Here are a couple verses Dogen offers for the Wild Fox koan in the 9th volume, #77, of Dogen’s Extensive Record: [Saying that one of great] practice does not fall into this cause and effect, The cave of demons appears, yet he is not [merely] an old fox. Within the demon’s cave, with one turning [phrase], Suddenly mountains and rivers transform and verify his future path. Pity that [in the time of] Kashyapa, an honored buddha Sank as a wild... Read more

Here are some responses to the comments from yesterday’s post. Interesting that the beard got most of the attention. It is probably better to sit quietly and contemplate the other parts of the koan first. Young Huangbo’s little drama is a capper, after all. But it goes both ways too. And if you are confused, think you are stupid, and/or your head is spinning when encountering the Wild Fox koan, you might be taking it in. Or taken in. (I... Read more

A mid-winter melt is winding down here today, although it melted enough snow to block Bodhi and my path earlier. Speaking of which, a practitioner requested something from Dogen about karma and rebirth so I dipped into Dogen’s Extensive Record to see what I could see. First, let me again profusely praise this very important work, essential for students of Soto Zen, in my view, and encourage you all to buy it right away. Second, a couple general thoughts, then... Read more

Okay, I said I’d get back to this topic and so to prevent the accumulation of (more!) bad karma, here I go. First a quick Katagiri memory. I remember at least once (and can’t remember now if it’s in Keep Me in Your Heart or not), Roshi put his hands in gassho (palms together, fingertips about at nose level) and said, “I vow next life to return as a human being to suffer because I love it.” I’ve puzzled about... Read more

I returned last night from the trip to Ann Arbor where I led a Saturday workshop for the seminary students on dharma study and gave the talk on Sunday for about 70 people. Our very gracious hosts video taped the talk and I’ll see if I can post it here sometime.   Above is Haju Sunim with the “Buddha” calligraphy of her grandfather teacher, Kusan Sunim, a very important Korean master (click here for his brief biography).  I had a lovely time... Read more

Today’s photo: clear sky, far off moon and the trees reaching. I wanted to share a personal story about karma and rebirth that could be understood to support next-life theory. I tried to write a short version now and it didn’t work so I’ll get back to it when I have more time.  For today, my priority is to share a koan with you that Dogen uses when discussing the knotty issue of Zen not relying on words or sutras... Read more

Raymond asked in his comment for a recent post, “How can we be something other than our past karma without stepping too far back from the world and losing our own spontaneous expression of self?” “Karma” is the fruit of volitional action from the past arriving now. As such, it is the whole universe coming together as my dog Bodhi nuzzling my shoulder as I type. That’s easy to receive.  But the consequences of the beginningless swirl of greed, hate,... Read more

By Jimmy Yu, disciple of Master Sheng Yen: I am saddened to inform you that Venerable Master Sheng Yen of theDharma Drum Mountain in Taiwan and the Chan Meditation Center of NewYork passed into Nirvanic bliss in Taipei on February 3rd, 2009, 3 am (Taiwan time: February 2nd, 4 pm) at National Taiwan UniversityHospital at the age of 79. Master Sheng Yen was born into a humble farming family in NantongCounty, near Xiaoniang Harbor, in Jiangsu Province on January 22, 1930 (December... Read more

While preparing for the studying dharma workshop for the Ann Arbor Buddhist Temple this weekend, I found this passage of “really, really good Dogen.” Oiu! I’m reminded of the big guy blowing the saxophone during the Bruce Springsteen Super Bowl Halftime. The old boy is at least that clear. What follows occurs in “Bukkyo” or “Buddha’s Sutras” as translated by Yasuda Dainen and Anzan Hoshin (who must use Canadian capitalization) from the White Wind Zen Community in Ontario. Here we catch... Read more

Some of the comments to a recent post seemed to come from the belief that practice and enlightenment are separate. Therefore, I’m moved to offer this snippet from a Mahayana sutra (VIMALAKIRTI NIRDESA SUTRA, Chapter 7: The Goddess, Translated by Robert A. F. Thurman) for your reflection and freedom: Then the venerable Sariputra said to the goddess, “Goddess, how long have you been in this house?” The goddess replied, “I have been here as long as the elder has been... Read more