Vine of Obstacles Zen

Sunset from just now

Nodding in Zazen

Someone on Rinzai Zen Facebook Group referenced this teaching from the Pali Canon in response to my recent post about sleep practice. The sutta is actually about the opposite - how to wake up when you're trying to meditate, rather than how to sleep when you're

Dahui's Shobogenzo

Where Buddhas Apply Their Minds

Tetsugan Sensei and I had thought we might work this gem from Dahui’s Shobogenzo into a Sunday dharma talk on the Awakening of Mahayana Faith. It seemed like too much, though, so I'll share it with you here. [520] National Teacher Wuye said to some disciples, “The

The Zen Way of Sleep

Recently, Meido Moore Roshi posted a short fireside sesshin talk about sleep practice. You can find it here. In the talk, Meido Roshi mentions the Soto monastic practice for sleep that I have shared bits and pieces of before, so I thought I might stitch it together for you. One

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Sunrise, Sunset

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Going Through the Mystery

How to investigate the three subtle and six coarse aspects?

Dahui's Shobogenzo

One Geeky Review of Dahui's "Treasury of the Eye of the True Teaching"

Dahui Zonggao (1089–1163) was (arguably) the most important Zen master ever. (1) He is credited with developing the keyword method (話頭, huatou) that revolutionized Zen practice and that, in my opinion, is the greatest development in the meditation realm since Shakyamuni Buddha. Most importantly, the innovative teaching of Dahui

Sunrise Photos from October 19

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Menzan Zenji and Dainin Roshi on "The Acupuncture Needle of Zazen"

Dahui's Shobogenzo

Don't Stray and Diligence Will Be Boundless

Another dharma nugget for you today, again from Dahui's Shobogenzo. I'll soon be moving on from this focus, although will probably return to it from time to time. The review that I've been preparing for months is almost cooked and I'll post

Dahui's Shobogenzo

What are the Three Treasures?

You might be surprised. This nugget is also from Dahui's Shobogenzo. The master here, Sanjiao Zhisong, is in the Linji branch, 16th generation in China, 45 from the Buddha. [610] Master Sanjiao was asked by a monk, “What are the Three Treasures?” He said, “Rice, wheat, and beans.

Dahui's Shobogenzo

Bowl With No Handle

"You are Buddha" - how can this be grasped? On this point (and lack thereof), another nugget from Dahui's Shobogenzo. The master in the koan below, Dalong Zhihong, is a 12th generation successor of the great Deshan Xuanjian. [598] Master Dalong was asked by a monk,

Dahui's Shobogenzo

Not Moving Suchness

I took the above photo a few days ago and when I reread the passage from Dahui's Shobogenzo below, it came to mind as the "just right" companion. The master who gave the talk below, Fojian, is a 21st generation teacher in China (50th since the

Season Change at the Hermitage

Dahui's Shobogenzo

I am not here

Keizan

Mind is Such

Here is a short passage from Keizan's Record of the Transmission of Illumination (Denkoroku), Chapter 9. I stumbled on it again last night and it struck me as a wonderful summary of the path. This is from Bodiford's translation (modified, of course): "The followers of

Recent Photos from the Neyaashi Zen Hermitage Environs

Hongzhi

Línjì’s True Person

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Going Through the Mystery

Going Through the Mystery's One Hundred Questions Update

Turning the light around

Turning the Light Around for a Moment

Last week, I posted a Dogen verse here about turning the light around - an essential instruction for zazen across Zen lineages and across time. Below you'll find another such reference by Letan Hongying (1012-1070), Linji Lineage, Huanglong Branch, nineteenth generation in China, forty-eighth since Buddha. His phrase,

Dogen

A Little Mercy Now: Turn the Light Around

Dahui's Shobogenzo

Conceiving Interpretations Pursuant to Words

Here's another piece from Dahui's Shobogenzo, this one continues the theme about Soto and Rinzai distinguishing characteristics, probably the last on this for now. Zhenjing was a Rinzai master in the forty-third generation in China. Whether his words about Soto are praise or criticism, well, that&

Don't Press the Wind

Dahui's Shobogenzo

Totally Unshakable

Sleeping in the Zendo Turns Out Pretty Darn Well