Today is Mothers Day
Today is Mothers Day . . . for me as for many of us here, this day’s observance is a bittersweet reminder that “all things pass quickly away…” Remembering my mom wakens an urgency to inquire into the Great Matter, into mortality, life and death. Remembering her is a first step into this terrible mystery. Just what is going on here anyway? In Case 47 of the Mumonkan, the priest Doushuai set up three barriers to test his students. One of these barriers begins like this: When you have realized your self-nature, you are free of birth and death....
Read MoreBranching Moon Sesshin, April 14-21, 2018
Three Treasures Sangha holds two, seven-day sesshins each year at Mountain Lamp, a rural practice center near Bellingham, Washington. This year’s sesshin is April 14-21. Details about our sesshins, as well as application forms, can be found on the Sesshin page.
Read MoreFacilities and Garden Work Retreat (March 10-11, 2018)
2018 Facilities retreat schedule March 10-11, 2018 This schedule applies to both Saturday and Sunday. Sunday is the beginning of Daylight Savings Time so be sure to set your clocks ahead or you will miss sitting on Sunday. Please feel free to attend any portion of this retreat. No need to attend it all. This is a chance for all of us to take care of and improve our meditation ‘home’ in community with others who use it. 8:30 – 9:30 Meditation. 9:30 -10:00 Orientation to jobs and stretching, change clothes. 10:00 – 12:00 Work (Silence). 12:00 – 1:00 Lunch and rest. (Quiet talking...
Read MoreOn Feeling Lost – Madelon Bolling
The koan here is case 1 in Zen Echoes; also found as Case 1 in the Book of Equanimity and Case 92 in the Blue Cliff Record. One day, the World-Honored One ascended the seat. When the great assembly had gathered and settled down, Mañjuśri struck his gavel and said, “Observe deeply the Dharma of the Dharma King; the Dharma of the Dharma King is like this.” The World-Honored One then came down from the seat. In response to this koan, Zen master Miaozong declared: The true teaching has been transmitted in its entirety. The Buddhadharma is like this! Sitting around the room here,...
Read More2018 Year End Letter
The way is perfect, like vast space, With nothing lacking and nothing in excess. Verses on the Faith Mind Greetings Three Treasures Sangha Members & Friends, December, 2018 It has been an incredibly beautiful fall with breathtaking views of the mountains and pristine beach scenes. At times, perfection does seem to be everywhere, everything OK just as it is. However, as we all know and feel in our bodies, suffering and pain is pervasive around the globe. Climate change, war, famine, creeping fascism, homelessness, racism and hate fill our world....
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