Sekkei Harada gives this advice in his lectures in a new book Unfathomable Depths, Drawing Wisdom for Today from a Classical Zen Poem. Let’s see if Gyokuko can draw any wisdom from that. This talk was given Sunday, January 11.
We had a wonderful work party on Wednesday, January 7, with sunny weather, lots of sangha members, and a lot of work done. We did a first sweeping of the inside of the Sodo in preparation for the Kanzeon Festival, which is to be held tomorrow morning (Saturday). We finished taping seams up high in… Read more »
One of the fruits of spiritual practice is that we trust those around us. It’s not that we become gullible, but we see more layers. It’s important to look at trust because we tend to undervalue its place in our lives. This talk explored who trusts, and where that trust lands, rather than how we… Read more »
Work is still moving forward. End pieces are in place, and soffits are being worked on, in preparation for finishing the roof. A large part of the infrastructure on the property has been done, ready to hook up to city water, sewer, and electrical when we can do that; along with stormwater management and preparation… Read more »
On November 6, 2014, we held a 49-Day Memorial for Kyogen Carlson. More than 300 people, including out-of-state special guest teachers, attended this event in downtown Portland at the First Unitarian Church. A table in the front showed some of Kyogen’s Dharma Implements. Left, Kakumyo began the ceremony with a brief talk. Senior disciples formed a… Read more »
Work has slowed down a bit, but there are still processes moving forward. The big excitement of the week we were gone for Rohatsu was that the road got paved. A lot of the work that has been done isn’t going to be so visible in the finished product. Still, very important, especially this time… Read more »
Every December, we close the temple for two weeks so that staff can go out of town, visit family, and in general get a break. Consequently, there are no services at Jason Lee Elementary December 21 and 28. Similarly, there are no evening or morning programs at all until January 2, 2015. The one exception… Read more »
The World-Honored One ascended the seat and Manjusri announces, “Clearly observe the Dharma of the King of Dharma; the Dharma of the King of Dharma is thus.” Then the World Honored One descended from the seat.” What is this mysterious and unspoken wisdom? How do we find it? Dogen called it “brightness,” and said we… Read more »
Buddhists around the world have been celebrating the Buddha’s enlightenment this past week. This week’s talk is a reflection on the Buddha’s life and how so many elements of his story serve as a support for all of us today who walk the spiritual path. This talk was given December 14, 2014.
by Carol Fields I love the metaphor Of Zendo on wild and neglected Landfill Reclaiming Our usual samsara collection Of tendencies and fears Misdirected certainties And lack of appreciation Oh, thank you! For raising the simple chants Of glorious love and freedom On sacred land Still cherished by flowers, medicinal weeds, Coyotes, hawks, and stray… Read more »
This is a summary describing the month’s work of the temple’s three major decision-making bodies. A governance notebook with approved minutes is filed in the temple office. A list of current Council members and areas of concern, individual charges to leadership and temple job positions are listed on the temple website. The Intercouncil Mandala Review… Read more »
Genko has been working with a new Buddhist approach to recovery from addiction, called Refuge Recovery. Using the Three Refuges, Four Noble Truths, and the Noble Eightfold Path, the approach takes the strengths of the 12-step movement, replaces the Steps with the Path, and increases the emphasis on meditation as a tool for recovery. Through… Read more »
Shin’ei endeavors to reacquaint us with depth in the arts, to encourage us to look with different eyes. She speaks to the rediscovery of soul in Buddhism and American culture by way of Karma: a rich, colorful, and creative source. This talk was given on Sunday, November 23.
The new doors on the east end (from the zendo going out onto what will be the engawa, looking toward Rocky Butte) and north entrance to the Sodo. The east side doors have boards holding them closed for now. Elsewhere, all of the concrete for the curbs have been poured. Roofing material has been delivered,… Read more »
For whom have you washed off your splendid makeup? The cuckoo’s call urges you to return. Zen practice is endlessly subtle and ever-changing. Is the dance a waltz or a tango? When we first come to practice, we “see through a glass darkly” and later “face to face.” What is it that moves us forward?… Read more »
by Kyogen Carlson Editor’s Note: This is an edited transcription of the first talk given after we moved from the southeast Madison St location to meeting at the Jason Lee Elementary School cafeteria June 15, 2014. Kyogen died suddenly September 18, 2014. Transcribed by Jeff Stookey, and edited by Genko Rainwater. We have many people… Read more »