Yokai, Japanese Demon
eMirror Vol 28, No. 28
Friday, July 12th, 2024
Edited by the Practice Council
The White Wind Zen Community:
An international community practising and teaching Dogen’s Zen since 1985.
The same thing applies to practice. Talking to yourself about your practice is not the same thing as actually doing the practice. You can sit on the couch thinking “I should go sit” for hours, but until you stand up and put one foot in front of the other to walk to the zafu, nothing is happening.
Being able to tell the difference between thinking about doing something and actually doing something is obviously very, very important and yet somehow this is often not clear for people. We can create the impression for ourselves that we are very busy, that everything requires so much effort, is so difficult, when really all we are doing is nattering to ourselves. If we put just a fraction of the energy we put into propagating states into simply doing what needs to be done, our lives would be very different.
The most important characteristic of a Zen student is follow-through. Disaster ensued for the man who bought the demon because he did not follow through. Much of the difficulty people experience in their lives is due to simply not following through.
And this is why the schedule of the monastery is so important. It is relentless and it insists that we follow through. Day after day, we do soji and samu and we sit and all of this is scheduled. It doesn't matter whether we “feel like” doing soji, whether we “feel like” doing samu, whether we “feel like” sitting. When it is time to do soji, we do it. When it is time to do samu, we do it. And when it is time to sit, we sit. When Eihei Dogen zenji established Eihei-ji, it was for the purpose of creating an environment in which monastics could engage in continuous intensive practice, both on the cushion and off the cushion. And this is also why the Roshi established Dainen-ji. For monastics, everything is scheduled: sitting, samu, food preparation, corresponding with students, practice interviews, daisan, dokusan, presenting workshops and Dharma Assemblies, transcription -- everything we do from the time we get up while it is still dark outside until we go to sleep -- all of these activities are scheduled. And the schedule continues seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, year in and year out.
Continuing a Dharma Talk by Ven. Jinmyo Renge sensei, "Dealing With the Demon," at Dainen-ji, July 28, 2007
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, 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.
Sunday Formal Sitting: The Sunday morning formal sittings are reserved for monastics, formal students, and probationary formal students.
Fusatsu (Renewal of Vows): July 24th, August 7th and 21st
Introduction to Zen Workshop Ottawa:
The next two Introduction to Zen Workshops will take place on Saturday, August 3rd and Saturday, September 7th at 1:45 p.m. To register: https://IntroductionToZenWorkshop.eventbrite.ca; for more information please see https://wwzc.org/introduction-zen-workshop-ottawa
Yaza
Yaza (all night sitting) will take place on Saturday, July 13th from 10pm until Sunday, July 14th at 8am. Ven. Jinmyo Renge sensei will lead the Yaza. A light breakfast will be served before the end of the Yaza. All students are welcome to attend. Students attending should arrive by First Bell at 9:45 p.m. Associate students should email schedule@wwzc.org to arrange for a forms review. The suggested dana contribution for Yaza is $30.00. Please register soon as seating will be limited. Register to attend Yaza 2024
August Two-day Sesshin
The August two-day sesshin will begin at 8:00 p.m. on August 9th and will end at 6:00 p.m. on the 11th. Students attending are reminded to send their schedules as soon as possible.
Combined Associate and General Sitting:
There will be a combined associate and general sitting held in the Zendo on Saturday, August 10th which both associate and general students may attend. The sitting will begin at 9:30 a.m. (arrival time is 9:15, in time for First Bell). The sitting will end at 11:30 a.m. Students attending are reminded to stay on the first floor. Seating is limited, registration is required.
Dogen-ki
August 28th is Dogen-ki, the memorial of Eihei Dogen zenji's death.
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 Isshin sat a one-day retreat on Sunday, July 7th at her home in Saint John, New Brunswick. General public student Aaron Ford sat a two-day retreat on Saturday, July 6th and Sunday, July 7th at his home in Calgary, Alberta.
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, July 13th to Saturday, July 20th, 2024
General sitting Saturday July 13th: “Without Difficulty: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's commentaries on Jianzhi Sengcan's “Xinxin Ming: Words on Trusting Awareness”: “Three Cases of Zhaozhou part one (Hekiganroku Cases 57-59)” (teisho 24), 18 minutes.
Associate sittings Monday July 15th and Thursday July 18th: “Before Thinking: Foundations of Zen Practice" by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: "Breathe This Breeze" (64 of 71, 8 minutes)
General sitting Saturday July 20th: “Without Difficulty: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's commentaries on Jianzhi Sengcan's “Xinxin Ming: Words on Trusting Awareness”: Teisho 25: Three Cases of Zhaozhou part two (Hekiganroku Cases 57-59), (November 11, 2006), 20 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
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
Samu Weekend Report by Saigyo ino
Over the weekend of Saturday, June 29th and Sunday, June 30th we held our second Samu Weekend of the year and 24 students attended. Over the two days a great number of tasks and projects were worked on and here are some of the "highlights".
On the second floor, we dismantled and removed the sink and cabinet outside of the rear door to the Hatto. This old sink was used daily but it was decided that we could remove it and still retain functionality on the second floor by upgrading the washroom close by. Removing the cabinet has greatly improved the rear entrance to the monastery’s main Practice Hall. More work will take place at a later date to repair the flooring in this area.
For upgrades to the second floor washroom we replaced the pedestal sink with a new cabinet and deep bar sink and replaced the old toilet with a new one. Along with the recently replaced shower doors, this small washroom will be used instead of the hallway sink to fill containers for the daily cleaning of the Hatto and associated areas.
In the first floor guest room the mudding was finished and the first coats of paint were applied.
A lot more work was completed to catalogue the Roshi's extensive collection of Dharma books in the Shuryo.
Throughout the building a lot of deep cleaning was done, including all of the radiators, the laundry room and the laundry machines, all floors and the open shelving in the Shuryo, dining hall and archiving room. Sunday was dry enough for work to take place in the grounds with lots of weeding and tidying completed.
Thank you to Jinmyo sensei for designing and preparing the wonderful midday meals enjoyed by those students who stayed for the full day of samu and to Mishin godo for assisting Jinmyo sensei with the preparation of the food. Thank you to the following students who worked over the Samu Weekend to maintain and improve the practice environment of Dainen-ji:
Mishin godo, Fushin shuso, David Gallant, Rana Annous, Shannon Morphew, David Alexander, Greg Parker, Sam McFarlane, Challian Christ, Loïc-Alexandre Ouellette, Shigemi Ichino, Sydnee Burgess, Helen Jelich, Denise Beaudot, Don Charette, Jean-Francois St-Louis, Brandon Rouleau, Rowan Russell, An Nguyen, Jie Wu, Artik Chauhan, Luis Fumero and Ian Reynolds.
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.
Request for help with upkeep of the monastery grounds
If you would like to help with the upkeep and improvements to the monastery grounds through the summer months your help would be much appreciated. A regular commitment of an hour or two each week would go a long way to keeping the gardens looking good for the sangha and visitors we have at Dainen-ji. Saigyo ino will provide all of the instruction so even if you don't know much about gardening this is no problem. Please write to Saigyo ino at saigyo.cross@gmail.com if you would like to get involved. Thank you.
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:
Sourdough bread; egg salad; Punjabi-style tomato soup served at room temperature (blended San Marzano and diced tomatoes, besan flour, curry leaves, kashmiri chilli powder, popped mustard seeds, toasted cumin seeds, lemon juice, coconut milk); salad of red and Romaine lettuce, radicchio, thinly sliced onion, served with a dressing made from mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar and mango chutney blended together; sliced tomatoes.
Tuesday Yakuseki:
Potato salad (Yukon gold potatoes, chopped celery, scallions, diced red onion, minced jalapeno, minced garlic, mayonnaise, capers; sausages (bangers, hot Italian and bratwurst sausages with sauteed onion, peppers, and cabbage seasoned with red balsamic vinegar; friulano cheese and pickles with lemon zest.
Thursday Yakuseki:
Mixed grain (white and brown calrose rice, sushi rice, barley); vegetable-mushroom soup (made with vegetable stocks and mushroom stock, lots of slivered ginger and white pepper; medium-firm tofu seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and lime juice and seared in bran oil on the griddle, served over blanched spinach and monastery-grown arugula with a sauce of vegetarian oyster sauce, lime juice, minced garlic, minced onion, and sriracha; cremini mushrooms roasted in a sauce made from butter mixed with Yeo’s sweet and hot chilli sauces, salt and white 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 Mishin godo:
Thank you to Saigyo ino for organizing the recent Samu Weekends and Sunday afternoon samu periods so that needed work can be done within the monastery and students have the opportunity to practice samu. Thank you to Myocho for bookkeeping samu and for scanning and printing various posters of sho and verses by the Roshi.
From David Gallant:
Thank you to Jinmyo sensei for leading Yaza this upcoming weekend. Thank you to Saigyo ino for helpful advice regarding the design of my new resident space. Thank you to Fushin shuso for assistance in carrying bulky IKEA flat packs up the third floor this week.
