The Zen of One Flavor, a talk by Leland Shields (September 16, 2023)
A monk was taking his leave. Kuei-tsung asked, “Where are you going?” The monk said, “I’m going here and there to study the Zen of the Five flavors.” Kuei-tsung said, “Other places may teach the Zen of the Five flavors; here I have only the Zen of one flavor.” “And what is the Zen of one flavor?” said the monk. Kuei-tsung hit him. “I understand, I understand.” “Then tell me, tell me.” Just as the monk opened his mouth, Kuei-tsung hit him again. Ikkyū and the Crazy Cloud Anthology, “From Wu Teng Hui Yuan,” p. 100. I have some admiration for this monk; thorough in his commitment to Zen...
Read MoreBe Yourself, a talk by Madelon Bolling (September 16, 2023)
Nanyue Polishes a Tile Nanyue Huairang asked Mazu Daoyi, “Worthy monk, why do you sit in meditation?” Mazu replied, “I wish to become a buddha.” Huairang picked up a tile and started to rub it against a stone in front of Mazu’s hermitage. Finally Mazu asked him what he was doing. Huairang replied, “Polishing it to make a mirror.” “How can you make a tile into a mirror by polishing it?’ asked Mazu. “How can you become a buddha by sitting in meditation?” responded Huairang. [Case 139 in Entangling Vines] [PSC] As a...
Read MoreTalks from 7-Day Intensive (September 9-16, 2023)
Beginning Anew A talk be Lee Shields The permeability of our skin – the whole of our training is for the development of compassion talk by Lee Shields (Text available to members and participants by email request to ttssangha@gmail.com) The koan of groups – Don’t think good don’t think evil A talk be Lee Shields (Text available to members and participants by email request to ttssangha@gmail.com) Be yourself A talk by Madelon Bolling Always in relationship – The oak tree in the courtyard A talk be...
Read MoreSesshin with Lee Shields, In Person and Zoom, September 9-16, 2023
Three Treasures Sangha typically holds two, seven-day sesshin each year. Non-Residential Sesshin with Lee Shields, In Person and Zoom, September 9-16, 2023 These retreats are rigorous and quite demanding, consisting of about 10 hours of zazen (sitting meditation) per day. They are silent except for the teacher’s daily teisho (dharma talk), and for dokusan (practice-related interview with the teacher). Part time attendance is welcome. To learn more about the retreat, visit the Sesshin page.
Read MoreOn Dealing With “Self” When There Is No Such Thing – A Talk by Madelon Bolling (June 11, 2023)
A monk asked, “How should one act during every hour of the day such that the ancestors are not betrayed?” Yunmen said, “Give up your effort.” The monk said, “How should I give up my effort?” Yunmen said, “Give up the words you just uttered.” (Ferguson, p. 287) Today I want to explore a little more about living and working with thoughts. Thinking is a defining feature of our life, and one that’s often experienced by Zen students as the bane of our existence. In the presence of these thoughts, then, “How should one act during...
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