eMirror Vol 30, No. 10 (2026-03-06)
Photograph by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi
eMirror Vol 30, No. 10
Friday, March 6th, 2026
Edited by the Practice Council
The White Wind Zen Community:
An international community practising and teaching Dogen’s Zen since 1985.
There is thinking of not thinking by not propagating thoughts. Then there is thinking or recognizing “not thinking” in terms of what cannot be thought of. First of all, absolutely everything that you can think of actually cannot really be thought of because it is not the same as your thought about it. The thought about a stone is not a stone; it has none of the actual properties of a stone; it does not have the weight, the shape, the colour, or even the smell that a stone has; while being lost in discursive thoughts and in imagery can hobble you, you cannot actually stub your toe on the thought of a stone. The stone falls far outside the ghostly thought of a stone. We can be haunted and possessed by our thoughts about the world. As Shikai osho often demonstrates to students, if you imagine biting into a lemon, the bodymind can react with a sense of puckering flavour; if you tell yourself scary stories, you will become scared. Recognize that the whole of your life is all around and far past words and thoughts and you can then begin to practice and realize what cannot be thought of at all: the Unthinkable luminous nature of Knowing which is radiant as knowns.
The zazen that Dogen zenji has passed down to us brings together the intelligence of the bodymind through releasing thoughts into the capacity to think openly and allows us to ourselves embody both the essenceless essence and the free functioning of Experiencing.
- Continuing teisho 8: Unthinkable, Saturday, August 13,, 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): March 18th, April 1st.
Introduction to Zen Workshop Ottawa:
The next Introduction to Zen Workshop will take place on Saturday, March 7th, 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. Students attending are asked to send their schedules in as soon as possible.
Keizan-ki:
March 21st is the memorial for Keizan Jokin zenji.
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.
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
Rev. Chiso anagarika sat her weekly semi-retreat on Tuesday, March 3rd in Cambridge, Massachusetts. General student Ian Reynolds sat a one-day retreat on Saturday, February 28th at Dainen-ji. General student Julien Jefferson sat a two-day retreat on Saturday, February 28th and Sunday, March 1st at Dainen-ji. General student Onur Onder sat a two-day retreat on Saturday, February 28th and Sunday, March 1st at Dainen-ji. Associate student Claude Schryer completed his week-long Training Session on Sunday, March 1st. General student Rowan Russell sat a two-day retreat on Tuesday, March 3rd and Wednesday, March 4th at Dainen-ji.
Recorded Teachings Schedule
Listening to Recorded Teisho and Dharma Talks
March 7th to March 14th:
General Sitting Saturday, March 7th: Studying the Mystery: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's Commentaries on Shitou Xigran's Sandokai: Teisho 2: We Each Are Each Other (40 minutes)
Formal Sitting Sunday, March 8th: SAkN "Presencing the Open Body": Teisho 1: The Paradox of Absence and Contraction (26 minutes)
Associate Sittings Monday, March 9th and Thursday, March 12th: Flowers and Worms: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's Commentary on the Maharahulovadasutta: Teisho 3: The Worm (19 minutes)
General Sitting Saturday, March 14th: Studying the Mystery: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's Commentaries on Shitou Xigran's Sandokai: Teisho 3: Waking Up is Not a Matter of Up (23 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.
Saturday Breakfast:
Seared cabbage congee (jasmine rice, water, minced ginger, salt, shoyu, white pepper, sesame oil, seared chopped green cabbage) with optional condiments of black vinegar and chile oil; scrambled eggs.
Sunday Brunch:
Baked russet potatoes; mixed roasted sausages with thick slices of seared yellow onions, poblano and red bell peppers; stewed tomatoes (tinned whole tomatoes, salt, pepper, peperoncini); baked beans; fried eggs.
Sunday supper:
Roasted root vegetables (roasted chopped parsnips, rutabaga, turnip, carrots, and small onions, olive oil, salt, black pepper); chile-lime tofu (sliced medium-firm tofu sauteed in butter, lime juice, and chile sauce; broccoli-stilton soup (chopped leeks, celery, broccoli, stilton cheese, touch of cream, black pepper); carrot salad (grated carrots, thinly sliced red onion, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, salt).
Monday Yakuseki:
Sliced sourdough bread; root vegetable soup (chunks of parsnips, rutabaga, carrots, celery root, onion, celery, Yukon gold potatoes, turnips, vegetable stock, apple cider vinegar, thyme, rosemary, lots of black pepper); bean butter made from blended white kidney beans, olive oil, Dijon mustard, lime juice, garlic and onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper.
Tuesday Yakuseki:
Corn chips; beef and red kidney bean chilli (seared hamburger, sauteed chopped onions, poblano and red bell peppers, red kidney beans, San Marzano tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato juice, cumin, Mexican chilli powder, kashmiri chilli powder, Dom’s hot sauce, Yeo’s hot sauce, cayenne pepper, black pepper); coleslaw of thinly sliced green cabbage, white onion, carrot, with chopped honeycrisp apples dressed with mayonnaise, lime juice, and chipotle.
Thursday Yakuseki:
Thai jasmine rice with butter and turmeric; blended butternut squash and chickpea soup (butternut squash, chickpeas, chopped Spanish onion, lime juice, cumin, turmeric, black pepper); cooked, sliced beets seasoned with olive oil, salt, pepper, and lime juice topped with fried halloumi slices, cooked kale, and toasted walnuts.
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 ordering supplies and running errands, as well as preparing countless meals for retreatants and residents in addition to her duties as a practice advisor. Thank you to Saigyo ino for stopping a leak in the ceiling of the Sensei-ryo which was caused by a sudden melt of snow and ice on the flat roof above it.
From Mishin godo:
Thank you to Jinmyo sensei for researching carbon steel frying pans for use in the monastery kitchen so that we can replace teflon-coated pans. Thank you to Saigyo ino for opening up the ceiling of the Sensei-ryo to find the source of leaking water and looking after the repair.
From Gillian Kennedy:
Thank you to Jinmyo Sensei for the recordings of a very helpful series “The Touchstone” for all students.
Thank you to Mishin Godo for suggesting The Touchstone series, and for regular long-distance practice interviews; thank you to Yujin for providing me with technical support this week while I was having unexpected difficulties streaming onto my mobile devices. The problem is now resolved on one device, which is all that I need.
From Claude Schryer:
Thank you to all monastics for my recent training session. It was a good opportunity for me to review forms and deepen my practice.
