In our tradition, we commemorate the Buddha’s Enlightenment Day on December 8th. Zen lore has it that after sitting under the bodhi tree for seven days, the Buddha looked up, saw the morning star and roared his lion’s roar, “I together with the great earth and all living beings, attain the Way.” In our heartfelt aspiration to do just like the Buddha did, we sit for seven days of rohatsu (twelfth month) sesshin, sitting through the night, especially on the... Read more

Here’s the webinar recording: Click (and when it gets rolling, click View and Video). The heart of this weeks work is just this One Practice! As Dogen puts it: …When a person does practicenlightenment in the buddha way, as the person realizes one dharma, the person permeates that dharma; as the person encounters one practice, the person practices one practice.  We’re moving this session to conclusion in just two weeks and there’ll be no session next week due to sesshin here. The homework... Read more

Last night a student brought over the recent Tricycle with the article, Dharma Wars: What is it about the Internet that turns Buddhist teachers into bullies? It chronicles a few of the more ignoble moments of internet dharma exchange – people questioning each other’s credentials and saying mean things.  Although I don’t think the author, Zenshin Michael Haederle, supported the eye-catching “bully” thing in the body of the piece, he raises some important criticisms of internet dharma practice.  The dramatic... Read more

Here’s the audio of Sunday’s talk in the virtual world, Second Life – click (on the Sweeping Zen website). The talk was fun to give, after I got acclimated. Seems like there are some possibilities for studying the imputation of a self in the virtual world (in this case on a self-made avatar) that illuminates how we do it with body and mind.   Read more

This holiday weekend I’ve been reading my brother’s new book, Transcending Law: The Unintended Life of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution. Ken Port is a law professor and an expert in international intellectual property law, especially of the Japanese variety. A few years ago he became really interested in Article 9, the “pacificist” article of the Japanese constitution, when he noticed that the English translation differed from the Japanese – the former much more clearly prohibiting the Japanese from... Read more

The photo above was taken a few days ago at sunrise during a sweet walk with Bodhi. Today we have cold light rain and after the afternoon dog walk, ending in the dark, I made some fried rice for us.  This early evening I’m so grateful for this simple, quiet life. I’m grateful for my kids for their aliveness and love. For my family for how they give this homeleaver in spirit so much space (granted my dear mom offers... Read more

I had dinner with a friend tonight featuring some really good conversation, including lots of ideas about future zen(web)inars and even a bit about Keep Me in Your Heart Awhile. At the class here last week I couldn’t remember the title so it seems like it might be time to direct a little attention to my dear child.  Here’s my friend’s favorite story from the book which occurred during a trip to Japan with Roshi to look for monasteries where... Read more

Click here for the webinar recording (and after it gets going, click View and then Video). We begin this week by digesting the stories that everyone found to illuminate the Genjokoan and then move into the paradox – you are perfect AND you need some improvement (as Suzuki Roshi is reputed to have said). Included in the homework this week is to sit quietly and reflect your life. What further steps can be taken?   Read more

Here’s a little Katagiri Roshi for ya on how Zen teachers fish. I’ve inserted a little biographical material and used Andy Ferguson’s translation of Decheng’s poem. Letting down the line ten thousand feet, A single breaking wave makes ten thousand ripples. At night in still water, the cold fish won’t bite. An empty boat filled with moonlight returns. This is a poem by Chuanzi Decheng who was one of the disciples of Yaoshan Zen master who lived in China in... Read more

Give to the Max Day has started! All donations made from 8:00 a.m., Nov. 17 to 8:00 a.m., Nov. 18 CST will be matched! Click here. As a registered Minnesota Nonprofit, any gifts today will be matched. This is a great time to give. Also, the usual 3-4% credit credit card fees or PayPal fees won’t apply. If you read this blog and want to express your support for what’s offered here, please consider a donation at this time. Thank... Read more