If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people.

 

-Thich Nhat Hanh

Practice Meetings

Thursday Mar 20, 8:30am

Friday Mar 21, 7:00pm

This Week’s Koan

Blue Cliff Record #36

Changsha Went For A Walk

Changsha one day returned from hiking on the mountain and came to the Leader at the gate.

The Leader-Seat asked, “Venerable, what places have you been going to and coming from?”

Sha said, “I’m coming from hiking on the mountain.”

The Leader-Seat said, “You arrived, where did you come from?”

Sha said, “In the beginning I left following the fragrant grasses; and then I returned chasing the falling blossoms.”

The Seat said, “That is very much like the meaning of Spring.”

Sha said, “It even excels the Autumn dew drops on the lotus.”

Verse

The great earth is broken into fine dust.

Whose eyes are not opened?

“In the beginning I left following the fragrant grasses;

and then I returned chasing the falling blossoms.”

A feeble crane raises up a cold tree.

A wild ape howls in an ancient tower.

The infinite meaning of Changsha.

Bah!