We Start of New Series on Genjo Koan, 'Realizing the Truth Right Here," the Key to Master Dogen's Zen. The text for the talk today, the first in a monthly series, is based on Jundo Cohen´s modernized translation of the Genjo Koan, from his book ¨THE ZEN MASTER’S DANCE¨ A Guide to Understanding Dōgen and Who You Are in the Universe Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: July 7-8th 2023 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hr ZAZENKAI - Genjo Koan (I) - The Key to Dogen's Zen

We Start of New Series on Genjo Koan, 'Realizing the Truth Right Here," the Key to Master Dogen's Zen. The text for the talk today, the first in a monthly series, is based on Jundo Cohen´s modernized translation of the Genjo Koan, from his book ¨THE ZEN MASTER’S DANCE¨ A Guide to Understanding Dōgen and Who You Are in the Universe Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?21657-July-7-8th-2023-OUR-MONTHLY-4-hr-ZAZENKAI-Genjo-Koan-%28I%29-The-Key-to-Dogen-s-Zen" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">July 7-8th 2023 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hr ZAZENKAI - Genjo Koan (I) - The Key to Dogen's Zen</a>

July 2023 Zazenkai Talk - Genjo Koan Series (1)

The following is an audio version of the essay with the same title by Treeleaf Sangha founder and guiding teacher, Roshi Jundo Cohen ¨One must sit Shikantaza with profound trust that sitting is whole, complete, nothing lacking, the sitting of the Buddhas and Ancestors sitting as this sitting right here and now, no other place to be, nothing more in need of doing, nothing more to attain, that Zazen embodies enlightenment itself.¨ The essay can be found HERE

The following is an audio version of the essay with the same title by Treeleaf Sangha founder and guiding teacher, Roshi Jundo Cohen ¨One must sit Shikantaza with profound trust that sitting is whole, complete, nothing lacking, the sitting of the Buddhas and Ancestors sitting as this sitting right here and now, no other place to be, nothing more in need of doing, nothing more to attain, that Zazen embodies enlightenment itself.¨ The essay can be found <a href="https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?21616-Shikantaza-Ipso-Facto" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a>

Shikantaza Ipso Facto

The following is an audio recording of an essay by Treeleaf founder and guiding teacher, Jundo Cohen. Here's the "elephant in the room" of Shikantaza Zazen: What does it mean to "think-non-thinking?" In ordinary life, our daily minds resemble a mad circus, maybe a chaotic jungle. We react to the elephants passing through our awareness, jumping on, leaping from one to the next, pulling their tails, prodding them with a stick, often tangled in their trunks. Sometimes we chase them to catch them, sometimes we run away in fear, sometimes we get trampled underfoot. What is more, all our meddling seemingly summons ever more elephants of thought and emotion into the crowded room. The jumbled circus of "thought jumbos" and "emotion mastodons" never ends, and we taunt them and stir them up more. But in Zazen, the elephants are tamed. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: The Elephant in the Zazen Room

The following is an audio recording of an essay by Treeleaf founder and guiding teacher, Jundo Cohen. Here's the "elephant in the room" of Shikantaza Zazen: What does it mean to "think-non-thinking?" In ordinary life, our daily minds resemble a mad circus, maybe a chaotic jungle. We react to the elephants passing through our awareness, jumping on, leaping from one to the next, pulling their tails, prodding them with a stick, often tangled in their trunks. Sometimes we chase them to catch them, sometimes we run away in fear, sometimes we get trampled underfoot. What is more, all our meddling seemingly summons ever more elephants of thought and emotion into the crowded room. The jumbled circus of "thought jumbos" and "emotion mastodons" never ends, and we taunt them and stir them up more. But in Zazen, the elephants are tamed. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?21585-The-Elephant-in-the-Zazen-Room" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Elephant in the Zazen Room</a>

The Elephant In The Zazen Room

Today we'll scat with Dogen's jazz in Shobogenzo Nyorai Zenshin (The Buddha Whole Body). Some 700 or so years before modern jazz folks, Dōgen had the equivalent jazzy approach, taking “standard” Mahayana Buddhist teachings, fanciful but traditional Buddhist images, and “samples” of quotes from well-known stories related to his intended topics, tearing them apart, and tossing all back together again, remixing them, in order to discover and uncover new feelings, sounds, implications, visions, and Wisdom, all in what was often pretty wild imagery to start with! Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: June 2-3 2023 -OUR MONTHLY 4-hr ZAZENKAI- Nyorai Zenshin -A Mini-Lesson in Dogen Jazz

Today we'll scat with Dogen's jazz in Shobogenzo Nyorai Zenshin (The Buddha Whole Body). Some 700 or so years before modern jazz folks, Dōgen had the equivalent jazzy approach, taking “standard” Mahayana Buddhist teachings, fanciful but traditional Buddhist images, and “samples” of quotes from well-known stories related to his intended topics, tearing them apart, and tossing all back together again, remixing them, in order to discover and uncover new feelings, sounds, implications, visions, and Wisdom, all in what was often pretty wild imagery to start with! Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?21580-June-2-3-2023-OUR-MONTHLY-4-hr-ZAZENKAI-Nyorai-Zenshin-A-Mini-Lesson-in-Dogen-Jazz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">June 2-3 2023 -OUR MONTHLY 4-hr ZAZENKAI- Nyorai Zenshin -A Mini-Lesson in Dogen Jazz</a>

June 2023 Zazenkai Talk - Nyorai Zenshin (A Mini-Lesson in Dogen Jazz)

The following is an audio recording of an article by Treeleaf founder and guiding teacher, Jundo Cohen. "So much of all life is like a neutral canvas to which we add our judgments and reactions, coloring it with our feelings. It is like an empty container or some bland ingredient, like Tofu for example, that can be decorated or flavored as our heart decides. The experience is bad if we make it bad but it is whole, complete, fulfilling and welcoming if our heart makes it so." Further reading and discussion for this are available on the Treeleaf forum: The "Inner Switch" of Zazen

The following is an audio recording of an article by Treeleaf founder and guiding teacher, Jundo Cohen. "So much of all life is like a neutral canvas to which we add our judgments and reactions, coloring it with our feelings. It is like an empty container or some bland ingredient, like Tofu for example, that can be decorated or flavored as our heart decides. The experience is bad if we make it bad but it is whole, complete, fulfilling and welcoming if our heart makes it so." Further reading and discussion for this are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?21558-The-Inner-Switch-of-Zazen&amp;p=324707#post324707" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The "Inner Switch" of Zazen</a>

The ’Inner Switch’ Of Zazen

In Today's Talk, will close our dance with the 信心銘, the Xinxinming, or Shinjinmei. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: May 5th-6th, 2023 -OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI

In Today's Talk, will close our dance with the 信心銘, the Xinxinming, or Shinjinmei. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?21500-May-5th-6th-2023-OUR-MONTHLY-4-hour-Treeleaf-ZAZENKAI" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">May 5th-6th, 2023 -OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI</a>

May 2023 Monthly Zazenkai Talk (Shinjinmei Series Part 5)

Our Zazenkai today is in celebration of the Buddha´s birthday, traditionally April 8th in Japan! We will look at the Buddha's birthday and the Shinjinmei Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: April 7-8, 2023 -OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI »

Our Zazenkai today is in celebration of the Buddha´s birthday, traditionally April 8th in Japan! We will look at the Buddha's birthday and the Shinjinmei Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?21404-April-7-8-2023-OUR-MONTHLY-4-hour-Treeleaf-ZAZENKAI-Celebrating-Buddha-s-Birthday" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">April 7-8, 2023 -OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI »</a>

April 2023 Monthly Zazenkai Talk (Shinjinmei Series Part 4)

Today's Talk will be the third in a series reflecting on: THE SONG OF TRUST MIND (信心銘 Shinjinmei), A Key to Zazen Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: March 3rd-4th, 2023 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI - Shinjinmei (III) »

Today's Talk will be the third in a series reflecting on: THE SONG OF TRUST MIND (信心銘 Shinjinmei), A Key to Zazen Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?21251-March-3rd-4th-2023-OUR-MONTHLY-4-hour-Treeleaf-ZAZENKAI-Shinjinmei-%28III%29" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">March 3rd-4th, 2023 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI - Shinjinmei (III) »</a>

March 2023 Monthly Zazenkai Talk (Shinjinmei Series Part 3)

In Today's Talk, we continue our dance with the 信心銘, called the Xinxinming in Chinese and the Shinjinmei in Japanese, and by a variety of names in English Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: February 3rd-4th, 2023 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI - Shinjinmei (II) »

In Today's Talk, we continue our dance with the 信心銘, called the Xinxinming in Chinese and the Shinjinmei in Japanese, and by a variety of names in English Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?21142-February-3rd-4th-2023-OUR-MONTHLY-4-hour-Treeleaf-ZAZENKAI-Shinjinmei-%28II%29" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">February 3rd-4th, 2023 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI - Shinjinmei (II) »</a>

February 2023 Monthly Zazenkai Talk (Shinjinmei Series, part 2)

CELEBRATING THIS EVER NEW YEAR! Today's Talk will be the first in a series reflecting on: THE SONG OF TRUST MIND (信心銘 Shinjinmei), A Key to Zazen Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: Jan 6-7th, 2022 - OUR (NEW YEAR!) MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI - Shinjinmei (I) »

CELEBRATING THIS EVER NEW YEAR! Today's Talk will be the first in a series reflecting on: THE SONG OF TRUST MIND (信心銘 Shinjinmei), A Key to Zazen Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?21003-Jan-6-7th-2022-OUR-%28NEW-YEAR%21%29-MONTHLY-4-hour-Treeleaf-ZAZENKAI-Shinjinmei-%28I%29" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jan 6-7th, 2022 - OUR (NEW YEAR!) MONTHLY 4-hour Treeleaf ZAZENKAI - Shinjinmei (I) »</a>

January 2023 Monthly Zazenkai Talk ( Shinjinmei Series, part 1)

Dharma talks by Jundo Cohen &amp; others from Treeleaf Zendo

I&#39;ve listened to the first 3 so far and I like it.  Relaxing.  Good introduction for me.  It will be cool to see what&#39;s next.

So far, so good.

TREELEAF ZENDO PODCAST

Space...Gap or stretch? something out there or just plain close? Something we are part of or something we travel and walk through? Dogen, a simple man in medieval Japan, loved space. He wrote a whole collection of talks about it. Dogen made it very clear: we are space and as such we may experience space. Sitting with its moving boundaries and constant shivering-shifting is space itself. Carving a Buddha out of wood or stone? A Buddha made of naked hands, a Buddha of flesh is what Dogen was all about. Eloquent space. Silent dharma talk. gassho to all TaiguClick here to visit the forum thread!

Space...Gap or stretch? something out there or just plain close? Something we are part of or something we travel and walk through? Dogen, a simple man in medieval Japan, loved space. He wrote a whole collection of talks about it. Dogen made it very clear: we are space and as such we may experience space. Sitting with its moving boundaries and constant shivering-shifting is space itself. Carving a Buddha out of wood or stone? A Buddha made of naked hands, a Buddha of flesh is what Dogen was all about. Eloquent space. Silent dharma talk. gassho to all Taigu <a href="http://www.treeleaf.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&amp;t=3117" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click here to visit the forum thread!</a>

Space

Ryokan Taigu

Our talk is about the zen poems of the Great Fool: Ryōkan Taigu (1758–1831). This famous hermit monk lived a simple life but rich in practice and reverence for the present moment. After leaving the monastery he spent his life helping people in villages, begging, playing with kids and writing poems.    More about Ryōkan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ry%C5%8Dkan Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! The zen poems of Ryokan Taigu »

Our talk is about the zen poems of the Great Fool: Ryōkan Taigu (1758–1831). This famous hermit monk lived a simple life but rich in practice and reverence for the present moment. After leaving the monastery he spent his life helping people in villages, begging, playing with kids and writing poems. More about Ryōkan: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ry%C5%8Dkan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ry%C5%8Dkan</a> Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?15165-March-3th-4th-2017-OUR-MONTHLY-4-hour-ZAZENKAI%21-The-zen-poems-of-Ryokan-Taigu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! The zen poems of Ryokan Taigu »</a>

March 2017 Zazenkai Talk (The zen poems of Ryokan Taigu)

Someone asked me today during our Zazenkai if FOLKS IN ZAZEN CAN LEVITATE.Well, I am open minded about such things, but I have never seen so in person. The only photos I have seen look either like they have been photoshopped, or there is something wrong with the photo (such as the dark background and sleeves in these photos which surely hide a platform) ...... or the person is "bouncing" more than flying ...I have had sensations like levitating off the ground during long Zazen, great lightness and motion, but that turned out not to be so when I looked down. Oh, the mind can play tricks during Zazen.HOWEVER ... I KNOW THAT LEVITATION EXISTS IN ZAZEN, FOR SURE! REAL LEVITATION IS ALWAYS IN ZAZEN ... FLYING EVERY WHERE AT ONCE!Today’s Sit-A-Long video follows at this link. Remember: recording ends soon after the beginning bells; a sitting time of 20 to 35 minutes is recommended.Click here to visit the forum thread!

Someone asked me today during our Zazenkai if FOLKS IN ZAZEN CAN LEVITATE. Well, I am open minded about such things, but I have never seen so in person. The only photos I have seen look either like they have been photoshopped, or there is something wrong with the photo (such as the dark background and sleeves in these photos which surely hide a platform) ... ... or the person is "bouncing" more than flying ... I have had sensations like levitating off the ground during long Zazen, great lightness and motion, but that turned out not to be so when I looked down. Oh, the mind can play tricks during Zazen. HOWEVER ... I KNOW THAT LEVITATION EXISTS IN ZAZEN, FOR SURE! REAL LEVITATION IS ALWAYS IN ZAZEN ... FLYING EVERY WHERE AT ONCE! Today’s Sit-A-Long video follows at this link. Remember: recording ends soon after the beginning bells; a sitting time of 20 to 35 minutes is recommended. <a href="http://www.treeleaf.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&amp;t=3113" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click here to visit the forum thread!</a>

LEVITATION!

Who is a Zen Priest ... and how to nurture their Training?  And who perhaps is not?  These are difficult questions, especially in our little Sangha. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: Who Is a Priest ... »

Who is a Zen Priest ... and how to nurture their Training? And who perhaps is not? These are difficult questions, especially in our little Sangha. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?14568-SIT-A-LONG-with-JUNDO-Who-Is-a-Priest" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: Who Is a Priest ... »</a>

July 2016 SIT-A-LONG with Jundo: Who Is a Priest?

Koans for this talk are from The Book of Serenity: CASE 51: Hogen's "By Boat or Land" CASE 52: Sozan's Dharmakaya CASE 53: Obaku's Dregs CASE 54: Ungans Great Compassionate One  Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:  June 3rd-4th, 2016 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! »

Koans for this talk are from The Book of Serenity: <ul><li>CASE 51: Hogen's "By Boat or Land"</li> <li>CASE 52: Sozan's Dharmakaya</li> <li>CASE 53: Obaku's Dregs</li> <li>CASE 54: Ungans Great Compassionate One</li> </ul> Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?14490-June-3rd-4th-2016-OUR-MONTHLY-4-hour-ZAZENKAI!" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">June 3rd-4th, 2016 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! »</a>

June 2016 Zazenkai Talk (Cases from the Book of Serenity)

We continue a series of talks on the Buddhist "Paramitas" (Virtues) which aid in our engaged and charitable work in the world. Today ... Verve, Vigor, Energy! ... In Sanscrit, this is called the Virya Paramita ... which comes from the same root as vim and virile!  And that energy is not only of use for all our social and political efforts to fix this world, clean up our country or town ... it is energy for whatever we need to "get er done" in life.  And like all the "Perfections", it recognizes that we are only human, not perfect. Even superman needs to get his rest sometime. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: ENGAGED ENERGY »

We continue a series of talks on the Buddhist "Paramitas" (Virtues) which aid in our engaged and charitable work in the world. Today ... Verve, Vigor, Energy! ... In Sanscrit, this is called the Virya Paramita ... which comes from the same root as vim and virile! And that energy is not only of use for all our social and political efforts to fix this world, clean up our country or town ... it is energy for whatever we need to "get er done" in life. And like all the "Perfections", it recognizes that we are only human, not perfect. Even superman needs to get his rest sometime. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?14624-SIT-A-LONG-with-JUNDO-ENGAGED-ENERGY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: ENGAGED ENERGY »</a>

SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: ENGAGED ENERGY

Koans for this talk are from The Book of Serenity: CASE 54 - Ungans Great Compassionate One, CASE 55 - Seppo the Rice Cook, CASE 56 - Mishi's White Rabbit, and CASE 57 - Genyo's One Thing. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: July 1st-2nd, 2016 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! »

Koans for this talk are from The Book of Serenity: CASE 54 - Ungans Great Compassionate One, CASE 55 - Seppo the Rice Cook, CASE 56 - Mishi's White Rabbit, and CASE 57 - Genyo's One Thing. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?14550-July-1st-2nd-2016-OUR-MONTHLY-4-hour-ZAZENKAI%21" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">July 1st-2nd, 2016 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! »</a>

July 2016 Zazenkai Talk (Cases from the Book of Serenity)

Koans for this talk are from The Book of Serenity: CASE 58 - The Diamond Sutra's Reviling, CASE 59 - Seirin's Deadly Snake, CASE 60 - Ryutetsuma's Old Cow, and CASE 61 - Kempo's One Stroke. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: August 12th-13th, 2016 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI!  »

Koans for this talk are from The Book of Serenity: CASE 58 - The Diamond Sutra's Reviling, CASE 59 - Seirin's Deadly Snake, CASE 60 - Ryutetsuma's Old Cow, and CASE 61 - Kempo's One Stroke. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?14647-August-12th-13th-2016-OUR-MONTHLY-4-hour-ZAZENKAI%21" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">August 12th-13th, 2016 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! »</a>

August 2016 Zazenkai Talk (Cases from the Book of Serenity - Part 2)

How does our Zen Practice blend with taking a stand? Do we stay "beyond the fray" or speak out for what is right? I have been wrestling with this lately, like many folks. I have advocated leaving "politics" outside the door of our Treeleaf Sangha. In principle. I still believe so, and that we should speak civilly and gently to each other in the Sangha, agreeing to disagree, leaving most political debate outside. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: Sit Down &amp; Speak Up »

How does our Zen Practice blend with taking a stand? Do we stay "beyond the fray" or speak out for what is right? I have been wrestling with this lately, like many folks. I have advocated leaving "politics" outside the door of our Treeleaf Sangha. In principle. I still believe so, and that we should speak civilly and gently to each other in the Sangha, agreeing to disagree, leaving most political debate outside. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?15145-SIT-A-LONG-with-JUNDO-Sit-Down-Speak-Up" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: Sit Down &amp; Speak Up »</a>

February 2017 SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: Sit Down &amp; Speak Up

The past year has seen its ups and downs ... a lot of downs it seems. Next year will likely be so too. (And the year after that!) This is the roller coaster of life. Do you know the still and quiet center at the heart of all ups and downs?  Do you know that the world has always been so?  Do you know that things are probably not as down (or as up) as you might think? Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: Sit-a-Long with Jundo: My Uplifting, Inspiring, Hopeful, Optimistic New Years Message »

The past year has seen its ups and downs ... a lot of downs it seems. Next year will likely be so too. (And the year after that!) This is the roller coaster of life. Do you know the still and quiet center at the heart of all ups and downs? Do you know that the world has always been so? Do you know that things are probably not as down (or as up) as you might think? Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?15008-Sit-a-Long-with-Jundo-My-Uplifting-Inspiring-Hopeful-Optimistic-New-Years-Message" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sit-a-Long with Jundo: My Uplifting, Inspiring, Hopeful, Optimistic New Years Message »</a>

December 2016 Sit-a-Long with Jundo: My Uplifting, Inspiring, Hopeful, Optimistic New Years Message 

As this is just the New Year, it is a good time to stir the pot at Treeleaf's ENGAGED &amp; CHARITABLE PROJECTS CENTER ... We want to activate the place, and believe that it should be front and center in our Practice right with Zazen ... in fact, charity and volunteer activities --are-- Zazen "off the cushion." Every couple of weeks or so, we will be presenting projects that anybody can ... should ... dig into, and we would like to make this a Community Team Effort! There will be many options available, something for anybody, even folks who have mobility or other health issues. There are always ways to reach out wherever you find yourself, always someone who you can help a bit no matter how much you are struggling in your own life (maybe just pick up a phone or computer and reach out to someone else who is also housebound, for example). Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: SIT-A-LONG with Jundo: TOTALLY ENGAGED »

As this is just the New Year, it is a good time to stir the pot at Treeleaf's <a href="http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?67-ENGAGED-CHARITABLE-PROJECTS-CENTER" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ENGAGED &amp; CHARITABLE PROJECTS CENTER</a> ... We want to activate the place, and believe that it should be front and center in our Practice right with Zazen ... in fact, charity and volunteer activities --are-- Zazen "off the cushion." Every couple of weeks or so, we will be presenting projects that anybody can ... should ... dig into, and we would like to make this a Community Team Effort! There will be many options available, something for anybody, even folks who have mobility or other health issues. There are always ways to reach out wherever you find yourself, always someone who you can help a bit no matter how much you are struggling in your own life (maybe just pick up a phone or computer and reach out to someone else who is also housebound, for example). Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?14163-SIT-A-LONG-with-Jundo-TOTALLY-ENGAGED" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SIT-A-LONG with Jundo: TOTALLY ENGAGED »</a>

January 2016 SIT-A-LONG with Jundo: TOTALLY ENGAGED

WELCOME to our Memorial &amp; Celebration of NEHAN-E, (Pari-Nirvana) the traditional day to mark the historical Buddha's death and passing from this visible world. This is also a day for each of us to remember in our homes those family and friends who have gone before. As well, we particularly mark the passing of Nishijima Gudo Wafu and Rempo Niwa Zenji ...  Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: February 6th, 2016 - SPECIAL "NEHAN-E" 4-hour ZAZENKAI! »

WELCOME to our Memorial &amp; Celebration of NEHAN-E, (Pari-Nirvana) the traditional day to mark the historical Buddha's death and passing from this visible world. This is also a day for each of us to remember in our homes those family and friends who have gone before. As well, we particularly mark the passing of Nishijima Gudo Wafu and Rempo Niwa Zenji ... Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?14198-February-6th-2016-SPECIAL-NEHAN-E-4-hour-ZAZENKAI!" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">February 6th, 2016 - SPECIAL "NEHAN-E" 4-hour ZAZENKAI! »</a>

February 2016 Zazenkai Talk (SPECIAL "NEHAN-E" 4-hour ZAZENKAI!)

To open this New Year, our reading will be the prologue to Master Dogen's Bendowa (On the Endeavor of the Way, Kaz Tanahashi Translation), written in 1231, one of the first pieces on Zen Practice written by Master Dogen following his return to Japan from China: www.lionsroar.com/just-wholeheartedly-sit Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: January 1st-2nd, 2016 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! WELCOME THE NEW YEAR! »

To open this New Year, our reading will be the prologue to Master Dogen's Bendowa (On the Endeavor of the Way, Kaz Tanahashi Translation), written in 1231, one of the first pieces on Zen Practice written by Master Dogen following his return to Japan from China: <a href="http://www.lionsroar.com/just-wholeheartedly-sit/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.lionsroar.com/just-wholeheartedly-sit</a> Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?14092-January-1st-2nd-2016-OUR-MONTHLY-4-hour-ZAZENKAI!-WELCOME-THE-NEW-YEAR!" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">January 1st-2nd, 2016 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! WELCOME THE NEW YEAR! »</a>

January 2016 Zazenkai Talk (Welcome to the New Year)

Reading: "Wild Ways of the Precepts in Japan" It is not known if the precepts in sixteen articles resulted from  Dogen’s own innovation or if he borrowed this group from another source.  [Dogen, in a writing describing the ordination ceremony for his  priests] states that the ordination ceremony described therein is  exactly the same as the one conducted by [Dogen's Teacher in China]  Ju-ching in 1225 when he administered the precepts to Dogen. The  reliability of that assertion, however, seems doubtful. [from "Dogen and the Precepts" by Prof. Steven Heine] Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: October 2nd-3rd, 2015 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI!  »

Reading: "Wild Ways of the Precepts in Japan" It is not known if the precepts in sixteen articles resulted from Dogen’s own innovation or if he borrowed this group from another source. [Dogen, in a writing describing the ordination ceremony for his priests] states that the ordination ceremony described therein is exactly the same as the one conducted by [Dogen's Teacher in China] Ju-ching in 1225 when he administered the precepts to Dogen. The reliability of that assertion, however, seems doubtful. [from "Dogen and the Precepts" by Prof. Steven Heine] Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?13844-October-2nd-3rd-2015-OUR-MONTHLY-4-hour-ZAZENKAI!" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">October 2nd-3rd, 2015 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! »</a>

October 2015 Zazenkai Dharma Talk (Wild Ways of the Precepts in Japan)

This week we celebrate ROHATSU, remembering the Enlightenment of the Buddha who sat under the Bodhi Tree, realizing the end of his long search as he saw the light of the Morning Star. If you cannot travel to a Rohatsu Retreat, we invite you to sit in "retreat" just where you are, with our Treeleaf Sangha Annual 'ALWAYS AT HOME' Two Day 'ALL ONLINE' ROHATSU RETREAT, to be live netcast this coming Saturday and Sunday (or available for sitting any later time when you can arrange). The two days will include Zazen sitting, Kinhin, Chanting, Zazen sitting, Oryoki, Zazen sitting, Bowing, Talks, 'Samu' Work Practice, and More Zazen Sitting, as in any Soto Zen Retreat, all in celebration of the Buddha's days of Zazen and Enlightenment. Folks will be sitting with us from places as far and wide as Sweden, Mexico, the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, Indonesia, the Ukraine and other places ... all together as a Community, forgetting distance. The retreat is designed to be sat in any time zone around the world through a combination of 'live-live' and 'live though recorded' segments, and one may still join the Retreat and sit-a-long at ANY AND ALL TIME after, by the real time recorded version (no different from the original!). For further details, please have a look here.  Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: Rohatsu, Retreat and Family »

This week we celebrate ROHATSU, remembering the Enlightenment of the Buddha who sat under the Bodhi Tree, realizing the end of his long search as he saw the light of the Morning Star. If you cannot travel to a Rohatsu Retreat, we invite you to sit in "retreat" just where you are, with our Treeleaf Sangha Annual 'ALWAYS AT HOME' Two Day 'ALL ONLINE' ROHATSU RETREAT, to be live netcast this coming Saturday and Sunday (or available for sitting any later time when you can arrange). The two days will include Zazen sitting, Kinhin, Chanting, Zazen sitting, Oryoki, Zazen sitting, Bowing, Talks, 'Samu' Work Practice, and More Zazen Sitting, as in any Soto Zen Retreat, all in celebration of the Buddha's days of Zazen and Enlightenment. Folks will be sitting with us from places as far and wide as Sweden, Mexico, the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, Indonesia, the Ukraine and other places ... all together as a Community, forgetting distance. The retreat is designed to be sat in any time zone around the world through a combination of 'live-live' and 'live though recorded' segments, and one may still join the Retreat and sit-a-long at ANY AND ALL TIME after, by the real time recorded version (no different from the original!). For further details, please have a look here. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?14015-SIT-A-LONG-with-JUNDO-Rohatsu-Retreat-and-Family" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: Rohatsu, Retreat and Family »</a>

SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: Rohatsu, Retreat and Family

As one of a series of talks putting the spotlight on Treeleaf's ENGAGED &amp; CHARITABLE PROJECTS CENTER, I would like to speak of the traditional Buddhist Paramita (Virtue) of Dana ... Generosity, Charity, Giving. To give and be charitable takes us out of our selfish concerns for our own well-being alone. There are hungry mouths to feed in this world, and we can all do something. There are none of us so impoverished or wanting that we cannot give something to someone in need ... money, food, kindness, comfort, encouragement, teachings of wisdom ... especially for so many of us in relatively wealthy Western society. However, there is also something special about giving from a Zen Buddhist point of view ... namely, that even as we give, there is nothing in need of giving or lacking ... there is truly no giver, receiver or gift ...  nothing in need of giving, no giver or hungry mouths to feed ... yet we give nonetheless, for there are hungry mouths to feed! All True At Once, As One. Perhaps we might say that, transcending giver-receiver-gift, only the naked generosity remains which holds and sweeps in all of us in the world's embrace. As you breathe every breath of air, bite a sweet apple and drink the refreshing water that the earth provides, as the sunlight shines down, know all this as just the world's generosity. We must pay it back.  Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: SIT-A-LONG with Jundo: GIVING, GENEROSITY and ENGAGEMENT »

As one of a series of talks putting the spotlight on Treeleaf's <a href="http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?67-ENGAGED-CHARITABLE-PROJECTS-CENTER" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ENGAGED &amp; CHARITABLE PROJECTS CENTER</a>, I would like to speak of the traditional Buddhist Paramita (Virtue) of Dana ... Generosity, Charity, Giving. To give and be charitable takes us out of our selfish concerns for our own well-being alone. There are hungry mouths to feed in this world, and we can all do something. There are none of us so impoverished or wanting that we cannot give something to someone in need ... money, food, kindness, comfort, encouragement, teachings of wisdom ... especially for so many of us in relatively wealthy Western society. However, there is also something special about giving from a Zen Buddhist point of view ... namely, that even as we give, there is nothing in need of giving or lacking ... there is truly no giver, receiver or gift ... nothing in need of giving, no giver or hungry mouths to feed ... yet we give nonetheless, for there are hungry mouths to feed! All True At Once, As One. Perhaps we might say that, transcending giver-receiver-gift, only the naked generosity remains which holds and sweeps in all of us in the world's embrace. As you breathe every breath of air, bite a sweet apple and drink the refreshing water that the earth provides, as the sunlight shines down, know all this as just the world's generosity. We must pay it back. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?14216-SIT-A-LONG-with-Jundo-GIVING-GENEROSITY-and-ENGAGEMENT" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SIT-A-LONG with Jundo: GIVING, GENEROSITY and ENGAGEMENT »</a>

February 2016 SIT-A-LONG with Jundo: GIVING, GENEROSITY and ENGAGEMENT

For this talk, we will reflect on some of the Verses, Vows and Dedications  we are heard to Chant around here for each Zazenkai and at other times.  For further reading on these and other Chants, I highly recommend  "Living by Vow: A Practical Introduction to Eight Essential Zen Chants  and Texts, by Shohaku Okumura, Wisdom Publications, 2012." Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: November 6th-7th, 2015 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! »

For this talk, we will reflect on some of the Verses, Vows and Dedications we are heard to Chant around here for each Zazenkai and at other times.  For further reading on these and other Chants, I highly recommend "Living by Vow: A Practical Introduction to Eight Essential Zen Chants and Texts, by Shohaku Okumura, Wisdom Publications, 2012." Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?13935-November-6th-7th-2015-OUR-MONTHLY-4-hour-ZAZENKAI!-%28REMEMBER-DAYLIGHT-SAVINGS!%29" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">November 6th-7th, 2015 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! »</a>

November 2015 Zazenkai Talk (The Verse of Atonement, The Four Vows &amp; Others)

Because “this place is where something ineffable exists,” it is through the realization of these words that Buddhist patriarchs are caused to be. And because the realization of these words of Buddhist patriarchs passes naturally from rightful successor to rightful successor, the skin, flesh, bones, and marrow, realized as “a whole body,” are “hanging in space.” This space is beyond such categories as the twenty kinds of space [such as inside, outside, over, below, etc.]. In general, how could space be limited to only twenty kinds of space. There are eighty-four thousand kinds of space, and there may be countless more besides. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: March 4th-5th, 2016 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! »

Because “this place is where something ineffable exists,” it is through the realization of these words that Buddhist patriarchs are caused to be. And because the realization of these words of Buddhist patriarchs passes naturally from rightful successor to rightful successor, the skin, flesh, bones, and marrow, realized as “a whole body,” are “hanging in space.” This space is beyond such categories as the twenty kinds of space [such as inside, outside, over, below, etc.]. In general, how could space be limited to only twenty kinds of space. There are eighty-four thousand kinds of space, and there may be countless more besides. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?14262-March-4th-5th-2016-OUR-MONTHLY-4-hour-ZAZENKAI!" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">March 4th-5th, 2016 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! »</a>

March 2016 Zazenkai Talk (Shobogenzo - Kokū (Space - 虚空))

First, I would like to point everyone to our upcoming ZENATHON, for 10 days starting April 1st (March 31 in some places) through April 10th, marking the 10th Anniversary of Treeleaf Sangha. Sangha members and friends will be sitting somewhere in the world, in all time zones, to mark the event. We are also very fortunate to be able to celebrate together with the traditional day marking Buddha's Birthday in Japan, April 8th (details on that soon). In our Community, we have people sitting all over, in all times, dropping away all thought of "here and there". If you are available to sit with us, here is information on how you can note your times to sit (or if your schedule requires, you can also just pull up a Zafu when you can). ... And on to today's topic: As part of our focus on Treeleaf's Engaged and Charitable Projects Center, I have been looking at how the traditional Virtues (Paramitas) of a Bodhisattva aid and guide us in our volunteer, charitable and socially engaged activities in the world. This time, we look at how ethics and the Precepts are a vital foundation for our activities. Truly, they open the heart. An appreciation of the importance of life, of not taking what has not been given, of not using others, of honesty and like virtues all help us along.  Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum:  SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: Engaged Ethics (&amp; Zenathon for Treeleaf's 10th Anniversary)  »

First, I would like to point everyone to our upcoming ZENATHON, for 10 days starting April 1st (March 31 in some places) through April 10th, marking the 10th Anniversary of Treeleaf Sangha. Sangha members and friends will be sitting somewhere in the world, in all time zones, to mark the event. We are also very fortunate to be able to celebrate together with the traditional day marking Buddha's Birthday in Japan, April 8th (details on that soon). In our Community, we have people sitting all over, in all times, dropping away all thought of "here and there". If you are available to sit with us, here is information on how you can note your times to sit (or if your schedule requires, you can also just pull up a Zafu when you can). ... And on to today's topic: As part of our focus on Treeleaf's Engaged and Charitable Projects Center, I have been looking at how the traditional Virtues (Paramitas) of a Bodhisattva aid and guide us in our volunteer, charitable and socially engaged activities in the world. This time, we look at how ethics and the Precepts are a vital foundation for our activities. Truly, they open the heart. An appreciation of the importance of life, of not taking what has not been given, of not using others, of honesty and like virtues all help us along. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?14302-SIT-A-LONG-with-JUNDO-Engaged-Ethics-%28-Zenathon-for-Treeleaf-s-10th-Anniversary%29" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: Engaged Ethics (&amp; Zenathon for Treeleaf's 10th Anniversary) »</a>

March 2016 SIT-A-LONG with Jundo: Engaged Ethics (&amp; Zenathon for Treeleaf's 10th Anniversary) 

Heshang Moheyan

Today's Talk is dedicated to a fellow who historically got a bad rap. It is also shows how much our Shikantaza Zazen ways resonate with the Teachings of the ancient Masters in the earliest days of Zen ... Heshang Moheyan (和尚摩訶衍)) was a late 8th century Chan monk (Chan is the Chinese name for Zen). He became famous for representing Chan in the so called "Council of Lhasa," a debate held in Tibet between adherents of the Indian teachings of "gradual enlightenment" and the Chinese teachings of "sudden enlightenment," which according to tradition was won by the "gradual teachings", causing Moheyan and all Chan Teachings to be expelled from Tibet. However, recent research has disclosed that the story is not so simple, and may represent a rewriting of history and what actually happened by those later advocating the esoteric teachings we now know as Tibetan Buddhism. It is now known that Moheyan and Chan Teachings were very influential and widely accepted in long ago Tibet for a long time before they were purged.  Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: May 6th-7th, 2016 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! »

Today's Talk is dedicated to a fellow who historically got a bad rap. It is also shows how much our Shikantaza Zazen ways resonate with the Teachings of the ancient Masters in the earliest days of Zen ... Heshang Moheyan (和尚摩訶衍)) was a late 8th century Chan monk (Chan is the Chinese name for Zen). He became famous for representing Chan in the so called "Council of Lhasa," a debate held in Tibet between adherents of the Indian teachings of "gradual enlightenment" and the Chinese teachings of "sudden enlightenment," which according to tradition was won by the "gradual teachings", causing Moheyan and all Chan Teachings to be expelled from Tibet. However, recent research has disclosed that the story is not so simple, and may represent a rewriting of history and what actually happened by those later advocating the esoteric teachings we now know as Tibetan Buddhism. It is now known that Moheyan and Chan Teachings were very influential and widely accepted in long ago Tibet for a long time before they were purged. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: <a href="http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?14427-May-6th-7th-2016-OUR-MONTHLY-4-hour-ZAZENKAI!" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">May 6th-7th, 2016 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! »</a>

May 2016 Zazenkai Talk (Heshang Moheyan (和尚摩訶衍))

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