eMirror Vol 29, No. 20 (2025-05-16)
From the Vinaya
eMirror Vol 29, No. 20
Friday, May 16th, 2025
Edited by the Practice Council
The White Wind Zen Community:
An international community practising and teaching Dogen’s Zen since 1985.
We will begin with an account of Yaoshan’s own training and practice.
The Master’s name was Weiyan. Yaoshan was of the Han family in Jingzhou. He was ordained as a novice when he was seventeen years of age by Zen Master Xishan Huizhao in Loyang. He received the full precepts from Vinaya Master Xicao on Mount Heng. He studied the sutras and commentaries and observed the monastic precepts strictly. One day he was struck by sadness and said, “A true person should realize the purity which has no rules. Why should I fuss like this over petty matters?”
The monastic precepts that Yaoshan received were quite different from those that Dogen zenji received and transmitted. Yaoshan would have practiced the Pratimoksa (in Japanese the Betsugedatsukai) which means “Self-Liberation” and consists of 227 rules for monks, 348 for nuns. He would have studied the volumes of the Vinaya (in Japanese Bini) which means “Discipline”, which contain commentaries on the Pratimoksa and also specific rules for uposatha or fusatsu, dress, food, conduct during the rainy season retreat and so forth.
The Vinaya really began with the Buddha’s own manner and conduct but as the Sangha of his followers grew in size and began to roam dispersed across wider and wider areas it became very complex. A large number of rules became necessary in order to live in a manner consistent with their purpose as monastics, to standardize these procedures, and also gather and maintain the good will and support of lay donors and the general populace. This last point is very important because many of the rules were based on nothing more than the expectations and prejudices of patrons who lived in India 2,600 years ago. Even in China by Yaoshan’s time some of these rules were prohibitions that it was not even possible to break any more and some of them simply had to be broken in order to function in a completely different civilization. Consequently, much of the Vinaya was simply ignored by most monastics. And this is still true today for most Chinese monks.
We do not need to go into too much more detail about this in this context but I will mention that Japanese monasticism after Saicho or Dengyo Daishi in the 800s was based upon the Bhramajala sutra or Bonmyo kyo and that Dogen used the qinggui or shingi or “standards of deportment” that had developed over centuries in Chinese Chan monasteries as the foundation for training his monastics and our own training is of course based upon that. For us then, the precepts and forms that we practice are a means of continuously being called to open to the reality of experience. Yaoshan on the other hand found himself studying what amounted to petty matters when his aspiration was to actually realize the stainlessness of experience.
-Beginning teisho 1: What About You?, Saturday, May 14, 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): May 14th and 28th
Hermitage:
The Roshi is continuing an extended period of hermitage due to underlying health issues.
Introduction to Zen Workshop Ottawa:
The next two Introduction to Zen Workshops will take place on Saturday, June 7th at 1:45 p.m. and Saturday, July 5th at 1:45 p.m. To register: https://IntroductionToZenWorkshop.eventbrite.ca ; for more information please see https://wwzc.org/introduction-zen-workshop-ottawa
Sogaku-ki O-sesshin:
The seven-day Sogaku-ki O-sesshin will begin on Friday, May 16th at 8:00 p.m. and will end on Friday, May 23rd at noon. Students are reminded to send in their schedules as soon as possible.
Combined Associate and General Sitting:
The Saturday, May 17th combined associate and general sitting will take place in the Zendo. This is the only sitting available to associate and general students during the Sogaku-ki O-sesshin. Arrival time is 9:15 a.m., in time for First Bell. The sitting will end at 11:30 a.m. Students attending are reminded to remain on the first floor. Seating is limited. Registration is required.
Cancelled Sittings due to O-sesshin:
The Monday evening, May 19th associate sitting that would normally begin at 7:30 p.m. is cancelled.
The Thursday evening, May 22nd associate sitting that would normally begin at 7:30 p.m. is cancelled.
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.
Sogaku-ki:
May 18th is the memorial for the death of Sogaku Myoshin Hakukaze daiosho.
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.
Congratulations
Congratulations and deep gassho to Dakota Burgin of Ottawa and to Kaleb Shumway of Gatineau, Quebec, who have been accepted as associate students.
Retreats and Training Sessions
Information About Scheduling Retreats or Training Sessions
Associate public student Mary Korika sat a retreat at Dainen-ji from the evening of Wednesday, May 8th to the afternoon on Friday, May 10th. General student Tarik Kaya sat a two-day retreat on Saturday, May 10th and Sunday, May 11th. Associate student Stacey Loyer sat a one-day retreat on Saturday, May 10th at Dainen-ji. Associate student Sarah Little sat a half-day retreat on Saturday, May 10th at Dainen-ji. General public student Beth Buerkle sat a full-day retreat on Sunday, May 11th at her home in Chamcook, New Brunswick.
Recorded Teachings Schedule
May 17th to May 23rd
Listening to Recorded Teisho and Dharma Talks
Combined associate and general sitting Saturday, May 17th: Sitting Up Straight: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's Commentaries on Keizan Jokin zenji's "Zazen Yojinki": Introduction and Reading of the text "Zazen Yojinki" by Keizan Jokin zenji (43 minutes).
General sitting Saturday, May 24th: Without Difficulty: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's Commentaries on "Xinxin Ming: Words on Trusting Awareness" by Jianzhi Sengca: Reading of the text "Xinxin Ming: Words on Trusting Awareness" (11 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 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
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: “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.
Bargeboard Restoration
The amount raised to date is $22,700.
We received a detailed quotation for this work of $22,700 plus HST. Since donations have almost reached this amount, we will be applying for a City of Ottawa heritage grant in October (if successful, this will provide partial funding) and we plan to undertake the restoration work in the spring of 2026.
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.
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.
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 -
https://en.parkopedia.ca/parking/parkade/loblaws/k1n/ottawa/?arriving=2…
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 | 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 this week:
Monday Yakuseki:
Crusty rolls with butter; cream of mushroom soup (yellow and blue oyster mushrooms, and shitake mushrooms, seared without oil, cooked in and blended with water, and seasoned only with salt and pepper. The soup was delicious as is, but we added some cream just to see if would make much of a difference. It really didn’t need the cream). Coleslaw (thinly sliced green cabbage, white onion, and carrot with a dressing of mayonnaise, horseradish, dijon mustard, lime juice, salt and pepper).
Tuesday Yakuseki:
Linguine with Bolognese sauce (ground beef, hot Italian sausage meat, sauteed mirepoix (diced onion, carrots, celery and garlic), red wine, whole milk, San Marzano tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, thyme, basil, lots of black pepper, slow cooked for several hours), with optional grana padano; salad of chopped green leaf and romaine lettuce, fresh speckled pea sprouts, thinly sliced red onion and celery, with an optional dressing of equal parts mayonnaise, dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar; cubed friulano mixed with chopped gherkins and lemon zest.
Thursday Yakuseki:
Naan; Punjabi-style mushroom and chickpea masala (paste made from Spanish onion, ginger and garlic and tomato paste, cumin seeds, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, turmeric, Kashmiri chilli powder, coriander powder and fresh coriander, garam masala, dried fenugreek leaves, cooked until caramelized, with chickpeas and sauteed yellow and blue oyster mushroom caps);
raita (chopped tomatoes and cucumbers, plain yogurt, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground cardamom, salt, pepper).
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 Yujin:
Thank you to Jinmyo sensei for presenting 'The Touchstone' series of Dharma Talks, which I have enjoyed hearing for many weeks at the associate sittings.
From Tarik Kaya
Thank you to Jinmyo sensei for the recent daisan. The very clear instructions helped me see through parts of my life that I perceive as overwhelmingly difficult. Thank you to Mishin godo for patiently clarifying my repeated misunderstandings, perhaps for the tenth time, with humor. Thank you to Saigyo ino for the care and attention that make the retreats go so smoothly. From the thoughtful preparation of meals to maintaining the ideal temperature in the Zendo, the level of dedication is truly extraordinary.
From Mary Korica:
Thank you to the Roshi for Founding White Wind Zen Community and Dainen-ji, the monastery in Ottawa, and for the opportunity to receive instruction through the Long Distance Training Program. Thank you to the monastics for all of the work they do to maintain the environment of practice for students, and for my recent retreat. A particular thank you to Mishin Godo and Saigyo Ino for orienting me around the monastery and for practice interviews that were very important towards refreshing the forms for me. Thank you to Saigyo Ino for arranging samu.
