Vasumitra
eMirror Vol 28, No. 21
Friday, May 24th, 2024
Edited by the Practice Council
The White Wind Zen Community:
An international community practising and teaching Dogen’s Zen since 1985.
He then presents some of the material from the Chuandenglu:
Vasumitra was from northern India, born of the Bharadhvaja clan. He always wore spotless clothing and would wander through the towns carrying a bowl of wine, singing and chanting. Everyone thought that he was insane and no one knew his name.
Venerable Miccaka wandered as he taught the people, and came to Northern India. He saw a golden cloud over a wall. Miccaka said to his students, “This cloud marks one of the Way. There must be a great person here who is capable of receiving my transmission.” Just as Miccaka spoke these words, Vasumitra appeared with his wine bowl and asked, “Do you know what I have in my hands?” Miccaka said, “An impure vessel, not clean at all.” Vasumitra places the bowl before Miccaka, wakes up to the fundamental nature of the Unborn, and the bowl vanishes.Miccaka said, “Tell me your name and I’ll tell you of the past conditions to your present awakening.”
Vasumitra chanted,
“From numberless eons to my birth in this land,
my clan has been Bharadhvaja and my name Vasumitra.”The Venerable Miccaka said, “My Master Dhritaka told me that once the Generous One had been travelling in northern India and had said to Ananda that three hundred years after his death a sage would be born of the Bharadhvaja clan who would become the Seventh Ancestor of his Lineage. The Generous One was speaking of you and of your becoming a monk.”
On hearing of this, Vasumitra said to Miccaka, “I now remember that long ago I was a patron of the Dharma and offered a jewelled throne to a Buddha. That Buddha said that I would one day become an heir of Sakyamuni Buddha’s Lineage in the Eon of Fortune.”
Keizan zenji then tries to draw out the point of all of this in his teisho:
Before he came to Miccaka, Vasumitra always carried his wine bowl around, keeping it with him day and night, using it always. Actually, it was a sign that he himself was a vessel of the Dharma.
Vasumitra, through mysterious circumstances, was always ready to be a vessel for the Dharma. Not knowing this, he wandered around in the midst of marketplace, through people’s busy plans and tight schedules, singing and chanting and carrying a bowl of wine. Perhaps he might be interpreted as a tantric figure like the Mahasiddhas. Perhaps he was merely an alcoholic. I think the main thing was that he was dislocated, adrift, lost. There was something he was missing but he could not come into contact with it.
Then Keizan zenji says,
When Miccaka asks, “Is this my bowl or is it yours?” he wasn’t speaking about the past or the present or the views of coming or going. Right now, what do you think? Is it me? Or is it you?
Just as Vasumitra thinks about something beyond “mine” or “yours,” Miccaka says to him, “You might say that it is mine; but it is your Actual Nature.” So it’s not Miccaka’s bowl. “If it is yours, use it to receive my transmission.” So it’s not really Vasumitra’s either. Not only is it not “my” bowl, or “your” bowl, but it’s not even a bowl. So no more bowl.
-Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi, Teisho 8: "Passing Through, Passing Past”, February 16, 2001, in the series "Playing With Space: Commentaries on Eihei Dogen zenji's Koku”
The Hatto (for formal 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 22nd, June 5th and June 19th.
Introduction to Zen Workshop Ottawa:
The next two Introduction to Zen Workshops will take place on Saturday, June 1st and Saturday, July 6th, 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.
Congratulations
On Friday, May 17th, during the Sogaku-ki O-sesshin, Ven. Jinmyo Renge sensei Transmitted the Three Jewels to Chantal Maheu, who was given the Dharma name “Myocho”. Myocho was accepted as an associate student in November 2001, as a general student in 2012 and as a probationary formal student of Jinmyo Renge sensei in September of 2021.
Retreats and Training Sessions
Rev. Chiso anagarika sat a semi retreat on Tuesday May 21st in her home in Cambridge, Ma. Elizabeth Eve sat a half-day retreat on May 14th at her home in Halifax, NS. Beth Buerkle sat a one-day retreat on May 17th at her home in Chambook, NB. Rowan Russell sat a one-week training session at Dainen-ji from May 20th to May 26th.
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, May 25th to Saturday, June 1st
Saturday, May 25th general sitting: “Without Difficulty”: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's commentaries on Jianzhi Sengcan's “Xinxin Ming: Words on Trusting Awareness”: “Wise Up, Down, and All Around” (teisho 18 of 24, 18 minutes)
Sunday, May 26th formal sitting: SAkN The Self-Secret Matrix of the Total Field: Class 2: "Ki" and "Final Comment" (4 and 5 of 7, 70 minutes)
Monday, May 27th associate sitting: "Before Thinking: Foundations of Zen Practice" by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: "Names" (58 of 71, 11 minutes)
Thursday, May 30th associate sitting: "Before Thinking: Foundations of Zen Practice" by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: "Names" (58 of 71, 11 minutes)
Saturday, June 1st general sitting: “Without Difficulty”: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's commentaries on Jianzhi Sengcan's “Xinxin Ming: Words on Trusting Awareness”: “The Importance of Earnestly Being” (teisho 19 of 24)
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
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
Bargeboard Restoration
From the “Heritage Conservation Glossary”: Bargeboard (bordure de pignon): Boards or other decorative woodwork fixed to the edges or projecting rafters of a gabled roof, sometimes called “gingerbread”.
Being subjected to the extreme fluctuation of Ottawa’s freezing, dry winters and the heat and humidity of summers for 150 years have taken their toll on the monastery’s elaborate gingerbread. Some of it is so old and damaged that it was necessary to take it down before it fell down. Other areas are badly cracked and all of it needs restoration, sanding and repainting.
From across Friel street showing the height of the window in the above photograph.
As all of the gingerbread is four floors up and difficult to access because of the steep pitch of our roofs, this is not work we can do ourselves. It is going to require someone skilled in the use of a “cherry picker” and scaffolding, and will also require excellent carpentry skills as some of the gingerbread will need to be recreated. And so we are beginning the process of finding a company that we can hire to do the work.
In the meantime, the Caretaking Council (monastics Saigyo ino and Fushin shuso) are “ringing the bell” to let the Sangha know that help will be needed.
In Japan, monastics traditionally walk "Takuhatsu” or “Alms Round". They wear a straw hat that hides their eyes and they carry a bell and an alms bowl. As they walk they strike the bell to let people know that there is need. But their eyes cannot be seen below the brim of their straw hat and so they do not look directly at anyone, whether they put something in the alms bowl or do not. Their purpose is to simply let the community know that there is need.
We are pointing to the need, not to or at anyone or how large or small the dana is being offered.
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 During the Week of O-sesshin
Friday:
Breakfast: Chow mein noodles mixed with seared strips of white onion, green cabbage, and carrots and seared batonettes of medium-firm tofu in a chile garlic sauce (low sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, minced ginger, chile-bean sauce, sambal oelek, demerera sugar).
Lunch: Calrose white rice served with optional gomashio (roasted ground sesame seeds and salt); miso shiru (broth made from kombu, slivered ginger, shiro miso, fresh shiitake mushrooms, Shanghai bok choy, shoyu, mirin, rice vinegar, cubed silken tofu); takuan and gari.
Supper: Boribap (rice and barley); bulgogi tofu (cubed firm tofu sauteed, chopped onion, scallion, leeks, carrots, celery, and daikon, garlic, rice vinegar, shoyu, dark shoyu, sesame oil, chilli oil); spinach soup (mushroom and vegetable stock, thinly sliced ginger, white pepper, shoyu; cooked, chopped spinach leaves); lightly cooked and shocked sugar snap peas tossed with thick slices of cremini mushrooms roasted in chili sauce mixed with butter.
Saturday:
Breakfast: Pancakes (whole wheat and all purpose flour, milk, white vinegar (to “sour” the milk into buttermilk), melted butter, eggs, salt, maple syrup); scrambled eggs; served with optional toppings of lemon juice, sweet chile sauce, or maple syrup.
Lunch: Fried rice (leftover boribap and Calrose white rice, chopped yellow onion, minced ginger, minced garlic, chopped leftover roasted chile mushrooms, chopped scallions, shoyu, white pepper, salt); spicy seaweed soup (strained miso shiro from the previous day, wakame, sliced ginger, low sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, chilli oil, cubed silken tofu); thin, bias cut cucumber mixed with thinly sliced red apple and baechu kimchi.
Supper: Toasted cheese naan; tomato vegetable soup (San Marzano tomatoes, tomato juice, chopped celery, red bell peppers, poblano peppers and carrots, minced garlic, thyme, oregano, red kidney beans); salad of chopped romaine, green leaf lettuce and radicchio, thinly sliced celery, thinly sliced red onion, and chopped red radishes.
Sunday:
Breakfast: Chirashizushi (Calrose rice mixed with sushi vinegar (rice vinegar, salt, sugar) and minced seeded cucumbers, minced takuan (pickled daikon), minced gari (pickled ginger), thinly sliced scallions, and omelette strips.
The Following Meals were Prepared on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Evenings:
Monday Yakuseki:
Mixed grain (basmati white and brown rice); three bean dal (Masoor dal (red lentils), moong dal (split mung beans) and ahar (split pigeon peas), cooked together and seasoned with toasted cumin seeds, finely chopped yellow onions and tomato, grated ginger, dried Thai chillies, kashmiri chilli powder, coriander powder, turmeric, fenugreek leaves, fresh coriander); lentil patties with a yogurt dipping sauce.
Tuesday Yakuseki:
Lundberg Farms short grain brown rice with butter and chopped scallions; grilled pieces of chicken thigh with a sauce made from Vegan butter and bran oil, Frank’s hot sauce, gojuchang, onion powder and minced garlic; coleslaw (thinly sliced green cabbage, white onion, and carrots dressed with mayonnaise, dijon mustard, horseradish, lime juice, salt and pepper.
Thursday Yakuseki:
Curry rice cakes (leftover basmati and Lundberg brown rice, all purpose flour, curry powder, salt) fried in rice bran oil and butter; greens and tofu in a Korean dressing (Shanghai bok choy and choy sum blanched in boiling water then mixed with seared strips of medium-firm tofu and seared strips of yellow and red onion, green Korean peppers, and red Shepherd bell pepper, with a dressing of low sodium soy sauce, water, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, gochugaru); salad of very thinly sliced daikon mixed with daikon radish sprouts and thinly sliced red onion, dressed with canola oil, rice vinegar, mirin, and salt.
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 Dharma Talk "Samu" from the "Before Thinking" series and for the thousands of teisho and Dharma Talks and classes presented for monastics, formal students, general students and associate students. Thank you to Jinmyo sensei for leading the May Sogaku-ki O-sesshin and for doing the monastery grocery shopping while Saigyo ino is away. Thank you to Saigyo ino for preparing the rota of samu assignments throughout the O-sesshin. Thank you to Fushin shuso for cleaning the seats in the Zendo every Thursday afternoon in preparation for the evening sitting, since we are often "short-staffed". Thank you to David Gallant for completing an IT questionnaire required as part of our annual audited financial statements prepared by external accountants.
From David Gallant:
Thank you to Jinmyo sensei for leading the Sogaku-ki O-sesshin, which included many insights and essential instruction during dokusan throughout the week.
From the Office of the Treasurer:
Thank you to Rana Annous and Ian Reynolds for donations towards restoration of the monastery's heritage barge board (gingerbread).
