eMirror Vol 30, No. 7 (2026-02-13)
eMirror Vol 30, No. 7
Friday, February 13th, 2026
Edited by the Practice Council
The White Wind Zen Community:
An international community practising and teaching Dogen’s Zen since 1985.
Sakyamuni originally presented this as the Four Foundations of Mindfulness or Satipatthana. In the Satipatthana sutta he said,
What are these Four? Right here, monks, one lives completely viewing the body as body, intent, fully understanding and mindful, having released grasping and resentment for the world. One abides, completely viewing the sensations as sensations, intent, fully understanding and mindful, having released grasping and resentment for the world. One dwells, completely viewing the mind as mind, intent, fully understanding and mindful, having released grasping and resentment for the world. One lives, completely viewing mental states as states, intent, fully understanding and mindful, having released grasping and resentment for the world.
Once we recognize that attention has closed down we can “release the grasping and resentment for the world” that is the subject-matter of most of our thoughts and stop propagating them. By opening to our experience of the whole moment just as it is, “traps and cages spring open” and we can open to what we truly are, just as we are. Yaoshan says that “thinking” or “shiryo” and “not-thinking” or “fushiryo” can only be brought together as something living and true through being “Before Thinking” or “Hishiryo”. This is the zazen that Yaoshan practiced, realized, and Transmitted.
- Continuing teisho 8: 2005, in 13 August, 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): February 18th.
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
Nehan O-sesshin
The Seven-day Nehan O-sesshin will begin on Sunday, February 15th at 8:00 p.m. It will end on Sunday, February 22nd at noon.
A Sitting for Associate and General Students During the Nehan O-sesshin:
A combined sitting for associate and general students will take place in the Zendo on Saturday, February 21st. 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. Seating is limited and registration is required: Register for Combined Sitting
Cancelled Associate Sitting:
The Monday February 16th associate sitting that would normally take place at 7:30 p.m. is cancelled due to the O-sesshin.
Cancelled Associate Sitting:
The Thursday February 19th 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.
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
General public student Elizabeth Eve sat a half-day retreat on Saturday, February 7th at her home in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Associate student Kaleb Shamway sat a one-day retreat on Saturday, February 7th at Dainen-ji.
Recorded Teachings Schedule
Listening to Recorded Teisho and Dharma Talks
February 14th to February 21st:
General sitting Saturday, February 14th: The Primordially Awakened Way: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's Commentaries on Eihei Dogen zenji's "Kobutsu-shin": Teisho 7: The Naked Post (23 minutes)
Formal sitting Sunday, February 15th: “SAkN The Anatomy of Awakening" by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: Teisho 7: Mudra (25 minutes)
Combined Associate and General Sitting Saturday, February 21st: “Responsibility" by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin (12 minutes)
Recorded Teachings Playback for the Nehan O-sesshin:
Monday, February 16th:
Afternoon: SAkN “The Anatomy of Awakening" by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: Teisho 7: Mudra (25 minutes)
Evening: SAkN “The Anatomy of Awakening" by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: Teisho 8: Strategies of Transcendence (34 minutes)
Tuesday, February 17th:
Afternoon: "SAkN The Anatomy of Awakening" by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: Teisho 8: Strategies of Transcendence (34 minutes)
Evening: SAkN “The Anatomy of Awakening" by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: Teisho 9: Feeling into Knowing: Sagara Mudra Samadhi (31 minutes)
Wednesday, February 18th:
Afternoon: SAkN “The Anatomy of Awakening" by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: Teisho 9: Feeling into Knowing: Sagara Mudra Samadhi (31 minutes)
Evening: SAkN “Questioning the Enigma”: Teisho 1: The Flow of Reality (40 minutes)
Thursday, February 19th:
Afternoon: SAkN “Questioning the Enigma”: Teisho 1: The Flow of Reality (40 minutes)
Evening: SAkN “Questioning the Enigma”: Teisho 2: To Be and Not to Be (38 minutes)
Friday, February 20th:
Afternoon: SAkN “Questioning the Enigma”: Teisho 2: To Be and Not to Be (38 minutes)
Evening: SAkN “Questioning the Enigma”: Teisho 3: Questioning the Enigma (37 minutes)
Saturday, February 21st:
Afternoon: SAkN “Questioning the Enigma”: Teisho 3: Questioning the Enigma (37 minutes)
Evening: SAkN “Questioning the Enigma”: Teisho 4: Dukkha is Bad Space (48 minutes)
Sunday, February 22nd:
Later morning: SAkN “Questioning the Enigma”: Teisho 4: Dukkha is Bad Space (48 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.
The following meals were prepared this week:
Saturday Breakfast (Mishin godo):
Congee made with Thai red curry paste, vegetable stock, slivered ginger, sweet corn, minced cremini mushrooms, zucchini and carrot; scrambled eggs.
Sunday Brunch (Jinmyo sensei):
White bean chicken soup (sauteed pieces of chicken thigh, blended and whole cannellini beans, chopped parsnips, sweep potato, Yukon gold potatoes, carrots, Spanish onion, turnip, celery, rosemary, thyme and sage, lots of black pepper, apple cider vinegar); crusty rolls; salad of green leaf and red leaf “live” lettuce, shredded carrot, thinly sliced red onion, thinly sliced celery, with an optional dressing of white balsamic vinegar.
Sunday supper (Mishin godo):
Black bean burritos (sauteed minced onion, garlic, pencil chiles, red bell peppers, black beans, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, ground cumin, oregano, water, olive oil, salt, pepper, grated cheese, rolled and toasted in a whole wheat tortilla); guacamole (mashed fresh avocado, lime juice, minced garlic, salt, pepper, finely chopped white onion); Mexican corn salad (fresh corn cut off the cob after cooking, feta cheese, mayonnaise, fresh coriander, smoked paprika, salt); roasted cubed sweet potatoes seasoned with olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
Monday Yakuseki:
Thai jasmine rice; chopped Spanish onion, green peppers, poblano and red bell peppers with sauteed tofu in black vinegar sauce (shoyu, ginger, black vinegar, pinch of sugar, tamarind); Baechu kimchi.
Tuesday Yakuseki:
Mixed white and brown Thai jasmine rice; Chicken thighs seasoned with red Thai curry paste mixed with lime juice, a bit of coconut milk, a little fish sauce, garlic and onion powder and then roasted; wasabi coleslaw (thinly sliced green cabbage, carrot, and white onion, mayonnaise, wasabi, lime juice, salt, black pepper).
Thursday Yakuseki:
Curried rice cakes (calrose short grain white rice, Thai white and brown rice, all-purpose flour, Madras curry powder, fried in a mixture of butter and bran oil until crispy on the outside, soft on the inside); stir-fried thinly sliced green cabbage, carrot, and yellow onion; medium-firm tofu sliced and seared with a sauce of butter, onion powder, and tandoori spice; raita (chopped Persian cucumbers and grape tomatoes, greek yogurt, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground cardamom, salt, 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 Jinmyo sensei:
Thank you to the Roshi for a remote control for my Kobo Libra Colour e-Reader (it turns the pages) and for many meal designs over the past two weeks; to Mishin godo for her work with White Wind Zen Community archiving as well as the many hours she spends doing treasurer’s work and administration. She recently submitted a grant application to Heritage Ottawa which was granted and will provide up to $20,000 for repairs to the building. Thank you to Saigyo ino for the excellent job he did of framing art for the Hojo; meeting with contractors to get estimates for much needed work on the front porch; to Fushin shuso for many hours spent on organizing a new teisho database which will make the process of tagging teisho for the Media Site much simpler and faster. Thank you to Senbo for creating an ePub file for “Before Thinking” and for looking into selling it through the Kobo store; to Yujin for looking into other software that might better serve our purposes for the Media Site; to Myocho for 8 to 10 hours of bookkeeping for our community each month; to David Alexander for transcription.
From Mishin godo:
Thank you to the Roshi for recommending and sharing books and other media on the Dharma and from many different genres. Thank you to Jinmyo sensei for finding suitable glass storage containers to replace most of the plastic ones used in the kitchen to store leftovers after Yakuseki meals, allowing us to reduce microplastics exposure. Thank you to Saigyo ino for organizing samu assignments every week for students offering samu practice on various days and after Saturday breakfasts. Thank you to Fushin shuso and Yujin for ongoing work to improve various aspects of the Airsonic site hosting the recorded Teachings collection. Thank you to students who volunteer to clean the front hallway boot mats after associate and general sittings.
From Greg Parker:
Thank you to the monastics for dedicating your bodies, time, and attention to the preservation and delivery of the teachings, and maintenance of the practice environment.
From Shannon Craig:
Thank you Anzan Hoshin roshi for recording and making available the teisho series Turning the wheel of the way. Thank you Mishin godo for spending time humorously clarifying how I should write appropriate thank yous for the eMirror and for helping me with my practice.
