“Even prior to heaven and earth”
By Madelon Bolling This piece was originally given by Madelon as a dharma talk at the Three Treasures Sangha zazenkai on June 8, 2014. [Note: Daio Kokushi is a dharma name. Daio means “great Yes,” “great affirmation,” or “great response.” Kokushi is the Japanese version of a Chinese term meaning “national teacher,” pronounced like the English “coke-she.” The middle “u” is silent.] In his verse, “On Zen,” Daio Kokushi (1235-1309) wrote, “There is a reality even prior to heaven and earth.” We often recite this fairly automatically, so today I’d like to consider it with more respect. “Respect”...
Read MoreZazenkai, June 8: Even Prior to Heaven and Earth
Please join us on Sunday June 8 at Dharma Gate for a one-day zenkai with Madelon from 9am to 3pm. There will be an informal lunch, with soup, as well as brad & cheese for sandwiches, provided; please bring other sandwich fixings or other food to share. We will consider hints given in Daio Kokushi’s verse On Zen, settling in to the deep attraction that practice holds even in the presence of the contradictions of daily experience. The schedule will be as follows: 9:00 Opening, Five Remembrances, Zazen 9:35 Pointers: selected lines of On Zen, Zazen 10:30 Recitation: Daio...
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