Nothing extra, nothing left out – a talk by Leland Shields
Blue Cliff Record, Case 12: Tung Shan’s Three Pounds of Hemp A monk asked Tung-Shan, “What is Buddha?” Tung Shan said, “Three pounds of hemp.” Thomas Cleary, BCR 12 Blue Cliff Record, case 19: Chu Ti’s One Finger Ch’an Whenever anything was asked, Master Chu Ti would just raise one finger. Thomas Cleary, BCR 19 Blue Cliff Record case 27: Yun Men’s The Body Exposed, The Golden Wind A monk asked Yun Men, “How is it when the tree withers and the leaves fall?” Yun Men said, “Body exposed in the golden wind.” Thomas Cleary, BCR 27 On most retreat days here, we begin by some of us vacuuming the...
Read MoreThe Teachings of a Whole Lifetime – A Talk by Madelon Bolling (February 11, 2024)
A monk asked Yun Men, “What are the teachings of a whole lifetime?” Yun Men said, “An appropriate statement.” (Blue Cliff Record, Case 14) * * * There is a reality even prior to Heaven and Earth. Indeed it has no form, much less a name . Eyes fail to see it: it has no voice for ears to detect. . . . It is Dharma, truly beyond form and sound. It is Tao, having nothing to do with words. (Dai-O Kokushi: On Zen) * * * None of us can fix this world. Terrible things are happening here every day....
Read MoreLiving or Dead — a talk by Leland Shields (November 12, 2023)
Case 55: Daowu’s Condolence Daowu and Jianyuan went to a house to pay condolences. Yuan tapped on the coffin and asked, “Living or Dead?” Daowu said, “Living I won’t say. Dead I won’t say.” Jianyuan said, “Why won’t you say? Daowu said, “Won’t say! Won’t say!” During their return trip, Jianyuan said, “Heshang, please tell me right away. If you don’t, I’ll hit you.” Daowu said, “You may hit me if you like, but I won’t say. Jianyuan hit him. Later after Daowu had died,...
Read MoreThe 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...
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