Hi Sam,
I would say, based on my experience of this Forum for so many years, that there is a certain collective Wisdom and Compassion of the group, and an amazing power of this community of individuals to offer their united Hearts, that often far far exceeds what the official "Teachers" or any one person might say. Almost every day, someone here steps in with guidance and good words (filled with ... because this is Zen ... the Wisdom between and free of words ) that far exceed my small talents and experience to do so for a certain suffering being, or provides some truth to the situation that I never would have noticed and was incapable of seeing. There are many "Teachers" here and we are all students of each other too (although some are newer to this Way than others, some members more experienced with varying talents and abilities, etc.). We have many gifted, insightful, caring people in this Sangha who have "been around the block" of life's ups and downs, and know the ropes of Zen Practice too, so are great at helping someone.
That being said, I believe it is my role to keep the Teachings here by the group on course, focused on Buddhist Teachings and Zen Practice, Sitting and Precepts in our Shikantaza way, to make sure we do not run off into all kinds of mental swamps and emotional wanderings from the Path into the mud, strange teachings distracting from Zen and Zazen, misleading tangents lessening Practice, etc., that are not in harmony with the direction of this Place. This is a Zen Sangha, focused on the Teachings of the Buddha and Old Ancestors, Dogen and other Teachers in the Soto Tradition, Shikantaza and the Precepts, the Compassion of Kannon and that Wisdom at the core of Words ... and the conversation must never wander off course from that. For all these years, we have somehow managed to stay focused. I jump in when I see things wandering away, or something seems misguided.
So, maybe I am like the Captain with his hand on the wheel and an eye on the map, keeping the keel in a good direction and making sure the deck is shipshape. But it is the whole crew who actually does the job of running the boat, tending the lines and keeping us sailing!
For some reason, it works around here! Unlike many "Buddhist/Zen" fora on the internet I have run across, I believe we do a semi-miraculous job here of both benefiting from collective insights AND staying focused on our Practice and pointed on course.
Yes. I just happened to be talking with Taigu about that yesterday, and it looks like Treeleaf's homepage will feature a link that will say something like this:
Also will we have a link from Treeleaf main page and/or as forums sticky to the new website? I think that will help the new website to gain more popularity over time.
Gassho, JundoINTRODUCING 'BLUE MOUNTAIN WHITE CLOUDS HERMITAGE'
We are pleased to introduce our Friend and Brother Community, BLUE MOUNTAIN WHITE CLOUDS HERMITAGE, established by Rev. Taigu Turlur, offering Zen Practice with a greater emphasis on Traditional Forms, Soto Ritual and Ceremony, including Nyoho-e Kesa Sewing, Poetry and Art Practice, Koan study, all with (of course) social action and Shikantaza at the core. Participation is generally for more experienced students by invitation. Those interested, and with a resonance to the more Traditional in their Practice, should contact Rev. Turlur (EMAIL). Taigu writes, "Our way to practice simplicity is to totally surrender to tradition and understand its deep and real meaning." (LINK)
Last edited by Jundo; 09-01-2014 at 12:34 AM.
ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE
Yes.For some reason, it works around here! Unlike many "Buddhist/Zen" fora on the internet I have run across, I believe we do a semi-miraculous job here of both benefiting from collective insights AND staying focused on our Practice and pointed on course.
Deepest bows to our wonderful Teachers and the whole Sangha.
My gratitude for you all is far beyond words.
Or even smileys
Gassho
Lisa
Change is good, I'm happy to be part of this living sangha(s).
Gassho
Kantai
Love the idea!
I think is great to have tow flavors of Zen living and growing together. Feel very luckyto be a part of this Sangha.
Gassho.
kb
Dancing between stillness and motion I find peace.
As we sat at the table in Washington, face to face, I told Jundo something like this: "your way is to find the purest ritual in total simplicity, our way is to practice rituals to reach the heart of complete simplicity".
People wanting to practice with us are of course our guests and are more than welcome. Our next retreat in the real-virtual world will be held in Paris end of December for the the denpo ceremonies ( Myozan and Dainin will receive something already given). Soon we will, thanks to the dedication of Baizan Dokan expand the site and offer teachings and daily practice.
I think you can drop and practice with us anytime. Should you decide to sew a kesa, it is yet very important to seek the authorization of Jundo.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Gassho
Taigu
The Dharma goes in all directions....great...thank you
Deep Gassho
Thank you for your practice
Life is change.
Let's see how things develop.
I am thankful for all the teachings here and wish Taigu all the best with his new endeavour.
There is nothing that could be separated - different, yet the same.
Gassho,
Daitetsu
no thing needs to be added
Thank you for this clarification - it all makes sense.
I like the new web site very much - the grounding philosophy is set out clearly and for myself I find this helpful. I had not come across the term 'Teisho' before Washington and it's good to see all the teaching videos within this section.
My very best wishes to Taigu, Myozin, Baizan, Taikyo, Jiken and Dainin, in this new venture,
Gassho,
Willow
One single cell divides into two and the community grows
AL (Jigen) in:
Faith/Trust
Courage/Love
Awareness/Action!
I sat today
This is very interesting (and exciting!). I seem to remember Jundo stating in the yearly announcements for the Treeleaf Jukai (and I'm paraphrasing) that it is not unacceptable to learn from different teachers, each offering their own insights that may help the student along their path. What a wonderful way to encourage this practice, as it can be difficult to physically wander from teacher to teacher with the responsibilities that so many of us have which keep us rooted in a single physical location. I have been fond of the teaching methods of both Jundo and Taigu and it will be exciting to see how this works to benefit the Sangha(s).
Gassho,
Steven
Exciting news. Thanks, Jundo, for your detailed explanation. Reading that gives me a better understanding of Treeleaf, for which I am grateful. Thanks, too, to Jundo for his teaching. Gassho, Matt J
Jundo, I noticed that you removed Myozan's profile from the unsui section and not added the 3 new unsui. May I ask why? Above their avatars, they are still carrying the title "Treeleaf Unsui;, and at least for now, I think that is how most of us think of them. They may focus on this other group, but they are still our dear dharma brothers. Maybe a link from that sticky thread to the new website will do?
Gassho,
Nindo
Hi Nindo,
Since they will not be training here, they will not be included as "Treeleaf Unsui" for the future. However, they will be "Unsui at Treeleaf's Brother Sangha, the 'Blue Mountain White Clouds Hermitage'", and nothing will change about their ability to stop by here and join in the fun and festivities. They remain our dear friends and Dharma Brothers, no change in that regard for sure. They were each asked if they wished to train here or at both places, and all elected just to train at Blue Mountain with their Teacher, which seems natural.
I did include a link to the new website and an introduction up with Taigu's listing, and on our Homepage and there will be more links around here too.
http://www.treeleaf.org/about-treele...d-our-lineage/
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...ll=1#post50996
Gassho, Jundo
Last edited by Jundo; 09-05-2014 at 06:19 PM.
ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE
Just a heads up: when I go to the link that Jundo published above on my iPhone, I see all sorts of BB code.
Pass it on to the site doctor.
Gassho,
Kirk
(Posted from my iPhone; please excuse any typos or brevity.)
流文
I know nothing.
Hi,
I have a question about the new structure. Are we sharing Ango together here, both Sanghas, or does the Hermitage have it's own? What about Jukai, will the Hermitage have it's own training and ceremony? I guess I am not clear on the extent of separation and alliance.
Gassho
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
I believe that Taigu will be organizing Ango and Jukai at Blue Mountain too (I do not think they are prepared to do so yet, but such is in the works as are all kinds of Zazen sittings, sewing circles and such).
http://www.bluemountainhermitage.org/
Of course, folks are welcome to undertake Ango and Jukai at Blue Mountain and here ... the more Ango and Jukai, the Merrier! Never too much sewing too! All Ango and Jukai are One, there is here and here is there!
Like two brothers in one family. "Not One Not Two" is a better way of putting such in the Zen World!I am not clear on the extent of separation and alliance.
Gassho, JWe usually think that if something is not one,
it is more than one; if it is not singular,
it is plural. But in actual experience,
our life is not only plural, but also singular."
~ Zen master Shunryu Suzuki
Last edited by Jundo; 09-10-2014 at 02:42 AM.
ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE
Brothers and sisters. Many gates. One dharma. Thank you.
Anzan
I find this encouraging. I have been a bit distant lately as I've come to accept that, like Kirk, I'm just not a "robes and incense" kind of guy. Buddhism is protean. Count me among the "jeans and t-shirt" crowd. But I think the two groups can support each other. I would certainly be interested in Taikyo's seminar.
Looking forward to what greets us
Gassho,
Kaishin
Thanks,
Kaishin (開心, Open Heart)
Please take this layman's words with a grain of salt.
Feel much the same Kaishin, and it's good to see you around again!
Gassho
Heisoku.
Heisoku 平 息
Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home. (Basho)