eMirror Vol 27, No. 17 (2023-04-28)


White sphere surrounded by flames
Photograph by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi


eMirror Vol 27, No. 17

Friday, April 28th, 2023
Edited by the Practice Council

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



A thought, or a feeling comes up, and it seems sometimes that it is a kind of surface, as if it is a thing, as if it has some kind of density or weight to it. So it has a quality of earth. One thought runs into the next thought, into the next thought, a la the western term “stream of consciousness;” and of course this running on and on is water. Some thoughts are very bright, very sharp, very clear, quick like fire. Some of them tremor and vibrate like air. And when you try to find the thought, when you look very clearly at the thought, all that you can find is space, its absence, and perhaps some kind of echo or trace of the thought.

So, in our practice, in our sitting down in the midst of our lives, in our standing up in the midst of our lives, in our eating and speaking and breathing, can we begin to observe, can we begin to understand, can we begin to realize, the nature of the functioning of bodymind? Very simply, without trying to adorn it, or to condemn it in any kind of way. And can we see that this functioning is a very rich process of various elements combining and recombining, arising, dwelling, and decaying. This is very important. 

When anger comes up, can we feel its heat, its fire. Can we notice how solid everything becomes, how heavy the muscles are, how thick the sensation of the head and chest become? Can we notice how our seeing and hearing, what we see and what we hear, all become bound together like muck, held together by the element of water? Can we notice how the mind jumps then from thought to thought, from event to conclusion to judgement, like the element of air? And can we see that although we are very contracted at that moment, that that contraction is an avoidance of space?                       

-Ven Anzan Hoshin roshi, continuing Teisho Four: "The Functioning of the Elements" in the series "Flowers and Worms", Hanamatsuri sesshin, April 11th to 14th, 1991, Zazen-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



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 you will need to make a $5.00 dana contribution for the meal. 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.
Sunday Formal Sitting: The Sunday morning formal sittings are reserved for monastics, formal students, and probationary formal students.

Fusatsu (Renewal of Vows):  May 3rd, 17th, and 31st.

Introduction to Zen Workshop Ottawa:
The next Introduction to Zen Workshop will take place on Saturday, May 6th, at 1:45 p.m. To register: https://IntroductionToZenWorkshop.eventbrite.ca; for more information please see https://wwzc.org/introduction-zen-workshop-ottawa

May Sogaku-ki O-sesshin:
The May Sogaku-ki Seven-day O-sesshin begins at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 12th, and will end on Friday, May 19th, at noon. Probationary formal students and formal students are reminded to send their schedules as soon as possible. 
Formal sittings During the Week of O-sesshin are reserved for participants of the O-sesshin.
The Saturday, May 13th general sitting will take place in the Zendo. The sitting begins at 9:30. Please arrive by 9:15 in time for First Bell. Students attending are reminded to stay on the first floor. 

Cancelled Sittings:
The Monday, May 15th and Thursday, May 18th associate sittings are cancelled due to O-sesshin.

Hermitage:
The Roshi is continuing an extended period of hermitage due to underlying health issues until the COVID-19 situation clarifies.

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
 


About @wwzc.org Email Addresses



Recently we had a problem with the routing of emails sent to any of the @wwzc.org email addresses because of a reconfiguration of our provider. This has now been rectified, as we are with a new configuration for email hosting, so please send your practice journals to journal@wwzc.org. Thank you to deshi, Senbo, for his work on setting this up. Sorry to students for any inconvenience.

 


White Wind Zen Community Website Update



“River of Memory”: transcript of teisho presented by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi at Zazen-ji, on March 21st, 1991: 
https://wwzc.org/dharma-text/river-memory

The Practice of Taking Care: short text by Ven. Jinmyo Renge sensei while training as Shuso. Zazen-ji, 1991.
https://wwzc.org/dharma-text/practice-taking-care


Retreats



Rev. Chiso anagarika sat her weekly semi-retreat on Tuesday, April 25th. 

If you are a student of Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi and  would like to sit a retreat at Dainen-ji,, please email schedule@wwzc.org to register a week in advance. For further information please visit this page: https://wwzc.org/retreats

If you would like to sit a retreat at home please follow the schedule outlined in this page:
https://wwzc.org/retreat-schedule-public-students.  After your retreat, please send an email to schedule@wwzc.org to confirm that you sat a retreat and include the duration and location.
 


Recorded Teachings Schedule


Saturday, April 29th to Saturday, May 6th, 2022

Monday, May 1st associate sitting: “Before Thinking: Foundations of Zen Practice” by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: “Begin Here” (3 of 71)
Thursday, May 4th associate sitting: “Before Thinking: Foundations of Zen Practice” by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: “Begin Here” (3 of 71)
Saturday, May 6th general sitting: “Bowing and Receiving”: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's Commentaries on Dogen zenji's "Raihai Tokuzui: Bowing and Acquiring the Essence": "Miaoxin" (7 of 13) 
 


Listening to Teisho and Dharma Talks



​Associate and general students should continue to follow the recorded Teachings schedule for the sitting you were attending at the monastery, and listen to that during your home practice.

You can access the online Recorded Teachings Library at wwzc.org/recorded-teachings-schedule. 

You can also use the streaming site at app.wwzc.org to live stream recordings from the online Library. If you have forgotten your password or need assistance with accessing the recorded Teachings, please email schedule@wwzc.org.

Please note that teisho should be listened to in the correct order and with none missed out as themes, metaphors, questions raised and answered evolve in spirals throughout the series.
 


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 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
 


Translations and Texts



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

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. 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 ongoing.

Roshi is also finishing 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. 
 


Painted Cakes
(do not satisfy hunger)

Begun by Ven. Shikai Zuiko o-sensei
Finished by Ven. Fushin Comeau shuso following her death



scroll

Usual mind:  confusion, dullness

Posted April 21st, 2023. New entries are posted every two weeks.

 

Tenzo (Japanese characters)


Office of the Tenzo



Dogen zenji taught in the Tenzo Kyokun: Instructions for the Tenzo (Tenzo kyokun: Instructions for the Tenzo | White Wind Zen Community) 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 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. 

The following meals were prepared on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings:

Monday Yakuseki:
“Scallion Oil Noodles” (Spaghettini noodles, minced garlic, chopped scallions, bran oil, star anise, doubanjang, Chinese soy sauce, dark soy sauce, white sesame seeds); garlic-miso soup (vegetable stock, miso, minced garlic, shoyu, chopped Napa cabbage, sliced deep-fried tofu); baechu kimchi.

Tuesday Yakuseki:
Mixed grain (white basmati rice, Chinese white rice, white and brown Thai jasmine rice); sauteed Shanghai bok choy seasoned with lime juice, salt and black pepper. 
Vegetarian option: mabo tofu (Chinese chilli bean sauce, Chinese ground bean sauce, fermented black beans, dried chilis, Chinese soy sauce, sesame oil, mushroom stock, thickened with cornstarch with cubed firm tofu).
For those who wished to supplement their diet with meat: cooked ground beef and pork added to a portion of the Mapo tofu sauce along with cubed firm tofu.

Thursday Yakuseki:
Brown calrose rice; vegetable soup (chopped yellow onion, carrots, celery, minced garlic, chopped cubanelle peppers and red bell peppers, diced zucchini, white wine, vegetable stock, oregano, basil, parsley, black pepper, a little white balsamic vinegar); “beans and greens” (sauteed strips of white onion and swiss chard, red kidney beans, red balsamic vinegar, salt and black pepper). 

 

Jinmyo sensei bowing in gassho

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 deshi Senbo for migrating our @wwzc.org email accounts to a more reliable server (Google Workspace for nonprofits) and organizing the delivery of emails to the appropriate recipients. Thank you to Chunen angya, Saigyo ino, Mishin godo, general student, Elizabeth Eve and probationary deshi Chantal for transcribing teisho and classes.

​From Mishin godo:
Thank you to Jinmyo sensei and Saigyo ino for driving 14 hours roundtrip in a panel van to Beamsville, Ontario to pick up the yew trees that will be planted on the Friel Street side of the property this weekend. Thank you to formal student David Gallant for picking up a large bag of rice for the Office of the Tenzo and potting soil for the roof garden. Thank you to general student Rowan Russell for offering weekly archiving samu.

From David Gallant:
Thank you to Saigyo ino for organizing the tasks for the Samu Weekend taking place this weekend and for driving down to Toronto to pick up the new yew trees we'll be planting.

From the Office of the Treasurer:
Thank you to Chunen angya for a donation towards the roof garden. 

 

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