I received this translation of the “gate” mantra from Dan Brown who is a Tibetan Teacher: From the end of the Heart Sutra: Gate, gate – beyond thought Paragate – … Continue reading “Gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate” #1
Tag: Dogen
Face in the Direction of your North Star
After I wrote the long post about the 4 Noble Truths, I also felt that I could answer my son using the idea of Right Intention or Right aspiration or … Continue reading Face in the Direction of your North Star
Talk for Carl Myosen’s memorial
From Reb Anderson’s Chapter on “Do not kill” in “Being Upright”: Life does not change into death. death does not change into life. life is just life; death is just … Continue reading Talk for Carl Myosen’s memorial
The Burning House
There are many analogies to the phrase: “Samsara (the wandering-in-circles world, the world of life and death) is broken” from my previous blog. One that we are currently studying in … Continue reading The Burning House
Walking on the edge of effort and effortlessness
Where is the inter-being between effort and non-effort? Too much effort and we are tight and constrained. Too little effort and nothing happens. Pema Chodron has a wonderful phrase: “Not … Continue reading Walking on the edge of effort and effortlessness
The Spiritual Structure of each day
In Clouds in Water’s new design for practice period, we are emphasizing the spiritual structure of the day. What we do at the beginning of the day, during the day … Continue reading The Spiritual Structure of each day
Loss is enlightenment – Dogen
My youngest son is going to College for the first time. We leave to take him there tomorrow. A day of packing today. Next week the house will be quiet. … Continue reading Loss is enlightenment – Dogen
The Original Face
You cannot describe it or draw it You cannot praise it enough or perceive it. No place can be found in which To put the Original Face; It will not … Continue reading The Original Face
Self Receive Use Oneness
“Self Receive Use Oneness” is one translation of the characters that make Jijuyu Zanmai. It is sometimes translated as “Self-fulfillment Samadhi” or “self-fulfillment and enjoyment Samadhi” or “Samadhi of receiving … Continue reading Self Receive Use Oneness
The one mind is always present
Zen practitioners often talk about “Shin” and what is the proper translation for “shin.” The most common translation is heart-mind, though in the earlier days of translation it was only … Continue reading The one mind is always present
Displaying the Buddha seal with one’s whole body and mind.
Dogen writes in Jijuyu Zanmai that “when one displays the Buddha mudra or Buddha seal with one’s whole body and mind, one is expressing unfabricated and profound prajna.” The Buddha … Continue reading Displaying the Buddha seal with one’s whole body and mind.
Burning the flame of your life
From Katagiri Roshi: “Zazen is not a means to an end, it does not produce enlightenment. The zazen we do is shikan taza – just sitting. This type of zazen … Continue reading Burning the flame of your life
The Manifestation of Simplicity
When I first entered Zen practice, Zen seemed like an enormous project with a very grand result. I was thrilled by the idea that I could leave my suffering life … Continue reading The Manifestation of Simplicity
The household of the Buddha-ancestors is our house.
“The day to day activities in the household of the Buddha-ancestors, is our house, our life and our activity. This doing and not doing, is imbued thoroughly with the total … Continue reading The household of the Buddha-ancestors is our house.
Holding up the Moon
“Who sweeps the ground and also sees the moon? Holding up the moon, her sweeping is truly not in vain.” —Dogen Zenji from Eihei Koroku Our chores and repetitive actions … Continue reading Holding up the Moon
Shikantaza and Jijuyu Zanmai
Shikantaza (just sitting) and Jijuyu Zanmai (self-fulfillment Samadhi) In order to understand jijuyu zanmai, (self-receiving oneness Samadhi) one has to understand the underlying principle of shikantaza. as presented by Dogen … Continue reading Shikantaza and Jijuyu Zanmai
Approaches to Awakening
We say our practice should be without gaining ideas, without any expectations, even of enlightenment. This does not mean, however, just to sit without any purpose. — Reb Anderson Roshi … Continue reading Approaches to Awakening
Spontaneous enlightenment
Do we see enlightenment and delusion as two separate things as people commonly believe? (Jijiyu Zanmai). What does Dogen’s practice-realization mean in terms of our directed efforts in practice to … Continue reading Spontaneous enlightenment
Circle of the way #2
“Our practice is not a kind of training for the sake of making an ignorant person smart, clever and finally enlightenment. Each action, each moment of sitting, is arousing Bodhi … Continue reading Circle of the way #2
Intentions for the New Year
Our present direction is clearly defined but without having a goal. When we stop projecting goals and hopes in the future, and refuse to be led around by them, yet … Continue reading Intentions for the New Year