eMirror Vol 29, No. 49 (2025-12-05)
eMirror Vol 29, No. 49
Friday, December 5thth, 2025
Edited by the Practice Council
The White Wind Zen Community:
An international community practising and teaching Dogen’s Zen since 1985.
Yaoshan asked, “How old are you?”
The monk said, “Seventy-two.”
Yaoshan said, “So, you are seventy-two years old?”
The monk said, “Yes, I am.”
Yaoshan immediately struck him.
Later Caoshan said, “The first arrow struck but the second penetrated.”
How old are you really? Seventy-two? Fifty-eight? Twenty-five? Can you really be older than this moment which arises immediately and vanishes immediately? Can you really be older than just seven years old since that is how long it takes for every cell of the bodymind to have been shed and replaced by others? Or are you really older than the earth, the sun, the galaxy? Are you born in each moment and dying in each moment? Or is time simply how the space of experiencing that you truly are moves within itself? This is the arrow that old Yaoshan shot. We should let this arrow continue in flight, piercing and penetrating us all.
Please, this evening, enjoy yourselves.
-Concluding 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): December 17th, and 31st.
Rohatsu O-sesshin:
The Rohatsu Seven-day O-sesshin will begin on Monday, December 1st, at 8:00 p.m., and will end on Monday, December 8th, at 8:00 a.m., following Jodo-e (commemorating the Buddha's Awakening). Formal students are asked to send in their schedules as soon as possible.
Combined Sitting on December 6th
This will be the only sitting open to associate and general students during the Rohatsu O-sesshin (December 1st-8th). First Bell is at 9:15 a.m. The sitting ends at 11:30 a.m. Students are reminded to stay on the first floor. Register to attend the Combined Sitting
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.
Dainen-ki
December 12th is the anniversary of the day on which the Roshi’s Teacher, Ven. Yasuda Joshu Dainen roshi died.
Joya (New Year’s Celebration)
On Wednesday, December 31st at 10 p.m. until Thursday, January 1st at 12:00 a.m., we will celebrate Joya or New Year with 108 recitations of the Mahaprajnaparamita Hridaya sutra mantra at midnight. Join Ven. Jinmyo Renge sensei and the monastics of the Northern Mountain Order to ring in the New Year with 108 recitations of the Mahaprajnaparamita Hridaya sutra mantra. Following the sitting there will be an array of shojin-ryori (Zen vegetarian cuisine) dishes for an informal feast. There is no better way to begin the year. Dana is $25. Seating is limited and registration is required. Registration is open to those who are formal students, general and associate students in this Lineage. Register for Joya 2025
Hermitage:
The Roshi is continuing an extended period of hermitage due to underlying health issues.
Introduction to Zen Workshop Ottawa:
The next Introduction to Zen Workshop will take place on Saturday, December 13th at 1:45 p.m.
To register: https://IntroductionToZenWorkshop.eventbrite.ca ; for more information please see https://wwzc.org/introduction-zen-workshop-ottawa
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
Rev. Chiso anagarika sat her weekly semi-retreat on Tuesday, December 2nd in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Recorded Teachings Schedule
Listening to Recorded Teisho and Dharma Talks
December 6th to December 13th:
Combined Associate and General Sitting Saturday, December 6th: "Dongshan's Hot and Cold" by Ven. Shikai Zuiko o-sensei: Dharma Talk 1: Hot (25 minutes)
Associate sitting Monday, December 8th: "Dongshan's Hot and Cold" by Ven. Shikai Zuiko o-sensei: Dharma Talk 2: Cold (11 minutes)
General sitting Saturday, December 13th: Without Difficulty: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's Commentaries on "Xinxin Ming: Words on Trusting Awareness" by Jianzhi Sengcan: Teisho 25: Three Cases of Zhaozhou part two (Hekiganroku 57-59) (20 minutes)
Recorded Teisho Schedule for the last three days of the Rohatsu O-sesshin:
Saturday, December 6th:
Afternoon: SAkN Root Cycle Five: Teisho 1: The End of All Knowledge (8 minutes)
Evening: SAkN Root Cycle Five: Teisho 2: Beyond the Fields (25 minutes)
Sunday, December 7th:
Afternoon: SAkN Root Cycle Five: Teisho 2: Beyond the Fields (25 minutes)
Evening: SAkN Root Cycle Five: Teisho 3: The Collapse of SAkN (18 minutes)
Monday, December 8th, Jodo-e:
Morning: Reading of Denkoroku Case 1: Shakyamuni Buddhi
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 during the the first three days of the Rohatsu O-sesshin:
Tuesday:
Breakfast: Fried noodles in chile-garlic sauce (fresh chow mein noodles, sliced Spanish onion, poblano, and red bell pepper, minced garlic, vegetarian oyster sauce, sambal oelek, sesame oil, minced ginger, shoyu); scrambled eggs.
Lunch: Calrose rice; miso shiru (broth made from kombu, slivered ginger, shiro miso, fresh shiitake mushrooms, Shanghai bok choy, shoyu, mirin, rice vinegar); takuan and gari.
Supper: Mixed grain (short grain calrose rice, arborio rice, basmati rice, Thai white rice, pearled barley mixed with butter, shoyu and scallions); dai gai choy soup (vegetable stock, mushroom stock, shoyu, slivered ginger, white pepper, black vinegar, shiaoxing cooking wine, dai gai choy, chopped white onion, celery, mung bean sprouts with puffed tofu); baechu kimchi.
Wednesday:
Breakfast: Fried rice (leftover mixed grain, corn, chopped cubanelle and red bell pepper, Madras curry powder, cumin, coriander); scrambled eggs.
Lunch: White and brown Thai jasmine rice garnished with sauteed daikon; spicy wakame seaweed soup (leftover strained miso shiru broth and shiitake mushrooms, wakame, ginger, shoyu, roasted chile oil, with silken tofu); Vietnamese pickled vegetables (batons of carrot, daikon, cabbage, rice vinegar, water, salt, sugar).
Supper: farfalle pasta with garlic-butter sauce; “greens and beans” (chopped gailan and choy sum, red kidney beans; minced garlic, sliced Spanish onion, red balsamic vinegar, salt, black pepper); cubed friulano mixed with gherkins and lemon zest.
Thursday
Breakfast: Fried pasta (leftover garlic-butter farfalle fried with chopped leftover greens and beans); scrambled eggs.
Lunch: White and brown calrose rice garnished with furikake; miso shiru (broth made from kombu, slivered ginger, shiro miso, fresh shiitake mushrooms, Shanghai bok choy, shoyu, mirin, rice vinegar); takuan and gari.
Supper: Lundberg Farms short-grain brown rice with butter and baby peas; corn chowder (vegetable stock, cubed potatoes, diced carrots, celery, minced garlic, chopped poblano peppers, leeks, whole kernel corn, blended corn, ‘Old Bay’ seasoning, cumin, lots of black pepper, hot sauce, and a little apple cider vinegar); cubed friulano cheese mixed with artichoke hearts, black and green olives, and lemon zest.
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 the Roshi for the gift of a Kobo Libra Colour eReader and stylus.
From Mishin godo:
Thank you to the Roshi for dokusan during the O-sesshin and for the many teisho presented in the various Space, Activity, and Knowing series restricted to monastics and formal students. Thank you to the Roshi and Jinmyo sensei for designing the meals prepared for O-sesshin practitioners. Thank you to Jinmyo sensei for leading the Rohatsu O-sesshin and Fusatsu as well as doing dokusan with her local and public students and for excellent baechu kimchi made just before the O-sesshin.
From Shannon Craig:
Thank you to Anzan Hoshin roshi for all that you’ve done to make the Dharma available and understood by students and monastics; to Jinmyo sensei for the recording of “The touchstone 18: Vastness” where you eloquently spoke on the nature experiencing the vastness of our reality; to Mishin godo for everything that you’ve done to help my practice and other students; to Saigyo ino for the time you’ve spent working to improve the Zendo; to Fushin shuso for everything you do to help the practice environment and students.
From Claude Schryer:
Thank you to Mishin godo and Saigyo ino for practice advice and instructions on forms during my recent retreat and to the office of the Tenzo for delicious and comforting meals.
From the Office of the Treasurer:
Thank you to Julien Jefferson for a donation towards the recent Samu Weekend.
