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Thread: July 31th-August 1st, 2020 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI

  1. #1

    July 31th-August 1st, 2020 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI

    Today's Talk is on several Koans from the Book Of Serenity

    (text below in this thread)

    Please sit our Monthly 4-Hour Treeleaf Zazenkai netcast LIVE 8am to noon Japan time Saturday morning (that is New York 7pm to 11pm, Los Angeles 4pm to 8pm (Friday night), London midnight to 4am and Paris 1am to 5am (early Saturday morning)), and also sitable any time thereafter:


    Join live (with or without a camera & microphone) on Zoom at: https://www.treeleaf.org/now/go.php?l=ssr
    OR at https://zoom.us/j/4834831244, password (if needed): dogen

    Dharma Talk Audio / Podcast Episode:
    https://treeleaf.podbean.com/e/augus...leaf-zazenkai/

    The Sitting Schedule is as follows:

    00:00 - 00:50 CEREMONY (HEART SUTRA IN JAPANESE / SANDOKAI IN ENGLISH) & ZAZEN
    00:50 - 01:00 KINHIN
    01:00 - 01:30 ZAZEN
    01:30 - 01:50 KINHIN

    01:50 - 02:30 DHARMA TALK & ZAZEN
    02:30 - 02:40 KINHIN & HOKEY-POKEY RITUAL

    02:40 - 03:15 ZAZEN
    03:15 - 03:30 KINHIN
    03:30 - 04:00 METTA CHANT & ZAZEN, VERSE OF ATONEMENT, FOUR VOWS, & CLOSING
    Gassho, Jundo

    STLah


    PS - There is no "wrong" or "right" in Zazen ... yet here is a little explanation of the "right" times to Bow (A Koan) ...


    Chant Book is here for those who wish to join in: CHANT BOOK LINK

    The other video I mention on Zendo decorum is this one, from our "Always Beginners" video Series:

    Sit-a-Long with Jundo: Zazen for Beginners (12) - Basic Zendo Decorum At Home
    https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...093#post189093
    Last edited by Shoka; 09-07-2020 at 12:07 AM. Reason: Added youtube embed.
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

  2. #2
    Our Talk today will be on a few Cases of the Book of Serenity that we recently danced in our "No Words" Book Club ...


    Koan 86: "Rinzai's Great Enlightenment"

    Main Case:
    Attention! Rinzai asked Master Obaku, “What is the ultimate meaning of Buddhism?”
    In response, Master Obaku hit him.
    This happened three times, so he left Master Obaku and went to see Master Daigu.
    Master Daigu asked, “Where did you come from?”
    Rinzai replied,”I came from Master Obaku.”
    Daigu asked, “What did Master Obaku have to say?”
    Rinzai replied, “I asked him “What is the ultimate meaning of Buddhism?” three times,
    And three times I tasted his stick. I don’t know if I was at fault or not.”
    Daigu exclaimed,”Master Obaku is such an old grandmother to be so very kind to you,
    But still you come and ask if you are at fault or not.”
    At these words, Rinzai attained great enlightenment.


    Koan 87: "Sozan's With or Without"

    MAIN CASE
    Attention! Sozan arrived at Isan's and asked, "I've heard that you say, 'To be with or without words is like a vine dependent on a tree. When suddenly the tree falls, the vine withers.' Where do the words return to?"
    Isan laughed aloud, "Ahhaahhaa!"
    Sozan said, "I've come a thousand miles selling cushions. Osho, how can you play around with me?"
    Isan called his attendant and told him to get some money, and give it to this monk.
    Then he prophesized, "Later on, there will be a one-eyed dragon who will enlighten you."
    Later Sozan arrived at Myosho's place and told him this story, and Myosho observed, "I would say that Isan was right from head to tail, but he did not meet up with the one who knows."
    Sozan again asked, "When a tree falls and a vine withers, where do the words return to?"
    Myosho said, "Once again, you make Isan laugh!"
    At these words, Sozan had a realization, and exclaimed, "From the first, Isan's laughter had a sword!"


    CASE 88: "The Shurangama's Unseen"

    PREFACE TO THE ASSEMBLY
    To have seeing and unseeing is to light a torch at midday. To have no seeing
    and no unseeing, is to pour out black ink at midnight. If you believe that
    seeing and hearing are like the phantom's shadow, you will know that sounds
    and colors are like flowers in the sky. Tell me: Is there any sutra teaching at
    all that we Zen students may talk about?

    MAIN CASE
    Attention! In the Shurangama Sutra, Buddha says, "When I am unseeing, why
    don't I see the unseen place? If you say that you see the unseen, that is not
    the unseen feature. If you don't see my unseen ground, then naturally it's not
    a thing. Why isn't it that you are not?"


    CASE 89: "TOZAN’S NO GRASS”

    MAIN CASE
    Attention! Master Tozan addressed the assembly, saying, “It’s the beginning of autumn and at summer’s end,
    My brothers, some of you will go east, and some west.
    But straight away, go to a place where there is no grass for hundreds of miles.”
    After a pause he asked, “Where is this grass-less place, and how can you go there?”
    Later, Master Sekiso said, “Go out the gate, and there’s grass.”
    And Master Taiyo later said, “Don’t go out the gate, and there’s grass everywhere.”


    CASE 90: "KYOZAN RESPECTFULLY DECLARES IT"

    PREFACE TO THE ASSEMBLY
    To say, "I alone am sober," is indeed to be stumbling drunk.
    Kyozan speaks of a dream as if he were awake.
    Great Zen masters talk thus, and all of you listen thus.
    Tell me: Is this waking or is it dreaming?

    MAIN CASE
    Attention!
    Kyozan had a dream in which he went to Maitreya's place and sat in the second seat.
    The Venerable Maitreya said, "Today it is time for the one in the second seat to speak."
    At that Kyozan stood up, struck the podium with the gavel, and said,
    "The Dharma of the Mahayana is beyond all words. I respectfully declare it."
    Last edited by Jundo; 07-31-2020 at 04:34 AM.
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

  3. #3
    Thank you, Jundo. I'm looking forward to joining two-way.

    Gassho,
    Onkai
    Sat/LAH
    美道 Bidou Beautiful Way
    恩海 Onkai Merciful/Kind Ocean

    I have a lot to learn; take anything I say that sounds like teaching with a grain of salt.

  4. #4
    Will be there with the

    Gassho
    Jakuden
    SatToday/LAH


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

  5. #5
    Member Onka's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Rural Queensland, so-called Australia
    I may be forced to sit this one later as my spine is not playing nice. I've taken valium which mak....Zzzzzz
    Gassho
    Onka
    ST
    穏 On (Calm)
    火 Ka (Fires)
    They/She.

  6. #6
    Computer a little bumpy today, sit Zazen until I get there ...
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

  7. #7
    For our Australians ...



    Gassho, J

    STLah
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

  8. #8
    Had to work today; just got home. Looks like I'll be catching up later, thank you all.

    Gassho
    Sat today, lah
    求道芸化 Kyūdō Geika
    I am just a priest-in-training, please do not take anything I say as a teaching.

  9. #9
    Thank you Jundo, Sekishi and everyone, sitting with all of you expresses the unexpressable (is that a word?)

    Gassho,
    Jakuden
    SatToday/LAH

  10. #10
    Thank you, Jundo, Jakuden, Sekishi, and everyone. No questions, just thanks. Have a great weekend!

    Gassho,
    Onkai
    Sat/lah
    美道 Bidou Beautiful Way
    恩海 Onkai Merciful/Kind Ocean

    I have a lot to learn; take anything I say that sounds like teaching with a grain of salt.

  11. #11
    Treeleaf Priest / Engineer Sekishi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Virginia, USA
    Thank you Jundo, Jakuden, kudzu, cicadas, and all beings. Deep thanks for all all who sat / sit / will sit.

    Sekishi
    #sat
    Sekishi | 石志 | He/him | Better with a grain of salt, but best ignored entirely.

  12. #12
    Thank you

    In the summer, koans songs
    the cicadas are singing
    are they singing because they are dreaming?
    are they singing because they are awake?

    Gassho
    SaT
    Last edited by Hoshi; 08-01-2020 at 03:51 AM.
    Hо̄shi 法詩

  13. #13
    My mic issue was user error from fiddling with settings earlier . My comment was that I thoroughly enjoy koans in this explaining/teaching tool context but do not seek them out much on my own (at least not at this stage of my journey).

    Thank you for the excellent talk, Jundo and thank you Jakuden, Sekishi, and everyone

    Gassho,

    Ryan
    Sat Today

  14. #14
    Thank you Jundo, Jakuden, Sekishi, and all for another wonderful Zazenkai.

    FYI... On the subject of rental goats, we actually have a similar service here in my neck of the woods called "Goats to Go": https://www.goatstogo.farm/about/




    Gassho,
    Rob

    -st-

  15. #15
    I'll be joinng one way tomorrow .

    Thanks again I am geeting a new appreciation for the recordings!

    Gassho,

    Ippo

    SaTtoday

  16. #16
    Thanks you for the zazenkai, this recording is very much appreciated.
    If I can ask, what is this hokey-pokey ritual?

  17. #17
    Quote Originally Posted by Margherita View Post
    Thanks you for the zazenkai, this recording is very much appreciated.
    If I can ask, what is this hokey-pokey ritual?
    The Hokey Pokey (called Hokey Cokey in some parts of the world) is a silly dance done at wedding receptions and kids birthday parties. We added it to our Zazenkai to follow right after my too serious "Dharma Talks" so we remember not to take ourselves too seriously ... and also to stretch the legs and body after long sitting.

    But, this is how "Traditions" are born ... and I predict that, in 1000 years, the Hokey Pokey will be considered an ancient and precious part of Buddhist Practice from Texas to Thailand to Tibet!





    Gassho, J

    STLah
    Last edited by Jundo; 08-02-2020 at 01:23 AM.
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

  18. #18
    😆 Wonderful!
    Thank you, Jundo.

    ST

  19. #19
    Thank you. I sat with you this morning.


    Tairin
    Sat today and lah
    泰林 - Tai Rin - Peaceful Woods

  20. #20
    Going to sit this one now. Gassho, Matt

  21. #21
    Thank you everyone.
    Gassho,
    Kotei sat/lah today.

    義道 冴庭 / Gidō Kotei.
    Being a novice priest doesn't mean my writing about the Dharma is more substantial than yours. Actually, it might well be the other way round.

  22. #22
    Sekishi and I had a long talk about the sound quality of this week's Australian Hokey Pokey. We have no explanation why the sound was as it was. I suggest to just stick out random limbs if not sure what they are saying.

    Gassho, J

    STLah
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

  23. #23
    Quote Originally Posted by Jundo View Post
    Sekishi and I had a long talk about the sound quality of this week's Australian Hokey Pokey. We have no explanation why the sound was as it was. I suggest to just stick out random limbs if not sure what they are saying.

    Gassho, J

    STLah
    Haha that’s exactly what everyone did I think. Also the “turn yourself around” part is pretty recognizable no matter what

    Gassho
    Jakuden


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

  24. #24
    The Iowa City virtual ango just ended yesterday, so I am sitting with you today. No question, just Genjo koan. Thank you, Treeleaf.

    Gassho,
    Mui
    Sat/LAH
    無依 Mui
    "Relies on Nothing"

  25. #25
    Thank you all for sitting with me.

    Gassho
    Kokuu

  26. #26
    Member Seishin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    La Croix-Avranchin, Basse Normandie, France
    Sat on demand. Thank you.

    sat


    Seishin

    Sei - Meticulous
    Shin - Heart

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