eMirror Vol 30, No. 2 (2026-01-09)

Great Grey Owl Observing Through Hatto Window,
Photograph by Ven. Jinmyo sensei
eMirror Vol 30, No. 2
Friday, January 9th, 2026
Edited by the Practice Council
The White Wind Zen Community:
An international community practising and teaching Dogen’s Zen since 1985.
Dogen also commented on this koan on occasions recorded in the Eihei Koroku and I have included these in the text of Medicine Mountain.
Later, Dogen said, “Great assembly, do you want to understand the meaning of Yaoshan speaking like this? The clouds in the sky; Baofu [Congzhan] points to the boat. The water in the bottle; [Luohan] Dizang [Guichen] works the fields. A mute person’s dream is realized by a mute person. An old woman expounds old woman Zen. Unpolished jewels within the mountain peaks churn out clouds. The lotus flower in your hand opens to the sun. Although I have spoken thus, I, Kichijo, once again this evening would like to express it in verse.”
After a pause Dogen said,“Children of the house receive real gold coins.
The best horse does not wait for even the shadow of the whip.
Who can understand Yaoshan without these words?
So those of old and now compete to transmit and spread it.
“You have all been kept standing here a while, late into the night. Take good care.”
As is sometimes the case, Dogen throws out a spray of references like spittle flying from an old monk’s mouth onto your face. I’ll try to help wipe it up.
Firstly, he makes reference to the closing of a longer interaction between Yaoshan and Governor Liao.
Li asked, “What is the Way?”
Yaoshan pointed up and then down and said, “There are clouds in the blue sky, there is water in the bottle.”
Dogen combines this with references to Baofu Chongzhan and the koan in Shoyoroku 12, Dizang Works the Fields. I cannot find the particular instance of Baofu pointing at a boat, presumably indicating moving along with situations like a boat on water’s shifting surface, but here is the case involving Dizang.
Dizang asked Xiushan, “Where are you from?”
Xiushan answered, “From the South.”
Dizang said, “How is the Dharma in the South these days?”
Xiushan said, “There is much cutting debate.”
Dizang said, “How could that compare to me here working the fields and growing rice to eat?”
Xiushan said, “What will this do to help the world?”
Dizang asked, “What is it that you are calling ‘the world’?”
Dogen’s closing verse plays with and even quotes Tiantong Hongzhi’s verse which is in the Shoyoroku.
-Continuing teisho 7: Yaoshan Sits Down and Gets Up,Saturday, 18 June 2005, in the series "Wandering on Medicine Mountain" presented by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin at Dainen-ji

The Hatto (for formal sittings)

The Zendo (for associate and general sittings)
Practice Schedule and Upcoming Events
Fusatsu (Renewal of Vows): January 21st
Introduction to Zen Workshop Ottawa:
The next Introduction to Zen Workshop will take place on Saturday, February 7th at 1:45 p.m.
To register: https://IntroductionToZenWorkshop.eventbrite.ca ; for more information please see https://wwzc.org/introduction-zen-workshop-ottawa
January Two-day Sesshin:
The January two-day sesshin will begin on Friday, January 16th at 8:00 p.m. and will end on Sunday, January 18th at 6:00 p.m. Probationary formal students and formal students attending are asked to send their schedules as soon as possible.
General Sitting On January 17th:
On Saturday, January 17th, there will be a general sitting in the Zendo. The sitting will begin at 9:30 a.m. (please arrive by 9:15, in time for First Bell) and will end at 11:30 a.m. Students attending are reminded to remain on the first floor.
Daiji-ki:
January 22nd is the memorial of the date of death of Daiji Tenku daiosho, who was the Teacher of Joshu Dainen daiosho, both of whom Anzan Hoshin roshi studied with.
Hermitage:
The Roshi is continuing an extended period of hermitage due to underlying health issues.
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.
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
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
Information About Scheduling Retreats or Training Sessions
Associate public student Sarah Goul sat a three-day retreat from Thursday, January 1st to Sunday, January 4th at Dainen-ji. Associate public student Sebastian Duque sat a half-day retreat on Saturday, January 3rd at Dainen-ji. General student Rana Annous sat a partial retreat on Saturday, January 3rd at Dainen-ji. General public student Beth Buerkle sat a one day retreat on January 6th in her home in Chamcook, New Brunswick.
Recorded Teachings Schedule
Listening to Recorded Teisho and Dharma Talks
January 10th to January 17th:
General sitting Saturday, January 10th: The Primordially Awakened Way: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's Commentaries on Eihei Dogen zenji's "Kobutsu-shin": Teisho 3: Subtle and Mysterious Mind (19 minutes)
Formal sitting Sunday, January 11th: "SAkN The Anatomy of Awakening" by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: Teisho 3: Knowing as Feeling (35 minutes)
Associate sittings Monday, January 12th and Thursday, January 15th: "Freedom and Tyranny" by Ven. Shikai Zuiko o-sensei: Dharma Talk 3: The Makeup of Coercion" (40 minutes).
General sitting Saturday, January 17th: The Primordially Awakened Way: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's Commentaries on Eihei Dogen zenji's "Kobutsu-shin": Teisho 4: The Buddha "Old" (21 minutes).
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 http://wwzc.org/dharma-position
Eyes See, Ears Hear http://wwzc.org/eyes-see-ears-hear
Embarrassment http://wwzc.org/embarrassment
Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi's reading of his translation of Eihei Dogen zenji's “Bendowa: A Talk on Exerting the Way”: http://wwzc.org/bendowa-talk-exerting-way
Translations and Texts

Photograph of Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi at Daijozan, mid-1980s, by Ven. Shikai Zuiko osho
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 Keisei Sanshoku: Sounds of Streams, Forms of Mountains, 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 still ongoing.
Roshi also finished 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
Dharma Talk: “Embarrassment”
Dharma Talk presented by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi on August 25th, 1990.
https://wwzc.org/embarrassment-0/
Teisho: “Practising Without an Edge”
Teisho presented by Ven. Jinmyo Renge sensei on February 19th, 2025
https://wwzc.org/practising-without-an-edge/
Teisho: “I Know Who You Are!”
Teisho presented by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi, presented at Dainen-ji on March 13th, 1999
https://wwzc.org/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-assembly-karma/
Request for Help to Maintain the Grounds
If you would like to offer time to help with maintenance in the grounds your help will be appreciated. You can offer a regular period of samu or make arrangements with the shissui to come for a single period of caretaking practice. Please write to info@wwzc.org or directly to Saigyo ino at saigyo.cross@gmail.com if you can assist with this work. Thank you.
Wooden Practice Materials for Sale in Myomaku
Saigyo ino has made a selection of wooden practice materials which are now for sale in Myomaku. These include boxes for storing incense, incense bowls, kneeling benches and kaishaku. He is donating a portion of the proceeds to WWZC. You are welcome to go into myomaku before or after sittings to see what’s available.

Alternate parking for sittings near Dainen-ji
If you need alternate parking near the monastery due to snow parking bans or lack of parking spots you can use the Loblaws car park located at 363 Rideau Street - Parking - Loblaws.
The car park is open until 10:00 p.m and charges $4 per hour. A full day 6:00a.m. to 6:00 p.m. is $10.

Office of the Tenzo
Dogen zenji taught in the Tenzo Kyokun: Instructions for the Tenzo (Tenzo kyokun: Instructions for the Tenzo https://wwzc.org/dharma-text/tenzo-kyokun-instructions-tenzo) 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 or vegan 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 on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings:
Monday:
Roasted rutabaga, turnips, butternut squash, carrots and potatoes; cauliflower and cheese (roux, milk, extra-old cheddar cheese, Keen’s mustard powder, sauteed onion, a little Parmesan cheese, cauliflower florets); medium firm tofu rectangles seasoned with HP sauce, a little Frank’s Hot Sauce and butter; salad of chopped green leaf lettuce, radicchio, and romaine lettuce, grated carrot, thinly sliced red onion and celery and halved grape tomatoes with an optional white balsamic vinegar dressing.
Tuesday:
Ciabatta buns; roasted peameal bacon; tomato soup (mire poix cooked and blended with San Marzano tomatoes, thyme, basil, lots of black pepper); a salad of thinly sliced Napa cabbage and dill pickle with a dressing made from Mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, pickle juice, and Chef Dom’s hot sauce.
Thursday:
Mixed grain (white and brown basmati rice, Chinese long grain rice); toor and masoor dal (cumin and mustard seeds, hing, dried red chillies, green chillies, ginger/garlic paste, chopped tomatoes and onions, garam masala, Kashmiri chilli powder, dried fenugreek leaves, fresh coriander); salad of chopped green leaf and romaine lettuce, thinly sliced cucumber and celery, chopped tomatoes, with an optional Indian-style dressing of equal parts mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar with honey, salt, black pepper, mango chutney, and lime pickle; mango lassi (mango juice blended with greek yogurt).

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 Mishin godo:
Thank you to the Roshi for translating hundreds of classical Dharma texts presented by Dharma Ancestors in India, Chinese, and Japan over the past centuries, many of which are available to read on the White Wind Zen Community website. Thank you to Jinmyo sensei for all that she does to Teach monastics, deshi, probationary deshi, general and associate students. Thank you to David Alexander for transcription samu.
From Julien Jefferson:
Thank you to the Roshi for establishing the forms used at Dainen-ji, which show me how I am in each moment and help me to practise it, and also for the numerous sho and ikebana that adorn the monastery's walls and corners. Thank you to Mishin Godo and Saigyo Ino for practice interviews and posture correction. Thank you to Tarik for showing me how to carry out samu tasks, after a long time away.
From the Office of the Treasurer:
Thank you to Sarah Goul and Martin Miasko for donations.