Allan Marett explores Case 4 of the Wumenguan (The Gateless Barrier), Huo-an’s Beardless Barbarian. The Barbarian in this case is, of course, Bodhidharma, the fifth century monk who brought Zen Buddhism from India to China. He is usually depicted with a flourishing beard, and his beard is also referred to in the books and poems. So what does it mean to
Allan Marett explores the role of the morning star in the Buddha’s awakening and some of the ways in which this story resonates with Indigenous Australian songs, dances and ceremonies about the Morning Star Dreaming. Rohatsu sesshin 2017 – Day 1
Robert Aitken Roshi discusses the Four Vows given by students who are taking Jukai. He describes what they mean to him, what they mean to the Sangha and what they mean metaphysically. This talk was given in 1985.
Robert Aitken Roshi discusses each of the ten grave precepts in the context of Zen practice in this historic talk given in 1979.
Robert Aitken Roshi discusses in this orientation talk the different paths people may take in seeking to put their minds at rest. Some pursue intellectuality, mind control, asceticism or meditation. The middle path does not deny a degree of any of these pursuits, it is the degree to which these means are pursued that can be problematic for the success
Visiting Roshis speak on the topic – What is the meaning of Zen? The talk follows the annual teachers meeting held by Diamond Sangha teachers of New Zealand and Australia in 2014.
The task of offering “encouraging words” got me thinking about discouragement. “Courage” is at the root of both terms, deriving in the first instance from Middle English corage which means “heart as the seat of feeling.” The Zen path, like any path, presents obstacles and the possibility then of losing heart, maybe abandoning the project. How to proceed when you
‘What is the work of the Buddha’s whole life? An appropriate response.’ Gillian Coote, roshi explores Case 14 of the Blue Cliff Record. Day 5, Spring Sesshin 2017
Gillian Coote, roshi explores the first koan in ‘The Gateless Barrier’ of the Wu-Men Kuan – Mu. Day 1, Spring Sesshin 2017
There is a ‘precious heart-to-heart connection sangha members experience’. SANGHA Gillian Coote, Roshi recently reminded us at the AGM: ‘In this time of increasingly virtual relationships, the importance of face-to-face communication in handing on the live coal of the Dharma, as Robert Aitken Roshi did, is ever-greater. Turning up for sangha events maintains these connections, not turning up erodes them. Sangha
