eMirror Vol 27, No. 47 (2023-11-24)

 

Mazu by Sengai

Mazu by Sengai


eMirror Vol 27, No. 47

Friday, November 24th, 2023
Edited by the Practice Council

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



In his verse, Dogen says that these two Dharma-brothers were able to express their father in Dharma, Master Ma’s activity. This is in reference to a very famous koan. An abbreviated form of it appears as case 53 of the Hekiganroku. It appears in Chuandenglu 6, and also as Case 182 of the Sanbyakusoku.

Once Baizhang was walking with Mazu when they heard the cry of a wild duck.
Mazu asked, “What is that sound?”
Baizhang answered, “It is the cry of a wild duck.”
After a moment Mazu asked, “Where has it gone now?”
Baizhang said, “It has flown away.”
Mazu turned and grabbed Baizhang by the nose and yanked. Baizhang cried out with pain. Mazu said, “Where could it go?”
Hearing this, Baizhang had an awakening.


What could Baizhang have said in order to avoid having Master Ma grab and yank on his nose? Nothing. He could have said, “Nowhere,” “It’s still here,” “North” or “South,” or “North, south, east, west.” It simply wouldn’t have mattered what he said. Master Ma had it in for him that day to pull him out of the usual understanding of coming and going, here and there.

Where is north really taking place? Where is here? Where is there? Where is this space of here and now? Where is the right hand, really? Where is the left hand, really? When this moment goes, where can it go to?

The Chuandenglu continues,

He returned to the attendant’s quarters and began to cry.

One of the other monks came and asked, “Are you sad, thinking of your parents?”
Baizhang said, “No.”
The monk asked, “Has anyone scolded you?”
Again Baizhang said, “No.”
The monk asked, “Then why are you crying?”
Baizhang said, “Great Master yanked on my nose and it still hurts.”
The monk asked, “What were you arguing about?”
Baizhang said, “Go and ask the Venerable.”
The monk went to Mazu and asked him, “What has happened? The attendant Hai is weeping in his quarters. He told me to come and ask the Master.”
Mazu said, “He understands. Go and ask him.”
The monk returned to the attendant’s quarters and said, “The Master said that you understand and told me to ask you.”
Hearing this, Baizhang began to laugh.
The monk said, “Just a while ago you were crying. Why are you laughing now?”
Baizhang said, “A while ago I was crying. Now I am laughing.”
The monk could not make sense of this.

The next day, as soon as Mazu entered the Dharma Hall and took his seat, Baizhang stepped forward and rolled up the bowing mat. Mazu then descended the seat and Baizhang followed him to the Abbot’s Quarters.

Mazu asked, “About what just happened, why did you roll up the bowing mat?”
Baizhang said, “Yesterday the Master grabbed my nose and it hurt.”
Mazu said, “What did you notice yesterday?”
Baizhang said, “Today my nose doesn’t hurt anymore.”
Mazu said, “You have clearly understood yesterday’s events.”


-Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi, Teisho 3: "Not Pulling Your Leg," February 11, 2001, in the series "Playing With Space: Commentaries on Eihei Dogen zenji's Koku”

 

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):  November 29th, December 13th and 27th.

Rohatsu O-sesshin
The seven-day Rohatsu O-sesshin will begin at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 1st, ending  on Friday, December 8th, following Jodo-e (commemorating the Buddha's Awakening).

Combined Sitting on December 2nd
This will be the only sitting open to associate and general students during the Rohatsu O-sesshin (December 1st-8th). First Bell is at 9:15 a.m. The sitting ends at 11:45 a.m. Students are reminded to stay on the first floor.

Cancelled Associate Sittings
On Monday, December 4th, the 7:30 p.m. associate sitting will be cancelled. On Thursday, December 7th, the 7:30 p.m. the associate sitting will be cancelled. 

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.

Introduction to Zen Workshop Ottawa:
The next Introduction to Zen Workshop will take place on Saturday, December 9th, at 1:45 p.m. 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 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
 


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



Deshi Chantal Maheu sat a one-day retreat on Monday, November 20th at Dainen-ji.

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 are a public student and 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.

If you would like to engage in a training session either at the monastery or at home by aligning with the schedule of the monastery, please read the information on this page: 
https://wwzc.org/training-sessions
 


Recorded Teachings Schedule


Saturday, November 25th to Saturday, December 2nd

Saturday, November 25th general sitting: “Wandering on Medicine Mountain”: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's commentaries on "Medicine Mountain": The Recorded Sayings and Doings of Zen Master Yaoshan Weiyan: “The Way of Clouds and Water” (20 of 22, 19 minutes)
Sunday, November 26th formal sitting: SAkN Five Spheres of SAkN: "4th and 5th Spheres, Everywhere and All At Once" (6 of 7, 29 minutes)
Monday, November 27th associate sitting: “Before Thinking: Foundations of Zen Practice” by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: “All Kinds of Cats” (33 of 71, 7 minutes)
Thursday, November 30th associate sitting: “Before Thinking: Foundations of Zen Practice” by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: “All Kinds of Cats” (33 of 71, 7 minutes)
Saturday, December 2nd combined sitting: “Before Thinking: Foundations of Zen Practice” by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: “The Sunflower” (34 of 71, 8 minutes) 

Recorded teisho playback during the Rohatsu O-sesshin:

Saturday, December 2nd: SAkN Root Cycle Five: "The End of All Knowledge" (1 of 5, 8 minutes)
Sunday, December 3rd: SAkN Root Cycle Five: "Beyond the Fields" (2 of 5, 25 minutes)
Monday, December 4th: SAkN Root Cycle Five: "The Collapse of SAkN" (3 of 5, 20 minutes)
Tuesday, December 5th: SAkN Root Cycle Five: "Unborn" (4 of 5, 21 minutes)
Wednesday, December 6th: SAkN Root Cycle Five: "Just This" (5 of 5, 13 minutes)
Thursday, December 7th: SAkN The Anatomy of Awakening: "The Anatomy of Awakening" (1 of 9, 18 minutes)
 


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.
 


White Wind Zen Community Website Update



“Kwannon”: A teisho by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi, transcript of a teisho presented on May 6, 1986, at River Road Zendo
https://wwzc.org/dharma-text/kwannon

“Cultivation of the Ground of Mind”: transcript of a teisho Presented by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi at Zazen-ji, on June 4, 1989 
https://wwzc.org/dharma-text/cultivation-ground-mind

The Practice of Boards and Stones” teisho presented by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi at Zazen-ji, on June 18, 1989
https://wwzc.org/dharma-text/practice-boards-and-stones

"Difficulty, Strangeness, Beauty": transcript of a Dharma Talk presented by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi at Zazen-ji, December 13, 1988: https://wwzc.org/dharma-text/difficulty-strangeness-beauty

"Standing in the Rain (Tangaryo)": transcript of Dharma Talk presented by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi at Zazen-ji, December 15th, 1988: https://wwzc.org/dharma-text/standing-rain-tangaryo

"Snow": transcript of Dharma Talk presented by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi at Zazen-ji, November 18, 1989: https://wwzc.org/dharma-text/snow
 


Fundraising 2023: Roofs



Total donated to date: $16,959

After receiving several estimates for the repairs to the remaining areas of the roof, we now know that the total cost will be between $30,000 and $35,000 (depending on when the work begins, as estimates are only good for three to six months and costs keep increasing). All of the other (grey) sections of roof have already been taken care of. We have needed to redo the roofs a section at a time because the costs of replacing them, given the size and extreme angle of our roofs is very high. 

Any contribution that you can make will be gratefully received. 

Thank you and Gassho
 

Roof Sketch

 

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. 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 on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings:

Monday Yakuseki:
Calrose short-grain brown rice with butter and baby green peas; a soup made from cooked, blended spinach stems, carrots, sweet potato, onion, coconut milk, cumin, ancho powder and chipotle adobo; salad made from sliced Napa cabbage, thinly sliced carrots, daikon and white onion, served with a dressing made from equal parts mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, black pepper and a little honey; cubed friulano cheese, pickled onions, sliced gherkins, with lemon zest. 

Tuesday Yakuseki:
Mashed Yukon gold potatoes (cooked Yukon gold potatoes, skin on, mashed with Dijon mustard, butter and chicken stock; braised beef and veal shanks (the meat was seared and simmered in a crockpot for five hours with chicken stock, miso, cayenne pepper, sauteed onions, shitake mushrooms, tomato paste, rice wine vinegar, minced red chillies); peas, carrots and corn seasoned with butter, salt and pepper; poached gai lan (Chinese Broccoli).

Thursday Yakuseki:
Minestrone soup served with optional grated friulano cheese; warmed buns; salad of chopped romaine and green leaf lettuce, thinly sliced celery, red onion, and chopped tomatoes, with a dressing of equal parts mayonnaise, dijon and apple cider vinegar with black pepper and honey.

 

Monk in gassho - 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 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 many thousands of teisho, Dharma Talks and classes he has presented and for translating and commenting on Teachings given over the past 2,600 years by our Lineage Ancestors. We are very  fortunate to be able to simply navigate to the WWZC website, click a button, and hear for example how Yaoshan Weiyan or Eihei Dogen Woke up monastics studying with them centuries ago.

From David Gallant: 
Thank you to Roshi for presenting countless teisho and for overseeing all aspects of Dainen-ji. Thank you to Jinmyo sensei for regular dokusan, and for her significant efforts as Tenzo. Thank you to Mishin godo and Saigyo ino for leading kata during the formal sittings. 

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