eMirror Vol 24, No. 5 (2020-01-31)
Shitou Xiqian, zenga by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi, early 1990s
eMirror Vol 24, No. 5
Friday, January 31st, 2020
Edited by Ven. Jinmyo Renge osho
The White Wind Zen Community:
An international community practising and teaching Dogen’s Zen since 1985.
There is something that shines as this bodymind, that bodymind, as up, down, light, dark – but it is always unseen and hidden. Bringing together light and dark, up and down, self and other, body and mind – is what we do here.
What we do here is bring together what is always already seamlessly whole. What we do here is expose ourselves past thoughts about our lives to our lives as they are. And what we do here is go further than that – into the life that lives as us.
We bring together body and mind until we realize that body arises as mind, mind arises as body. We bring together the bodymind and the world until we realize that the bodymind lives the world, the world lives the bodymind.
We expose ourselves by coming out into the brightness, the radiance that presents itself as everything. And when we do so we realize that everything is arising within us. And going further, we realize that we arise within everything. And going further, we realize that nothing arises at all.
Although it is bright, as all bodyminds and worlds; although it shines, as an intimate interlacing; although it shines, as the latticework of nerve endings in our fingertips – it is ungraspable, it is always dark, it is always hidden from view.
Bringing together that which reveals itself and its hiddenness; bringing together – again I hesitate to say it because it sets my teeth on edge – ultimate and relative, we realize that although we can speak of it as ultimate, what we are speaking of presents itself as the relative. Although we might speak of the relative, what we are speaking of is the presencing of the ultimate. Beyond description, it yet expresses itself as us, and what we do here is learn how to express ourselves as it – because it is what we are.
And so we must bring together sameness and difference.
-Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi, beginning teisho 1: "What We Do Here" Saturday, June 15th, 1996 in the teisho series "Studying the Mystery", Commentaries on Shitou Xiqian's "Sandokai".
Upcoming Events
Fusatsu
February 12th and 26th.
Hermitage
The Roshi began a period of hermitage at midnight on Wednesday, January 29th, which will end at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 2nd, when he leads monastics in Acalanatha Sadhana.
Introduction to Zen Workshop
The next Introduction to Zen Workshop will take place on Saturday, February 1st, at 1:45 p.m. For more information please see:
https://wwzc.org/introduction-zen-workshop-ottawa
For information concerning our Long-distance Training Program, please visit this Web Page: https://wwzc.org/long-distance-training-program
Nehan O-sesshin
The Nehan O-sesshin will begin at 8 p.m. on Friday, February 9th, and will end at noon on Friday, February 16th. A sitting for associate and general students will take place in the Zendo on Saturday, February 15th. Arrival time is 9:15 a.m. (in time for First Bell). The sitting ends at 11:30 a.m. Students attending are reminded to remain on the first floor.
Cancelled General Sitting
The Monday February 10th general sitting that would normally take place at 7:30 p.m. is cancelled due to the O-sesshin.
Cancelled Associate Sitting
The Thursday February 13th associate sitting that would normally take place at 7:30 p.m. is cancelled due to the O-sesshin.
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.
Nehan
Commemoration of the Buddha’s Death (Nehan-e) February 15th.
Retreats
Matt Broda sat a two-day retreat from the evening of Friday, January 24th to the evening of Sunday, January 26th. Tarik Kaya sat a retreat on Saturday, January 25th. Elizabeth Eve, travelling to Dainen-ji from her home in Halifax, Nova Scotia began a retreat on the evening of Thursday, January 30th which will continue until the morning of Monday, February 3rd.
To Schedule a Retreat
Please visit this Web page for information about scheduling a retreat and an explanation of the different kinds of retreat (duration and timing) you can sit: https://wwzc.org/retreats. Please note that retreats should be scheduled one week in advance.
Public students sitting retreats should send an email to schedule@wwzc.org to confirm they sat a retreat so that notice of it can be included in the eMirror. Please include the location of the retreat and the duration.
Recorded Teachings Schedule
- Saturday, February 1st: "Bright Right Through": Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's Commentaries on Dogen zenji's "Muchu Setsumu": "As Such" (10 of 12)
- Sunday, February 2nd: SAkN "Root Cycle Five" by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi: "The Collapse of SAkN" (teisho 3 of 5)
- Monday, February 3rd: "Content and Context: Beyond the Circles of Self-concern" by Ven. Jinmyo Renge osho-ajari
- Thursday, February 6th "Before Thinking: Foundations of Zen Practice" by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: “Confusion” (37 of 71)
- Saturday, February 8th: "Bright Right Through": Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's Commentaries on Dogen zenji's "Muchu Setsumu": "Each Drop" (11 of 12)
Missed Sittings and Teisho
If associate students are unable to attend the Thursday evening associate sitting, they may attend one of the general sittings to make up for the sitting they missed. General sittings are held on Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m. (first Bell is at 7:15) and Saturday mornings at 9:30 a.m. (first Bell at 9:15 a.m.). Please send an email to request permission to attend one of these sittings.
Teisho presented at general and associate sittings which are part of a series need to be listened to in the correct order and with none missed out. If you miss a sitting please borrow a copy of the missed teisho from the library or download it from the WWZC Media Site as soon as possible, so that the continuity of what is being presented is not disrupted. The weekly list of recorded teisho played at sittings is posted on the web site at:
https://wwzc.org/recorded-teachings-schedule
Online Access to Recorded Teachings
Students can access the password-protected online Recorded Teachings library on the WWZC website at https://wwzc.org/recorded-teachings or through the streaming site at http://app.wwzc.org. The custom-built media streaming site allows students to live stream recordings from the WWZC Recorded Teachings collection. It is optimized for use on smartphones and tablets, and works with most modern browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. It can also be used on desktops.
Photograph of Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi at Daijozan, mid-1980s,
by Ven. Shikai Zuiko sensei
Translations
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. Many of these will be posted on our website over the next few months.
Newly Presented Teisho
During the January 2020 Sesshin, Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi presented the following teisho as part of the ongoing series, "The Lineage of Luminosity: Part Two: The Lineage in China”:
January 11th: “Rujing's Broken Broom of Mu”.
Newly Presented Teachings
- During the December 2019 Rohatsu O-sesshin, Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi presented the following teisho as part of the ongoing series, "The Lineage of Luminosity, Part Two: The Lineage in China”:
- December 2nd: Rujing’s Plum Blossoms Again
- December 3rd: Rujing’s Flower for Pindola
- December 4th: Rujing’s Painting Plum Blossoms
- December 5th: Rujing’s Frogs and Worms
- Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi presented the following teisho during the November Sesshin, as part of the ongoing series, "The Lineage of Luminosity: Part Two: The Lineage in China”:
- November 9th: Rujing and the Old Plum Tree
- November 9th: Rujing and the Old Plum Tree
Recorded Teachings for Public Access
While most of the online Recorded Teachings library is password-protected and only accessible to students of Zen Master Anzan Hoshin, a small selection of MP3 recordings of teisho are accessible to the public at https://wwzc.org/recorded-teachings. Additional recordings will be uploaded periodically.
MP3 recordings of five teisho 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
Update on the Plan for Essential Repairs to the Hojo
(Abbot’s Quarters)
Hojo renovation funds raised to date: $12,690
Fundraising goal: $40,000
Essential repairs are needed to the Hojo (Abbot’s Quarters). The needed work includes taking down the ceiling in the Hojo washroom in order to insulate, raising the floor, repairing interior moisture damage, and addressing other structural problems (extremely uneven floors, and ventilation, plumbing, and electrical issues).
The Office of the Shissui has met with 3 local design/build companies to discuss the scope of this substantial work and is reviewing their quotations. The total cost of the work will be in the region of $40,000. Provided that we are able to meet the fundraising goal, we anticipate undertaking the work in the summer of 2020.
All donations towards the Hojo renovation fund will be much appreciated, and will receive a charitable tax receipt.
The image above shows the icicle that forms every winter on the roof of the Hojo. It is often over 20 feet long and is causing damage to the exterior trim and roof line and may be causing interior damage and mold inside the walls.
Description of the work
After a recent risk inspection by our insurance company, one requirement for ongoing insurance coverage is to address a buildup of large icicles over winter from the roof over the Hojo washroom. The ice buildup is caused by heat loss through the roof that melts the winter snow, which refreezes into icicles.
In order to address this, we should be insulating the ceiling of the Hojo washroom. We will use an application of spray foam insulation which will require taking down the interior ceiling. As there is also heat loss through the very poorly insulated walls, we shall also be removing all of the wall plaster and lathe and using spray foam insulation on the exterior walls. As well as heat insulation, this closed cell foam insulation will impede moisture transfer and eliminate the possibility of moisture buildup and mold issues in the room. Because the plaster and lathe will need to be removed in order to insulate, we will be replacing the old shower stall and re-plumbing the shower.
Replacing the ceiling allows us to raise the height of the ceiling so that we can eliminate the 8-inch step down into the washroom, which is a potential tripping hazard. We can also add new lighting, improved ventilation and proper venting of fixtures. Raising the floor height requires replacing two hot water radiators with under-floor electric heating and installing a new vanity.
Once completed, all of this work will result in a substantial improvement to the functionality of the living and working environment of the Hojo, the Abbot’s Quarters, and eliminate potential hazards. As the last area of the building to receive any major renovation work, this improvement is a priority.
Painted Cakes
(do not satisfy hunger)
by Ven. Shikai Zuiko sensei
Continuing on with “Painted Cakes: A Zen Dictionary” a limited edition text written by Anzan Hoshin roshi in the 1980s and last revised in 1994.
Shingon (J) “True word” or mantra. The Japanese school of Vajrayana founded by Kobo Daishi (Kukai) in the Heian era in Japan.
Questions can be sent to me, Shikai sensei, at shikai.sensei@gmail.com.
Office of the Tenzo
Dogen zenji taught in the Tenzokyokun 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 osho serves as Tenzo and Mishin godo and Saigyo ino offer assistance as tenzo-anja.
Monday Yakuseki:
Mixed grain (calrose, Thai white and brown rice, Korean rice); jjigae (soup made with chopped Napa cabbage, white onions, bok choy, puffed deep-fried tofu, shiro miso and doenjang miso, garlic, vegetable stock, ginger, shoyu, white pepper); seared green beans seasoned with Dom’s (locally-made) hotsauce, garnished with roasted peanuts.
Tuesday Yakuseki:
Baked potatoes; seared pork loin chops; green cabbage coleslaw (thinly sliced green cabbage, carrots, daikon, and white onion, Dijon mustard, lime juice, mayonnaise, lots of black pepper).
Thursday Yakuseki:
Mashed Yukon gold potatoes; cauliflower and cheese (cheese sauce made with roux, milk, extra-old cheddar and friulano cheese, mustard powder, onion powder and sauteed Spanish onions, garlic); sauteed carrot batonettes with peas and corn, steamed green cabbage with butter, salt and pepper.
Baking by Shikai sensei:
Oat shortbread; Date loaf.
Thank You
If you would like to thank someone for a contribution they have made, please feel free to send an email to Jinmyo osho at rengezo at Gmail dot com, but be sure to type "eMirror" in the subject line.
From Endai shuso:
Thank you to Jinmyo osho for her work as Tenzo to plan and prepare yakuseki meals served on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, for making meals for students sitting retreats, and for preparing a delicious brunch each Sunday. Thank you to Mishin godo and Saigyo ino for assisting the Tenzo in many kitchen-related tasks, including the preparation of meals, organizing and stocking the kitchen and food storage areas, and preparing shopping lists.
From Mishin godo:
Thank you to Shikai sensei for encouragement, and for freshly baked date-oat bread. Thank you to Jinmyo osho for reviewing and clarifying the samu responsibilities of monastics. Thank you to Fushin shramon for cleaning candleholders and preparing them for use in practice halls. Thank you to David Gallant and Ian Richard for auditing CDs of recorded teisho to check recording audio quality, and to Claude Schryer for transcribing "Zen is Not Kidding".
From Claude Schryer:
Thank you to Mishin godo for correcting my posture at the end of the associate student sitting this week. I was slipping into random thoughts and was not paying attention to the forms. Thank you to all monastics for their constant support of students’ practice.
From Sam MacFarlane:
Thank you to Jinmyo osho for supporting me with my commitment to sit daily.
From the Office of the Treasurer:
Thank you to Brian Lakeman for a donation to the Hojo renovation fund.
Ongoing Project:
"All is Change"
Dainen-ji, being a 140-year-old building, is continuously in need of maintenance and the costs associated with this can be astronomical when such things as porch repairs or exterior painting are needed. This is something that we cannot afford to do, yet must do and so the "All is Change" project has been created. The "All is Change" project is very simple. Most of us have a bowl or a jar or some other kind of container that we keep somewhere at home and fill up with loose change because it's too heavy to carry around. Several hundred dollars has been collected so far both in loose change and Canadian tire money which has been put towards the building maintenance fund. If anyone would like to contribute to this fund, each penny will be appreciated. The “All is Change” container is on the wooden wall shelf under the Sangha Board in the cloak room.
