eMirror Vol 29, No. 45 (2025-11-07)

eMirror Vol 29, No. 45
Friday, November 7th, 2025
Edited by the Practice Council
The White Wind Zen Community:
An international community practising and teaching Dogen’s Zen since 1985.
Yaoshan drew the character for Buddha and asked Daowu what it was.
Daowu said, “It’s Buddha.”
Yaoshan said, “You talk too much.”
That mean old Yaoshan set poor Daowu up, didn’t he? So what should Daowu have said? Should he have said, “A character” or “the character for Buddha”? No. There’s nothing he could have said that would have been right. And that’s because the situation was not about a right or wrong answer or about Daowu or Yaoshan being right or being wrong. It was just an opportunity for Yaoshan to remind Daowu that even while expressing it by brushing the character for “Buddha”, it is always ineffable and indefinable. And it is the character being brushed, it is the paper and the ink and the brush and the hand holding the brush. It is the seeing of the character. It is the scent of the ink.
Perhaps Daowu was focusing on what was written and so missing this larger context or perhaps not. It does not matter. People think too much of being right or being wrong because of self-image’s inherent frailty. It is after all just a folding and knotting of attention. It can limit and distort how the capacities of bodymind function, it can narrow the seeing and flatten the sounds, it can cover over sensations, it can cause the capacity to think to fester into a mass of wheezing discursive thoughts, it can cause deceit and harm, it can commit murder and cause wars and despoil the environment of an entire world. But in reality it is just the slightest and most fragile thing: less than gossamer, less than mist. And so it is always ready to be on the defensive, to take offense and umbrage. It is very difficult to learn anything or even to be functional let alone be able to learn from the teachings of the ancient masters if one is burdened by taking events personally.
This is a very important point to understand otherwise we will misunderstand almost every single koan or mondo that we encounter. In them people are asked questions and then blamed for their answers, ask questions and then get hit for it. All manner of things take place. But just as Yaoshan’s sore back most likely was not the reason that he left without answering Yunyan’s question, if he shouted or slapped someone he was not just angry or feeling aggressive. Yaoshan could not take anything personally and often not even seriously. And his work was to show others how to release themselves, sometimes by showing them that they were stuck in ways that they did not understand. But as well, Yaoshan, like all other Zen Teachers, would sometimes just use an opportunity to teach and it had nothing to do with whether the student was right or wrong but instead was just play. So you need not feel bad for Daowu or indeed for any of the other students that we will meet in these ki-en mondo or encounter dialogues.
-Continuing teisho 6: Yaoshan’s Single Phrase, Thursday, May 19, 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): November 19th and December 3rd.
November Two-day Sesshin:
The November two-day sesshin will begin on Friday, November 7th at 8:00 p.m. and will end at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 9th. Students attending are to send in their schedules as soon as possible.
General Sitting On November 8th:
On Saturday, November 8th 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.
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
November Samu Weekend
We shall be holding a winter Samu Weekend over the weekend of Saturday, November 22nd and Sunday, November 23rd. As part of the weekend of work we shall be making wall repairs to the Zendo and during this time we will use the opportunity to upgrade the sound system to improve the quality of recorded Teachings playback. Saigyo ino is currently researching the best methods for this. Saigyo ino has written to local students with the details of this weekend of caretaking practice. Please pencil these dates into your diary so that you will be able to attend some or all of the Samu Weekend and assist the monastic in the maintenance and improvement of the practice environment of Dainen-ji. Thank you.
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.
Please Do Not Wear Scented Products to Sittings
Please refrain from wearing perfume, aftershave, cologne, or other scented products (strongly scented soaps, bodywash, etc) when attending sittings or sitting retreats at Dainen-ji as they are made with chemicals which can trigger asthma and allergies in sensitive individuals.
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
Rev. Chiso anagarika sat her weekly semi-retreat on Tuesday, NOvember 4th in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Associate student Nicolas Chalifoux sat a half-day retreat on Saturday, November 1st at Dainen-ji. General student Tarik Kaya sat a two-day retreat on Saturday, November 1st and Sunday, November 2nd at Dainen-ji.
Recorded Teachings Schedule
Listening to Recorded Teisho and Dharma Talks
November 8th to November 15th:
General sitting Saturday, November 8th: Without Difficulty: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's Commentaries on "Xinxin Ming: Words on Trusting Awareness" by Jianzhi Sengcan: Teisho 22: Shinjin Funi, Shinjin Datsaraku (20 minutes) and Chanting of the Gohon Shingon (4 minutes)
Associate sittings Monday, November 10th and Thursday, November 13th: “Is There a Problem?" by Ven. Jinmyo Renge sensei (20 minutes)
General sitting Saturday, November 15th: Without Difficulty: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's Commentaries on "Xinxin Ming: Words on Trusting Awareness" by Jianzhi Sengcan: Teisho 23: Zhaozhou Does Not Abide (Hekiganroku 2) (21 minutes)
November Sesshin:
Saturday, November 8th:
Afternoon: SAkN Root Cycle Three: Aware Space by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin:Teisho 8: The Spectrum of Radiance (14 minutes) & Chanting of the Gohon Shingon (4 minutes)
Evening: SAkN Root Cycle Four: Moving in Knowing: Teisho 1: Motion (28 minutes)
Sunday, November 9th:
Afternoon: SAkN Root Cycle Four: Moving in Knowing: Teisho 1: Motion (28 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.
Monday Yakuseki:
Linguine with garlic-butter sauce (minced garlic and diced onion caramelized in butter and olive oil, chile flakes, salt, pepper, and lime juice); “greens and beans” (chopped gailan, red kidney beans, sliced zucchini, thick slices of onion, batons of red bell pepper, red balsamic vinegar, salt, black pepper, garnished with grated parmesan).
Tuesday Yakuseki:
Breakfast for dinner: Rustico toast; back bacon, thick sliced bacon, bangers, ‘blackened tomatoes’, sauteed mushrooms, ‘campfire baked beans’, served with fried eggs.
Thursday Yakuseki:
Mixed grain (Calrose white and brown rice, Basmati white rice, pearled barley, Thai white and brown rice); mixed vegetables with chickpeas (seared poblano and red bell peppers, chopped red onion, seared zucchini, butter, adobe BBQ sauce, HP sauce, minced garlic and lots of black pepper; blanched baby bok choy mixed with butter, salt, and 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 Mishin godo:
Thank you to the Roshi and Jinmyo sensei for numberless excellent meals designed and prepared for residents, retreatants, and sesshin practitioners, over the past several decades and for training me in the monastic role of tenzo-anja. Thank you to Saigyo ino for researching how to improve the audio system in the Zendo to improve playback of recorded Teachings. Thank you to Fushin shuso for looking after the stock of toilet paper, paper towels, and kleenex supplies and ordering more when needed. Thank you to Senbo, Yujin, and Ian Reynolds for ongoing work on the website. Thank you to Myocho for regular bookkeeping samu.
From Jinmyo sensei:
Thank you to Fushin shuso for the gift of a new keyboard.
From Gillian Hern:
Thank you to Mishin godo and Saigyo ino for helpful practice advice during my recent retreat. Also to the office of the Tenzo for delicious and satisfying meals, I especially enjoyed crisp tasty salads and perfectly cooked eggs on rice. The grounds at Dainen-ji looked beautiful with the fall colours, and many improvements to the interior, including new IT areas, were noticed, thank everyone involved for their labour. Thank you to the Roshi for founding this place for practice, for all the amazing teisho, and for his concern for the wellbeing of students who practice with him.
From Shannon Craig:
Thank you to Anzan Hoshin roshi for making your teachings available to students and monastics and for the care taken to express your teachings in Before Thinking. Thank you Jinmyo sensei for the clear understanding expressed in Touchstone series Serenity is not special and for reading through my emirror contributions. Thank you to Mishin godo for the persistence and care you show students to help maintain their practice. Thank you to Saigyo ino for the time you spent speaking with me during the practice interview. You were able to show me something new about my practice with humour and understanding and thank you for the beautiful well crafted items I was able to buy and include in my practice space. Thank you Fushin shuso for the many ways you support students and monastics.
From the Office of the Treasurer:
Thank you to an anonymous donor for a donation towards the upcoming Samu Weekend and to Peter Kwa for a donation.