Record of Going Easy - Vine of Obstacles Zen (Page 2)

Vine of Obstacles Zen

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Record of Going Easy

A collection of 35 posts

Messing with Yasutani Roshi Again: Real Happiness and Peace

Record of Going Easy

Messing with Yasutani Roshi Again: Real Happiness and Peace

In this post I'm going to continue messing with Hakuun Yasutani Roshi (1885–1973, pictured above). The original version of Yasutani Roshi's commentary that I'm working with appeared in The Hazy Moon of Enlightenment, by Taizan Maezumi and Bernard Tetsugen Glassman. But, as with

The Vigorous Nature of Working Zen

Record of Going Easy

The Vigorous Nature of Working Zen

Zen students sometimes seem to think that Zen is a passive process. One just sits and the magic happens. Nonsense! And Sōtō students sometimes dismiss wholehearted application of the method by attributing "hair on fire" training to Rinzai Zen. Double nonsense!! Here's a bit from the

Messing With Yasutani Roshi: The Verse for Yunmen's Two Illnesses

Record of Going Easy

Messing With Yasutani Roshi: The Verse for Yunmen's Two Illnesses

Recently, in my translation work and personal practice, I've been playing again with Record of Going Easy (J., Shoyoroku), Case 11 Yunmen’s Two Illnesses. This case is so important, in my view, that in addition to the introduction, koan, capping phrases and Hongzhi's verse, I&

Yúnmén's Sound and Color

Record of Going Easy

Yúnmén's Sound and Color

The issue of sound and color is one that comes up a lot in the Zen tradition, because it is central to awakening. In the Diamond Sutra, Chapter 26, we find this verse: Seeking me by using form/color or seeking me by using the sound of my voice A

Intimate Friendship: "When You Sing, I Respond; When I Sing, You Clap Hands"

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Intimate Friendship: "When You Sing, I Respond; When I Sing, You Clap Hands"

Bumping Into It Here, Knocking Into It There: Fǎyǎn’s Substance and Name

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Record of Going Easy

Bumping Into It Here, Knocking Into It There: Fǎyǎn’s Substance and Name

Learn Zen From This Old Woman: Iron Grindstone’s Old Cow From The Record of Going Easy

Record of Going Easy Featured

Learn Zen From This Old Woman: Iron Grindstone’s Old Cow From The Record of Going Easy

We're deep into winter here at the Neyaashi Zen Hermitage. Intense cold and clarity follow the big storm that swept through much of the country last week, and we're looking at forecasts for more snow this week. What better time for the Iron Grindstone?! Iron Grindstone

Zhàozhōu’s Cypress Tree

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Record of Going Easy

Zhàozhōu’s Cypress Tree

Línjì’s True Person

Record of Going Easy

Record of Going Easy, Case 31: Yúnmén’s Pillar