Taking Refuge in the Dharma a talk by Leland Shields – October 10, 2021
In our sutra service, we chant: I take refuge in the Buddha; I take refuge in the Dharma; I take refuge in the Sangha. In June I spoke of taking refuge in the Buddha – taken from the chant in our sutra book titled, “Ti-Sarana,” Pali for “three refuges.” As I said in June, the refuges or jewels are used in the initiation ceremonies of the various Buddhist traditions. Thus, they are an expression of participation in, and application of the way that we have come to call Buddhism. Today I’d like to talk about taking refuge in the Dharma. The chanting of taking refuge in the Dharma is ancient. We...
Read MoreRefuge In the Buddha – a Talk by Leland Shields, June 13, 2021
In our sutra service, we chant: I take refuge in the Buddha; I take refuge in the Dharma; I take refuge in the Sangha. And in Pali as: Buddham saranam gacchami; dhammam saranam gacchami; sangham saranam gacchami. In our sutra book this chant is titled, “Ti-Sarana,” Pali for “three refuges.” The same chant can be found with the title, “Ratanattaya,” Pali for the three jewels, or three treasures.[1] The refuges or jewels are used in the initiation ceremonies of the various Buddhist traditions. In that context, I take them to be an expression of participation in, and application of the way that...
Read MoreTung-shan’s Crossed Swords – a talk by Leland Shields, March 7, 2021
Within Tung-shan’s Five Ranks is this verse titled, “Proceeding Within Phenomena”: Like two crossed swords, neither permitting retreat;dexterously wielded, like the lotus in the midst of fire -a natural imperative to assail heaven itself. Robert Aitken, The Morning Star, p. 139. Tung-shan Liang-chieh (also translated as Dongshan Liangjie) was a Tang dynasty teacher recognized as the founder of the Ts’ao-tung, Soto, line of Zen. He left us two series of 5 verses each. The first set of verses expresses modes of the fundamental world we share. Robert Aitken translated the title of this first...
Read MoreZenkai (March 7, 2021) with Lee Shields
TTS will hold the March 7, 2021 Zenkai remotely (by Zoom). If you are able, please join all or part of this opportunity for intensive practice with others. 8:15 Samu – cleaning your space or home 8:45 Gathering on Zoom 8:55 Be seated 9:00 (5 Remembrances), Zazen, Kinhin 10:10 (Dai-O Kokushi) Dharma talk (Shiku Seigan Mon)* 10: 45 Zazen, Kinhin (11:15 Interviews available) 12:00 Video on, break to get food 12:10 ...
Read MoreZenkai By Zoom: Three-Day Zen Retreat with Jack Duffy (February 12-14, 2021)
We will have an intensive retreat with Jack, Madelon, and Lee February 12-14, 2021. The detailed schedule is below. Here is an overall summary of the 3 days: SUMMARY SCHEDULE Friday: 6:30pm-9:30pm Saturday: 8:15am-12:30pm, lunch, 2:30-5:00, supper, 7:00-9:30pm Sunday: : 8:15am-12:30pm, lunch, 2:30-5:00pm The intensive weekend Zoom retreat will begin Friday at 6:30 PM with gathering for a short introduction to the form with Zoom, and zazen at 7:00 PM. The full schedule is included at the bottom of this page. For a zoom link, email: There is no better time for focused practice than this!...
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