Had we wisdom deep enough to know ourselves, single-handed,
No benefits would result from the works of ancient saints…
From Songs of Ryokan, Chinese Poems #103
Ryokan – 2
Category Archives: Teachings
The Refuge Without Compare
The last Oxherd picture can be seen on the right of Roger in the first photograph. It shows a joyful person, perhaps dancing in the street! Somehow that sums up my day, which might seem odd all things considered, but that’s the way it is.
The refuge of the Sangha is without compare. Thank you good sisters and brothers, near and far.
I’m sorry that I’ve not been able to respond to comments recently.
Monasticism and the Environment
Gethsemani III / Monasticism and the Environment. All of the talks given at this gathering mentioned a few days ago can be downloaded as MP3 files. The following is a small part taken from the statement issued at the end of the conference.
We renew our commitment to the sacredness of the earth, relating to it as a community, not a commodity.
A monk from our Order gave a presentation titled, Monasticism vis-à-vis the consumer society: The Monastic Instinct to Revere, to Conserve, To Be Content with Little, and to Share.
Gassho to Urban Dharma for posting the material so briskly.
The Buddha’s Influence
Within these Precepts dwell the Buddhas, enfolding all things within their unparalleled wisdom: There is no distinction between subject and object for any who dwell herein.
All things, earth, trees, wooden posts, bricks and stones, become Buddhas once this refuge is taken. From these Precepts come forth such a wind and fire that all are driven into enlightenment when the flames are fanned by the Buddha’s influence: this is the merit of non-action and non-seeking; the awakening to True Wisdom.
Shushogi: What is Truly Meant by Training and Enlightenment – Zen Master Dogen.
Last week when I was on the bus traveling up to Shasta Abbey from the Bay Area I listened to the Shushogi sung by the monks at Throssel on my small mp3 player. The above quote is very familiar since, as a novice, I read it every day along with the Kyojukaimon – (Giving and Receiving the Precepts.) From time to time I’d ponder about what the Buddha’s influence actually is, eventually such thoughts faded away. My monastic colleague has just said, You have to be willing not to need to define what the influence is.
Now I’d ask what isn’t the Buddha’s influence?
Learning from Painful Experience
A small girl of five was playing on some boulders during a walk in the wilderness. One came loose under her. She and the bolder rolled down a hill. When she and the 100 pound boulder came to a stop it was on top of her. The emergency services came quickly and she was set free.
The girl is now at home in a full body caste. She will be laying supine for six weeks, at least. Soon after the accident a family friend instructed her on breathing techniques to help her deal with the pain. Oh! she responded confidently, as soon as the boulder was on top of me I knew I couldn’t fight pain!
That’s a realization many take years, of painful experience, to come to. And many more years to practice that understanding.
Hang in there Miranda and remember what you know.