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
Blog posts
The healing heart of at-home rituals
I went to the Soto Zen Buddhist Association (SZBA) conference this past October and the keynote speaker was Paula Arai. She is the author of several books – Women Living … Continue reading The healing heart of at-home rituals
The Authentic Tea Bowl Before Birth
There is a new Women in Buddhism book out now called, “Seeds of Virtue, Seeds of Change, a collection of Zen Teachings” edited by Jikyo Cheryl Wolfer. I think there … Continue reading The Authentic Tea Bowl Before Birth
How to turn a cheese sandwich on the grill.
My family has really enjoyed the movie “Chef.” Yesterday in my car, I was listening to one of Linda Ruth Cutts’s lectures from SFZC and she used examples from that … Continue reading How to turn a cheese sandwich on the grill.
With which mind do you eat these dumplings?
I gave a talk at Clouds on sunday about Work practice, Sangha and practice period. Something I said has been lingering in my mind. I said, “Zen is not a … Continue reading With which mind do you eat these dumplings?
Ireland, Sept 2014
I am in Ireland on vacation with my family. I have been taking what I call a well-deserved vacation. I have been busy with other aspects of my life since … Continue reading Ireland, Sept 2014
Wherever you are, enlightenment is there
Hashimoto Roshi, one of Katagiri Roshi’s teachers, said: The way we (Japanese) cook is to prepare each ingredient separately. Rice is here and pickles are over there. But when you … Continue reading Wherever you are, enlightenment is there
Right Thought II
There are two types of thought in Buddhism: Initial thought – first thought Developed thought – elaboration on first thought, which leads us into fantasy and belief in our constructed … Continue reading Right Thought II
Right Thought
In my last Sunday talk, I worked with the 8-fold path and the limb of Right Thought. The Buddha had many suggestions about how to work with our thoughts. One … Continue reading Right Thought
Karen Maezen Miller’s “Weeds”
I am just going to quote what I found in Buddhadharma: The Practitioner’s Quarterly, in the summer 2014 issue. This is from Karen Maezen Miller’s book: Paradise in Plain Sight … Continue reading Karen Maezen Miller’s “Weeds”
Vital Creativity
“Karma” has been a word that has been usurped by our society. Everyone uses that word, Buddhist and non-buddhist alike, but how terribly misunderstood that word is. We have just … Continue reading Vital Creativity
Oryoki at McDonalds
I’m in 7-day sesshin at Hokyoji Zen Community in southwest Minnesota. I have come here for almost 40 years now and have a profound appreciation for the deep core of Zen … Continue reading Oryoki at McDonalds
Hurry corrodes Meaning
I have a teaching story or Koan from Tomoe Katagiri who is a teacher for many of us in her quiet way. She is Katagiri-roshi’s widow. Thursday, Sosan and I … Continue reading Hurry corrodes Meaning
Sorrow and Loss
It seems that a combination of things has caused me to think about aging and death a lot lately; having an empty nest, turning 63, some of my friends getting … Continue reading Sorrow and Loss
me, my, mine
I have been working with a mindfulness slogan to remind me that the whole world doesn’t revolve around me and my life. In fact, there is no centralized self! “I” … Continue reading me, my, mine
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
Four Noble Truths
My 19 year old son asks me: “OK, I have a philosophy Buddhism question — so desire is a bad thing right? Hungry ghost? I think one thing I’ve been working … Continue reading Four Noble Truths
Doshi’s Statement on Buddha’s Birthday
We, Minnesotans, turn our faces up to the sun Our hearts warming up after 30 below We feel the warm breeze blowing through our bodies Without our coats on The … Continue reading Doshi’s Statement on Buddha’s Birthday
The disease of wanting more
Since January of this year I have been using a new mantra: Accept, accept, accept, enough, enough, enough, relax, relax, relax. I have been contemplating the word “enough” which has … Continue reading The disease of wanting more
Guiding Teacher Changes
These are my notes on a talk I gave Sunday March 23rd at Clouds in Water Zen Center on my announcement of stepping down from the Guiding Teacher position and to … Continue reading Guiding Teacher Changes