Monthly Archives: December 2013

Dec 15 – 21

Because you are alive, everything is possible.
 
-Thich Nhat Hanh

Practice Meetings

Thursday Dec 19, 8:30am

Friday Dec, 20 7:00pm

This Week’s Koan

Blue Cliff Record #81

Yaoshan Sees an Arrow

A monk asked Yaoshan,

“In a level field of shallow grass a great stag and the deer became a herd.  So how is one able to shoot and get the great stag among the great stags?”

Shan said, “Look… an arrow.”

The monk lay down his body then rolled over.

Shan said, “Attendant, drag out this dead fellow.”

The monk then departed swiftly.

Shan said, “What limit is there for this fellow’s playing with mud balls?”

Dec 8 – 14

The pillow for his bed
is a rock from mid-stream;
 
the spring from the well-bottom
flows to a pond through bamboo.
 
The night is half gone,
but the guest hasn’t slept;
 
he alone hears
the mountain rain arrive.
 
Chia Tao, When I Find You Again, It Will be in Mountains

Practice Meetings

Thursday Dec 12, 8:30am

Friday Dec, 13 7:00pm

This Week’s Koan

Book of Serenity #23

Roso Faces The Wall

Whenever Roso saw a monk coming, he immediately sat facing the wall.

Hearing of this, Nansen said, “I usually tell my people to realize what has existed before the kalpa of emptiness, or to understand what has been before Buddhas appeared in the world.

Still, I haven’t acknowledged one disciple or even a half. If he continues that way, he will go on even until the year of the donkey.”

Dec 1 – 7

A hundred thousand worlds are flowers in the sky,
a single mind and body is moonlight on the water;
once the cunning ends and information stops,
at that moment there is no place for thought.
 
Han-Shan Te-Ch’ing, The Clouds Should Know Me By Now

Practice Meetings

Thursday Dec 5, 8:30am

Friday Dec, 6 7:00pm

This Week’s Koan

Book of Serenity #93

Shiso Does Not Understand

Roso asked Nansen,

“People do not recognize the Mani-jewel. I picked it up myself in the Tathagata treasury. What is this treasury?”

Nansen said, “Old Master exchanges questions and answers with you. That’s it.”

Shiso said, “How about when there is no exchange of questions and answers?”

Nansen said, “That’s also the treasury.”

Shiso said, “What is the jewel?”

Nansen said, “Reverend Shiso!”

Shiso replied, “Yes!”

Nansen said, “Get out. You don’t understand my words.”