eMirror Vol 30, No. 12 (2026-03-20)

eMirror Vol 30, No. 12
Friday, March 20th, 2026
Edited by the Practice Council
The White Wind Zen Community:
An international community practising and teaching Dogen’s Zen since 1985.
The autumn breezes are cool and fresh. The sunlight is bright, the starlight is bright and the night is dark and rich. The motion of clouds, the flowing of water, the sky becoming breath and the breath becoming sky in each moment are all expressions of the fundamental richness that always makes itself available to us. The practice of Zen is to make ourselves available to the inconceivable richness that is the nature of experiences, the nature of Experiencing, and the nature of each and all of us.
All of the forms of practice call us to step past our cringing and clutching and to come out into the open space of our lives as they actually are. We always try to get things right because we feel that if we are wrong then the secret of our dark and withered and broken self-image will be revealed to everyone and they will all know how pointless and broken and unlovable we are. We don’t bother trying to do anything thoroughly and completely because we are used to being wrong all of the time anyway and at least we can take some sort of sneering pride in that. Sometimes we try very very hard but then we just lose interest because we could not keep getting the same feeling that we were looking for by doing that thing. We have endless stories about ourselves, endless reasons for what we do, endless arguments with ourselves, endless hopes that we torture ourselves with. But they can be ended. Just stop. It’s that easy. When you find that attention has folded in, open up to the already open space of the whole moment. Each bow, each step of the foot, each swipe of the hand against the zabuton, each breath are opportunities to wake up from the stale dreams of self-image and their claustrophobia and poverty into the richness of reality.
- Beginning teisho 9: September 10th, 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): April 1st, 15th and 29th.
Introduction to Zen Workshop Ottawa:
The next Introduction to Zen Workshop will take place on Saturday, April 4th, 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 begins on Friday, March 20th at 8:00 p.m. and ends on Sunday, March 22nd at 6:00 p.m.
General Sitting
The Saturday, March 21st general sitting will take place in the Zendo. Please arrive by 9:15 a.m. The sitting ends at 11:30 a.m. Students are reminded to stay on the first floor.
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.
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 Julien Jefferson sat a two and a half-day retreat from Friday, March 13th to Sunday, March 15th at Dainen-ji. General public student Sarah Goul completed a three-day retreat on Friday, March 13th. Associate student Stephanie Houle sat a one-day retreat on Saturday, March 14th at Dainen-ji. General student Loic-Alexandre Ouellette sat a partial retreat on Saturday, March 14th at Dainen-ji. General student Mario Delisle sat a two-day retreat on Monday, March 16th and Tuesday, March 17th at Dainen-ji.
Recorded Teachings Schedule
Listening to Recorded Teisho and Dharma Talks
March 21st to March 28st:
General student Julien Jefferson sat a two and a half-day retreat from Friday, March 13th to Sunday, March 15th at Dainen-ji. General public student Sarah Goul completed a three-day retreat on Friday, March 13th. Associate student Stephanie Houle sat a one-day retreat on Saturday, March 14th at Dainen-ji. General student Loic-Alexandre Ouellette sat a partial retreat on Saturday, March 14th at Dainen-ji. General student Mario Delisle sat a two-day retreat on Monday, March 16th and Tuesday, March 17th at Dainen-ji.
March Sesshin Recorded Teisho Playback:
Saturday afternoon, March 21st: SAkN "Presencing the Open Body": Teisho 3: Objectifying Reality (24 minutes)
Saturday evening, March 21st: SAkN "Presencing the Open Body": Teisho 4: The Fundamental Process of Self-Image (37 minutes)
Sunday afternoon, March 22nd: SAkN "Presencing the Open Body": Teisho 4: The Fundamental Process of Self-Image (37 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.
Monday Yakuseki:
Linguine with rose sauce (passata, sauteed diced onion, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, cream); greens ‘n beans (seared chopped dai gai choy, baby Shanghai bok choy, and gailan, thickly sliced onions, red kidney beans, minced garlic, red balsamic vinegar, black pepper, salt); cubes of friulano cheese mixed with gherkins and lemon zest.
Tuesday Yakuseki:
Mixed grain (Calrose white and brown rice, Thai white rice, Arborio rice); tsukune (finely chopped onion, egg yolks, grated ginger, katakuriko (potato starch), ground chicken; sauce made from shoyu, mirin, ginger, thickened with potato starch); seared broccoli cooked under the broiler, strips of sweet local onions, dressed with a sauce made from unagi sauce, shoyu, minced garlic and ginger, vegetarian oyster sauce); spinach soup (mushroom stock, slivered ginger, white pepper, dried mushroom powder, fresh spinach and fresh ‘seafood” (enoki) mushrooms,
Thursday Yakuseki:
Rice cakes (mixed grain - Calrose white and brown rice, Thai white rice, Arborio rice, mixed with a little all purpose flour and Madras curry spices, fried in butter and bran oil; mango-chickpea curry (ground onions, tomatoes, ginger and garlic sauteed and then spiced with Kashmiri chilli, fennel seeds, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, garam masala, coconut cream, diced mango, chickpeas and yogurt); raita (halved cherry tomatoes, chopped Persian cucumbers, greek yogurt, ground coriander, cardamom, and cumin, salt, black 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 Jinmyo sensei:
Thank you to Mishin godo for weekly fresh cat grass for the monastery felines; to Saigyo ino for repairs to the ceiling of the Sensei ryo and for making cables disappear; to Chiso anagarika for mailing items from the US, including supplements for making cat food; to Senbo for maintenance on our Website; to Myocho for the loan of “The Light Eaters” by Zoe Schlanger; to Rana Annous for the loan of books on edible plants. Thank you to Rana and Stacey Loyer for starting seeds for the monastery grounds.
From Mishin godo:
Thank you to the Roshi and Jinmyo sensei for instruction in how to prepare a Dharma Talk. Thank you to Myocho and Yujin for doing regular sanitizing of public areas of the monastery (doorknobs etc) to minimize transmission of the various viral infections going around. Thank you to Myocho for regular bookkeeping. Thank you to the students who clean the front hallway and boot mats after associate and general sittings.
From Stacey Loyer:
Thank you to Jinmyo sensei for lending me a light to grow seedlings for the garden at Dainen-ji. Thank you to Saigyo ino for helping coordinate its pick-up.
From Julien Jefferson:
Thank you to Roshi for his classes on Dogen zenji's Tenzo Kyokun, transcribed and elaborated on in the series "Sleeves Tied Back". Thank you to Jinmyo sensei for recently meeting me in daisan, and for many Dharma texts that are helping me better understand intimacy. Thank you to Mishin godo and Saigyo ino for valuable practice interviews, and for making me laugh. Thank you to the Tenzo and tenzo-anja for a very interesting miso shiro served during my last retreat.