![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/81\/2023\/03\/Jan-on-walk-scaled.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\nZEN COMMENTS ON AN ANCIENT KOAN<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nBaofu and Changqing Go on a Picnic<\/strong><\/em>
\nBlue Cliff Record, Case 23<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nKen Ireland<\/p>\n
(Reprinted with permission from Koan Conversations<\/a> by my old friend Ken Ireland.<\/em><\/p>\nKen is someone to know.<\/em><\/p>\nKen began meditation practice in the early 70\u2019s while a Jesuit. Claudio Naranjo introduced him to zazen as well as the Enneagram. He also introduced Ken to Master C.M. Chen, who went to Tibet in 1929.<\/em><\/p>\nKen has studied and practiced with both Asian teachers and the first generation of western teachers. He lived and practiced at the Hartford Street Zen Center during the last years of Issan \u201cTommy\u201d Dorsey\u2019s life, and served as the second director of Maitri Hospice. <\/em><\/p>\nAfter Issan died, Ken continued to work in the Soto tradition with Zenshin Philip Whalen and Maylie Scott. For more than 30 years he has been working with koans, first as a student of Robert Aitken Roshi, then under John Tarrant Roshi, Jon Joseph Roshi, and currently with Ed Oberholtzer<\/a> Roshi of the Empty Moon lineage. <\/em><\/p>\nNow living in McLeod Ganj, India, he also studies with Geshe-ma Kelsang Wangmo.<\/em><\/p>\nSome of Ken\u2019s writings can be found online at Buddha, S.J.<\/a>, Koan Conversations<\/a>, All and Everything Enneagram<\/a>, plus just a collection of Poems that I love<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\nKen is editor of the book Intimate Meanderings<\/a>.<\/em>)<\/p>\nZEN COMMENTS ON AN ANCIENT KOAN<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nThe Case<\/strong><\/p>\nWhen Baofu and Changqing went on a picnic in the hills, Baofu pointed to the top of a hill, saying, \u201cThat\u2019s the top of Miao Peak.\u201d1 \u201cThat\u2019s true, you are right,\u201d said Changqing. \u201cBut a pity,\u201d he added. (Xuedou: What are you doing, going on a picnic with him? I can\u2019t say there will be no one like these two a hundred years from now, but there will be very few.) Later Baofu told Jingqing about this. Jingqing said, \u201cIf it were not for Master Changqing, skulls would appear in every field.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nBlue Cliff Record, Case 23<\/strong><\/p>\n1 Miao Peak is the Peak of Wonder, the center of Paradise, according to the Huayan or Avatamsaka Sutra<\/em>.<\/p>\nIt was one of those crazy things you do when you travel with a fairly open agenda. We\u2019d been visiting Angkor Wat for almost a week, and didn\u2019t have to be in Ho Chi Minh City for another two. While in Siem Reap we\u2019d heard about an adventurous boat trip, billed as once in a lifetime: You crossed the southern end of the largest freshwater lake in southeast Asia, Tonle Sap, and then followed a long shallow river upstream to a former French provincial capital, Krong Battambang.<\/p>\n
We booked, but so did about 200 other people, mostly European kids. After arguing with the tour organizers\u2013we were not going to sit on the hot metal roof of a flat river boat in the blazing sun for the 8 hour trip, they relented and hired another smaller boat to take the overflow. Once on board we discovered that even in a smaller boat the trip would be arduous, the river was low but flowing swiftly against us. Three added hours under a metal roof were just as hot as sitting on one, but we were spared sunburn. In the smaller boat, we were less than 30. We met and chatted with a lovely young German couple who were on their way to work for several years in New Zealand.\u00a0The journey was tough going, but company helped.<\/p>\n
The next day was Mardi Gras, and we arranged to have dinner with them. Ashish found a highly rated restaurant called La Pomme d\u2019Amour. I know the exact date, February 12th 2013. Sometimes larger events help mark the calendar accurately. The day before when we were cut off from the world on our river boat excursion, Benedict, the oldest person elected to the papacy since the 18th century, announced he would be the first pope in centuries to resign.<\/p>\n
Our new friends told us. They were actually shocked. They still considered themselves Catholic even though they were an unmarried couple, but they were definitely Bavarian. One of their own was doing something unimaginable. I was startled by the news of Benedict\u2019s resignation, but I think that I was more amazed at how our young friends had packed for their trip. The man wore incredibly crafted lederhosen with a pressed white shirt and his very beautiful girlfriend had on an exquisitely embroidered traditional dress.\u00a0Ashish and I only carried the basics. Our European friends dressed for the occasion.<\/p>\n
One thing about the French colonies, they have retained a tradition of cuisine. Even in this small Cambodian town, even after the unspeakable barbarity of the Khmer Rouge, there was still wonderful food. We enjoyed our dinner and the conversation. We agreed to explore together the next day.<\/p>\n
We arranged for a larger tuk-tuk, seats for four, and driver for the day. Cambodians are in general smaller than a big American and a big muscled Bavarian boy, but we all managed to squeeze in. We\u2019d heard about a bamboo train in the nearby hills. There was also a small ruin similar to Angkor Wat about 11 km out of town. We met early, before the sun got too hot. Before noon, we\u2019d taken the train and climbed up to the ruin. We asked the driver what else he would recommend. With limited communication he indicated that he knew a place.<\/p>\n
<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\nZEN COMMENTS ON AN ANCIENT KOAN<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nBaofu and Changqing Go on a Picnic<\/strong><\/em>
\nBlue Cliff Record, Case 23<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nKen Ireland<\/p>\n
(Reprinted with permission from Koan Conversations<\/a> by my old friend Ken Ireland.<\/em><\/p>\nKen is someone to know.<\/em><\/p>\nKen began meditation practice in the early 70\u2019s while a Jesuit. Claudio Naranjo introduced him to zazen as well as the Enneagram. He also introduced Ken to Master C.M. Chen, who went to Tibet in 1929.<\/em><\/p>\nKen has studied and practiced with both Asian teachers and the first generation of western teachers. He lived and practiced at the Hartford Street Zen Center during the last years of Issan \u201cTommy\u201d Dorsey\u2019s life, and served as the second director of Maitri Hospice. <\/em><\/p>\nAfter Issan died, Ken continued to work in the Soto tradition with Zenshin Philip Whalen and Maylie Scott. For more than 30 years he has been working with koans, first as a student of Robert Aitken Roshi, then under John Tarrant Roshi, Jon Joseph Roshi, and currently with Ed Oberholtzer<\/a> Roshi of the Empty Moon lineage. <\/em><\/p>\nNow living in McLeod Ganj, India, he also studies with Geshe-ma Kelsang Wangmo.<\/em><\/p>\nSome of Ken\u2019s writings can be found online at Buddha, S.J.<\/a>, Koan Conversations<\/a>, All and Everything Enneagram<\/a>, plus just a collection of Poems that I love<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\nKen is editor of the book Intimate Meanderings<\/a>.<\/em>)<\/p>\nZEN COMMENTS ON AN ANCIENT KOAN<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nThe Case<\/strong><\/p>\nWhen Baofu and Changqing went on a picnic in the hills, Baofu pointed to the top of a hill, saying, \u201cThat\u2019s the top of Miao Peak.\u201d1 \u201cThat\u2019s true, you are right,\u201d said Changqing. \u201cBut a pity,\u201d he added. (Xuedou: What are you doing, going on a picnic with him? I can\u2019t say there will be no one like these two a hundred years from now, but there will be very few.) Later Baofu told Jingqing about this. Jingqing said, \u201cIf it were not for Master Changqing, skulls would appear in every field.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nBlue Cliff Record, Case 23<\/strong><\/p>\n1 Miao Peak is the Peak of Wonder, the center of Paradise, according to the Huayan or Avatamsaka Sutra<\/em>.<\/p>\nIt was one of those crazy things you do when you travel with a fairly open agenda. We\u2019d been visiting Angkor Wat for almost a week, and didn\u2019t have to be in Ho Chi Minh City for another two. While in Siem Reap we\u2019d heard about an adventurous boat trip, billed as once in a lifetime: You crossed the southern end of the largest freshwater lake in southeast Asia, Tonle Sap, and then followed a long shallow river upstream to a former French provincial capital, Krong Battambang.<\/p>\n
We booked, but so did about 200 other people, mostly European kids. After arguing with the tour organizers\u2013we were not going to sit on the hot metal roof of a flat river boat in the blazing sun for the 8 hour trip, they relented and hired another smaller boat to take the overflow. Once on board we discovered that even in a smaller boat the trip would be arduous, the river was low but flowing swiftly against us. Three added hours under a metal roof were just as hot as sitting on one, but we were spared sunburn. In the smaller boat, we were less than 30. We met and chatted with a lovely young German couple who were on their way to work for several years in New Zealand.\u00a0The journey was tough going, but company helped.<\/p>\n
The next day was Mardi Gras, and we arranged to have dinner with them. Ashish found a highly rated restaurant called La Pomme d\u2019Amour. I know the exact date, February 12th 2013. Sometimes larger events help mark the calendar accurately. The day before when we were cut off from the world on our river boat excursion, Benedict, the oldest person elected to the papacy since the 18th century, announced he would be the first pope in centuries to resign.<\/p>\n
Our new friends told us. They were actually shocked. They still considered themselves Catholic even though they were an unmarried couple, but they were definitely Bavarian. One of their own was doing something unimaginable. I was startled by the news of Benedict\u2019s resignation, but I think that I was more amazed at how our young friends had packed for their trip. The man wore incredibly crafted lederhosen with a pressed white shirt and his very beautiful girlfriend had on an exquisitely embroidered traditional dress.\u00a0Ashish and I only carried the basics. Our European friends dressed for the occasion.<\/p>\n
One thing about the French colonies, they have retained a tradition of cuisine. Even in this small Cambodian town, even after the unspeakable barbarity of the Khmer Rouge, there was still wonderful food. We enjoyed our dinner and the conversation. We agreed to explore together the next day.<\/p>\n
We arranged for a larger tuk-tuk, seats for four, and driver for the day. Cambodians are in general smaller than a big American and a big muscled Bavarian boy, but we all managed to squeeze in. We\u2019d heard about a bamboo train in the nearby hills. There was also a small ruin similar to Angkor Wat about 11 km out of town. We met early, before the sun got too hot. Before noon, we\u2019d taken the train and climbed up to the ruin. We asked the driver what else he would recommend. With limited communication he indicated that he knew a place.<\/p>\n
<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\nZEN COMMENTS ON AN ANCIENT KOAN<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nBaofu and Changqing Go on a Picnic<\/strong><\/em>
\nBlue Cliff Record, Case 23<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nKen Ireland<\/p>\n
(Reprinted with permission from Koan Conversations<\/a> by my old friend Ken Ireland.<\/em><\/p>\nKen is someone to know.<\/em><\/p>\nKen began meditation practice in the early 70\u2019s while a Jesuit. Claudio Naranjo introduced him to zazen as well as the Enneagram. He also introduced Ken to Master C.M. Chen, who went to Tibet in 1929.<\/em><\/p>\nKen has studied and practiced with both Asian teachers and the first generation of western teachers. He lived and practiced at the Hartford Street Zen Center during the last years of Issan \u201cTommy\u201d Dorsey\u2019s life, and served as the second director of Maitri Hospice. <\/em><\/p>\nAfter Issan died, Ken continued to work in the Soto tradition with Zenshin Philip Whalen and Maylie Scott. For more than 30 years he has been working with koans, first as a student of Robert Aitken Roshi, then under John Tarrant Roshi, Jon Joseph Roshi, and currently with Ed Oberholtzer<\/a> Roshi of the Empty Moon lineage. <\/em><\/p>\nNow living in McLeod Ganj, India, he also studies with Geshe-ma Kelsang Wangmo.<\/em><\/p>\nSome of Ken\u2019s writings can be found online at Buddha, S.J.<\/a>, Koan Conversations<\/a>, All and Everything Enneagram<\/a>, plus just a collection of Poems that I love<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\nKen is editor of the book Intimate Meanderings<\/a>.<\/em>)<\/p>\nZEN COMMENTS ON AN ANCIENT KOAN<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nThe Case<\/strong><\/p>\nWhen Baofu and Changqing went on a picnic in the hills, Baofu pointed to the top of a hill, saying, \u201cThat\u2019s the top of Miao Peak.\u201d1 \u201cThat\u2019s true, you are right,\u201d said Changqing. \u201cBut a pity,\u201d he added. (Xuedou: What are you doing, going on a picnic with him? I can\u2019t say there will be no one like these two a hundred years from now, but there will be very few.) Later Baofu told Jingqing about this. Jingqing said, \u201cIf it were not for Master Changqing, skulls would appear in every field.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nBlue Cliff Record, Case 23<\/strong><\/p>\n1 Miao Peak is the Peak of Wonder, the center of Paradise, according to the Huayan or Avatamsaka Sutra<\/em>.<\/p>\nIt was one of those crazy things you do when you travel with a fairly open agenda. We\u2019d been visiting Angkor Wat for almost a week, and didn\u2019t have to be in Ho Chi Minh City for another two. While in Siem Reap we\u2019d heard about an adventurous boat trip, billed as once in a lifetime: You crossed the southern end of the largest freshwater lake in southeast Asia, Tonle Sap, and then followed a long shallow river upstream to a former French provincial capital, Krong Battambang.<\/p>\n
We booked, but so did about 200 other people, mostly European kids. After arguing with the tour organizers\u2013we were not going to sit on the hot metal roof of a flat river boat in the blazing sun for the 8 hour trip, they relented and hired another smaller boat to take the overflow. Once on board we discovered that even in a smaller boat the trip would be arduous, the river was low but flowing swiftly against us. Three added hours under a metal roof were just as hot as sitting on one, but we were spared sunburn. In the smaller boat, we were less than 30. We met and chatted with a lovely young German couple who were on their way to work for several years in New Zealand.\u00a0The journey was tough going, but company helped.<\/p>\n
The next day was Mardi Gras, and we arranged to have dinner with them. Ashish found a highly rated restaurant called La Pomme d\u2019Amour. I know the exact date, February 12th 2013. Sometimes larger events help mark the calendar accurately. The day before when we were cut off from the world on our river boat excursion, Benedict, the oldest person elected to the papacy since the 18th century, announced he would be the first pope in centuries to resign.<\/p>\n
Our new friends told us. They were actually shocked. They still considered themselves Catholic even though they were an unmarried couple, but they were definitely Bavarian. One of their own was doing something unimaginable. I was startled by the news of Benedict\u2019s resignation, but I think that I was more amazed at how our young friends had packed for their trip. The man wore incredibly crafted lederhosen with a pressed white shirt and his very beautiful girlfriend had on an exquisitely embroidered traditional dress.\u00a0Ashish and I only carried the basics. Our European friends dressed for the occasion.<\/p>\n
One thing about the French colonies, they have retained a tradition of cuisine. Even in this small Cambodian town, even after the unspeakable barbarity of the Khmer Rouge, there was still wonderful food. We enjoyed our dinner and the conversation. We agreed to explore together the next day.<\/p>\n
We arranged for a larger tuk-tuk, seats for four, and driver for the day. Cambodians are in general smaller than a big American and a big muscled Bavarian boy, but we all managed to squeeze in. We\u2019d heard about a bamboo train in the nearby hills. There was also a small ruin similar to Angkor Wat about 11 km out of town. We met early, before the sun got too hot. Before noon, we\u2019d taken the train and climbed up to the ruin. We asked the driver what else he would recommend. With limited communication he indicated that he knew a place.<\/p>\n
<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\nZEN COMMENTS ON AN ANCIENT KOAN<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nBaofu and Changqing Go on a Picnic<\/strong><\/em>
\nBlue Cliff Record, Case 23<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nKen Ireland<\/p>\n
(Reprinted with permission from Koan Conversations<\/a> by my old friend Ken Ireland.<\/em><\/p>\nKen is someone to know.<\/em><\/p>\nKen began meditation practice in the early 70\u2019s while a Jesuit. Claudio Naranjo introduced him to zazen as well as the Enneagram. He also introduced Ken to Master C.M. Chen, who went to Tibet in 1929.<\/em><\/p>\nKen has studied and practiced with both Asian teachers and the first generation of western teachers. He lived and practiced at the Hartford Street Zen Center during the last years of Issan \u201cTommy\u201d Dorsey\u2019s life, and served as the second director of Maitri Hospice. <\/em><\/p>\nAfter Issan died, Ken continued to work in the Soto tradition with Zenshin Philip Whalen and Maylie Scott. For more than 30 years he has been working with koans, first as a student of Robert Aitken Roshi, then under John Tarrant Roshi, Jon Joseph Roshi, and currently with Ed Oberholtzer<\/a> Roshi of the Empty Moon lineage. <\/em><\/p>\nNow living in McLeod Ganj, India, he also studies with Geshe-ma Kelsang Wangmo.<\/em><\/p>\nSome of Ken\u2019s writings can be found online at Buddha, S.J.<\/a>, Koan Conversations<\/a>, All and Everything Enneagram<\/a>, plus just a collection of Poems that I love<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\nKen is editor of the book Intimate Meanderings<\/a>.<\/em>)<\/p>\nZEN COMMENTS ON AN ANCIENT KOAN<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nThe Case<\/strong><\/p>\nWhen Baofu and Changqing went on a picnic in the hills, Baofu pointed to the top of a hill, saying, \u201cThat\u2019s the top of Miao Peak.\u201d1 \u201cThat\u2019s true, you are right,\u201d said Changqing. \u201cBut a pity,\u201d he added. (Xuedou: What are you doing, going on a picnic with him? I can\u2019t say there will be no one like these two a hundred years from now, but there will be very few.) Later Baofu told Jingqing about this. Jingqing said, \u201cIf it were not for Master Changqing, skulls would appear in every field.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nBlue Cliff Record, Case 23<\/strong><\/p>\n1 Miao Peak is the Peak of Wonder, the center of Paradise, according to the Huayan or Avatamsaka Sutra<\/em>.<\/p>\nIt was one of those crazy things you do when you travel with a fairly open agenda. We\u2019d been visiting Angkor Wat for almost a week, and didn\u2019t have to be in Ho Chi Minh City for another two. While in Siem Reap we\u2019d heard about an adventurous boat trip, billed as once in a lifetime: You crossed the southern end of the largest freshwater lake in southeast Asia, Tonle Sap, and then followed a long shallow river upstream to a former French provincial capital, Krong Battambang.<\/p>\n
We booked, but so did about 200 other people, mostly European kids. After arguing with the tour organizers\u2013we were not going to sit on the hot metal roof of a flat river boat in the blazing sun for the 8 hour trip, they relented and hired another smaller boat to take the overflow. Once on board we discovered that even in a smaller boat the trip would be arduous, the river was low but flowing swiftly against us. Three added hours under a metal roof were just as hot as sitting on one, but we were spared sunburn. In the smaller boat, we were less than 30. We met and chatted with a lovely young German couple who were on their way to work for several years in New Zealand.\u00a0The journey was tough going, but company helped.<\/p>\n
The next day was Mardi Gras, and we arranged to have dinner with them. Ashish found a highly rated restaurant called La Pomme d\u2019Amour. I know the exact date, February 12th 2013. Sometimes larger events help mark the calendar accurately. The day before when we were cut off from the world on our river boat excursion, Benedict, the oldest person elected to the papacy since the 18th century, announced he would be the first pope in centuries to resign.<\/p>\n
Our new friends told us. They were actually shocked. They still considered themselves Catholic even though they were an unmarried couple, but they were definitely Bavarian. One of their own was doing something unimaginable. I was startled by the news of Benedict\u2019s resignation, but I think that I was more amazed at how our young friends had packed for their trip. The man wore incredibly crafted lederhosen with a pressed white shirt and his very beautiful girlfriend had on an exquisitely embroidered traditional dress.\u00a0Ashish and I only carried the basics. Our European friends dressed for the occasion.<\/p>\n
One thing about the French colonies, they have retained a tradition of cuisine. Even in this small Cambodian town, even after the unspeakable barbarity of the Khmer Rouge, there was still wonderful food. We enjoyed our dinner and the conversation. We agreed to explore together the next day.<\/p>\n
We arranged for a larger tuk-tuk, seats for four, and driver for the day. Cambodians are in general smaller than a big American and a big muscled Bavarian boy, but we all managed to squeeze in. We\u2019d heard about a bamboo train in the nearby hills. There was also a small ruin similar to Angkor Wat about 11 km out of town. We met early, before the sun got too hot. Before noon, we\u2019d taken the train and climbed up to the ruin. We asked the driver what else he would recommend. With limited communication he indicated that he knew a place.<\/p>\n
<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\nZEN COMMENTS ON AN ANCIENT KOAN<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nBaofu and Changqing Go on a Picnic<\/strong><\/em>
\nBlue Cliff Record, Case 23<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nKen Ireland<\/p>\n
(Reprinted with permission from Koan Conversations<\/a> by my old friend Ken Ireland.<\/em><\/p>\nKen is someone to know.<\/em><\/p>\nKen began meditation practice in the early 70\u2019s while a Jesuit. Claudio Naranjo introduced him to zazen as well as the Enneagram. He also introduced Ken to Master C.M. Chen, who went to Tibet in 1929.<\/em><\/p>\nKen has studied and practiced with both Asian teachers and the first generation of western teachers. He lived and practiced at the Hartford Street Zen Center during the last years of Issan \u201cTommy\u201d Dorsey\u2019s life, and served as the second director of Maitri Hospice. <\/em><\/p>\nAfter Issan died, Ken continued to work in the Soto tradition with Zenshin Philip Whalen and Maylie Scott. For more than 30 years he has been working with koans, first as a student of Robert Aitken Roshi, then under John Tarrant Roshi, Jon Joseph Roshi, and currently with Ed Oberholtzer<\/a> Roshi of the Empty Moon lineage. <\/em><\/p>\nNow living in McLeod Ganj, India, he also studies with Geshe-ma Kelsang Wangmo.<\/em><\/p>\nSome of Ken\u2019s writings can be found online at Buddha, S.J.<\/a>, Koan Conversations<\/a>, All and Everything Enneagram<\/a>, plus just a collection of Poems that I love<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\nKen is editor of the book Intimate Meanderings<\/a>.<\/em>)<\/p>\nZEN COMMENTS ON AN ANCIENT KOAN<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nThe Case<\/strong><\/p>\nWhen Baofu and Changqing went on a picnic in the hills, Baofu pointed to the top of a hill, saying, \u201cThat\u2019s the top of Miao Peak.\u201d1 \u201cThat\u2019s true, you are right,\u201d said Changqing. \u201cBut a pity,\u201d he added. (Xuedou: What are you doing, going on a picnic with him? I can\u2019t say there will be no one like these two a hundred years from now, but there will be very few.) Later Baofu told Jingqing about this. Jingqing said, \u201cIf it were not for Master Changqing, skulls would appear in every field.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nBlue Cliff Record, Case 23<\/strong><\/p>\n1 Miao Peak is the Peak of Wonder, the center of Paradise, according to the Huayan or Avatamsaka Sutra<\/em>.<\/p>\nIt was one of those crazy things you do when you travel with a fairly open agenda. We\u2019d been visiting Angkor Wat for almost a week, and didn\u2019t have to be in Ho Chi Minh City for another two. While in Siem Reap we\u2019d heard about an adventurous boat trip, billed as once in a lifetime: You crossed the southern end of the largest freshwater lake in southeast Asia, Tonle Sap, and then followed a long shallow river upstream to a former French provincial capital, Krong Battambang.<\/p>\n
We booked, but so did about 200 other people, mostly European kids. After arguing with the tour organizers\u2013we were not going to sit on the hot metal roof of a flat river boat in the blazing sun for the 8 hour trip, they relented and hired another smaller boat to take the overflow. Once on board we discovered that even in a smaller boat the trip would be arduous, the river was low but flowing swiftly against us. Three added hours under a metal roof were just as hot as sitting on one, but we were spared sunburn. In the smaller boat, we were less than 30. We met and chatted with a lovely young German couple who were on their way to work for several years in New Zealand.\u00a0The journey was tough going, but company helped.<\/p>\n
The next day was Mardi Gras, and we arranged to have dinner with them. Ashish found a highly rated restaurant called La Pomme d\u2019Amour. I know the exact date, February 12th 2013. Sometimes larger events help mark the calendar accurately. The day before when we were cut off from the world on our river boat excursion, Benedict, the oldest person elected to the papacy since the 18th century, announced he would be the first pope in centuries to resign.<\/p>\n
Our new friends told us. They were actually shocked. They still considered themselves Catholic even though they were an unmarried couple, but they were definitely Bavarian. One of their own was doing something unimaginable. I was startled by the news of Benedict\u2019s resignation, but I think that I was more amazed at how our young friends had packed for their trip. The man wore incredibly crafted lederhosen with a pressed white shirt and his very beautiful girlfriend had on an exquisitely embroidered traditional dress.\u00a0Ashish and I only carried the basics. Our European friends dressed for the occasion.<\/p>\n
One thing about the French colonies, they have retained a tradition of cuisine. Even in this small Cambodian town, even after the unspeakable barbarity of the Khmer Rouge, there was still wonderful food. We enjoyed our dinner and the conversation. We agreed to explore together the next day.<\/p>\n
We arranged for a larger tuk-tuk, seats for four, and driver for the day. Cambodians are in general smaller than a big American and a big muscled Bavarian boy, but we all managed to squeeze in. We\u2019d heard about a bamboo train in the nearby hills. There was also a small ruin similar to Angkor Wat about 11 km out of town. We met early, before the sun got too hot. Before noon, we\u2019d taken the train and climbed up to the ruin. We asked the driver what else he would recommend. With limited communication he indicated that he knew a place.<\/p>\n
<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\nZEN COMMENTS ON AN ANCIENT KOAN<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nBaofu and Changqing Go on a Picnic<\/strong><\/em>
\nBlue Cliff Record, Case 23<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nKen Ireland<\/p>\n
(Reprinted with permission from Koan Conversations<\/a> by my old friend Ken Ireland.<\/em><\/p>\nKen is someone to know.<\/em><\/p>\nKen began meditation practice in the early 70\u2019s while a Jesuit. Claudio Naranjo introduced him to zazen as well as the Enneagram. He also introduced Ken to Master C.M. Chen, who went to Tibet in 1929.<\/em><\/p>\nKen has studied and practiced with both Asian teachers and the first generation of western teachers. He lived and practiced at the Hartford Street Zen Center during the last years of Issan \u201cTommy\u201d Dorsey\u2019s life, and served as the second director of Maitri Hospice. <\/em><\/p>\nAfter Issan died, Ken continued to work in the Soto tradition with Zenshin Philip Whalen and Maylie Scott. For more than 30 years he has been working with koans, first as a student of Robert Aitken Roshi, then under John Tarrant Roshi, Jon Joseph Roshi, and currently with Ed Oberholtzer<\/a> Roshi of the Empty Moon lineage. <\/em><\/p>\nNow living in McLeod Ganj, India, he also studies with Geshe-ma Kelsang Wangmo.<\/em><\/p>\nSome of Ken\u2019s writings can be found online at Buddha, S.J.<\/a>, Koan Conversations<\/a>, All and Everything Enneagram<\/a>, plus just a collection of Poems that I love<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\nKen is editor of the book Intimate Meanderings<\/a>.<\/em>)<\/p>\nZEN COMMENTS ON AN ANCIENT KOAN<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nThe Case<\/strong><\/p>\nWhen Baofu and Changqing went on a picnic in the hills, Baofu pointed to the top of a hill, saying, \u201cThat\u2019s the top of Miao Peak.\u201d1 \u201cThat\u2019s true, you are right,\u201d said Changqing. \u201cBut a pity,\u201d he added. (Xuedou: What are you doing, going on a picnic with him? I can\u2019t say there will be no one like these two a hundred years from now, but there will be very few.) Later Baofu told Jingqing about this. Jingqing said, \u201cIf it were not for Master Changqing, skulls would appear in every field.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nBlue Cliff Record, Case 23<\/strong><\/p>\n1 Miao Peak is the Peak of Wonder, the center of Paradise, according to the Huayan or Avatamsaka Sutra<\/em>.<\/p>\nIt was one of those crazy things you do when you travel with a fairly open agenda. We\u2019d been visiting Angkor Wat for almost a week, and didn\u2019t have to be in Ho Chi Minh City for another two. While in Siem Reap we\u2019d heard about an adventurous boat trip, billed as once in a lifetime: You crossed the southern end of the largest freshwater lake in southeast Asia, Tonle Sap, and then followed a long shallow river upstream to a former French provincial capital, Krong Battambang.<\/p>\n
We booked, but so did about 200 other people, mostly European kids. After arguing with the tour organizers\u2013we were not going to sit on the hot metal roof of a flat river boat in the blazing sun for the 8 hour trip, they relented and hired another smaller boat to take the overflow. Once on board we discovered that even in a smaller boat the trip would be arduous, the river was low but flowing swiftly against us. Three added hours under a metal roof were just as hot as sitting on one, but we were spared sunburn. In the smaller boat, we were less than 30. We met and chatted with a lovely young German couple who were on their way to work for several years in New Zealand.\u00a0The journey was tough going, but company helped.<\/p>\n
The next day was Mardi Gras, and we arranged to have dinner with them. Ashish found a highly rated restaurant called La Pomme d\u2019Amour. I know the exact date, February 12th 2013. Sometimes larger events help mark the calendar accurately. The day before when we were cut off from the world on our river boat excursion, Benedict, the oldest person elected to the papacy since the 18th century, announced he would be the first pope in centuries to resign.<\/p>\n
Our new friends told us. They were actually shocked. They still considered themselves Catholic even though they were an unmarried couple, but they were definitely Bavarian. One of their own was doing something unimaginable. I was startled by the news of Benedict\u2019s resignation, but I think that I was more amazed at how our young friends had packed for their trip. The man wore incredibly crafted lederhosen with a pressed white shirt and his very beautiful girlfriend had on an exquisitely embroidered traditional dress.\u00a0Ashish and I only carried the basics. Our European friends dressed for the occasion.<\/p>\n
One thing about the French colonies, they have retained a tradition of cuisine. Even in this small Cambodian town, even after the unspeakable barbarity of the Khmer Rouge, there was still wonderful food. We enjoyed our dinner and the conversation. We agreed to explore together the next day.<\/p>\n
We arranged for a larger tuk-tuk, seats for four, and driver for the day. Cambodians are in general smaller than a big American and a big muscled Bavarian boy, but we all managed to squeeze in. We\u2019d heard about a bamboo train in the nearby hills. There was also a small ruin similar to Angkor Wat about 11 km out of town. We met early, before the sun got too hot. Before noon, we\u2019d taken the train and climbed up to the ruin. We asked the driver what else he would recommend. With limited communication he indicated that he knew a place.<\/p>\n
<\/h3>\nZEN COMMENTS ON AN ANCIENT KOAN<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nBaofu and Changqing Go on a Picnic<\/strong><\/em>
\nBlue Cliff Record, Case 23<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nKen Ireland<\/p>\n
(Reprinted with permission from Koan Conversations<\/a> by my old friend Ken Ireland.<\/em><\/p>\nKen is someone to know.<\/em><\/p>\nKen began meditation practice in the early 70\u2019s while a Jesuit. Claudio Naranjo introduced him to zazen as well as the Enneagram. He also introduced Ken to Master C.M. Chen, who went to Tibet in 1929.<\/em><\/p>\nKen has studied and practiced with both Asian teachers and the first generation of western teachers. He lived and practiced at the Hartford Street Zen Center during the last years of Issan \u201cTommy\u201d Dorsey\u2019s life, and served as the second director of Maitri Hospice. <\/em><\/p>\nAfter Issan died, Ken continued to work in the Soto tradition with Zenshin Philip Whalen and Maylie Scott. For more than 30 years he has been working with koans, first as a student of Robert Aitken Roshi, then under John Tarrant Roshi, Jon Joseph Roshi, and currently with Ed Oberholtzer<\/a> Roshi of the Empty Moon lineage. <\/em><\/p>\nNow living in McLeod Ganj, India, he also studies with Geshe-ma Kelsang Wangmo.<\/em><\/p>\nSome of Ken\u2019s writings can be found online at Buddha, S.J.<\/a>, Koan Conversations<\/a>, All and Everything Enneagram<\/a>, plus just a collection of Poems that I love<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\nKen is editor of the book Intimate Meanderings<\/a>.<\/em>)<\/p>\nZEN COMMENTS ON AN ANCIENT KOAN<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nThe Case<\/strong><\/p>\nWhen Baofu and Changqing went on a picnic in the hills, Baofu pointed to the top of a hill, saying, \u201cThat\u2019s the top of Miao Peak.\u201d1 \u201cThat\u2019s true, you are right,\u201d said Changqing. \u201cBut a pity,\u201d he added. (Xuedou: What are you doing, going on a picnic with him? I can\u2019t say there will be no one like these two a hundred years from now, but there will be very few.) Later Baofu told Jingqing about this. Jingqing said, \u201cIf it were not for Master Changqing, skulls would appear in every field.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nBlue Cliff Record, Case 23<\/strong><\/p>\n1 Miao Peak is the Peak of Wonder, the center of Paradise, according to the Huayan or Avatamsaka Sutra<\/em>.<\/p>\nIt was one of those crazy things you do when you travel with a fairly open agenda. We\u2019d been visiting Angkor Wat for almost a week, and didn\u2019t have to be in Ho Chi Minh City for another two. While in Siem Reap we\u2019d heard about an adventurous boat trip, billed as once in a lifetime: You crossed the southern end of the largest freshwater lake in southeast Asia, Tonle Sap, and then followed a long shallow river upstream to a former French provincial capital, Krong Battambang.<\/p>\n
We booked, but so did about 200 other people, mostly European kids. After arguing with the tour organizers\u2013we were not going to sit on the hot metal roof of a flat river boat in the blazing sun for the 8 hour trip, they relented and hired another smaller boat to take the overflow. Once on board we discovered that even in a smaller boat the trip would be arduous, the river was low but flowing swiftly against us. Three added hours under a metal roof were just as hot as sitting on one, but we were spared sunburn. In the smaller boat, we were less than 30. We met and chatted with a lovely young German couple who were on their way to work for several years in New Zealand.\u00a0The journey was tough going, but company helped.<\/p>\n
The next day was Mardi Gras, and we arranged to have dinner with them. Ashish found a highly rated restaurant called La Pomme d\u2019Amour. I know the exact date, February 12th 2013. Sometimes larger events help mark the calendar accurately. The day before when we were cut off from the world on our river boat excursion, Benedict, the oldest person elected to the papacy since the 18th century, announced he would be the first pope in centuries to resign.<\/p>\n
Our new friends told us. They were actually shocked. They still considered themselves Catholic even though they were an unmarried couple, but they were definitely Bavarian. One of their own was doing something unimaginable. I was startled by the news of Benedict\u2019s resignation, but I think that I was more amazed at how our young friends had packed for their trip. The man wore incredibly crafted lederhosen with a pressed white shirt and his very beautiful girlfriend had on an exquisitely embroidered traditional dress.\u00a0Ashish and I only carried the basics. Our European friends dressed for the occasion.<\/p>\n
One thing about the French colonies, they have retained a tradition of cuisine. Even in this small Cambodian town, even after the unspeakable barbarity of the Khmer Rouge, there was still wonderful food. We enjoyed our dinner and the conversation. We agreed to explore together the next day.<\/p>\n
We arranged for a larger tuk-tuk, seats for four, and driver for the day. Cambodians are in general smaller than a big American and a big muscled Bavarian boy, but we all managed to squeeze in. We\u2019d heard about a bamboo train in the nearby hills. There was also a small ruin similar to Angkor Wat about 11 km out of town. We met early, before the sun got too hot. Before noon, we\u2019d taken the train and climbed up to the ruin. We asked the driver what else he would recommend. With limited communication he indicated that he knew a place.<\/p>\n
Baofu and Changqing Go on a Picnic<\/strong><\/em>
\nBlue Cliff Record, Case 23<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nKen Ireland<\/p>\n
(Reprinted with permission from Koan Conversations<\/a> by my old friend Ken Ireland.<\/em><\/p>\nKen is someone to know.<\/em><\/p>\nKen began meditation practice in the early 70\u2019s while a Jesuit. Claudio Naranjo introduced him to zazen as well as the Enneagram. He also introduced Ken to Master C.M. Chen, who went to Tibet in 1929.<\/em><\/p>\nKen has studied and practiced with both Asian teachers and the first generation of western teachers. He lived and practiced at the Hartford Street Zen Center during the last years of Issan \u201cTommy\u201d Dorsey\u2019s life, and served as the second director of Maitri Hospice. <\/em><\/p>\nAfter Issan died, Ken continued to work in the Soto tradition with Zenshin Philip Whalen and Maylie Scott. For more than 30 years he has been working with koans, first as a student of Robert Aitken Roshi, then under John Tarrant Roshi, Jon Joseph Roshi, and currently with Ed Oberholtzer<\/a> Roshi of the Empty Moon lineage. <\/em><\/p>\nNow living in McLeod Ganj, India, he also studies with Geshe-ma Kelsang Wangmo.<\/em><\/p>\nSome of Ken\u2019s writings can be found online at Buddha, S.J.<\/a>, Koan Conversations<\/a>, All and Everything Enneagram<\/a>, plus just a collection of Poems that I love<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\nKen is editor of the book Intimate Meanderings<\/a>.<\/em>)<\/p>\nZEN COMMENTS ON AN ANCIENT KOAN<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\nThe Case<\/strong><\/p>\nWhen Baofu and Changqing went on a picnic in the hills, Baofu pointed to the top of a hill, saying, \u201cThat\u2019s the top of Miao Peak.\u201d1 \u201cThat\u2019s true, you are right,\u201d said Changqing. \u201cBut a pity,\u201d he added. (Xuedou: What are you doing, going on a picnic with him? I can\u2019t say there will be no one like these two a hundred years from now, but there will be very few.) Later Baofu told Jingqing about this. Jingqing said, \u201cIf it were not for Master Changqing, skulls would appear in every field.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nBlue Cliff Record, Case 23<\/strong><\/p>\n1 Miao Peak is the Peak of Wonder, the center of Paradise, according to the Huayan or Avatamsaka Sutra<\/em>.<\/p>\nIt was one of those crazy things you do when you travel with a fairly open agenda. We\u2019d been visiting Angkor Wat for almost a week, and didn\u2019t have to be in Ho Chi Minh City for another two. While in Siem Reap we\u2019d heard about an adventurous boat trip, billed as once in a lifetime: You crossed the southern end of the largest freshwater lake in southeast Asia, Tonle Sap, and then followed a long shallow river upstream to a former French provincial capital, Krong Battambang.<\/p>\n
We booked, but so did about 200 other people, mostly European kids. After arguing with the tour organizers\u2013we were not going to sit on the hot metal roof of a flat river boat in the blazing sun for the 8 hour trip, they relented and hired another smaller boat to take the overflow. Once on board we discovered that even in a smaller boat the trip would be arduous, the river was low but flowing swiftly against us. Three added hours under a metal roof were just as hot as sitting on one, but we were spared sunburn. In the smaller boat, we were less than 30. We met and chatted with a lovely young German couple who were on their way to work for several years in New Zealand.\u00a0The journey was tough going, but company helped.<\/p>\n
The next day was Mardi Gras, and we arranged to have dinner with them. Ashish found a highly rated restaurant called La Pomme d\u2019Amour. I know the exact date, February 12th 2013. Sometimes larger events help mark the calendar accurately. The day before when we were cut off from the world on our river boat excursion, Benedict, the oldest person elected to the papacy since the 18th century, announced he would be the first pope in centuries to resign.<\/p>\n
Our new friends told us. They were actually shocked. They still considered themselves Catholic even though they were an unmarried couple, but they were definitely Bavarian. One of their own was doing something unimaginable. I was startled by the news of Benedict\u2019s resignation, but I think that I was more amazed at how our young friends had packed for their trip. The man wore incredibly crafted lederhosen with a pressed white shirt and his very beautiful girlfriend had on an exquisitely embroidered traditional dress.\u00a0Ashish and I only carried the basics. Our European friends dressed for the occasion.<\/p>\n
One thing about the French colonies, they have retained a tradition of cuisine. Even in this small Cambodian town, even after the unspeakable barbarity of the Khmer Rouge, there was still wonderful food. We enjoyed our dinner and the conversation. We agreed to explore together the next day.<\/p>\n
We arranged for a larger tuk-tuk, seats for four, and driver for the day. Cambodians are in general smaller than a big American and a big muscled Bavarian boy, but we all managed to squeeze in. We\u2019d heard about a bamboo train in the nearby hills. There was also a small ruin similar to Angkor Wat about 11 km out of town. We met early, before the sun got too hot. Before noon, we\u2019d taken the train and climbed up to the ruin. We asked the driver what else he would recommend. With limited communication he indicated that he knew a place.<\/p>\n
Ken is someone to know.<\/em><\/p>\n Ken began meditation practice in the early 70\u2019s while a Jesuit. Claudio Naranjo introduced him to zazen as well as the Enneagram. He also introduced Ken to Master C.M. Chen, who went to Tibet in 1929.<\/em><\/p>\n Ken has studied and practiced with both Asian teachers and the first generation of western teachers. He lived and practiced at the Hartford Street Zen Center during the last years of Issan \u201cTommy\u201d Dorsey\u2019s life, and served as the second director of Maitri Hospice. <\/em><\/p>\n After Issan died, Ken continued to work in the Soto tradition with Zenshin Philip Whalen and Maylie Scott. For more than 30 years he has been working with koans, first as a student of Robert Aitken Roshi, then under John Tarrant Roshi, Jon Joseph Roshi, and currently with Ed Oberholtzer<\/a> Roshi of the Empty Moon lineage. <\/em><\/p>\n Now living in McLeod Ganj, India, he also studies with Geshe-ma Kelsang Wangmo.<\/em><\/p>\n Some of Ken\u2019s writings can be found online at Buddha, S.J.<\/a>, Koan Conversations<\/a>, All and Everything Enneagram<\/a>, plus just a collection of Poems that I love<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Ken is editor of the book Intimate Meanderings<\/a>.<\/em>)<\/p>\n The Case<\/strong><\/p>\n When Baofu and Changqing went on a picnic in the hills, Baofu pointed to the top of a hill, saying, \u201cThat\u2019s the top of Miao Peak.\u201d1 \u201cThat\u2019s true, you are right,\u201d said Changqing. \u201cBut a pity,\u201d he added. (Xuedou: What are you doing, going on a picnic with him? I can\u2019t say there will be no one like these two a hundred years from now, but there will be very few.) Later Baofu told Jingqing about this. Jingqing said, \u201cIf it were not for Master Changqing, skulls would appear in every field.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Blue Cliff Record, Case 23<\/strong><\/p>\n 1 Miao Peak is the Peak of Wonder, the center of Paradise, according to the Huayan or Avatamsaka Sutra<\/em>.<\/p>\n It was one of those crazy things you do when you travel with a fairly open agenda. We\u2019d been visiting Angkor Wat for almost a week, and didn\u2019t have to be in Ho Chi Minh City for another two. While in Siem Reap we\u2019d heard about an adventurous boat trip, billed as once in a lifetime: You crossed the southern end of the largest freshwater lake in southeast Asia, Tonle Sap, and then followed a long shallow river upstream to a former French provincial capital, Krong Battambang.<\/p>\n We booked, but so did about 200 other people, mostly European kids. After arguing with the tour organizers\u2013we were not going to sit on the hot metal roof of a flat river boat in the blazing sun for the 8 hour trip, they relented and hired another smaller boat to take the overflow. Once on board we discovered that even in a smaller boat the trip would be arduous, the river was low but flowing swiftly against us. Three added hours under a metal roof were just as hot as sitting on one, but we were spared sunburn. In the smaller boat, we were less than 30. We met and chatted with a lovely young German couple who were on their way to work for several years in New Zealand.\u00a0The journey was tough going, but company helped.<\/p>\n The next day was Mardi Gras, and we arranged to have dinner with them. Ashish found a highly rated restaurant called La Pomme d\u2019Amour. I know the exact date, February 12th 2013. Sometimes larger events help mark the calendar accurately. The day before when we were cut off from the world on our river boat excursion, Benedict, the oldest person elected to the papacy since the 18th century, announced he would be the first pope in centuries to resign.<\/p>\n Our new friends told us. They were actually shocked. They still considered themselves Catholic even though they were an unmarried couple, but they were definitely Bavarian. One of their own was doing something unimaginable. I was startled by the news of Benedict\u2019s resignation, but I think that I was more amazed at how our young friends had packed for their trip. The man wore incredibly crafted lederhosen with a pressed white shirt and his very beautiful girlfriend had on an exquisitely embroidered traditional dress.\u00a0Ashish and I only carried the basics. Our European friends dressed for the occasion.<\/p>\n One thing about the French colonies, they have retained a tradition of cuisine. Even in this small Cambodian town, even after the unspeakable barbarity of the Khmer Rouge, there was still wonderful food. We enjoyed our dinner and the conversation. We agreed to explore together the next day.<\/p>\n We arranged for a larger tuk-tuk, seats for four, and driver for the day. Cambodians are in general smaller than a big American and a big muscled Bavarian boy, but we all managed to squeeze in. We\u2019d heard about a bamboo train in the nearby hills. There was also a small ruin similar to Angkor Wat about 11 km out of town. We met early, before the sun got too hot. Before noon, we\u2019d taken the train and climbed up to the ruin. We asked the driver what else he would recommend. With limited communication he indicated that he knew a place.<\/p>\nZEN COMMENTS ON AN ANCIENT KOAN<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n