Today is the first International Tea Day observed by United Nations. For this special occasion, with "Shelter in Place", we offer the merit of our silent tea meditation from home to all beings -- for their safety and health, for peace and love in the world on planet Earth.
This is what happened when Kanadaiba had his first audience with Nagyaarajuna, the Noble One. No sooner had Kanadaiba entered the gate than Nagyaarajuna realized what an astute person he was so he dispatched his jisha to fetch a bowl filled to the brim with water and place it in front of where they were… Continue reading 15. Kanadaiba
One day, when Kabimora paid a visit to the Lord of the Naga-dragons at the latter’s invitation, he received the wish-fulfilling Nyoi Pearl. Nagyaarajuna said to him, “This Pearl is the most treasured thing in the world; does it have a form or is it formless?” Kabimora replied, “You only know what ‘having form’ or… Continue reading 14. Nagyaarajuna
Chan Master Jing Hui (1933-2013)(Dharma Heir of Empty Cloud) “Since the last century a great many authors, through various possible approaches, have made Chinese Chan known to English-speaking readers in Europe and America. Among them the Japanese great master, Mr. Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki (1870-1966) did the most outstanding contributions in this regard. The characteristic feature… Continue reading The Gates of Chan Buddhism
One day Anabotei was speaking about the OCEAN OF BUDDHA NATURE, saying, “Mountains, rivers and the great earth all arise in accordance with IT; the three forms of clarity and the six spiritual powers manifest themselves by proceeding from IT.” Kabimora, upon hearing this, awoke to the TRUTH. Kabimora (S. Kapimala, ‘He Who Is as… Continue reading 13. Kabimora
On this eighth day of the fourth lunar month, we celebrate the Birth of Shakyamuni Buddha. From where we are at this time of “shelter in place”, we recite the Scripture of Great Wisdom (the Heart Sutra) out of gratitude, and offer the merit of this recitation to all beings in the world. With this… Continue reading Birthday of the Buddha
Anabotei asked Funayasha, “I want to know Buddha but what precisely is Buddha?” Funayasha said, “So you want to know what BUDDHA is; THAT which does not know is BUDDHA.” Anabotei asked, “Since Buddha does not know, what knows what Buddha is?” Funayasha responded, “Since you do not know BUDDHA, what knows that it does… Continue reading 12. Anabotei
I have learned so much about practice through the group chanting The Vows of Samantabhadra every Wednesday evening, as well as the “reading meditation” I have been doing with our online group. Putting my mind on one word, just this word, then the next, then the next, over and over, has been such a helpful… Continue reading Profound Simplicity
Whilst Funayasha stood in gasshá before Barishiba, the latter asked, “Where do you come from?” Funayasha answered, “My mind travels nowhere.” Barishiba then asked, “Where do you reside?” Funayasha replied, “My mind resides nowhere.” Barishiba asked, “Then things are not settled for you?” Funayasha said, “It is just as it was for all the Buddhas.”… Continue reading 11. Funayasha
Practice of Tea Meditation in the time of “Shelter in Place”: "I’m again amazed at the simplicity of this practice.It is pure Zen, pure Chan.Just this. Just to be with tea, be one with tea.Just pour tea, just drink tea.Being with the tea, just as it is. Putting attention on the tea utensils as they… Continue reading “Shelter in Place” with Tea
audio "The Diamond Sutra may look like a book, but it’s really the body of the Buddha. It’s also your body, my body, all possible bodies. But it’s a body with nothing inside and nothing outside. It doesn’t exist in space or time. Nor is it a construct of the mind. It’s no mind. And… Continue reading The Diamond
Barishiba faithfully attended on Fudamitta for three years without ever resting. One day Fudamitta was reciting a Scripture and lecturing on the UNBORN; upon hearing this, Barishiba realized enlightenment. Barishiba (S. Parsva, ‘He Whose Ribs Remain Upright’) was from Central India; his name was originally Nanshá (S. Durjata, ‘He Whose Birth Was Difficult’); just before… Continue reading 10. Barishiba
This is a book of epigrams, epigrams that encapsulate the teaching the Buddha first transmitted 2,400 years ago when he held up a flower and Kashyapa smiled. They’re that simple. The Chinese call them ming 銘. I considered translating it half a dozen times. The language is so simple. It begs to be translated. And… Continue reading Not Two
Fudamitta heard Butsudanandai say in verse,“When your speech is congenial with the LORD of your heart,Even the tender affection of parents cannot begin to compare with it;When your actions are in accord with the WAY,The hearts and minds of all the Buddhas will be so also.Should you seek outside yourself for some flesh-and-blood Buddha,He will… Continue reading 9. Fudamitta
For over a thousand years, the Song of Enlightenment 证道歌 has been one of the most popular Zen texts in all of East Asia. Composed in verse, it has also become one of the most chanted texts at Zen temples worldwide." (Red Pine at hometown in 2019) "Like a lot of what I’ve been working on… Continue reading What Could be Easier than Zen?
Upon meeting Bashumitsu, Butsudanandai said, “My reason for coming here today is to debate with you as to what ‘Truth’ is.” Bashumitsu responded, “Good sir, when there is a debate, then there is no TRUTH; when there is TRUTH, then there is nothing to debate. If you propose to debate as to what TRUTH is,… Continue reading 8. Butsudanandai
The arts of Tea Ceremony, Incense, and Flower Arrangement, collectively referred to as the three ways of fine cultivation in Japan, all have a long history and deep connection with China. From mere appreciation by the elite to daily life of the ordinary, they have gone through transformation and become very much alive in the… Continue reading Inner Cultivation with Incense
The author of these "Ten Oxherding Pictures” is said to be a Zen master of the Sung Dynasty known as Kaku-an Shi-en (Kuo-an Shih-yuan) belonging to the Rinzai school. He is said also the author of the poems and introductory words attached to the pictures. He was not however the first who attempted to illuminate… Continue reading The Ten Oxherding Pictures
Bashumitsu placed his wine cup before Mishaka, prostrated himself and then arose where upon Mishaka asked him, “Is this VESSEL yours or mine?” Whilst Bashumitsu was reflecting on this, Mishaka said, “If you consider the cup to be mine, it is your Original Nature; if, on the other hand, the vessel is yours, it is… Continue reading 7. Bashumitsu
One Sunday evening, after a Dharma Talk at the Providence Zen Center, a student asked Seung Sahn Soen-sa, “How can I get beyond just verbalizing the question ‘What am I?’ ” Soen-sa said, “You want this question to grow. This mind is no good. This is attachment thinking. You must cut off this thinking, and… Continue reading The Moon of Clear Mind
