eMirror Vol 28, No. 33 (2024-08-16)

Rabbit on Dainen-ji's grounds

Early morning visitor at Dainen-ji's Mountain Gate

eMirror Vol 28, No. 33

Friday, August 16th, 2024
Edited by the Practice Council

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



Impermanence is so blatantly obvious. We see our grandparents die, and as we ourselves age, we see our parents die. We see other people around us die. We know that all around the world countless people die every day. But when someone close to us dies, we are so surprised. We are surprised when our relationships change, when the economy changes, when our environment changes and we are surprised that we have to change and that what we do has to change because of these changes. We are surprised when we become sick, surprised when we let things slide and difficulty ensues. And most of this surprise is due to a conflict that comes about when our ideas about reality do not match up with what reality actually is. Reality is Tada: Things as they actually are. Suchness. Tada.

That itch behind your ear? Tada. That's it. The sensation of your hands resting in the mudra? That's it. The moisture you feel on your tongue? That's it. The movement of the breath? Just as it is. The form of the person sitting next to you? That's it. The release in your neck and spine when you straighten your posture? That's it. The sound of my voice and the quiet pauses between words? Exactly so. In the moment of Waking up from a thought, the recognition that streaming thoughts that can never settle on any one definitive "truth" because all that they can ever be is a continuously changing streaming?  That's it. Tada.

Continuing Dharma Assembly: "Tada!", a Dharma Talk Presented by Ven. Jinmyo Renge sensei, Dainen-ji, October 24th, 2009

 

The Hatto (for formal sittings)

The Hatto (for formal sittings)
 

Zen with renovated floors and new Butsudan (August 2024)

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):  August 21st, September 4th and 18th, October 2nd.

Introduction to Zen Workshop Ottawa:
The next two Introduction to Zen Workshops will take place on Saturday, September 7th and Saturday, November 2nd at 1:45 p.m. To register: https://IntroductionToZenWorkshop.eventbrite.ca; for more information please see https://wwzc.org/introduction-zen-workshop-ottawa 

Dogen-ki 
August 28th is Dogen-ki, the memorial of Eihei Dogen zenji's death.

September Two-day Sesshin:
The September two-day sesshin will begin at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 13th and will end at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 15th. Formal students are asked to send their schedules as soon as possible.

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



Rev. Chiso anagarika sat her weekly semi-retreat on Tuesday, August 13th in Berkshires, Massachusetts.

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


August 17th to 24th, 2024

General sitting Saturday, August 17th: The Thread of the Buddhas: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's Commentaries on Bukkyo: The Buddha's Sutras: Teisho 3: Turning and Shining (24 minutes)
Formal sitting Sunday, August 18th: SAkN: The Forms of Intelligent Reality by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: Teisho 1: Once Upon a Time in the Ocean of Reality (36 minutes)
Associate sittings Monday, August 19th and Thursday, August 22nd: Before Thinking: Foundations of Zen Practice by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: Dharma Talk 69: Easy, Difficult (19 minutes)
General sitting Saturday, August 24th: The Thread of the Buddhas: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's Commentaries on Bukkyo: The Buddha's Sutras: Teisho 4: "Yes?" (22 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
 


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.

Bargeboard at Dainen-ji

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.

Because Dainen-ji is a heritage building, these repairs must be done or we could lose our heritage status. 

We will post the estimated cost of the repairs as soon as we have received that information from contractors we are negotiating with. Any amount you can contribute would be gratefully received.
 


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.
 

Nappa Cabbage


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.

Meals Prepared During the August Sesshin:

Saturday
Breakfast: “Rice and eggs” (calrose rice drizzled with shoyu, mirin and wasabi topped with two eggs fried gently over easy in butter and garnished with the same sauce and shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven-spice).
Lunch: Mixed grain of sushi rice, arborio and calrose with optional topping of gomashio (roasted ground sesame seeds and salt); miso shiru (broth made from kombu, slivered ginger, shiro miso, dried shiitake mushrooms, Shanghai bok choy, shoyu, mirin, rice vinegar, cubed silken tofu); takuan and gari.
Supper: Mixed grain (Chinese, Thai and basmati rice); kung Pao Tofu (sauteed medium firm tofu mixed with cooked minced ginger and garlic, shoyu, black vinegar, Chinese cooking wine, roasted chilli paste, vegetable stock, cornstarch, chopped scallions, Spanish onions, red bell peppers, poblano peppers, served with roasted peanuts); baechu kimchi.

Sunday
Breakfast: Buttermilk pancakes (all purpose and whole wheat flour, eggs, milk soured with vinegar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, vanilla extract, butter); scrambled eggs.
Lunch: Fried rice (leftover grain from Saturday fried with chopped scallions, minced ginger and garlic, green peas, shoyu, white pepper); spicy seaweed soup (strained miso shiro from the previous day, wakame, sliced ginger, low sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, chilli oil, cubed silken tofu); quick pickled daikon.

The Following Meals were Prepared on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Evenings:

Monday Yakuseki:
Buffalo fries (sliced, roasted Yukon gold potatoes seasoned with butter and a mixture of Frank’s hot sauce and chilli sauce; caramelized onion frittata topped with sliced vine ripened tomatoes and melted friulano cheese; blended tomato soup (chopped onions, celery and carrots, minced garlic, San Marzano tomatoes, diced tomatoes, smoked paprika, thyme, lots of black pepper, a little red balsamic vinegar. 

Tuesday Yakuseki: Macaroni; Thai red curry pork curry (chopped red onion, diced sweet potatoes, diced carrots, minced garlic, chopped daikon, chopped green cabbage, Thai red curry paste, tamarind paste, peanut butter, light and dark soy sauce, small amount of maple syrup, coconut milk, served with toasted peanuts and slices of lime); salad of chopped romaine and green leaf lettuce, thinly sliced celery, and halved grape tomatoes with a dressing of equal parts mayonnaise, dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar with honey and black pepper.

Thursday Yakuseki:
Biryani (Basmati rice, butter, caramelized onion, cooked diced carrots, green lentils, curry spices and garam masala, mixed with dried currants); fruit soup served at room temperature (mango juice, onion powder, cayenne pepper, turmeric, a little sugar to offset the sourness of the mango, sliced cantaloupe); a salad of chopped radicchio, romaine, and green leaf lettuce, thinly sliced red onion and celery and chopped tomatoes with a dressing of equal parts mayonnaise, dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar with honey and black pepper.
 

Mishin godo bowing


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.

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 Saigyo ino for finishing the work on the room designated for “Myomaku” (the monastery bookstore). Thank you to Mishin godo for carrying out the Roshi’s idea to create a display of Ven. Shikai Zuiko osho’s collection of Kwan Yin rupas in tribute to her memory. Thank you to Chiso anagarika for corresponding with students receiving instruction through the Long Distance Training Program. 

From Chiso anagarika:
Thank you to Roshi for dokusan during my retreat. Dainen-ji is the place where the rubber hits the road, and it is the safest place for this to happen. Thank you to Jinmyo sensei for dokusan and her trust in me. Thank you to Mishin godo for a warm welcome. Thank you to Saigyo ino and Fushin shramon for moving my sleeping bag and chair to wherever was needed. Thank you to Alexander Tzelnic for driving the 1400 km to Dainen-ji and back to Cambridge, for his warm companion and for serving as jikido during the retreat. My gratitude for all these people is unending.

From Ian Richard: 
Thank you to the Roshi for the Doing-Not Doing series of teisho, to Jinmyo sensei for having presented so many helpful Dharma Talks, and to those monastics and students over the years who have been involved in transcription and website maintenance. Thanks as well to Mishin godo and Saigyo ino for recent practice interviews; I cannot understate how helpful these have been.

From the Office of the Treasurer:
Thank you to Ian Richard for a donation to the Bargeboard/Gingerbread Restoration Fund.

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