Category Archives: Teachings

Old Night

February 18, 2009 Mugo 2 Comments

Without a jot of ambition left
I let my nature flow where it will.
There are ten days of rice in my bag
And, by the hearth, a bundle of firewood.
Who prattles of illusion or nirvana?
Forgetting the equal dusts of name and fortune,
Listening to the night rain on the roof of my hut,
I sit at ease, both legs stretched out.

Zen Master Ryokan

It’s nearly tomorrow. The today is old, tomorrow not yet born. Long day with computer, internet security issues (solved), and all manner of other computer matters. And amidst all this a hospital visit to one who could be miserable all things considered. But not. She said, I’m completely dependent, I’ve got nothing…and yet there IS something. Everything is happening so fast.

Thanks to Ryokan, my hospitalised friend and Rev. Saido for his patience.

Teachings

The Important Thing

February 14, 2009 Mugo Leave a comment

The following verse is recited three times during both animal naming ceremonies and animal funerals. There was a Funeral Ceremony here at the Priory this morning held in memory of a congregation members long-time feline companion, Topsy.

Desire the pure crown of Buddhahood
and realise the True Nature of a Bodhisattva quickly.

These words strike a cord, pointing out the important thing. A help amidst the bustle and tumble, good reminder for all I’d say.

Daily Life, Information, Teachings

Gratitude Knows No Bound

February 10, 2009 Mugo Leave a comment

Gratitude.

An emotion? A thought? An action? An attitude of mind? An expression shouted out (and inwardly) covering the great earth?

Probably all of the above and more. And the more is the moving on, or in and out, of the above.

It is said that the Great Earth is the foundation of gratitude and refers to the fundamental ground of Everything. That’s a ‘great’ larger than normal conceptions. Posting April 5th, 2005 – Green Mountains are Forever Walking.

Gratitude, as the expression goes, knows no bound. No wonder expressing gratitude is the simple every-day work of getting on and doing the best one can, in every-day circumstance. And that is not dependent on feeling/thinking/being grateful. Living Buddhism is bigger than that.

Moved to write this in response to an engaging phone call this morning and to an email from somebody letting me know a donation had been made to Jade Mountains through Every-Click.

BTW. I’ve updated the donation page recently. If you plan to make a donation via Every-Click please take a look. Your offerings cover the great earth.

Information, Teachings

Master Sheng Yen

February 4, 2009 Mugo 2 Comments

The Venerable Master Sheng Yen died yesterday at Dharma Drum Mountain complex in Taiwan.

Busy with nothing, growing old.
Within emptiness, weeping, laughing.
Intrinsically, there is no “I.”
Life and death, thus cast aside.

by Venerable Master Sheng Yen

Several years ago the venerable one came to Throssel and talked with the monks. Sadly I was away at the time. I admire him and his teaching greatly and offer my thoughts for those in East Asia and in the West who continue his lineage.

Daily Life, Out and About, Teachings

The Warm Life Of Buddha

January 22, 2009 Mugo 9 Comments

Perhaps it was rude to look at the woman’s face as she dealt with the bank deposit. It was a glance, rather like noticing detail on a mountain side. You know how it is walking along taking in the gullies and streams and the rocky outcrops, perhaps catching a movement in the brush? In this case I briefly scanned the lines and grooves of a skillfully made-up, middle aged, face. Nothing was moving, the expression impassive. Transaction completed we met, smiled and I turned and went on about my business.

The young chap behind the till at the computer shop turned out to be the owner! The lad who had fixed my computer appeared in his The Computer Shop top. Fresh faced with a steady and considered manner. Faces, faces and more faces. Expectations, assumptions, interest, beauty, dignity. All taken in at a glance. Images that can be recalled, however for the most part forgotten. Snapshots.

One of the rules of the meditation hall is not to look at another’s sitting place. Literally, one does not gaze around and look at other people as they sit. Not even a glance, unless it is ones responsibility to do so. Leaving the formality of the hall the teaching informs one’s day. Engage with others, yes. Gaze into their sitting place, no.

No need, no point and ultimately not possible.

This way stands one in good stead on the high street, in the airport or where ever. It all may seem cold and indifferent however that is very far from how it is.

For Mike, the original owner of The Computer Shop, who died on Tuesday.

Jade Mountains Buddha Hall