For next week, beginning on Monday 15th March, please join us in chanting 'Samadhi'. The text is on p33 here - https://www.sotozen.com/eng/practice...criptures.html
The full pdf download is the first link on that page.
Coming soon - Yuki will be chanting in French someday soon. Don't miss it.
As always, everyone is welcome to join the circle, to practice with us or to select/suggest chants and/or take a turn at leading the chant.
In Gassho
Seiko
stlah
Last edited by Seiko; 03-12-2021 at 09:40 PM.
Gandō Seiko
頑道清光
(Stubborn Way of Pure Light)
My street name is 'Al'.
Any words I write here are merely the thoughts of an apprentice priest, just my opinions, that's all.
Chanting in French ? Yes, I have a short text I would like to share with you all. It’ s a poem by Soen Sozeki, Abbot of Daisen-in, Kyoto.
The title is « Paroles de tous les jours » (Words for Each Day).
Coming soon... !
Gassho
Sat today
Here are the words from Soen Ozeki, in French and in English :
Paroles de tous les jours
Ici et maintenant
Chaque jour de la vie est un apprentissage
Apprentissage pour moi-même
Bien que l'échec soit possible
Vivant chaque instant
L'égal de toute chose
Prêt à tout
Je suis vivant, je suis ce moment
Mon avenir est ici et maintenant
Car si je ne peux endurer ce jour
Quand et où le pourrai-je*?
Paroles de tous les jours,
by Soen Ozeki, Abbot of Daisen-in, Kyoto
Words for Each Day
Here and now
Each day in life is training.
Training for myself.
Though failure is possible.
Living each moment.
Equal to anything.
Ready for everything.
I am alive. I am this moment.
My future is here and now.
For if I cannot endure today.
When and where will I?
Yuki
Great to share our practice today gang and again many thanks to yuki for the poem.
I may try it in English tomorrow, or French who knows.
Gassho,
Ryokudo
SAT/LAH
Thank you everyone.
I enjoyed chanting and sitting together.
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.
Thanks everyone, it was great to sit and chant in your company !
I\m sorry I misswd it. I had it marked on my to do list but got tied up with getting appointments made for Covid vaccines.
try again tomorrow
gassho, Shokai
stlah
合掌,生開
gassho, Shokai
仁道 生開 / Jindo Shokai
"Open to life in a benevolent way"
https://sarushinzendo.wordpress.com/
Hey no problem Shokai,
You were there in spirit anyway and are always welcome.
Gassho
Ryokudo
SAT/LAH
As ever gang thank you for joining the circle today and for listening as I droned on
Its always great to share the practice with you.
Gassho,
Ryokudo
SAT/LAH
Apologies for being late - thank you for this - this is a point of sanity in my workday when i can join
Gassho
Risho
-stlah
There's no need to apologise Risho. And its great to be part of the oasis for you. Its great to see you whenever u can make it.
Gassho,
Ryokudo
SAT/LAH
Thanks for the excellent reading of Words for each day !
Yuki
Sat today
Merci Beaucoup, mon frere Quebecois
Gassho,
Ryokudo
SAT/LAH
Hi all,
Many thanks for joining us in our chanting and sitting today. As ever it was great to see y'all.
As promised I am posting the Song of Zazen by Hakuin Ekaku, which is the suggested chant for next week. It is also available in the Treeleaf Retreat Chant book which can be found in the following place on the site (it's formatted better too)
Home > Sutras > Treeleaf Retreat Chant Book > TREELEAFCHANTBOOKFORRETREAT11252011.pdf
Zen Master Hakuin's Chant in Praise of Zazen * (Hakuin Zenji Zazen-Wasan, a traditional Rinzai chant)
From the very beginning all beings are Buddha. Like water and ice, without water no ice, outside us no Buddhas. * How near the truth, yet how far we seek, like one in water crying, “I thirst!” Like a child of rich birth wandering poor on this earth, we endlessly circle the six worlds. The cause of our sorrow is ego delusion. From dark path to dark path We’ve wandered in darkness— how can we be free from birth and death? The gateway to freedom is zazen samadhi— beyond exaltation, beyond all our praises, the pure Mahayana. Upholding the precepts,
repentance and giving, the countless good deeds, and the way of right living all come from zazen. Thus one true samadhi extinguishes evils; it purifies karma, dissolving obstructions. Then where are the dark paths to lead us astray? The pure lotus land is not far away. Hearing this truth, heart humble and grateful, to praise and embrace it, to practice its wisdom, brings unending blessings, brings mountains of merit. And when we turn inward and prove our True-nature— that True-self is no-self, our own Self is no-self— we go beyond ego and past clever words. Then the gate to the oneness of cause and effect is thrown open. Not two and not three, straight ahead runs the Way. Our form now being no-form, in going and returning we never leave home. Our thought now being no-thought, our dancing and songs are the voice of the Dharma. How vast is the heaven of boundless samadhi!
How bright and transparent the moonlight of wisdom! What is there outside us, what it there we lack? Nirvana is openly shown to our eyes. This earth where we stand is the pure lotus land, and this very body the body of Buddha.
Gassho,
Ryokudo,
SAT/LAH
We chanted the Zazen Wasan for many years in honor of my mentor, Doshin Cantor from the White Plum lineage of Maezumi Roshi, who is someone who has been a great influence on Treeleaf. (I learned how to facilitate a Sangha by participating with Doshin's community for many years, and much of what we do here is inspired by Doshin's group.) He is a good friend, and they chant the Zazen Wasan each day.
The words of the Zazen Wasan, the Song in Praise of Zazen, are lovely and wise.
dlt doshin.jpg
Gassho, Jundo
STLah
ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE
Ryokudo - what you said today - think how amazing it is we get to all chant together - it's not only unique that we have found this practice but from such far places - at the same time not so far as we are all in each others' hearts. good stuff
Ah Hakuin's poetry is beautiful!
Awww that's really awesome and touching Jundo - we're in good company
Thank you all for this little chanting group. I will post the 2 versions of the evening gatha later: the normal one and the Jundo/Emptiness version which is really cool and the other side of the no-sided coin just in case you want to write it down; it's like the poem that Huineng comprised: what mirror is there for dust to alight? But still we polish/dust not to clear or to change but because that's what Buddha's do hahahahah
Gassho
Risho
-stlah
Last edited by Risho; 03-17-2021 at 11:37 PM.
As promise
Evening Gatha
Jundo's Evening GathaLet me respectfully remind you,
Life and death are of supreme importance.
Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost.
Each of us should strive to awaken...
...awaken,
Take heed. Do not squander your life.
I love the 2nd version to compliment the first but, of course, it isn't license to do whatever we want. We have to strive to get to the place of not striving. Preaching to the choirNo "me" no "you", no life or death.
No time to pass no opportunity lost.
No "us" to strive, no goal or striving.
Thus Awakened! AWAKENED!
How could one squander this life
Gassho
Risho
-st
Wonderful work, Risho ! It’s formidable to have a new reader with so much talent !
Merci
Yuki
Yuki, Ryokudo is right - I don't speak French but what a beautiful language.
Gassho
Risho
-stlah
Thanks Risho !
I think every language have nice aspects, like a digital prints. I appreciate English, even if my accent is bad.
Merci beaucoup !
Sat today
I just came across a lovely interpretation of the Evening Gatha told by Judith Ragir, especially that last line (I added the "good") ...
“I beg to urge you, everyone.
Great is the matter of birth and death.
All things pass quickly away.
Awaken, awaken, take heed!
Make (good) use of this precious life.
Gassho, J
STLah
ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE
Jundo, Risho, Yuki, Ryokudo,
I am usually pretty good at managing my own pain levels, but these ribs are really off the scale. A lesson for me not to feel so proud of myself perhaps.
I'm sure it will resolve. I hope that's soon.
Thank you for your well wishes.
I will return to the Chanting and Zazen circle as soon as health allows.
In Gassho
Seiko
stlah
Last edited by Seiko; 03-19-2021 at 11:26 AM.
Gandō Seiko
頑道清光
(Stubborn Way of Pure Light)
My street name is 'Al'.
Any words I write here are merely the thoughts of an apprentice priest, just my opinions, that's all.
Seiko - I have never broken a rib nor would I ever want to - please rest up man and much metta.
Ryokudo - I can't make it today due to a surprise birthday party. And LOOK! Now you are surprised too- the giving never ceases (#DogenDadJokes)
Gassho
Risho
-stlah
No problem Risho,
You were there in spirit, just listening to me banging on as usual. As for your party I hope it went well. Life should be full of surprises
Gassho,
Ryokudo
I am so sorry guys it seems like something comes up every time I want to chant with you. I have my alarm set every day but can't seem to make it. I will again one day and I enjoy it. Thank You guys.
Gassho
Heitou
SatToday
Heitou
平桃
Thx for the sit gang. Unfortunately my pc ran out of battery mid sentence at the end. So thank you for your practice and see you next Monday.
Gassho
Ryokudo
Hey all here is a link to the song of zazen by haukin that will be used as the basis of the chanting next week it is on page 16 I think
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/cont...eat-Chant-Book
Many thanks
Gassho
,
Ryokudo
SAT/LAH
Got it thanks, I didn't have this Chant Book.
Gassho
Heitou
SatToday
Heitou
平桃
Hi everybody !
I have found the Hakuin Zenji Zazen Wasan in Japanese. Maybe it can interest some people to try it one day or another.
Here is the text...
HAKUIN ZENJI ZAZEN WASAN
Words cuts for chanting : Text in Japanese ( romaji )
SHU JO HON RAI HOTO KENA RI. Shujô honrai hotoke nari
MIZU TO KO RINO GOTO KUNI TE Mizu to kôri no gotoku nike
MIZU O HANA RETE KO RINA KU Mizu wo hanarete kôri naku
SHUJO ONO HOKA NI HOTO KENA SHI Shujô no hoka ni hotoke nashi
SHUJO O CHIKA KIO SHIRA ZUSHI TE Shujô chikaki wo shirazu shi te
TO KU MOTO MURU HAKA NASA YO Tôku momoteru ha kana sa yo
TATO EBA MIZU NO NAKA NI ITE Tatoe ba mizu no naka ni i te
KATSU O SAKE BUGA GOTO KUNA RI Katsu wo sakebu ga gotoku nari
CHO JANO IE NO KOTO NARI TE Chôja no ie no ko to nari te
HIN RINI MAYO ONI KOTO NARA ZU Hin ri ni mayô ni koto narazu
ROKU SHU RIN NENO IN NEN WA Roku shu rinne no innen wa
ONO REGA GUCHI NO YAMI JINA RI Onore ga guchi no yami ji nari
YAMI JINI YAMI JIO FUMI SOE TE Yami ji ni yami ji o fumisoete
ITSU KA SHO JIO HANA RUBE KI Itsuka shôji o hanaru beki
SORE MAKA EN NO ZEN JO WA Sore makaen no zenjô wa
SHO TAN SURU NI AMA RIA RI Shôtan suru ni amari ari
FUSE YA JIKA INO SHOHA RAMI TSU Fuse ya jikai no sho haramitsu
NEM BUTSU SAN GE SHUGYO OTO Nenbutsu zange shugyô tô
O SONO SHINA O KI SHOZE NGYO So no shina ô ki sho zen gyô
O MINA KONO NAKA NI KISU RUNA RI Mina kono uchi ni kisuru nari
ICHI ZANO KO O NASU HITO MO Ichi za no kô o nasu hito mo
TSUMI SHI MURYO ONO TSUMI HORO BU Tsumichi muryô no tsumi horobu
AKU SHU IZU KUNI ARI NUBE KI Akushu izuku ni arinu beki
JO DO SUNA WACHI TO KARA ZU Jôdo sunawachi tôkarazu
KATA JIKE NAKU MO KONO NORI O Katajikenakumo kono nori o
HITO TABI MIMI NI FURU RUTO KI Hito tabi mimi ni fururu toki
SAN TAN ZUI KI SURU HITO WA Sandan zui ki suru hito wa
FUKU O URU KOTO KAGI RINA SHI Fuku o uru koto kagiri nashi
IWA NYA MIZU KARA EKO OSHI TE Iwanya mizukara ekô shite
JIKI NI JISHO O SHO SURE BA Jikini jishô o shô sureba
JISHO O SUNA WACHI MUSHO ONI TE Jishô sunawachi mushô nite
SUDE NI KERO NO HANA RETA RI Sudeni keron o hanaretari
IN GA ICHI NYONO MON HIRA KE Inga ichinyo no mon hirake
MUNI MUSA NNO MICHI NAO SHI Muni musan no michi naoshi
MUSO ONO SO O SO TOSHI TE Musô no sô o sô toshite
YUKU MO KAE RUMO YOSO NARA ZU Yuku mo kaeru mo yoso narazu
MUNE NNO NEN O NEN TOSHI TE Munen no nen o nen toshite
UTA UMO MAU MO NORI NOKO E Utau mo mau mo nori no koe
ZAN MAI MUGE NO SORA HIRO KU Zanmai muge no sora hiroku
SHICHI EM MYO NO TSUKI SAE N Shi chi enmyô no tsuki saen
KONO TOKI NANI OKA MOTO MUBE KI Kono toki nani o ka motomu beki
JAKU METSU GEN ZEN SURU YUE NI Jakumetsu gen zen suru yue ni
TO SHO SUNA WACHI REN GEKO KU Tôsho sunawachi renge koku
KONO MI SUNA WACHI HOTO KE NA RI Kono mi sunawachi hotoke nari
...and here is a link for a MP3 to listen :
https://p5.storage.canalblog.com/58/.../122828729.mp3
Yuki
(Sat today)
This sounds lovely. I'll be joining you for the first time tomorrow!
Gassho,
Meredith
ST
It was great to see you meredith and thank you all for sitting and chanting with us over the past couple of days.
Gassho,
Ryokudo
Hey all I may not be able to make it today and if so please give yuki all ur support.
Cheers
Ryokudo
Hi, here is what I propose you this afternoon :
Sanki Raimon, of course.
Then, the Japanese chanting of Hakuin Zenji Zazen Wasan. I will accompany myself with a mokugyo. Feels free to chant with me !
27 minutes of zazen.
A short poem from master Dōgen.
And, finally, the Four Vows.
See you !
Yuki
(Sat today)
Thank you John and Yuki I like it when we have "no-shows"; then we can fulfill the 11th precept and talk behind everyone's backs I kid.
Gassho
Risho
-stlah
Hey gang,
So sorry for not being there and so glad it went well...………...It was always gonna go better without me anyway.
I shall see you all tonight, gang.
Gassho,
Ryokudo
Japanese accent is easier than English accent in my case ! Thanks everybody !
Yuki 雪
Thank you all
Ryo, what was that poem you recited today? It was very nice, and I'd like to jot that down
Gassho
Risho
-stlah