I encourage looking at these threads, topics and posts today ...
Our Jukai/Ango season has started with a bang (and a Japanese Bon Dance (from 2:45hr mark) ... and a Talk on the meaning of Ango Today and Yesteryear (from 1:58hr mark) ... in our Treeleaf Monthly 4-Hour Zazenkai ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-JUKAI-ANGO%21
Other Ango and Jukai festivities include ... Rakusu sewing ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...usu-Sew-a-Long
... Precept Reflections ... beginning with PRECEPTS I - JUKAI and THE THREE REFUGES ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-THREE-REFUGES
... thank you for being a friend ... 2019 Ango Buddies Pair-ups ... and "ANGO BUDDY INTRODUCTIONS: Getting to know each other ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ddies-Pair-ups
and
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...now-each-other
... making some personal vows ... DO SHARE YOUR PERSONAL ANGO COMMITMENTS & EXPERIENCES HERE ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...PERIENCES-HERE
... and the inevitable small concerns and Ango Frustrations (that are also vital to Ango!) ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...o-frustrations
This week's Simple Living can fit inside a shoe box, or just in one's mind or the palm of your hand ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...895#post247895
'The ZEN of EVERYTHING! Podcast' ... Episode 7 .... ... all about that "Zen meets other religions" thing ... and why it really bothers some folks ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...cast-Episode-7
a Question re: Samu (work)practice ... Do ya need to chant something? ... Only if you wish, and you can make up a heartfelt Chant too! ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-Samu-practice
As well, What makes samu samu? ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...akes-samu-samu
People seem to get this simple reminder, so I re-"Mind" again ... Shikantaza Zazen is --not-- "Meditating"
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...not-Meditating
What is a Buddha Statue (or a Manjushri Statue) ... that depends totally on your own heart ... or it's just a hunk of wood or clay ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...l=1#post247074
For the more philosophical "wonks" only ... what about Zen and "panpsychism" ... and "free will" ... what is a "sentient being" ... oy vey ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...gs-panpsychism
Getting a bit agitated by the "crystals and New Agey" folks ... around here, I try to be open minded yet skeptical of such things ... Feelings of Agitation ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...s-of-Agitation
Among other discoveries ... may have found water on a life capable planet in a distant solar system (that's a big deal!) ... and a black hole gobbles a star (all things are impermanent ... but what about inside the black hole?) ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...l=1#post247272
I would like to especially point out this amazing "ECO-Life" thread, started by Meitou ... chock full of countless little ideas for more eco-conscious living in daily life ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...17002-ECO-Life
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
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