eMirror Vol 23, No. 50 (2019-12-13)

 

Photograph of bonsho at Kennin-ji By Ven. Endai Mayeda shuso
Photograph of bonsho at Kennin-ji By Ven. Endai Mayeda shuso

eMirror Vol 23, No. 50

Friday, December 13th, 2019
Edited by Ven. Jinmyo Renge osho

The White Wind Zen Community:
An international community practising and teaching Dogen’s Zen since 1985.



Dogen zenji says,

The actualization of the Way of the present was transmitted by all the Buddhas to Sakyamuni Buddha and all the Ancestors have authentically transmitted it to Mazu. Each Buddha and Ancestor mutually receives and transmits dharmata samadhi. Buddhas and Ancestors do not fall into it and so bring forth dharmata as dynamic activity.

The realized-practice of the Buddhas and Awakened Ancestors is intimately involved with the primordial intimacy of the activity which presences as the inter-dependent and interpenetrating dharmata of the Dharmadhatu. Those who realize dharmata do not fall into their realization as if it were their possession but actualize it in the mutuality that is the dharmata of space and time. The ways in which practice works are the works and engines that turn the planets in their courses and the rolling in and rolling out and rolling forth of each moment. None of these can be captured in language or concept, but only pointed to.

-Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi, continuing teisho 5: "Actualizing the Samadhi of Dharmata," Tuesday, December 7, 2004 in the teisho series "Essentially Real: Commentaries on Eihei Dogen zenji’s 'Hossho: Dharmata'."
 


Upcoming Events



Fusatsu
December 19th. 

Hermitage
The Roshi will begin a period of hermitage on Wednesday, December 11th, which will end on the morning of Monday, December 16th. This is in commemoration of the death and cremation of our "grandparent" in Dharma, Yasuda Joshu Dain daiosho.

Ven. Endai shuso Dharma Talk (Shuso-hossen)
On Saturday, December 14th, Endai shuso will present his first Senior's Dharma Talk during the 9:30 a.m. general sitting. Associate students will also be eligible to attend, although seating will be limited.

Introduction to Zen Workshop
The next Introduction to Zen Workshop will take place at Dainen-ji on Saturday, December 14th. For more information please see: http://www.wwzc.org/content/introduction-zen-workshop-ottawa
For information concerning our Long-distance Training Program, please visit this Web Page: http://www.wwzc.org/long-distance-training-program

Joya (New Year’s Celebration)
On Tuesday, December 31st at 10 p.m. until Wednesday, January 1st at 12:00 a.m., we will celebrate Joya or New Year's. Join Zen Master Anzan Hoshin, Ven. Shikai Sensei and Ven. Jinmyo osho and the monastics of the Northern Mountain Order in ringing 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. All students are welcome to attend. There is no better way to begin the year. Dana is $25. Please register by sending an email to schedule at WWZC dot org, or telephone the Zen Centre office (613) 562-1568.

Hermitage
The Roshi will begin a period of hermitage on Wednesday, January 1st, which will end on Sunday, January 5th, at 9:30 a.m. when he leads monastics in Acalanatha Sadhana.
 


Retreats



Elizabeth Eve sat a one-day retreat on Friday, November 29th at her home in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Mohamed Zakzouk sat a two-day retreat on Saturday, December 7th and Sunday, December 8th at his home in Calgary, Alberta. Thach Huong sat a one-day retreat from the evening of Friday, December 6th to Saturday, December 7th. Beth Buerkle  sat a one-day retreat on Thursday, December 12th at her home in Chamcook, New Brunswick.

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, December 14th: “Bright Right Through”: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's Commentaries on Dogen zenji's "Muchu Setsumu": "The Final Truth" (4 of 12)
  • Sunday, December 15th: SAkN "Root Cycle Four: Moving in Knowing" by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi "Finite and Infinite Motion: The Total Field of All Possibilities" (Teisho 3 of 5)
  • Monday, December 16th: "The Four Noble Truths" by Ven. Shikai Zuiko sensei: "Grasping" (Dharma Talk 2 of 4)
  • Thursday, December 19th: "Before Thinking: Foundations of Zen Practice” by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: “The Top of the Mountain” (29 of 71)
  • Saturday, December 21st: “Bright Right Through”: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's Commentaries on Dogen zenji's "Muchu Setsumu": "Gathered and Released" (5 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
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 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
       

WWZC Website


wwzc.org
 

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:

 


Update on the Plan for Essential Repairs to the Hojo (Abbot’s Quarters)



Hojo renovation funds raised to date: $4,210
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. 
 

MVIMG_20190127_084840.jpg

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.
 

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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.

Shikan-taza (J) “Just sitting”. The root practice of our Lineage. The practice of realization; practice without reference points, techniques or boundaries. Shikan-taza is complete penetration into and actualization of Ordinary Mind; anything less is either an introductory stage of shikan-taza practice or a delusion.

Questions can be sent to me, Shikai sensei, at shikai.sensei@gmail.com.

 

Sprouts


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:
Bean soup (mixture of red kidney beans, brown lentils, red lentils, green split peas, barley, arborio and Korean rice, tomato paste, garlic, chopped onion, diced potatoes, thinly sliced carrots, thyme, black pepper, red wine vinegar); croutons (bread cut into cubes, tossed with bran oil, minced garlic, black pepper and salt, toasted in the oven; salad of grated carrots, daikon, thinly sliced Napa cabbage, white onion, chopped parsley, with a choice of balsamic dressing or sriracha mayonnaise.

Tuesday Yakuseki:
Mixed grain (barley, arborio rice, basmati white rice, calrose rice, and Jasmine rice); pork curry with yellow split peas (pork shoulder, yellow split peas, cumin, garam masala, cayenne, coconut oil, Spanish onions, minced garlic, diced tomatoes, coconut milk, fresh coriander; chopped gai lan cooked in the curry at the last minute.

Thursday Yakuseki:
Mashed Yukon gold potatoes; deep-fried tofu braised in a sauce made from butter, garlic, hot chile sauce, and lots of black pepper; sauteed green cabbage and gai lan mixed with sauteed strips of red bell peppers and poblano peppers; mushroom gravy (sauteed cremini, eryengi and porcini mushrooms, mushroom stock, thyme, rosemary, shoyu, roux). 

Baking by Shikai sensei:
Molasses cookies; Russian apple cake; caramel apple crisp; red velvet crackle cookies.

 

Little monks bowing drawing


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 Mishin godo:
Thank you to Ian Richard for archiving samu to update the database of teisho that have been presented. Thank you to Endai shuso and Fushin shramon for dana processing, and to Fushin shramon for Quickbooks data entry. Thank you to Senbo for preparing the Introduction to Zen workshop ad for the Bytowne Guide. 

From Endai shuso
Thank you to the Roshi for creating a training monastery for monastics and for transmitting to me the precepts of a full monastic of the Northern Mountain Order. Thank you to Jinmyo osho, my root teacher, for providing the majority of the instruction that I received since being accepted as her formal student (deshi) over ten years ago. Thank you to Shikai sensei, Mishin godo and Saigyo ino from whom I have learned a tremendous amount over the years.

From the Office of the Treasurer:
Thank you to Endai shuso, Chiso anagarika, and David Turner for donations.
 


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.

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