Jewels in the Sutras – a talk by Leland Shields – August 14, 2022
In the May teisho, I talked about using the sutras we chant during practice days such as this, and also carrying them with us as we walk the world. Today I’ll continue with focus on a few key perspectives that run through the sutras. I find it can deepen our consideration by looking at the same perspective expressed by different ancestors, as if we were looking at the same jewel through different facets. First – we are already Buddha; second – if so, why do we practice? And third – how do we practice? I had planned to address each in this talk, though I was too verbose to leave...
Read MoreThe Most Important Place – A Talk by Madelon Bolling
A monk asked, “How should one act during every moment of every 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.” Here we are, gathered together on this new day, beginning once more to investigate the great matter. Beginning is often an exciting situation with a view to the future: an expectation of growth and accomplishment, a gradual gathering of skill, reputation and knowledge, knowing how, so a person can eventually finish or get or achieve something, reach...
Read MoreApril 7-day intensive retreat talks
April 7-day intensive retreat talks by Leland Shields and Madelon Bolling on the writings of Dogen: Day 1: Leland Shields, Every Moment Zen Day 2: Leland Shields, No Self – No Separation Day 3: Leland Shields, No Self – Embodied Self Day 4: Madelon Bolling, No Self – Resistance and the Mind of War Day 5: Leland Shields, Attention to the Myriad Dharmas Day 6: Leland Shields, The Moon Brings Forth Two
Read MoreTending the Flame, Not Worshiping the Ashes — Lee Shields, May 8, 2022
Last week I attended the Diamond Sangha Teachers Circle gathering by Zoom. There were teachers from many countries and time zones, from New Zealand and Australia, to London and Germany. It was my first time participating in this august group of sincere people, dedicated to carrying Zen forward in gratitude. Rather than a talk on koans, I’d like to share some of the discussion that I think will be of interest to our Sangha. Some of the topics discussed included thoughtful innovations to our form and practice, and the inclusion and exclusion of social action, and if included, how. There will...
Read MoreThe Moon Brings Forth Two — Leland Shields — Intensive Day 6, April 15, 2022
In Dharma Hall Discourse 168, Dogen wrote this: The moon brings forth one, we pick up a brush and record it as good fortune. The moon brings forth two, the clear intention of the ancestral teachers. The moon brings forth three; a thousand ancient ones submit to Gautama. Although this is the case, is there a dragon or elephant here who can come forth and meet with Daibutsu’s staff? After a pause Dogen said, [Although the same fruit] it is called an orange in Huabei [north of the Huai River], and called a tangerine in Huainan [south of the Huai River]. Dogen, Eihei; Leighton, Taigen Dan...
Read MoreAttention to Myriad Dharmas — Leland Shields, Intensive Day 5, April 14, 2022
Earlier in the retreat I presented Dogen’s often-repeated words from Actualizing the Fundamental Point: To study the Buddha way is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be enlightened by the myriad dharmas. To be enlightened by the myriad dharmas is to bring about the dropping away of body and mind of both oneself and others. Yasutani, Hakuun; (translation) Jaffe, Paul, Flowers Fall: A Commentary on Dogen’s Genjokoan, 1996. Now on the 5th day, please join me in forgetting the self, which is to engage in the myriad dharmas. “Dharma” is not a word...
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