Monthly Archives: October 2014

Oct 19 – 25

My daily activities are not unusual,
I’m just naturally in harmony with them.
Grasping nothing, discarding nothing…
Supernatural power and marvelous activity –
Drawing water and carrying firewood. 
―Pang-yun
 
Practice Meetings

Thursday Oct 23, 8:30am

Friday Oct 24, 7:00pm

This Week’s Koan

Book of Serenity #13
“Rinzai’s Blind Donkey”

When Rinzai was about to die, he entrusted Sanshô with his Dharma and said, “After my passing, do not destroy my treasury of the Eye of the true Dharma.”

Sanshô said, “How would I dare destroy your treasury of the Eye of the true Dharma?”

Rinzai said, “If someone asks you about it, how will you answer?”

Sanshô instantly shouted his Kaatz.

Rinzai said, “Who knows that my treasury of the Eye of the true Dharma has been destroyed by this blind donkey?”

Oct 12 – 18

“Bamboo shadows sweep the stairs, Yet not even a speck of dust is swept. 
Moonlight penetrates to the bottom of the pool, Yet in the water no trace is left.”
 
―Mugaku
 
Practice Meetings

Thursday Oct 16, 8:30am

Friday Oct 17, 7:00pm

This Week’s Koan

Blue Cliff Record #32
“Rinzai’s Great Meaning”

Elder Ding asked Rinzai, “So, what is the great meaning of the Buddha Dharma?”

Rinzai got down from the meditation bench and seized and held him and gave a single slap, then held up his open palms.

Ding stood motionless.

A monk nearby said, “Elder, why don’t you bow ceremonially?”

Ding just then bowed ceremonially and suddenly had a great awakening.

Sept 28 – Oct 4

“Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.”
 
―Alan Watts
 
Practice Meetings

Thursday Oct 2, 8:30am

Friday Oct 3, 7:00pm

This Week’s Koan

Gateless Gate #28
“Ryûtan Blows Out the Candle”

Tokusan asked Ryûtan about Zen far into the night.

At last Ryûtan said, “The night is late. Why don’t you retire?”

Tokusan made his bows and lifted the blinds to withdraw, but he was met by darkness. Turning back to Ryûtan, he said, “It is dark outside.”

Ryûtan lit a paper candle and handed it to him.

Tokusan was about to take it when Ryûtan blew it out.

At this, all of a sudden, Tokusan went through a deep experience and made bows.

Ryûtan said, “What sort of realization do you have?”

From now on,” said Tokusan, “I will not doubt the words of an old oshõ who is renowned everywhere under the sun.”

The next day Ryûtan ascended the rostrum and said, “I see a fellow among you. His fangs are like the sword tree. His mouth is like a blood bowl.

Strike him with a stick, and he won’t turn his head to look at you.

Someday or other, he will climb the highest of the peaks and establish our Way there.”

Tokusan brought his notes on the Diamond Sutra to the front of the hall, pointed to them with a torch, and said, “Even though you have exhausted the abtruse doctrines, it is like placing a hair in a vast space. Even though you have learned all the secrets of the world, it is like a drop of water dripped on the great ocean.”

And he burned all his notes.

Then, making bows, he took his leave of his teacher.