Dongshan’s question is ‘How will you take your activity of seeing into self-nature into the ups and downs of the grassy world?’ Jane looks at the Way of practice, setting off on the pilgrimage of each day to reach the place of no grass. This teisho by Jane Andino was
The first teisho of Diamond Sangha sesshin traditionally focuses on the koan ‘mu’, a primary koan – a koan that opens the way –even though it is a gateless barrier.Mumon’s commentary on this case is a rare case of hearing how to work with a koan – which translates as
Ta-mei asked Ma-tsu, “What is Buddha?” Ma-tsu said, “This very mind is Buddha.” In this talk, Peter takes up the well-known case 30 of the Mumonkan. Shibayama Roshi said that “This very mind is Buddha’ is a very important philosophical saying which concisely depicts the essence of zen” yet any philosophical expositions on
There is only one true person of no rank, not two, always coming and going from the faces of each of you. Sometimes that one is cold wind, sometimes the crying of cicadas, sometimes loneliness, sometimes … Look! Look! Peter explores Linji’s famous phrase as it touches the heart minds of each
Dogen’s metaphor of Stone Woman giving birth to a child by night encapsulates the wisdom of seeing into the empty nature of the ‘self’ and all hence all phenomenal things. This realisation opens out to the way of true intimacy of interconnectedness with the 10,000 things of the world. The
How do we find abundance in our lives in this time of lack and insecurity? Jane Andino looks at Case 10 of the Wu-Men Kuan as a starting point for a reflection on following the Zen path of practice, leading to peace but also responsibility. This talk, given by apprentice teacher
Zen practice is not a static affair. Realisation is useless unless it is carried forward and shared. Maggie Gluek, roshi explores the way in which practice can only ever be relational. Like the Hermit of Lotus Flower Peak, we must step out into the world, as the world. And engage
Paul Maloney, roshi explores our desire to have stability and security in the face of the Buddha’s teachings on impermanence, and the reality of a dynamic ever changing world. In the words of the poet, The times are a changing. But when were they not changing? The first of the
Rohatsu means the 8thday of December, the date traditionally commemorated as the day of the Budhha’s awakening. In this talk, Jane Andino looks at different versions of the enlightenment story, the sight of the Morning Star, and the significance for our practice. This talk was given on Day 1 of
Gillian Coote, roshi tells the stories of some of our ancestors who appear in the dedications we chant in our sutra service, including Choro Nyogen and his internment poems (written in the USA during WWII). She offers the koan ‘Mu’, and reflects on this monk’s – and our – doubt
