Endure - Joyfully
By Rev. Mugo - Posted on November 6th, 2009
Tagged: Transmission Lineage
Daily Life
It was November 6Th, 1996. Around 2.00 pm. I leaned over the railing outside my Masters house watching the golden leaves fall from the Lindon Tree in the garden at Shasta Abbey. I was commenting to the monk beside me that I felt no sadness. There was a sort of joy, almost elation in the air. How could this be? My Master had just died. Breathed her last. He commented something to the effect that it was like another leaf falling from a tree. Then I went indoors and got on....
And that's what I've been doing ever since. There is that which endures, joyfully.
I heard Beowulf chanted in Anglo-Saxon at the British Library a few weeks back, and in the surtitles, was struck by the word "death day". It's resonated with me ever since: birth day to death day such is our span. As the Japanese Masters wrote death poems, the Venerable Bede wrote a death song:
"Before that needful journey which none may avoid
No man becomes more wise in thought than him who, in need, considers,
before his going away, about how his soul, its good and evil, will be judged
after the death day."
My best wishes Reverend Master.
In gassho
Walter
(As for Wikipedia, an episode of the Simpsons on the return flight had Bart say to his Homer (his father), "but that's not what it says in Wikipedia". To which Homer replies, "Don't worry son, we can change it when we get home").
I loved that quote from the Simpsons. I've been repeating it all day, at every opportunity. Raises a good laugh.
Hum, death day. Yes. Death days are interesting. All the significant people I know who have died have left me with their death day, memories of their death days. And I have to say some fairly odd memories at that. I remember comparing gold fillings with my dad the evening my mum died, and baking a Christmas cake.... There was my dads death day, which I'd been prepared for for years. I'd got a PDA all charged up with his date of birth, place of birth, full name etc. etc. ready for the moment. The police were thunderstruck by my efficiency under pressure, and in grief!
A death song sounds fun. I'll have to do one...it's good to be prepared.
Thanks Walter, thanks so much.
The entry for Rev. Master Jiyu-Kennett in Wikipedia is litered with inaccuracies. So don't count on the details, or quote from it either.