Photograph by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi
eMirror Vol 28, No. 9
Friday, March 1st, 2024
Edited by the Practice Council
The White Wind Zen Community:
An international community practising and teaching Dogen’s Zen since 1985.
Space is generous and accommodating by nature. Space is colourless so there is room for colours. Space is soundless, so there is room for sounds. Space is not a gas and so there is room for air for us to breathe. Space is open possibility and has room for more and more kinds of space. There are colours and forms within the space of seeing. There are sounds creaking and singing and mumbling and tumbling in the space of hearing. There are sensations of heat and cold and rough and smooth and soft and hard in infinite variations playing in the space of feeling.
The richness of our own nature is everywhere as every experience that we might have. We do not have experiences as if they were something separate from us that we acquire. We have them in the same way that a circle is round, that water is wet, that space is unobstructed. Experiences are the direct presencing of Experiencing. And each experience points to the space of Experiencing.
There is so much that can be learned from space. For example, although they are invisible within space, physical space has a fourfold dimensionality. This becomes revealed in the dimensionality of the kinds of forms that can be present within space, from a human bodymind to a tree to crystal to a drop of water. They all have a front and a back, a top and a bottom, a left and a right side, and they are all in the kind of motion we call time. This shows us that no matter which direction we look in, there are always other options available. If we look down, we could also look up. If we look to the right, we could also look behind. In the traditions of the Buddha Dharma, space is also said to have ten directions, or “Jippo”: north, south, east, west, northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest, and above and below. Really there are infinite directions available.
As Dogen points out though, one of the most important directions we can take from space is to learn of its inside and outside, of the relationships between spaces.
The tube of space inside of a water glass arises within the space that extends around it. The oval of space where the thumbs meet over the palms and fingers in the Dharmadhatu mudra of zazen arises in the space that outlines and encompasses your legs, feet, belly, and back, shoulders, neck, head, and face. Space is right there at the edge of every thing, every colour and form.
-Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi, Teisho 6: "Learning Space With Space”, February 14, 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): March 13th, March 27th.
Introduction to Zen Workshop Ottawa:
The next two Introduction to Zen Workshops will take place on Saturday, March 2nd and April 6th, at 1:45 p.m. To register: https://IntroductionToZenWorkshop.eventbrite.ca; for more information please see https://wwzc.org/introduction-zen-workshop-ottawa
March Two-day Sesshin:
The March two-day sesshin will begin at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 8th and will end at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 10th.
General Sitting
There will be a general sitting in the Zendo on Saturday, March 9th. The sitting will begin at 9:30 a.m. (please arrive by 9:15 in time for First Bell). The sitting ends at 11:45 a.m. Students are reminded to stay on the first floor.
Keizan-ki
March 21st is the memorial for Keizan Jokin zenji.
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 a semi-retreat on Tuesday, February 28th at her home in Berkshires, Massachusetts. Deshi Chantal Maheu sat a half-day retreat on Monday, February 26th. General public student Beth Buerkle sat a partial retreat on Tuesday, February 27th at her home in Chamcook, New Brunswick.
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, Saturday, March 2nd to Saturday, March 9th
Saturday, March 2nd, general sitting: “Without Difficulty”: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's commentaries on Jianzhi Sengcan's “Xinxin Ming: Words on Trusting Awareness”: “Vast Intimacy Is All That Is” (teisho 8 of 24)
Sunday, March 3rd formal sitting: SAkN The Drift of Meaning by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi: “Configurations of Meaning” (5 of 7, 38 minutes)
Monday, March 4th associate sitting: "Before Thinking: Foundations of Zen Practice" by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: "Surrender" (47 of 71, 9 minutes)
Thursday, March 7th associate sitting: "Before Thinking: Foundations of Zen Practice" by Zen Master Anzan Hoshin: "Surrender" (47 of 71, 9 minutes)
Saturday, March 9th general sitting: “Without Difficulty”: Zen Master Anzan Hoshin's commentaries on Jianzhi Sengcan's “Xinxin Ming: Words on Trusting Awareness”: “Straying, Dimming, Sinking, Rotting, Flowering” (teisho 9 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
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:
Basmati rice with turmeric, butter, and baby green peas and scallions; red lentil patties ((red lentils, bran oil, grated carrots, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, eggs, Madras curry powder and garam masala, finely chopped coriander); curried butternut squash soup (diced shallots, minced garlic, chopped butternut squash, Madras curry powder, cinnamon, coconut milk, vegetable broth, chilli-garlic paste, and a little maple syrup), served with a tamarind dipping sauce made from tamarind paste, minced red and green jalapenos, finely chopped white onion, minced ginger, minced garlic, brown sugar, ground cumin, salt.
Tuesday Yakuseki:
Thick cut (0.5 inch) rutabaga, parsnip and potato oven fries seasoned with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika baked in the oven until golden brown; Chicken thigh meat pounded until very thin, seasoned with bran oil, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper and then grilled and tossed with a sauce made from chipotle adobo, mayonnaise, lime juice, garlic and onion powder, ancho chilli powder, cumin, and black pepper); green cabbage coleslaw (thinly sliced green cabbage, carrot, and white onion, mayonnaise, extra hot horseradish, dijon mustard, salt and black pepper).
Thursday Yakuseki:
Calrose short grain brown rice; peanut-tamarind 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 speckled pea sprouts, deseeded sliced tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onions with a tamarind dressing.

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 David Gallant:
Thank you to Roshi for providing the priceless opportunity for students to engage in either short or long-term residential training at Dainen-ji. Thank you to Mishin godo for the many hours of effort given to prepare charitable donation receipts for students each year.
From Kelly Babcock:
Thank you to Jinmyo sensei for the recent points you shared on opening up around thoughts, and to Mishin godo and Saigyo ino for your ongoing support and guidance of my practice. Thank you also for opening the Zendo for the combined associate and general sitting during the Nehan O-sesshin.
From the Office of the Treasurer:
Thank you to all who have generously donated to White Wind Zen Community over the past year. Charitable tax receipts for donations have been issued this week. If you did not receive yours, please email the treasurer, Mishin godo: mishin at gmail dot com.
