Zazen Sitting with Sekishi and Nengyoku (Mo,Tu,We,Th,Su)

[Sekishi]

Hello all,

This thread is for notes / updates about Zazen sittings in Treeleaf NOW Scheduled Sitting Room at:
9:30pm Eastern, 8:30pm Central, 7:30pm Mountain, 6:30pm Pacific, 5:30pm Alaska.

These are hosted by myself on Monday, Thursday, and Sunday, and Nengyoku on Tuesday and Wednesday.

For more details (including a timezone-converter / selector) see the calendar on Treeleaf NOW: https://www.treeleaf.org/now/#calendar

Gassho,
Sekishi
#sat #lah

[Seikan]

Hello everyone,

I've been honored to serve the Sangha by leading Zazen on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings (Eastern Time) for the past several months. However, as the world continues to morph and evolve during this crazy time, so does my family calendar/schedule, and it is quickly becoming more of a challenge for me to stay committed to the Tuesday and Wednesday Zazen periods.

To that end, would any other Treeleaf members be interested in taking over one or both of the Tuesday/Wednesday evening Zazen periods starting in the next couple of weeks (doesn't have to be this week)? As we've traditionally included the chanting of the robe verse at the start of each period, the preference would be for a member who has already undertaken Jukai. That said, anyone that is interested should respond as we may be able to figure something out.

Please PM both Sekishi and myself if you are interested.

Deep bows to you all,
Seikan

-stlah-

[Gregor]

Thank you for sitting with me tonight. Its been a long time since I sat with others and am not used to sitting for 40 minutes. Regardless it was good and I very much appreciated the opportunuty.

Gassho,

Gregory
ST

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[Gregor]

does anyone have a chant book link or can post the Robe Verse for me?

I have the English portion in an old 2008 Chant book from back in the day but it does not have the last part in Sino-Japanese that is being used.

Thank you!

[Bion]

does anyone have a chant book link or can post the Robe Verse for me?

I have the English portion in an old 2008 Chant book from back in the day but it does not have the last part in Sino-Japanese that is being used.

Thank you!

Dai sai geda puku
Muso fukuden e
Hi bu nyorai kyo
kodo sho shu jo.

Or in English:

Robe of liberation boundless
Field beyond both form and formless
Wearing the Tathagatha's teachings
Vowing to save all sentient beings

_______
Sutra Opening Verse
SatToday lah

[Tai Shi]

I have had to back off sitting schedule because of health. Today I sat in public. Short times are better for me. Still works.
Gassho
sat/ lah


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[Tai Shi]

Dai sai geda puku
Muso fukuden e
Hi bu nyorai kyo
kodo sho shu jo.

Or in English:

Robe of liberation boundless
Field beyond both form and formless
Wearing the Tathagatha's teachings
Vowing to save all sentient beings

SatToday lah

Vowing to free all sentient beings.


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[Bion]

Vowing to free all beings.


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Right.. I mixed the Soto-shu wording with Treeleaf wording.. Thanks

SatToday lah

[Tai Shi]

I would be willing to lead but wait a few months for my recovery and then I will do it more often than twice a week. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time. Then my health, Dr saved me. Now I am recovering.
Gassho
sat/ lah


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[Jundo]

Right.. I mixed the Soto-shu wording with Treeleaf wording.. Thanks

SatToday lah

I took the liberty of correcting your post.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Bion]

I took the liberty of correcting your post.

Gassho, J

STLah

Sorry about that! I got confused for a second typing that when I replied to the post!

SatToday lah

[Jundo]

Sorry about that! I got confused for a second typing that when I replied to the post!

SatToday lah

Actually, I needed to correct it again. Senior (Teacher) Moment!

Here are both the Japanese and English versions as in our Rohatsu Retreat Chant Book ...


Dai sai geda puku
Muso fukuden e
Hi bu nyorai kyo
kodo sho shu jo.

Or in English:

Robe of liberation boundless
Field beyond both form and formless
Wearing the Tathagatha's teachings
Vowing to save all sentient beings

Gassho, Jundo

STLah

[Gregor]

Thanks to everyone! Will print this out for refrence.

Gassho,

Greg
ST

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[Jundo]

Thanks to everyone! Will print this out for refrence.

Gassho,

Greg
ST

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It is interesting, and we had a little discussion with the priests.

These are all translations from Japanese / Chinese, so there is no "official" one way to express the wording. Thus, I feel that one could say "Vowing to save all sentient beings" OR "Vowing to free all sentient beings" as one prefers, either is fine. Do as you wish.

One thing is that many people, because of their childhood religion, have problems with words like "save." I think it a little silly, and just people's baggage that they are carrying. One does not get upset if the "lifeguard saves a swimmer" or the "doctor saves a patient," so I advice people not to get hooked on words like that.

Sorry to run long.

Gassho, Jundo

STLah

[Bion]

It is interesting, and we had a little discussion with the priests.

These are all translations from Japanese / Chinese, so there is no "official" one way to express the wording. Thus, I feel that one could say "Vowing to save all sentient beings" OR "Vowing to free all sentient beings" as one prefers, either is fine. Do as you wish.

One thing is that many people, because of their childhood religion, have problems with words like "save." I think it a little silly, and just people's baggage that they are carrying. One does not get upset if the "lifeguard saves a swimmer" or the "doctor saves a patient," so I advice people not to get hooked on words like that.

Sorry to run long.

Gassho, Jundo

STLah

Had that very same convo with Sekishi yesterday!!! Great point!

SatToday lah

[Sekishi]

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to remind folks that after steering the ship on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Seikan is stepping away from hosting these sittings (but I am assured we will still see him from time to time - no worries there!).

Thank you Seikan for being there week in and week out to support all of us! Nine bows of gratitude.

Going forward, William (Shinshin) will be leading us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Thank you William!

Also, a minor note for us all now that Ango is over - these sittings have returned to 30 minutes long. Robe verse, three bells, 30 minutes of sitting, 1 bell, bows and farewells.

Gassho,
Sekishi

[Nengyoku]

Thank you again Seikan for hosting this time slot. This is the only sitting at treeleaf that really fits my work schedule, and it is the reason I am able to practice with a group. You have done myself, and so many others an incredible service.

Gassho,
William
SatLah

[Seikan]

I'm so honored to have been able to serve the Sangha by hosting a couple evenings per week. Anyone that has sat with us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays these past few months knows that we're in good hands with William now leading practice on those nights.

I definitely plan to keep sitting with y'all as my crazy schedule allows. See you soon!

Gassho,
Seikan

-stlah-

[Sekishi]

I have a proposal for a minor change for this sit. How would folks feel about including Metta practice after sitting on at least one of the days? I was sort of thinking we could do the Monday night sitting because "Monday Metta" just has a nice ring to it. But also because we and all sentient beings may need a little extra Metta as the "work week" begins.

What do folks think about adding an extra 5 minutes or so on to the end of the Monday night sitting for "Monday Metta"? I think we would have the usual closing with one bell, bows, *an opportunity to leave*, and then Metta practice.

Gassho,
Sekishi

[Nengyoku]

I think this sounds lovely.

Gassho,
William
Sat

[Ross]

Was nice to be able to join you all today. I hope to drop in here and there, when I'm available at this time of day, in the future, too.

Gassho
Ross
stlah

[Nengyoku]

Hello friends,

One of our dharma brothers here at Treeleaf experienced the loss of his father recently.
If it's alright, I would like to chant Maka Hannya Haramita Shingyo in their honor at our sit tonight. Maybe before or after metta practice.

Thank you.
Gassho,
Nengyoku
Sat

[Jundo]

[Nengyoku]

I'd like to apologize if you guys couldn't hear the bell tonight. It looks like Zoom's noise suppression got cranked up to 'high' at some point, but hopefully it will be better tomorrow.

Thanks again for sitting together.

Gassho,
Nengyoku
SatLah

[Shoka]

Hi all,

Sekishi asked that we let you guys know he won't be at the sit tonight and possibly not tomorrow as well.

As always we sit with what is, so just ring a bell and continue as normal.

Gassho,
Shoka
sattoday

[Nengyoku]

I can be there tomorrow to keep time/chant.

Gassho,
Nengyoku
Sat

[Sekishi]

Hi everyone,

My mother-in-law will continue to be hospitalized for at least the rest of this week. I will sit with you if I can, but may still be pretty absent for a while longer.

I miss sitting with you, but also know that there is no separation between us.

I hope you are all well.

Deep bows,
Sekishi

[Rocio]

Hi everyone,

My mother-in-law will continue to be hospitalized for at least the rest of this week. I will sit with you if I can, but may still be pretty absent for a while longer.

I miss sitting with you, but also know that there is no separation between us.

I hope you are all well.

Deep bows,
Sekishi

I hope she get well soon.
Gassho
Rosy
ST

[Nengyoku]

Hi everyone,

I miss sitting with you, but also know that there is no separation between us.

Just this. I'm pretty sure you were there tonight
Please be kind to yourself, friend.

Gassho,
Nengyoku

[Geika]

Sitting with you, brother.

Gassho
Sat, lah

[Nengyoku]

I think my Zoom crashed right as we went to say goodbye.

Thank you to everyone who sat tonight.

Gassho,
Nengyoku
SatLah

[Nengyoku]

Hello friends,

I think I will have to miss tonight's sitting, unfortunately.
Hopefully one of y'all can keep time tonight.

Gassho,
Nengyoku
SatLah

[Sekishi]

My mother-in-law will continue to be hospitalized for at least the rest of this week. I will sit with you if I can, but may still be pretty absent for a while longer.

I miss sitting with you, but also know that there is no separation between us.

Hi everyone,

I wanted to check in again, and make a little announcement.

My mother-in-law came back from the hospital last week (yay). I'm sure I've mentioned, but she has lived with us for three years now. Unfortunately, she is no longer able to stand or move around on her own.

I was hoping that we would eventually find a schedule and rhythm that would allow me to return to hosting and/or participating in the 9:30 eastern sitting. But that time of the night is just really busy in our household now as we work to prepare her for bedtime and such. So after 9 years of either participating or hosting a sitting at this time, I need to step away.

Thank you all for your practice and supporting each other. If anyone wants to volunteer to take over hosting of the Sun/Mon/Thursday slows, please do either post here or let me know via PM.

Deep bows,
Sekishi

[Tokan]

Hi Sekishi

You need to do what you need to do, and our thoughts are with you. Viveka did a great job of standing in for the metta recitation this week, I am also happy to step in if necessary, just can't commit to a regular thing due to my shift work.

Gassho, Tokan (satlah)

[Tai Shi]

At the 9:30 a.m. Eastern, if is possible, come on by. I think the more the merrier if mornings are good. Let's sit together. Just show up and no one will kick you out, lol.
Gassho
sat/ lah

[Tokan]

I'm not very good at timezones, but if I'm up, I'm free, then I'm happy to chant and rings bells lol

Nice to hear from you Tai Shi

Tokan (satlah)

[Sekishi]

I'm not very good at timezones, but if I'm up, I'm free, then I'm happy to chant and rings bells lol

Hi Tokan - I'm garbage with the timezone thing. You know about the calendar right? It should automagically convert all sittings to your timezone making you look super smart:
https://treeleaf.org/now/

Deep bows to all,
Sekishi
#sat #lah

[Tokan]

Hi Tokan - I'm garbage with the timezone thing. You know about the calendar right? It should automagically convert all sittings to your timezone making you look super smart:
https://treeleaf.org/now/

Deep bows to all,
Sekishi
#sat #lah

Hey Sekishi

Yeah, I REALLY have to think about it lol! 2130 Eastern Time is 1330 here at the moment. I always use the calendar because it autoconverts, and added it to my google calendar for complete ease as it also includes the link to the SSR. Juggling time zones seems like one of those old Mensa abstract puzzles that proves you're as smart as Einstein.

Deep bows

Tokan (satlah)

[Jundo]

Hey Sekishi

Yeah, I REALLY have to think about it lol! 2130 Eastern Time is 1330 here at the moment. I always use the calendar because it autoconverts, and added it to my google calendar for complete ease as it also includes the link to the SSR. Juggling time zones seems like one of those old Mensa abstract puzzles that proves you're as smart as Einstein.

Deep bows

Tokan (satlah)

I thought that, south of the equator, time spins backwards. Or is that only toilet water?

Gassho, J

STLah

[Tokan]

I thought that, south of the equator, time spins backwards. Or is that only toilet water?

Gassho, J

STLah

Well, when I'm at work time seems to slow down quite significantly....

Gassho, Tokan (satlah)

[Nengyoku]

Hello friends,

I had a little bit of camera trouble tonight, and while I think I got it resolved I just wanted to put up some fair warning in case it happens again.
If nothing else I can always connect with my phone to ring the bells. And if I just don't have a camera, please know I am still bowing with you.

Sorry to run long.

Gassho,
Nengyoku
Sat

[Rocio]

Ok

Rocío

[Nengyoku]

Ango is fast approaching and many of us are committing to extending our daily sits, so I thought I would continue the same pattern as last year.

During our usual sits we will have our normal thirty minute zazen period. It will be punctuated with two bells, and then a second period of fifteen minutes.
If anyone doesn't wish to stay, or cannot for any reason, please feel free to leave at the two bells.

On Mondays we will continue our regular metta practice after the second sitting period.

Thank you to those who have committed to deepening their practice.

Gassho,
Nengyoku
Sat

[Ross]

I've think I will be able to start coming to this 2 or 3 days a week, just depends on work schedules

Gassho
Ross

[Nengyoku]

I've think I will be able to start coming to this 2 or 3 days a week, just depends on work schedules

Gassho
Ross

We would love to have you, whenever you can.

Gassho,
Nengyoku
Sat

[Nengyoku]

Hello friends,

I apologize, but it is looking like I will not be at today's sitting. I have made the mistake of signing up for too much overtime, and am very tired. I was hoping to take a nap before the sit tonight but agreed to bring in a large dish for a potluck tomorrow.
I've been cutting onions for a couple hours and I'm not even halfway done! I guess I'll have to figure out some kind of kinhin-style cutting meditation

Anyway, I do apologize for my absence, and I hope to be with you all again tomorrow. I have asked someone to do the chant/ring the bells, but if they are not present then I hope you will be okay for today.

Gassho,
Nengyoku
Sat

[Rocio]

Hello friends,

I apologize, but it is looking like I will not be at today's sitting. I have made the mistake of signing up for too much overtime, and am very tired. I was hoping to take a nap before the sit tonight but agreed to bring in a large dish for a potluck tomorrow.
I've been cutting onions for a couple hours and I'm not even halfway done! I guess I'll have to figure out some kind of kinhin-style cutting meditation

Anyway, I do apologize for my absence, and I hope to be with you all again tomorrow. I have asked someone to do the chant/ring the bells, but if they are not present then I hope you will be okay for today.

Gassho,
Nengyoku
Sat

Dear friend,
See you soon.

Rocío
ST

[Nengyoku]

Good to sit with you all again.

I just wanted to do a quick update:
After talking with some of you I have decided to go ahead and change the schedule for Metta Mondays.
I felt bad about some people maybe not being able to partake in group metta practice due to the extended sitting, so on Mondays we will only have the 30 minute sit and then metta. Like we used to do.

Apologies to anyone who wanted to stay for metta last week but could not.

Gassho,
Nengyoku

[Nengyoku]

Hello friends,

I have had a few messages from you guys apologizing for not being able to sit for the entire period, so I just wanted to post this quick reminder.

It is perfectly okay to not sit for the entire period. Any amount of time you sit with us is the "correct" amount of time, and in fact is the entire period also. It is a blessing, as always, to have you with us.
Thank you so much for your practice together.

Be at peace.
Sorry to run long.

Gassho,
Nengyoku
SatLah

[Nengyoku]

Hello friends,

I just wanted to have an update. Tonight was our last sit together for Ango as Rohatsu is this weekend.

Starting with our next sit - on Monday - we will return to our regular 30 minute sits.
Thank you so much for coming together to deepen our practice during this Ango period. Most of you have stayed for the extended sit from time-to-time.
It is lovely to practice with such wholehearted friends.

Gassho,
Nengyoku
SatLah