December 31st Recommended Threads
I encourage looking at these threads, topics and posts today ...
Our Season of Peace Zazenkai sittings are waiting for you ... a lovely way to spend the holidays ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...ings-too%21%29
For our Jukaiees and all our Sangha Members who wish to join in their hearts ... CONFIRMING Date of Upcoming JUKAI CEREMONY: SUNDAY, JANUARY 12th, 2020 ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...UARY-12th-2020
... and for our sewers ... What's In The Rakusu Envelope? ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...akusu-Envelope
At this time of year some folks are Sitting with sadness ... How to shake it? ... Well, don't just sit there! ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...g-with-sadness
From the "The ZEN of EVERYTHING" Podcast ... a very special HOLIDAY SPECIAL! for ALL the Peaceful Holidays ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...ELEAF-Podcasts
A beautiful, modern Heart Sutra in Japanese ...Monks acoustic cover of the heart sutra ... We'll have it during one of our Zazenkai in January ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...he-heart-sutra
Shokai is back with his annual cycle of beautiful reflections ... Upcoming Review of the Dharma Gates ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...e-Dharma-Gates
Books for all tastes but, like cook books, different ways to make soup ... If you have to pick one zen book, what is it? ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ook-what-is-it
A book recommendation for those who want a little Zen history ... Book Review: The Circle of the Way -- A Concise History of Zen ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...History-of-Zen
Our Doyu also penned a lovely book of poems and reflections ... Introducing Doyu's Book: in place ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-Book-in-place
All kinds of media can teach us ... Zen/Buddhist Manga? ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...Buddhist-Manga
Some "Do lT Your Non-Self lnstructions" ... Let's Gather Gathas! (& how-to) ... together with all Sentient Beings ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-%28-how-to%29
ls breath practlce the only way of Shikantaza? ... Simple answer: Not at all ... Breath as practice versus plain sitting ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...l=1#post254935
All year round too ... This Holiday Shopping Season: We Don't Really Need "Zen Stuff" ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...Need-Zen-Stuff
All goes round, and we support each other ... Joy and Thank you ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-and-Thank-you
lf one has a home altar, what pictures go there? ... Well, some things can't be captured by an image ... Pictures for Butsudan?
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...s-for-Butsudan
We continue living simply ... Simple Living ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...ractice-Circle
And so ... New Year's Greetings from Treeleaf, Japan 2020 ... a new decade, day, month, year and moment within moments ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...eaf-Japan-2020
Reminder ... Especially for newer folks ... FEELING LOST AROUND THE COMMUNITY? Contact our "Sangha Buddhies" ... friends to help people find their way around ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...angha-Buddhies
And DON'T FORGET! ... the experiment continues, and we need you! ... A TREELEAF EXPERIMENT with EVERYONE’S PARTICIPATION REQUESTED: “LAH” (Lend A Hand)
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...Lend-A-Hand%29
I am so glad if this place and the practice are benefiting you. If so, you might consider a DONATION to Treeleaf at this LINK, although there is absolutely no need or requirement to do so. Thank you.
A Re-MINDer on SIMPLICITY:
In a Zen Monastery, SILENCE or A FEW WISE WORDS are cherished over MANY WORDS. Thus, I advise folks to restrain the need to speak unless the heart truly calls. If you find yourself posting many times each day, maybe consider what truly needs to be said ... and when it is best just to answer with silence and an inner Gassho.
SILENCE OR A FEW HESITANT WORDS OF FRIENDSHIP AND SUPPORT OFTEN SPEAK MOST PROFOUNDLY. Post when it is truly important to you and needs to be spoken from the warm heart.
(BUT too much silence or shyness can also be excessive ... so take the Middle Way!)
Also, to those who may get lost among the many threads and conversations in our Forum, please think of a monastery made of wood or brick, with 100 monks holding 10,000 conversations in the hallways, kitchen, Abbot's rooms and library (I assume no chatting in the Zendo where people sit Zazen).
Would you need or want to hear or join in all or most conversations? Of course not! You would, at best, pick and choose the conversations relevant and helpful to you.
So here too in our Sangha, NO NEED TO READ EVERY CONVERSATION: Try to note the ones that seem helpful to your Practice or interests, leave the rest. The above threads are a few suggestions.
Oh, and we do ask folks to note that they have SAT ZAZEN DURING THE LAST DAY BEFORE POSTING IN THE FORUM (please read about that here):
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...ore-Forum-Chat
Gassho, Jundo
SatTodayLAH
