Here’s a link (click) to an article from the New Yorker about a priest who has stayed behind to serve (thanks, Jundo). Read more

                        Here’s a letter from Koun Franz, an American Zen priest living in Japan, copied from a teacher listserve with permission:   I have been to a number of temples since the first earthquake and tsunami (here in Kumamoto and in Nagasaki), and each of those temples is doing amazing work to raise funds for disaster relief.  They collect money (a lot) from supporting families; they are currently doing... Read more

This just in – a way to give money to Japan for emergency assistance and for Soto Zen temple reconstruction: March 24, 2011 Dear Dharma Friends, There has been an outpouring of support from people around the globe for the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami disaster that hit northeastern Japan. As you know, this catastrophic disaster has caused untold misery including thousands of deaths and billions of dollars of destruction, including the problem of nuclear radiation escaping from... Read more

A nasty spring snow storm here in White Bear has slushed up the passage through the woods but dog Bodhi meets the moment with wild abandon. I looked at the semi-frozen knee-deep mess and decided on a different route. In our Monday night study group, we also recently went as far as we could for now with “The Meaning of Bodhidharma Coming from the West” and changed direction, beginning Dogen’s “Continuous Practice.” The Tanahashi and Weitsman translation starts like this:... Read more

Here’s a shot from yesterday of some geese that flew up from the Gulf of Mexico (1,300 miles), only to find ice on the lakes. Dang! Welcome to Minnesota. Otter Lake might magically transform to water in about two weeks.  Seeing the transformation of ice to water, who could doubt that our hearts and minds too might reach a turning point. Read more

I occasionally get the urge to buy an iPad even though I don’t need one. Plain and simple, don’t. Still with iPad2 busting out, well, I’ve gone through the process again. Here’s a flow chart I found helpful and hope you will too.    Read more

I was recently passed a journal article, “Excavating Our Frames of Mind: The Key to Dialogue and Collaboration,” from the social work field. Margaret McKee offers a valuable perspective – really practical stuff – for dharma practitioners with a post-modern, deconstructionist, narrative inclination. In other words, those that are open to being emptied some more by the blooming global dialogue about life. This perspective is so in line with basic Buddhism – we don’t see the “world” but just our... Read more

One way to express support for those who have died is to offer a simple memorial service. Money for the living is also nice. Directions: Light your altar candle and offer incense (and sweet hot water and tea if you’re so inclined). Make three full bows. Chant either the Daihishin Dharani, Heart Sutra or Ten Line Kanzeon. Close with the Eko (below) and three bows.  Eko (Returning the Merit): Earnestly consider:The coming and going of life and deathis like the... Read more

Here’s a talk from last Sunday at Deep Spring Temple in Pittsburgh. I start with a summary of continuous practice and the circle of the way. Seemed to me that it helped me clarify what I had to say to have spoken about it the day before and then met with students through several rounds of dokusan. Then – following the flow of Dogen’s text – we digest the effects of continuous practice, utilizing the art form conversation method (click... Read more

Here’s something especially for you students of the barrier of Zen, the mu koan, especially when you are pushed into a corner with mu in front and back, left and right: I used to think that Mumonkan, translated as Gateless Gate, meant an inpenetrable barrier. And you know we have Yasutani Roshi’s caligraphy for “Barrier” in our dokusan room. Gateless barrier does not mean inpenetrable barrier but a barrier that is completely open. Just the hint of a check point... Read more