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IN THIS ISSUE:
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Advice to a practitioner
Shohaku Okumura
Dōgen’s Chinese Poems (35)
Given to Zen Person Nin from Mount Kōya
Polishing a tile to make a mirror depends on effort.
We should know this is still stuck halfway along the path.
If you ask the true meaning of coming from the west,
On the ground gushing forth, shut your mouth and sit.
In this verse, I think Dōgen is simply saying that this Zen Person Nin is practicing zazen to become an enlightened buddha as if making a mirror by polishing a tile. Possibly, Dōgen thought that this young Zen person was similar to Dōgen himself when he was practicing at Kenninji with Myōzen before they went to China. Dōgen is giving the young monk advice, not simply criticizing him. No matter how hard we practice zazen based on our personal efforts, to practice zazen in order to attain some desirable effect, even if that is to become an enlightened buddha, is not the completion of Buddha Way. While we practice with such an attitude, we are still stuck halfway along the path.
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Shohaku Okumura
Dōgen’s Chinese Poems (35)
Given to Zen Person Nin from Mount Kōya
Polishing a tile to make a mirror depends on effort.
We should know this is still stuck halfway along the path.
If you ask the true meaning of coming from the west,
On the ground gushing forth, shut your mouth and sit.
In this verse, I think Dōgen is simply saying that this Zen Person Nin is practicing zazen to become an enlightened buddha as if making a mirror by polishing a tile. Possibly, Dōgen thought that this young Zen person was similar to Dōgen himself when he was practicing at Kenninji with Myōzen before they went to China. Dōgen is giving the young monk advice, not simply criticizing him. No matter how hard we practice zazen based on our personal efforts, to practice zazen in order to attain some desirable effect, even if that is to become an enlightened buddha, is not the completion of Buddha Way. While we practice with such an attitude, we are still stuck halfway along the path.
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OTHER NEWS
New administrative assistant joins the staff
David Jung has taken his place as Sanshin's administrative assistant, replacing Judy Owens, who left Sanshin last spring. David and his family immigrated to the United States from Hong Kong in 1969. They briefly resided in San Francisco and then moved to Indianapolis in 1970. In 1981, his parents moved to Bloomington to start a restaurant, and he has been a Bloomington resident ever since. He attended Bloomington High School North and Indiana University and attained a degree in economics. He had since worked in the nonprofit field, publishing, hospitality, and education and most recently served as personal assistant to famed Bloomington musician Jason Wilber.
David will be working on Sanshin's bookkeeping, event registration, contact lists, public inquiries and other administrative tasks in support of the board and clergy.
David will be working on Sanshin's bookkeeping, event registration, contact lists, public inquiries and other administrative tasks in support of the board and clergy.
Holiday closure schedule remains unchanged
Under normal circumstances Sanshin closes for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year, and we'll stick to that plan in this year of virtual practice. There will be no communal practice November 25 - 27 (Wed - Fri), December 24 - 26 (Thurs - Sat), or January 1 - 3 (Fri - Sun). Please enjoy safe and peaceful holidays with family and friends.
coming up
Virtual Rohatsu Sesshin
December 3, 7 pm - December 7, midnight
This sesshin commemorates the enlightenment of Shakyamuni Buddha. This is one of the sanbukki (Three Buddha days) in the Soto Zen calendar and even in these times of closure, observing them is important to maintaining our practice community. Hoko and Hosshin will be in the zendo maintaining the schedule and carrying out the activities of a standard sesshin day at Sanshin. On the final day, as usual we will take a short break from 9 to 9:20 pm and then resume sitting until midnight, when we'll close with a short chanting service. You are welcome to connect via Zoom and follow along at home for as much of the sesshin as you like. More information is here.
December 3, 7 pm - December 7, midnight
This sesshin commemorates the enlightenment of Shakyamuni Buddha. This is one of the sanbukki (Three Buddha days) in the Soto Zen calendar and even in these times of closure, observing them is important to maintaining our practice community. Hoko and Hosshin will be in the zendo maintaining the schedule and carrying out the activities of a standard sesshin day at Sanshin. On the final day, as usual we will take a short break from 9 to 9:20 pm and then resume sitting until midnight, when we'll close with a short chanting service. You are welcome to connect via Zoom and follow along at home for as much of the sesshin as you like. More information is here.
Resources from Sanshin
Virtual morning and evening practice: Sanshin offers weekday morning zazen and liturgy via Zoom. The zazen period begins at 6:10 EST and lasts 50 minutes; liturgy follows directly afterward. In the evenings, zazen begins at 6:30 and lasts 30 minutes. The complete schedule is here; please email our office if you're interested in participating.
Sanshin Solo: Recognizing that more folks than ever are now practicing in Sanshin's style by themselves, we've added a Sanshin Solo page to our website offering tips and information about practicing on your own.
Dharma study: Study materials remain available from our Dogen Institute and video recordings of dharma talks on our YouTube channel.
Virtual morning and evening practice: Sanshin offers weekday morning zazen and liturgy via Zoom. The zazen period begins at 6:10 EST and lasts 50 minutes; liturgy follows directly afterward. In the evenings, zazen begins at 6:30 and lasts 30 minutes. The complete schedule is here; please email our office if you're interested in participating.
Sanshin Solo: Recognizing that more folks than ever are now practicing in Sanshin's style by themselves, we've added a Sanshin Solo page to our website offering tips and information about practicing on your own.
Dharma study: Study materials remain available from our Dogen Institute and video recordings of dharma talks on our YouTube channel.
Resources from around the Sanshin Network
Centers and groups from around our global network are offering virtual practice in multiple languages and are willing to include practitioners from outside their immediate sanghas. Please see this page of our website for a complete listing.
Centers and groups from around our global network are offering virtual practice in multiple languages and are willing to include practitioners from outside their immediate sanghas. Please see this page of our website for a complete listing.
SANSHIN STYLE AND SPIRIT |
SANSHIN NETWORK
Sanshin's third generation helps lead genzo-e
Students of Okumura Roshi's direct dharma heirs will provide leadership of the zazen periods offered during the November virtual genzo-e. Dairén Jácome (Colombia), Onryu Kennedy (US), Jakushō Pignatiello (Venezuela), Shinko Hagn (Austria), and Mark Hotoku Howell (US) will be hosting zazen from their home countries, adding another element of worldwide participation to this very popular event and further developing leadership skills in the next generation.
Students of Okumura Roshi's direct dharma heirs will provide leadership of the zazen periods offered during the November virtual genzo-e. Dairén Jácome (Colombia), Onryu Kennedy (US), Jakushō Pignatiello (Venezuela), Shinko Hagn (Austria), and Mark Hotoku Howell (US) will be hosting zazen from their home countries, adding another element of worldwide participation to this very popular event and further developing leadership skills in the next generation.
Gyoetsu's new book now available
Centro Zen Anshin's Gyoetsu Epifania's new book is in bookstores in Italy and available online. Se respiri, stai danzando (If You're Breathing, You're Dancing) tells Gyoetsu's experiences as a professional classical dancer, researcher and Zen nun. Transformation of the body-mind is the central theme that organizes this collection of more than 40 years of personal writings.
The magazine of the Italian Buddhist Union featured Gyoetsu and her book in this article.
Centro Zen Anshin's Gyoetsu Epifania's new book is in bookstores in Italy and available online. Se respiri, stai danzando (If You're Breathing, You're Dancing) tells Gyoetsu's experiences as a professional classical dancer, researcher and Zen nun. Transformation of the body-mind is the central theme that organizes this collection of more than 40 years of personal writings.
The magazine of the Italian Buddhist Union featured Gyoetsu and her book in this article.
1000 Hands initiative gets underway in Austria
Daijihi in Austria launched its 1000 Hands: Interconnection in Action project with a series of lectures on how microbiology, psychotherapy and Zen Buddhism are connected; video recordings are available here. 1000 Hands offers work for people with little chance of employment, such as ex-inmates, people with disabilities, homeless people, people who struggle with mental illnesses and drug- or alcohol addiction (after rehabilitation).
Daijihi in Austria launched its 1000 Hands: Interconnection in Action project with a series of lectures on how microbiology, psychotherapy and Zen Buddhism are connected; video recordings are available here. 1000 Hands offers work for people with little chance of employment, such as ex-inmates, people with disabilities, homeless people, people who struggle with mental illnesses and drug- or alcohol addiction (after rehabilitation).
Frühlingsmond Zendo holds jukai-e
Kyoku Lutz in Hannover carefully gave precepts for the first time before Germany went into another pandemic lockdown. Practice continues to unfold at Frühlingsmond Zendo as the sangha now holds its zazen periods outside.
Kyoku Lutz in Hannover carefully gave precepts for the first time before Germany went into another pandemic lockdown. Practice continues to unfold at Frühlingsmond Zendo as the sangha now holds its zazen periods outside.
Are we reaching you?
Do we have the best and most current contact information for you? If you've changed your e-mail address or moved to a new place of residence, or if we've never had complete information about how to reach you, it's time to update your record. Please take a moment to go here to send us the contact information you'd like us to use. We'll check it against your current record and update as needed. Don't miss any of the upcoming communications from Sanshin -- update your info today!
Do we have the best and most current contact information for you? If you've changed your e-mail address or moved to a new place of residence, or if we've never had complete information about how to reach you, it's time to update your record. Please take a moment to go here to send us the contact information you'd like us to use. We'll check it against your current record and update as needed. Don't miss any of the upcoming communications from Sanshin -- update your info today!
Gifts of financial support
Whether as a practitioner, a financial supporter, a listener/reader or simply as an interested friend, Sanshin welcomes you to our international sangha. Like all nonprofit organizations, Sanshin depends on the generous offerings of those whose lives are helped by the work it does. Visit this page to set up a monthly donation or make a one-time gift online, or download a form to use when giving by check.
Community give-back programs
Designating Sanshin Zen Community as the recipient of give-back programs is a painless way to provide funding support simply by making your usual purchases!
Amazon Smile: Instead of going to Amazon's regular homepage, go to Amazon Smile and sign into your Amazon account. Choose Sanshin Zen Community as your charity, and .05% of what you spend will come to us. Remember, only purchases at smile.amazon.com (not www.amazon.com or the mobile app) support Sanshin.
CharityCharge: If you're in the market for a new Mastercard, consider getting it here and joining the friends of Sanshin who have designated us as their nonprofit beneficiary. One percent of what you spend will come to us.
Kroger: If you shop at Kroger with a Plus card, your regular purchases of groceries and household goods can provide financial support for Sanshin. Create or sign in to your Kroger account, enroll in Kroger Community Rewards® with your card, and choose Sanshin as your organization. Every time you shop and swipe your card, a percentage of what you spend will come to us. Fifteen households are already participating on Sanshin's behalf.
Employer giving programs
Friends of Sanshin who work at companies like Google and Adobe are providing regular financial support through payroll deduction and employer gift-matching programs. Check with your employer's human resources or community relations department to see whether giving opportunities like these are available at your workplace.
Whether as a practitioner, a financial supporter, a listener/reader or simply as an interested friend, Sanshin welcomes you to our international sangha. Like all nonprofit organizations, Sanshin depends on the generous offerings of those whose lives are helped by the work it does. Visit this page to set up a monthly donation or make a one-time gift online, or download a form to use when giving by check.
Community give-back programs
Designating Sanshin Zen Community as the recipient of give-back programs is a painless way to provide funding support simply by making your usual purchases!
Amazon Smile: Instead of going to Amazon's regular homepage, go to Amazon Smile and sign into your Amazon account. Choose Sanshin Zen Community as your charity, and .05% of what you spend will come to us. Remember, only purchases at smile.amazon.com (not www.amazon.com or the mobile app) support Sanshin.
CharityCharge: If you're in the market for a new Mastercard, consider getting it here and joining the friends of Sanshin who have designated us as their nonprofit beneficiary. One percent of what you spend will come to us.
Kroger: If you shop at Kroger with a Plus card, your regular purchases of groceries and household goods can provide financial support for Sanshin. Create or sign in to your Kroger account, enroll in Kroger Community Rewards® with your card, and choose Sanshin as your organization. Every time you shop and swipe your card, a percentage of what you spend will come to us. Fifteen households are already participating on Sanshin's behalf.
Employer giving programs
Friends of Sanshin who work at companies like Google and Adobe are providing regular financial support through payroll deduction and employer gift-matching programs. Check with your employer's human resources or community relations department to see whether giving opportunities like these are available at your workplace.