Lay Practice: A Dharma Talk
By Lee Shields We are together involved in a great movement that is very personal to each of us, and is also playing out in countries around the world as we speak. Each of us is experimenting with the adaptation of an ancient monastic tradition to our busy lay lives. Even those of us who live or have lived in retreat settings for periods of time I suspect adapt in the interface with our modern world. Speaking for myself, I have no doubt already that this practice of silent meditation, whether done formally on a cushion here together, at home alone or with family, or in the act of doing my...
Read MoreZazenkai, November 9, Engaging Lay Practice
This Sunday, at Dharma Gate, please join Three Treasures Sangha for a zazenkai, day of sitting & a dharma talk. The schedule will be: 9:00 Opening, Five Remembrances, Zazen 9:35 Zazen: Offering of selected lines of a reading from Dogen 10:30 Introductory words by Lee and/or Madelon, and discussion, Kinhin 11:30 Zazen 12:30 Informal lunch (Soup, bread & cheese provided. Please bring sandwich fixings or other food to share.) 1:30 Sutras 2:00 Zazen, Interviews 2:50 Closing, Great Vows
Read More“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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