
Before being installed in the tokonoma in the main all,
Jizo Bosatsu went wandering on the grounds of Dainen-ji
eMirror Vol 29, No. 40
Friday, October 3rd 2025
Edited by the Practice Council
The White Wind Zen Community:
An international community practising and teaching Dogen’s Zen since 1985.
And so now back to the story:
Once when Daowu and Yunyan were with Yaoshan, Yaoshan said, “If you say that ‘there is a place where wisdom does not reach’ this violates the taboo. Anyone who says this will grow horns. Monk Zhi [Daowu], what do you say?”
Daowu immediately left.
Yunyan then asked Yaoshan, “Why didn’t my brother answer you?”
Yaoshan said, “My back hurts today. Anyway, he knows why. Why don’t you go ask him?”
Yunyan then went to Daowu and said, “Why didn’t you answer the Master today?”
Daowu said, “Go and ask the Master.”
It is almost painful to see Yunyan labour so. The answer must be obvious to all of you and yet Yunyan just does not get it.
-Continuing teisho 5: The Source of Wisdom (Nyuck-Nyuck-Nyuck), Wednesday, May 17, 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): October 8th and October 22nd.
Daruma-ki O-sesshin:
The seven-day Daruma-ki O-sesshin will begin on Friday, October 3rd at 8:00 p.m. It will end on Friday, October 10th at noon. Students attending are reminded to send their schedule as soon as possible.
A Sitting for Associate and General Students During the Daruma-ki O-sesshin:
A combined sitting for associate and general students will take place in the Zendo on Saturday, October 4th. Arrival time is 9:15 a.m. (in time for First Bell). The sitting ends at 11:30 a.m. Students attending are reminded to remain on the first floor. This is the only sitting at the monastery available to associate and general students during the O-sesshin (October 3rd-10th). Seating is limited. Register to attend the combined sitting
Cancelled Sittings:
The Monday, October 6th associate sitting that would normally begin at 7:30 is cancelled due to O-sesshin.
The Thursday, October 9th associate sitting that would normally begin at 7:30 is cancelled due to O-sesshin.
A Note to Preliminary and Public Students Concerning O-sesshin
During an O-sesshin the schedule is such that there is no time to meet face to face with preliminary students or to reply to email correspondence sent by public students. Public students are asked to send their weekly practice journals, as they will be reviewed. But unless there is something that needs an immediate reply, you will not receive an email reply until the week following the O-sesshin.
Introduction to Zen Workshop Ottawa:
The next Introduction to Zen Workshop will take place on Saturday, November 1st at 1:45 p.m. (There is no workshop in October due to the 7-day Daruma-ki O-sesshin).
To register: https://IntroductionToZenWorkshop.eventbrite.ca ; for more information please see https://wwzc.org/introduction-zen-workshop-ottawa
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
General student Tarik Kaya sat a three-day retreat from Friday, September 26th to Sunday, September 28th at Dainen-ji. General student Shannon Morphew sat a retreat from 9:30a.m. on Friday, September 26th to noon on Saturday, September 27th at Dainen-ji. General public student Aaron Ford sat a two-day retreat from Saturday, September 27th to Monday, September 29th at his home in Calgary, Alberta. General student Daniel Roach sat a one-day retreat on Tuesday, September 30th at Dainen-ji.
Recorded Teachings Schedule
Listening to Recorded Teisho and Dharma Talks
Combined associate and general sitting Saturday, October 4th:
"Being Breathed" by Ven. Shikai Zuiko osho: Being Breathed part 1 (29 minutes)
General sitting Saturday, October 11th: Without Difficulty: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's Commentaries on "Xinxin Ming: Words on Trusting Awareness" by Jianzhi Sengcan: Teisho 18: Wise Up, Down And All Around (18 minutes)
October 2025 Daruma-ki O-sesshin Recorded Teisho Playback
Saturday, October 4th:
Afternoon: SAkN Root Cycle Two: Locating the Self by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: Teisho 1: Understanding, Misunderstanding (13 minutes)
Evening: SAkN Root Cycle Two: Locating the Self by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: Teisho 2: Locatedness and Framing (29 minutes)
Sunday, October 5th:
Afternoon: SAkN Root Cycle Two: Locating the Self by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: Teisho 2: Locatedness and Framing (29 minutes)
Evening: SAkN Root Cycle Two: Teisho 3: The Energy of Framing (22 minutes)
Monday, October 6th:
Afternoon: SAkN Root Cycle Two: Teisho 3: The Energy of Framing (22 minutes)
Evening: SAkN Root Cycle Three: Aware Space: Teisho 1: Entering Aware Space (15 minutes)
Tuesday, October 7th:
Afternoon: SAkN Root Cycle Three: Aware Space: Teisho 1: Entering Aware Space (15 minutes)
Evening: SAkN Root Cycle Three: Aware Space: Teisho 2: Frames of Time and Space (21 minutes)
Wednesday, October 8th:
Afternoon: SAkN Root Cycle Three: Aware Space: Teisho 2: Frames of Time and Space (21 minutes)
Evening: SAkN Root Cycle Three: Aware Space: Teisho 3: The Body of Knowing (14 minutes)
Thursday, October 9th:
Afternoon: SAkN Root Cycle Three: Aware Space: Teisho 3: The Body of Knowing (14 minutes)
Evening: SAkN Root Cycle Three: Aware Space: Teisho 4: Open Details (13 minutes)
Friday, October 10th:
Later morning: SAkN Root Cycle Three: Aware Space: Teisho 4: Open Details (13 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/dharma-text/embarrassment
Teisho: “Practising Without an Edge”
Teisho presented by Ven. Jinmyo Renge sensei on February 19th, 2025
https://wwzc.org/dharma-text/practising-without-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/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
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 made on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings:
Monday Yakuseki:
Sauteed tofu, red bell peppers, zucchini, carrots, onions, scallions, in a sauce made with black vinegar, low sodium soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, minced garlic and slivered ginger; chopped tomatoes mixed with baechu kimchi and lime juice.
Tuesday Yakuseki:
Beef stroganoff (seared ground beef, mushrooms and onions, beef stock, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, sour cream, smoked paprika, chopped parsley and thyme, with egg noodles; salad of chopped romaine and radicchio, thinly sliced celery, red onion, and grated carrot with an optional dressing of white balsamic vinegar.
Thursday Yakuseki:
Spaghettini with garlic butter sauce; "greens and beans" (Shanghai bok choy and baby Shanghai bok choy sauteed with red kidney beans seasoned with red balsamic vinegar, salt, and black pepper; quartered Bundaberg rumball tomatoes mixed with bocconcini, fresh basil, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and red chile flakes.

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 having committed his life to establishing and maintaining the Dharma and this monastery, for training monastics, and for setting forth the Teachings for so many monastics and lay students past, present and future not only in the Ottawa area but also around the world; thank you to Jinmyo sensei for teaching through face-to-face and telephone dokusan and daisan with monastics, deshi and general and associate students, for corresponding with preliminary public students from many different countries and varied backgrounds, and for the many Dharma Talks and teisho she has presented. Thank you to Fushin shuso and Yujin for carrying a chair up 3 flights of stairs to my room; thank you to An Nguyen for repairing a number of zafu so they can be sold to students for use in their home practice.
From Yujin:
Thank you to Roshi for creating the practice environment and Dainen-ji's residential training program which has allowed me to carefully balance my own practice, a full time job, and the samu periods needed for the new website project over the past year. Thank you to Jinmyo sensei for much dokusan, for practical wisdom, and for helping to get things unstuck at various stages of the project. Thank you to Mishin godo for assistance with finalizing the high-level requirements for the project, for providing clear direction on what was needed for the Airsonic launch, and for coordinating the launch information for students for Airsonic. Thank you to Saigyo ino for always ensuring I had enough time to work on the project during samu periods and for helpful feedback. Thank you to Fushin shuso for overseeing and organizing the proper tagging of all audio recordings that are hosted on the new Airsonic media streaming service and for exploring various options for our new media streaming platform. Thank you to Senbo for creating the design template for the new website, structuring the contents, a significant amount of page editing, making corrections based on the page audits, and improving the mobile device display of the site. Thank you to Ian Reynolds for many hours spent configuring, testing, and documenting the e-commerce functionality on the new website, for invaluable assistance with the domain record configuration needed for the website launch this past weekend, and very useful IT security advice. Thank you very much to the following students who assisted with auditing the 300+ individual pages on the new website: Stacey Loyer, Rana Annous, Rowan Russell, Artik Chauhan, Loïc Ouellette, Nicolas Chalifoux, Christina Comeau, William Hinz, Kelly Babcock, and Kaleb Shumway.
From Shannon Craig:
Thank you to Anzan Hoshin roshi for the countless recorded Teachings and recording the series “Rhythm and Song” and for everything you do for students around the world. Thank you Jinmyo sensei for the incredible collections of recorded Teachings available to students and for everything you do to support the students and monastics. Thank you to Mishin godo for a helpful practice interview when I needed it and speaking with me after my retreat to remind me to continue my practice. Thank you to Saigyo ino for the useful practice interview and the many times you helped during my retreat.Thank you Fushin shuso for the many things you do for students and the monastery.