Vine of Obstacles Zen

Koan

Originally So Close

“This Way is originally so close.”

Katagiri Roshi

Dainin Katagiri Roshi: A Conversation

I remember when Tenshin Reb Anderson came and gave Katagiri Roshi’s eulogy, he said, ‘And he knew how to shut up.’ And I thought, ‘Well, Reb did know him’ because he really did know how to shut up.”

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Ten Line Kannon

Confusing an Interpretation for the Real Thing: On What the Ten Line Kannon is Not

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Katagiri Roshi

Living With a Burning Question: The Heart of Zen

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Ten Line Kannon

Practicing Great Compassion Through the Ten Line Kannon: How To Do It

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Record of Going Easy

Not Knowing is Most Intimate

Record of Going Easy

Belly Laugh and Special Experiences

Warning: Although the koan below seems like a meeting of old friends, a proverbial dip into the warm mud bath at the Zen Spa, there are thorns in the mud. As you might expect.

Record of Going Easy

Eyes Asked Eyebrows...

In sorrow we grieve together. In laughter, we find the same joy.

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Linji Zen

Linji's True Person

Throw Yourself Into the House of Buddha Featured

Throw Yourself Into the House of Buddha: The Life and Zen Teachings of Tangen Harada Roshi

Now, fortunately, even those who didn't train directly with Roshi-sama can get a taste of his teaching of uncompromising compassion - of vital importance for Zen today.

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News

A Week Old Ghost

Nyogen Senzaki

Rays of Silvery Light: Hakuin's "Song of Zazen" Paraphrased By Nyogen Senzaki

In the infinite sky of Samadhi, the moon of the Tathagata's four wisdoms is shining, yet its rays of silvery light are the reflections of your true self.

Special Experiences

Do Special Experiences Mean Anything?

We're in a strange moment in Zen in the West where, in at least nine of ten zendos, all "experiences" are lumped together and dismissed.

Soto Zen Buddhism

Soto Zen's Dirty Little Secret

This was first published at Wild Fox Zen on Patheos, but didn't come along with the transfer, so I'm reposting now.

Soto Zen Buddhist Association

Suspending the Soto Zen Buddhist Association

Given the sad state of affairs of the SZBA and how they tragically trivialize the Great Way of Buddha, I’m happy to be on the outside of this organization.

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Transmission of Illumination, Talk 1

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Katagiri Roshi

Fishing With A Straight Hook: Messing With Katagiri Roshi

Awakening Featured

Gnawing Through Qiánfēng’s Three Illnesses and Two Lights

"... You will see the infinite compassion contained in Qiánfēng’s instructions...."

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Hakuin

Then the Seventeen Hundred Kōans are Giant Cookies

On 19 Ways of Looking at a Wang Wei Poem

This post is a follow-up to my recent post, Sitting, Looking for the Time When the Clouds Arise - my translation of a poem by the great Wang Wei. Below you'll find a lightly edited repost of another piece about Wang Wei, published on my Patheos site a

Sitting, Looking for the Time When the Clouds Arise

Below you'll find my translation of a classic Chinese poem by Wang Wei (701-761), "Zhongnan's Exceptional Karma." The poem contains these often quoted lines, even today: "Going to the water’s source/Sitting, looking for the time when the clouds arise." Wang

Progress

"Why, Oh Why, Is My Practice Not Progressing?"

Progress is empty, but that doesn't mean that progress in Zen practice is unimportant. Just like there are no ears (as the "Heart Sutra" proclaims), but still many people have awakened through hearing. And the Buddha of the Pali Canon often says that if practice isn&

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Dogen

The Difference Between Soto and Rinzai

Record of Going Easy

Absorption, Awakening and Spiritual Fascination: Juifeng Does Not Agree

We're back from sesshin and a little vacation. Both were wonderful, as is being home again in the hermitage and walking along the great lake. Today, as promised, I'm sharing my translation of The Record of Going Easy (Japanese, Shoyoroku, aka, Book of Serenity), Case 96:

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Record of Going Easy

The Inner Meaning of Zen: Dying While Sitting Doesn't Reach It