha is such a grat wonderful dream....a Buddha dream for sure!
All of life is our temple!
And every sentient being we encounter and every situation we are in is a mirror and an opportunity for giving...I am so very lost in ego-driven thoughts so very often...sort of unconsciously keeping myself from givig myself all away to THIS...and still...trying to awaken every moment...calling it all back home...praticing a way to open my heart and flow with the flow and be of help whenever is needed and in any possible way...and Treeleaf is teaching me so much!
So...with nothing more but greatfulness and appreciation at heart that I feel now for you and this practice we share, I salute you in Gassho.

Arya.
ST&LAH.

From the back cover of Soto Zen Ancestors in China by James Mitchell, said to be the rock where Shitou built his hut:

Attachment 6242

Here is a translation that caught my attention, at Terebess:

Quote:

---

A Song About My Grass-Thatch Hut
Translated by Yasuda Joshu and Anzan Hoshin

Here, where nothing is worth anything,
I've set up a grass-thatched hut.

After eating,
I just stretch out for a nap.

As soon as it was built,
weeds were already growing back.

Now I've been here awhile
its covered in vines.

So the one in this hut just lives on,
unstuck,
not inside, out, in between.

The places where usual folk live,
I don't.
What they want,
I don't.

This tiny hut holds the total world,
an old man and
the radiance of forms and their nature,
all in ten feet square.

Bodhisattvas of the Vast Path
know about this but
the mediocre and marginal wonder,
"Isn't such a place too fragile to live in?"

Fragile or not,
the true master dwells here
where there is no
south or north, east or west.

Just sitting here,
it can't be surpassed:

below the green pines
a lit window.

Palaces and towers
of jade and vermillion
can't compare.

Just sitting,
my head covered,
all things rest.

So this mountain monk
has no understanding at all,
just lives on
without struggling to get loose.

Not going to
set out seats
and wait for guests.

Turning the light
to shine within,
turn it around again.

Vast,
unthinkable,
you can't face it
or turn away from it.

The root of it.

Meet the Awakened Ancestors,
become intimate with the teachings,
lash grass into thatch for a hut
and don't tire so easily.

Let it go,
release,
and your life of a hundred years
vanishes.

Open your hands.

Walk around.

Innocence.

The swarm of words,
and little stories
are just to loosen you
from where you are stuck.

If you want to know
the one in the hermitage
who never dies,

you can't avoid this skin-bag
right here.

---

gassho
old leather balloon sat today

Hello Doyu, today I met my daughter face to face on face time on mom's apple phone and her apple phone. I looked long and hard at this thirty-year old woman, only to realize how young she is, how she loves to be with friends, that we are not the "friends," we are the parents. She is so young. When I was her age, I was married, had been married more than seven months, and now I know just why my degree of MFA was so difficult. The grades were much higher than other degrees. The other degrees came easily and naturally, but I was not married. I am happy. She is so young. Do monks who live in grass huts live young lives? Are they young and unmarried all their lives? Being a monk is different from being a parent, and I was 37 when our child was born. When arthritis hit four years later, I was sill a young man. I mean, when my daughter was born, I had lived a whole life; I was still so innocent, and now, I wish she loved me more, or less, or it will come if I sit quietly and allow the child to come to me, let the little one decide. Let her understand herself first, for as she gains yet another degree, like her father, she is unmarried and so very young like the monk in the grass, thatched hut.
Tai Shi
Gassho
sat/lah

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tai Shi

Hello Doyu, today I met my daughter face to face on face time on mom's apple phone and her apple phone. I looked long and hard at this thirty-year old woman, only to realize how young she is, how she loves to be with friends, that we are not the "friends," we are the parents. She is so young. When I was her age, I was married, had been married more than seven months, and now I know just why my degree of MFA was so difficult. The grades were much higher than other degrees. The other degrees came easily and naturally, but I was not married. I am happy. She is so young. Do monks who live in grass huts live young lives. Are they young and unmarried all their lives. Being a monk is different from being a parent, and I was 37 when our child was born. When arthritis hit four years later, I was sill a young man. I mean, when my daughter was born, I had lived a whole life; I was still so innocent, and now, I wish she loved me more, or less, or it will come if I sit quietly and allow the child to come to me, let the little one decide. Let her understand herself first, for as she gains yet another degree, like her father, she is unmarried and so very young like the monk in the grass, thatched hut.
Tai Shi
Gassho
sat/lah

---

Thank you for sharing this, Tai Shi. Marjorie is blessed, to have a Dad like you. :)

Young, old, single, coupled, educated, uneducated, parents, children, friends, free of pain, hurting, experienced, innocent. Most of us will embody most of these things at some time or other. May she be well. May we all be at peace, embracing all conditions of life.

Gassho
Byōkan
sat + lah

Yes, Taishi, I have a 34 year old who is my youngest and the dynamics are similar. gassho2

As to monk age, Shitou appears to have done this early in his career, which was not unusual for future abbots. An exception was Shiwu (Stonehouse) who returned to his mountain after a five year abbacy and stayed until he died at eighty, right after producing a book of poems about being a mountain monk.

Gassho
Doyu sat today

Hi Byokan, I always ask what my friends' names mean in Japanese, and I would also like to know what Doyu means. Our Japanese names are beautiful, our Dharma names. One friend is Stone Face, another, Strong Waters; you are Byokan young yet to be a priest-in-training; when I was young, I so wanted to be both poet and teacher, and I am trained to be both; thank you for telling me what I embody. Live, not non-life, life, I chose life. I know that at age 68, I can I am an embodiment of life-- I am not yet non-being or what I will be-- dead in 15 to 20 years if I am lucky according to my doctor, and certainly I am enjoying life-- how about all of you? Are you, anyone in our Sangha, are you enjoying life? For lunch today I had a piece of apple pie, and a hand full of roasted chestnuts. Every disease I have is stable and not threatening. Non-pain, relief of tension, as Jundo says, "When one sits, one sits." I say, "When one is happy, one is happy." I am so grateful for my friends-- all friends-- like just receiving Christmas wishes on my iPhone for good friendship-- I seldom speak of my Christianity in these pages now and because more and more, it is the man Jesus I'm interested in. As Anna pointed out, he was probably a short brown man with little to his name-- only the clothes he wore, like begging Buddhist monks, as the Buddha, and that first Sangha, and like John the Baptist, choosing to be poor. Wandering town to town seeking only to teach.
Tai Shi
sat/lah
Gassho