eMirror Vol 29, No. 9 (2025-02-28)

Shi (This) sho by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi

Shi (This) sho by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi

eMirror Vol 29, No. 9

Friday, February 28th, 2025
Edited by the Practice Council

The White Wind Zen Community:
An international community practising and teaching Dogen’s Zen since 1985.



We start to recognize that, as I was mentioning, when anger happens there are a certain set of factors that gather. When sadness happens, there are other factors that happen. The posture becomes a certain way, the breath becomes a certain way, something happens to our vision and our eye gaze tends to be placed in a certain way. On and on and on. And we begin to be able to recognize it in a very immediate manner which will then give us time to allow that open recognition to be present without covering it over. First of all we have to have time to do so, which means we have to be there when it actually happens.

When we sit, moment after moment, we are experiencing what our experience is and what it’s like. We have no opportunity really to play it out, to sort of get up and act out our various states. Instead we begin to see how these states act themselves out subtly, perhaps in the set of the shoulders, perhaps in the lower back starting to cave in, perhaps in the vision starting to narrow. Perhaps we are practising mindfulness of the breath but watching it from a kind of a distance, because we are still involved in the state. On and on and on. And we begin to see these various states so thoroughly, so intimately, in such exquisite detail, that we have a lot of time then to begin to see what it is like when anger comes up, when fear comes up, when hope comes up, when confusion manifests in any of its myriad forms, we can be there when it happens and attend to it closely, clearly.

Is that any help at all?

Okay, is there anything anyone else would like to bring up?

- Continuing the Mondo "Confusion is the Mother of Wisdom", from a Dharma Assembly presented by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi at Zazen-ji, May 1991

 

The Hatto (for formal sittings)

The Hatto (for formal sittings)
 

Zen with renovated floors and new Butsudan (August 2024)

The Zendo (for associate and general sittings)

 


Practice Schedule and Upcoming Events



Fusatsu (Renewal of Vows): March 12th and 26th.

Introduction to Zen Workshop Ottawa: The next two Introduction to Zen Workshops will take place on Saturday, March 1st at 1:45 p.m. and Saturday, April 5th at 1:45 p.m. To register:
https://IntroductionToZenWorkshop.eventbrite.ca; for more information please see https://wwzc.org/introduction-zen-workshop-ottawa 

March Two-day Sesshin:
The March two-day sesshin will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7th, and will end at 6:00 p.m . on Sunday, March 9th. Formal students are reminded to send their schedules as soon as possible.

Keizan-ki
March 21st is the memorial for Keizan Jokin zenji.

Hermitage:
The Roshi is continuing an extended period of hermitage due to underlying health issues until the COVID-19 situation clarifies.

Long Distance Training Program:
For students living an hour or more commuting distance from the monastery in Ottawa, please visit this Web Page: https://wwzc.org/long-distance-training-program
 


Weekly Practice Schedule



Formal Sittings for WWZC Students: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday Mornings. The formal sittings begin at 6:00 a.m. You would need to arrive by 5:45 in time for First Bell. The sitting ends at 7:25 with the Chants. Following that there is a Daruma-kata Aiki review which ends at about 7:50. If you need to leave before the kata, please let us know that in advance by sending an email to schedule@wwzc.org.
Saturday Morning General Sitting for WWZC Students: The general sitting begins at 9:30 a.m. You would need to arrive by 9:15 a.m., in time for First Bell. The sitting ends at 11:45 a.m. Some general students attend the 6:00 a.m. Saturday morning formal sitting, stay for breakfast and then attend the general sitting. If you stay for breakfast, there is a $5 contribution which can be made through Eventbrite: Register for Saturday Breakfast Proceeds from meals go to White Wind Zen Community.
Monday and Thursday Evening Associate Sittings for WWZC Students: The associate sitting begins at 7:30 p.m. You would need to arrive by 7:15 p.m., in time for First Bell. The sitting ends at 9:10 p.m.
Friday (Hosan): There are no formal sittings scheduled at the monastery on Fridays, but you are expected to sit at home if you have committed to sitting zazen daily. Retreats may be scheduled on Fridays.
Sunday Formal Sitting: The Sunday morning formal sittings are reserved for monastics, formal students, and probationary formal students. It starts at 7:00 a.m. and ends at 10:10 a.m. with the chants. Following that there is a Daruma-kata Aiki which ends at about 10:30 a.m.


What to do if you Arrive After the Sitting Begins



If you arrive after the sitting starts and the door is locked, you don't need to turn around and go home. Ring the bell once and then sit on the bench on the front porch. If possible, we will come and unlock the door for you right away. If we are in the middle of the chants or listening to a teisho, we will come to let you in as soon as the teisho finishes.
 


Retreats and Training Sessions



General public student Gillian Kennedy sat a partial retreat on Saturday, February 22nd at her home in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. 

If you are a student of Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi and  would like to sit a retreat at Dainen-ji, please email schedule@wwzc.org to register a week in advance. For further information please visit this page: https://wwzc.org/retreats

If you are a public student and would like to sit a retreat at home please follow the schedule outlined in this page: https://wwzc.org/retreat-schedule-public-students.  After your retreat, please send an email to schedule@wwzc.org to confirm that you sat a retreat and include the duration and location.

If you would like to engage in a training session either at the monastery or at home by aligning with the schedule of the monastery, please read the information on this page: 
https://wwzc.org/training-sessions 
 


Recorded Teachings Schedule


March 1st to 8th

General sitting Saturday, March 1st: "Practising Without an Edge" by Ven. Jinmyo Renge sensei
Formal sitting Sunday, March 2nd: "Mu: Collaring the Dog" by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: Teisho 2: No! (28 minutes)
Associate sittings Monday, March 3rd and Thursday, March 6th: "The Touchstone" by Ven. Jinmyo Renge sensei: Dharma Talk 12: The Practice of Taking Care (22 minutes)
General sitting Saturday, March 8th: Five Fingers, Ten Directions: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's Commentaries on Dogen zenji's "Jippo": Teisho 2: Reading of the text (16 minutes)
 


Listening to Teisho and Dharma Talks



​Associate and general students should continue to follow the recorded Teachings schedule for the sitting you were attending at the monastery, and listen to that during your home practice. Teisho and Dharma Talks are presented during sittings and so should be listened to while you are sitting.

You can access the online Recorded Teachings Library at https://wwzc.org/recorded-teachings

Please note that recorded teisho should be listened to in the correct order and with none missed out as themes, metaphors, questions are raised and answered from different angles throughout each series.


Recorded Teachings for Public Access



While most of the online Recorded Teachings library is password-protected and only accessible to students of the Lineage of Zen Master Anzan Hoshin, a small selection of MP3 recordings of teisho are accessible to the public at wwzc.org/recorded-teachings Additional recordings will be uploaded periodically. MP3 recordings of four recorded teisho by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi are currently available:

Dharma Position https://wwzc.org/dharma-position
Eyes See, Ears Hear https://wwzc.org/eyes-see-ears-hear
Embarrassment https://wwzc.org/embarrassment
Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi's reading of his translation of Eihei Dogen zenji's “Bendowa: A Talk on Exerting the Way”: https://wwzc.org/bendowa-talk-exerting-way
 


Translations and Texts



Photograph of Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi at Daijozan, mid-1980s, by Ven. Shikai Zuiko sensei
Photograph of Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi at Daijozan, mid-1980s,
by Ven. Shikai Zuiko sensei

Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi has recently completed translation work on some shorter texts by Eihei Dogen zenji from the Shobogenzo. The work on these particular texts is based upon the literal translations that he worked on with Joshu Dainen roshi at Hakukaze-ji around 1977-78 followed by many years of putting them down, picking them up, and polishing. Naturally, more essential texts such as Uji, Genjokoan, Shinjin Gakudo and some 40 others were completed first and have been given extensive commentaries by the Roshi. This batch of texts includes Baike: Plum Blossoms, Ryugin: Howling Dragon, and Udonge: The Udumbara Blossoming and many others are nearing completion. Annotation details and successfully conveying them across various document formats are the issue at this point.

Work on Bussho: Buddha Nature, a very long and nuanced text by Dogen zenji, is ongoing.

Roshi is also finishing an update to the Saijo Shingi: The Deportment of Radiance, our manual of monastic training standards which is a supplement to the ancient Eihei Shingi and Keizan Shingi.
 


White Wind Zen Community Website Update



Teisho: “I Know Who You Are!”
Teisho presented by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi, presented at Dainen-ji on March 13th, 1999
https://wwzc.org/dharma-text/teisho-i-know-who-you-are

Dharma Assembly: On Karma 
Mondo by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi, presented in April  of 1986, River Road Zendo. 
https://wwzc.org/dharma-text/dharma-assembly-karma

Dharma Assembly: Freefall
Dharma Talk presented by Ven. Jinmyo Renge sensei on January 7th, 2007: https://wwzc.org/dharma-text/dharma-assembly-freefall

Before Thinking (Dharma Talk 68): A Jewel in Bright Light
Dharma Talk by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi presented at Zazen-ji on September 14, 1991: https://wwzc.org/dharma-text/jewel-bright-light

Kwannon
Teisho by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi, transcript of a teisho presented on May 6, 1986, at River Road Zendo: https://wwzc.org/dharma-text/kwannon

Cultivation of the Ground of Mind
Transcript of a teisho Presented by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi at Zazen-ji, on June 4, 1989: https://wwzc.org/dharma-text/cultivation-ground-mind

The Practice of Boards and Stones
Teisho presented by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi at Zazen-ji, on June 18, 1989: https://wwzc.org/dharma-text/practice-boards-and-stones

Difficulty, Strangeness, Beauty
Transcript of a Dharma Talk presented by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi at Zazen-ji, December 13, 1988: https://wwzc.org/dharma-text/difficulty-strangeness-beauty

Standing in the Rain (Tangaryo)
Transcript of Dharma Talk presented by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi at Zazen-ji, December 15th, 1988: https://wwzc.org/dharma-text/standing-rain-tangaryo

Snow
Transcript of Dharma Talk presented by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi at Zazen-ji, November 18, 1989: https://wwzc.org/dharma-text/snow

 


Bargeboard Restoration



We received a first detailed quotation for this work of $22,700 plus HST and after receiving other quotations hope to be able to move forward with this project in the spring of 2025. The amount raised to date is $9,800.

From the “Heritage Conservation Glossary”: Bargeboard (bordure de pignon): Boards or other decorative woodwork fixed to the edges or projecting rafters of a gabled roof, sometimes called “gingerbread”.

Being subjected to the extreme fluctuation of Ottawa’s freezing, dry winters and the heat and humidity of summers for 150 years have taken their toll on the monastery’s elaborate gingerbread. Some of it is so old and damaged that it was necessary to take it down before it fell down. Other areas are badly cracked and all of it needs restoration, sanding and repainting.

Gingerbread

As all of the gingerbread is four floors up and difficult to access because of the steep pitch of our roofs, this is not work we can do ourselves. It is going to require someone skilled in the use of a “cherry picker” and scaffolding, and will also require excellent carpentry skills as some of the gingerbread will need to be recreated. And so we are beginning the process of finding a company that we can hire to do the work.

Because Dainen-ji is a heritage building, these repairs must be done or we could lose our heritage status. 

We will post the estimated cost of the repairs as soon as we have received that information from contractors we are negotiating with. Any amount you can contribute would be gratefully received.
 

Saigyo ino with another Lion's Mane mushroom harvest


Saigyo ino with another Lion's Mane mushroom harvest


Office of the Tenzo



Dogen zenji taught in the Tenzo Kyokun: Instructions for the Tenzo (Tenzo kyokun: Instructions for the Tenzo | White Wind Zen Community) that the work of preparing and serving meals is "a matter for realized monks who have the mind of the Way“, or by senior disciples who have roused the Way-seeking mind." In alignment with this, part of Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's samu for the Community involves personally overseeing the activities of the ancient Office of Tenzo. Ven. Jinmyo Renge sensei serves as Tenzo and Mishin godo and Saigyo ino offer assistance as tenzo-anja. 

The WWZC does not advocate any particular diet. However all meals prepared during practice events, such as Dharma Assemblies, sesshin, or retreats are vegetarian as most people can eat this. On Tuesday evenings there is an optional meat dish, as some people find that a purely vegetarian diet, especially as they get older, is not sufficient for their health. If you are adhering to a strictly vegan diet, you can write to the tenzo, Jinmyo Renge sensei, at jinmyo.renge@wwzc.org a week prior to attending an event to request vegan foods. If you are lactose intolerant or have allergies to foods, you should write to the tenzo about dietary restrictions a week before attending events. The following meals were prepared during the week of O-sesshin:

Monday Yakuseki:
Friulano cheese and caramelized onion naan; cream of mushroom soup (base made from sauteed oyster mushroom stems blended with water, with added sauteed chopped oyster mushroom caps, smoked paprika, a little garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, lots of black pepper); salad of chopped romaine, leaf lettuce, and radicchio, thinly sliced celery and carrots with optional dressing of white balsamic vinegar 

Tuesday Yakuseki:
Thai white and brown rice; tamarind curry (seared ground pork, chopped carrots, onions, poblano peppers, red bell peppers, peanut butter, tamarind, red Thai curry paste, coconut milk, low sodium shoyu, dark shoyu, maple syrup); blanched gailan and dai gai choy dressed with sesame oil, lime juice, salt and white pepper. 

Thursday Yakuseki:
Rigatoni and sugar snap peas in a garlic-butter sauce; blackened chopped vine tomatoes seasoned with garlic, salt, pepper, and balsamic vinegar, tossed with seared torn oyster mushrooms and spinach; salad of chopped green leaf lettuce, radicchio, and romaine, speckled pea sprouts, and thinly sliced red onion with optional dressing of white balsamic vinegar; sliced fresh pineapple.

 

Monk in gassho - drawing


Thank You



If you would like to thank someone for a contribution they have made, please feel free to send an email to Jinmyo sensei at rengezo@gmail dot com, but be sure to type "eMirror” in the subject line.

From Jinmyo sensei:
Thank you to Mishin godo for her work on renewing our mortgage; to the Godo and Myocho for their work on preparing tax returns for Sangha members; to Fushin shuso for arranging for delivery of a book on Mycology (“Radical Mycology”) that is needed for the monastery mushroom farm.

From Yujin:
Thank you to Jinmyo sensei for experimenting with a great variety of mushroom-based resident meals lately - all have been very nice. Thank you to Saigyo ino and my father for some information on OLED TVs. Thank you to Senbo for starting work on the design template for the new WordPress-based website for WWZC.

From Tarik Kaya:
Thank you to Jinmyo sensei for leading the recent Dharma Assembly. Thank you to all the monastics for their hard work and dedication. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a wonderful place right here in this city. Thank you to the Roshi for making this happen.

From Shannon Craig:
Thank you to Anzan Hoshin roshi for the countless recorded teachings and accepting me as a student almost ten years ago.  Thank you Jinmyo sensei for preparing and presenting a meaningful teisho that helped me establish practice for the rest of the Assembly. Thank you for creating the delicious meals with the Office of the Tenzo. Thank you to Mishin godo for reminding me of things I needed to do and especially not do during the Dharma assembly and for your availability to students in many ways. Thank you to Saigyo ino for seeing me for a practice interview and for the insightful discussion and for organizing seating and samu tasks during the Dharma Assembly. Thank you Fushin shuso for everything you did for the Dharma assembly and the countless things you do for students and the monastery. 

From Rowan Russell:
Thank you to Jinmyo sensei for leading the Dharma Assembly on Saturday and presenting a wonderful new Teisho. Thank you to the Office of the Tenzo for preparing delicious meals for the many students that attended. Thank you to Mishin godo and Saigyo ino for the instructions throughout the day that made everything go smoothly. Thank you to Saigyo ino, Senbo, and Myocho for serving food to everyone at lunch and dinner. Thank you to all the other students that attended - I saw many new faces and it was nice to practice alongside you all. 

From Caitlin Bourbonnais:
Thank you to Ven. Jinmyo Renge sensei for leading the Dharma Assembly and for setting me straight—both my spine and use of words—in daisan. Thank you to the student who patiently answered my question about change-room etiquette. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this assembly by growing and preparing and serving delicious food for our meals, taking care of the spaces during samu, and simply being there to practice.

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