eMirror Vol 29, No. 42 (2025-10-17)

Before being installed in the tokonoma in the main hall, Jizo Bosatsu went wandering on the grounds of Dainen-ji. Photograph by Ven. Saigyo Cross ino.

Before being installed in the tokonoma in the main hall,
Jizo Bosatsu went wandering on the grounds of Dainen-ji.
Photograph by Ven. Saigyo Cross ino.

eMirror Vol 29, No. 42

Friday, October 17th 2025
Edited by the Practice Council

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


Wansong’s commentary in the Shoyoroku continues,

Later, Zen Master Xuanjiao said, “When the ancients speak in this manner do you understand them or not? What would you say is the place that Yunyan didn’t understand?”
Cuiyan Zhi said, “Daowu said, ’Yunyan didn’t understand. I regret that I didn’t explain it to him then.’ In speaking so, did he know it or not?” I [Wansong] say, Yunyan was the Teacher of Dongshan, the source of the whole Lineage stream. Over and over, time and again, he didn’t understand this matter. I have carefully recorded this so that people of later times will have at least half a chance in looking into it at least from the side. Was it only Yunyan who didn’t know it? Cuiyan Zhi said, “Did Daowu know it or not?” I say, not only Daowu but does Cuiyan know it or not?


And so we can see that Yunyan’s befuddlement over the poisonous phrase that violates the taboo “Where wisdom does not reach, how can a source be found?” and Daowu’s answer to Nanquan and Yaoshan’s questions became an important koan in the Caodong.

There are two supplementary passages. The first concerns Dongshan’s Dharma-heir Yunju Daoying.

Later, A monastic asked Zen Master Yunju Daoying, “What is it that ‘violates the taboo’?” 
Yunju said, “It is a most poisonous phrase.” 
The monastic asked “What is a most poisonous phrase?” 
Yunju said, “With one strike it slays dragons and snakes.”


Dragons and snakes represent both sages and usual people. So we can see that Yunyan’s grandson in Dharma had something to say about this. 
And the next is a verse that Dogen presented about the mondo between Yaoshan, Yunyan, and Daowu.

Later, Dogen wrote an appreciatory verse:
Say it clearly and still the eyebrows fall out;
Going among different kinds, your upper robe smells of falcon.
A single lamp loses its brightness in the sunlight. 
The sun and moon [reflected] in a bowl are not the whole thing.


So Dogen says that searching like a falconer throughout the different kinds and numberless means and ten thousand dharmas, carrying a lamp in the daylight, mistaking the reflections of the sun and moon for the sun and moon, even if you avoid these mistakes and find it you still cannot speak of it.

-Continuing teisho 5: The Source of Wisdom (Nyuck-Nyuck-Nyuck), Wednesday, May 17, 2005, in the series "Wandering on Medicine Mountain" presented by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin at Dainen-ji


The Hatto (for formal sittings)

The Hatto (for formal sittings)

The Zendo (for associate and general sittings)

The Zendo (for associate and general sittings)

Practice Schedule and Upcoming Events

Fusatsu (Renewal of Vows):  October 22nd, November 5th and 19th and December 3rd.

November Two-day Sesshin:
The November two-day sesshin will begin on Friday, November 7th at 8:00 p.m. and will end at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 9th. Students attending are  to send in their schedules as soon as possible.

General Sitting On November 8th:
On Saturday, November 8th there will be a general sitting in the Zendo. The sitting will begin at 9:30 a.m. (please arrive by 9:15, in time for First Bell) and will end at 11:30 a.m. Students attending are reminded to remain on the first floor.

Introduction to Zen Workshop Ottawa:
The next  Introduction to Zen Workshop will take place on Saturday, November 1st at 1:45 p.m. (There is no workshop in October due to the 7-day Daruma-ki O-sesshin). 
 To register: https://IntroductionToZenWorkshop.eventbrite.ca ; for more information please see https://wwzc.org/introduction-zen-workshop-ottawa 

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, October 14th in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Associate student Alexander de-Wit sat a half-day retreat on Saturday, October 11th at Dainen-ji. Associate student Christina Comeau sat a half-day retreat on Saturday, October 11th at Dainen-ji. Associate student Kathleen Johnson sat a half-day retreat on Thursday, October 16th at Dainen-ji.


Recorded Teachings Schedule

Listening to Recorded Teisho and Dharma Talks

October 18th to October 25th:
General sitting Saturday, October 18th: Without Difficulty: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's Commentaries on "Xinxin Ming: Words on Trusting Awareness" by Jianzhi Sengcan: Teisho 19: The Importance of Earnestly Being (28 minutes)
Formal sitting Sunday, October 19th: SAkN Root Cycle Three: Aware Space by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: Teisho 6: Expanse (25 minutes)
Associate sittings Monday, October 20th and Thursday, October 23rd: Being Breathed part 3 (17 minutes)
General sitting Saturday, October 25th: Without Difficulty: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's Commentaries on "Xinxin Ming: Words on Trusting Awareness" by Jianzhi Sengcan: Teisho 20: Existence Stands Out (19 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

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/dharma-text/embarrassment 

Teisho: “Practising Without an Edge”
Teisho presented by Ven. Jinmyo Renge sensei on February 19th, 2025
https://wwzc.org/dharma-text/practising-without-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/dharma-text/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-text/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

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

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.

Monday Yakuseki:
Fettuccini - pesto di basilico con semi di zucca (fettuccini with basil and pumpkin seed pesto) - garlic, basil pumpkin seeds, Parmigiano-Reggiano, extra virgin olive oil); tomato soup (blended San Marzano tomatoes, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian herbs, dried mushroom powder, Parmesan cheese); salad of chopped green leaf lettuce, romaine, and radicchio with thinly sliced celery, red onion, and halved cherry tomatoes with an optional dressing of white balsamic vinegar.

Tuesday Yakuseki:
Mashed yukon gold potatoes; roasted and sliced hot Italian and Polish sausages; Parboiled then roasted chopped cauliflower and broccoli in a cheddar and friulano cheese sauce (finely chopped onion, roux, milk, grated sharp cheddar and friulano cheeses, Keen’s mustard powder, garlic powder, lots of black pepper; diced carrots, corn and baby peas with butter, salt and pepper. 

Thursday Yakuseki:
Thai white rice mixed with chopped Shanghai bok choy; mushroom broth with soy sauce and, slivered ginger; sauteed slices of medium-firm tofu with seared red bell peppers in a sauce of Chinese soy sauce, black vinegar, Chinese cooking wine, roasted chilli paste, vegetable stock, a little sugar, cornstarch to thicken the sauce, minced scallions, minced ginger and garlic, strips of poblano and red bell pepper, chopped scallions); chopped Asian pears mixed with chile flakes and lime juice.


Thank you

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 Mishin godo:
Thank you to the Roshi for the translation and extensive footnotes provided for Dogen zenji's text "Fushukuhanpo: How to Use Your Bowls" which we use for oryoki practice during sesshin and O-sesshin. Thank you to Jinmyo sensei for writing an extensive set of explanations and instructions that practice advisors can use in correspondence with public students. Thank you to David Alexander for adjusting the height of the motion sensor for the back porch light. Thank you to Ian Reynolds for troubleshooting and fixing payment processing issues on the new website.

From David Alexander:
Thank you to the Roshi for transmitting to us the ancient training of O-sesshin, and for the forms of oryoki practice. Thank you to Jinmyo sensei for dokusan, for emphasizing the importance of functional talking, and for beneficial posture instruction.  Thank you to the Office of the Tenzo for preparing delicious meals during O-sesshin.

From Shannon Craig:
Thank you to Anzan Hoshin roshi for everything you do for students and the incredible teachings in Before Thinking Foundations of Zen Practice. Thank you Jinmyo sensei for the many recorded teachings that are available to students. Thank you to Mishin godo for everything that you do for students and monastics. Thank you to Saigyo ino for everything you do for students and the practice environment. Thank you Fushin shuso for the many things you do to help the practice environment.

From Claude Schryer:
Thank you to Anzan Hoshin roshi for accepting me as an associate student. I am deeply grateful for your teachings. Thank you to Mishin godo and Saigyo ino for insightful practice interviews. Thank you to all monastics for supporting our practice environment at Dainen-ji and online. Thanks also for the appearance of Jizo Bosatsu on the 2nd floor! 

From the Office of the Treasurer:
Thank you to Gillian Higenbottam for a donation to the Hojo Library fund and to Hoa Ho for a donation. 

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