The next paragraph in One Bright Jewel is about transmission. The moment one speaks is the entire 10 direction world and the moment one speaks, the knowing of the ancestors … Continue reading Riding the Bandit’s Horse, Chasing After the Bandit #10 of 15
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A Burning House or a Boundless Stupa #9 of 15
This is my version of one of the sentences in the One Bright Jewel fascicle: Who can hold unconstructed reality and not participate in bits and pieces? The only thing … Continue reading A Burning House or a Boundless Stupa #9 of 15
Following after things, BCR 46, Sound of Raindrops #8 of 15
We are investigating this phrase, following or chasing after things from the One Bright Jewel fascicle: “The entire ten-direction means the ceaseless activities of chasing after things and making them into … Continue reading Following after things, BCR 46, Sound of Raindrops #8 of 15
Bits and Pieces and Ceaseless Activity #7 of 15
The utterance “The entire ten-direction world is one bright jewel” was articulated by Gensha for the first time. The essential meaning of this saying is that the ten-direction world is: … Continue reading Bits and Pieces and Ceaseless Activity #7 of 15
Making a Living in the Demons Cave in the Black Mountain #6 of 15
Once a monk asked Gensha, “I have heard that you said that the entire ten-direction world is one bright jewel. How can I understand it?’ Gensha replied, “The ten-direction world … Continue reading Making a Living in the Demons Cave in the Black Mountain #6 of 15
The entire 10-direction world is One Bright Jewel #5 of 15
Seppo asks Gensha: Who are you, this acsetic practitioner? Gensha replies, “I never deceive others?” What is the deception that we, as practitioners, are trying to uncover? This deception is … Continue reading The entire 10-direction world is One Bright Jewel #5 of 15
Gensha stubbed his toe #4 of 15
The next section of the primary story in One Bright Jewel is: Once Gensha was leaving the mountain carrying his traveling bag to visit masters widely in the various regions … Continue reading Gensha stubbed his toe #4 of 15
One Bright Jewel in Dogen’s history #3 of 15
One Bright Jewel is a short but important fascicle in Dogen’s writing history. In order to understand the importance of its position, I would like to bring forth the … Continue reading One Bright Jewel in Dogen’s history #3 of 15
The Golden Fish jumps into the Boat #2 of 15
Let’s work with the first part of the first story in the fascicle “One Bright Jewel”. Gensha was a lay person and he loved fishing. He fished on his boat … Continue reading The Golden Fish jumps into the Boat #2 of 15
The Mani Jewel #1 of 15
One Bright Jewel, or sometimes translated “One Bright Pearl” is a short but important fascicle of Dogen’s Shobogenzo – a thirteenth century manuscript. Dogen had a 5 year break from … Continue reading The Mani Jewel #1 of 15
Ryonen Scars Her Face, 17th century
As a young women, Ryonen Genso was an attendant to the empress and was known for her beauty and intelligence. When the empress died, she felt the impermanence of life, … Continue reading Ryonen Scars Her Face, 17th century
Miazong’s Dharma Interview
Miazong’s Dharma Interview, 12 century From “The Hidden Lamp” Before Miaozong became a nun, she used to visit Master Dahui Zonggao’s monastery to study with him, and he gave her … Continue reading Miazong’s Dharma Interview
Ohashi awakens in a Brothel
Ohashi Awakens in a Brothel – 18th century Ohashi sold herself to a brothel to support her impoverished family after her samurai father lost his position. She served diligently and … Continue reading Ohashi awakens in a Brothel
The Withered Tree Koan or the Old Women Burns Down the Hermitage
An old woman built a hermitage for a monk and supported him for twenty years. One day, to test the extent of the monk’s enlightenment and understanding, she sent a … Continue reading The Withered Tree Koan or the Old Women Burns Down the Hermitage
The Red Thread of Passion
Koan by Chinese master Sung-yuan (Shogen, d. 1202) In order to know the Way in perfect clarity, there is one essential point you must penetrate and not avoid. The … Continue reading The Red Thread of Passion
The Paradoxes of the married Zen Priest
“What is healthy sexuality? This question I’m investigating with my group of High School age teenagers in Clouds in Water Zen Center’s T.R.U.S.T. program. Even at my old age, it’s … Continue reading The Paradoxes of the married Zen Priest
Do not misuse Sexuality
This is one of Buddhism grave precepts. It’s really quite an important one because of the enormous power and drive of our sexual urges. This power is what makes sex … Continue reading Do not misuse Sexuality
Entering Mindfulness of Feelings
Liberation through Feelings These are notes from Chapter 11 in Joseph Goldstein’s book Mindfulness. The purpose of these teaching is freeing the mind from suffering. It is about liberation not … Continue reading Entering Mindfulness of Feelings
The Corpse in Decay
These are notes on the end of Chapter 10, mindfulness of physical characteristics, in Joseph Goldstein’s book Mindfulness. The last section of mindfulness of the body is the contemplation of … Continue reading The Corpse in Decay
Mindfulness of “I am”
Continuing to study Mindfulness by Joseph Goldstein. These are notes on the middle part of Chapter 10, “Mindfulness of physical characteristics” “Conceit” in its Buddhist usage, refers to the deeply … Continue reading Mindfulness of “I am”