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Treeleaf Zen

Here is more information on the ‘Cosmic Mudra’ of Zazen then you probably wanted. There are the traditional interpretations … In Japanese, known as the ‘Hokaijyo-in (‘Dharmachakra’ or ‘Dharma Realm’ Mudra when found in Esoteric Buddhism, and there usually associated with images of the Buddha ‘Dainichi Nyorai’) or the ‘Zenjou-in’ (‘Dhyana Meditation’ or ‘Contemplation’ Mudra…

If you think, “I breathe,” the “I” is extra. There is no you to say “I.” What we call “I” is just a swinging door which moves when we inhale and when we exhale. It just moves; that is all. When your mind is pure and calm enough to follow this movement, there is nothing:…

In the Fukanzazengi, Master Dogen did not have much to say about breathing during Zazen … Let the tongue spread against the roof of the mouth. Let the lips and teeth come together. Let the breath pass imperceptibly through the nose. [NISHIJIMA] But in his Eihei-koroku he wrote: In our zazen, it is of primary…

Below is a statue of Kannon (Quan Yin), the embodiment of Compassion, with 1000 arms and eyes to see and reach out to suffering wherever it occurs. But does She/He really exist in this universe as more than just a statue? Of course! Press on arrow for ‘play’ .

Just 10 metres from the temporary house where we are staying in Tsukuba, they’ve found remains of the Jomon people (who lived in Japan up to the 4th century). On top of it are some farmers’ houses from the 7th, 8th and 9th centuries. Folks from the university, and dozens of volunteers, are excavating before…

Back in Tsukuba. The architect said that the work to reinforce the roof beams of the Zendo against earthquake will start this week or next, and the job may take a month. Something about taking out all the walls. So, we are in a little rental room down the road. It’s really nice though, surrounded…

Some bouncy turbulence on our Pacific flight, and I sit a little pacific Zazen. Dogen and many teachers of centuries past crossed to China in wooden boats, on voyages taking days or weeks, meeting storms and constant dangers. I can only imagine their state, sitting Zazen in a leaky vessel as waves pounded the timbers.…

We are on a 24 hour, door-to-door, commute back to Japan today. So, our sitting is pre-recorded. Please excuse that (I’m sitting Zazen today on the plane). We are joined at a farewell party by our friend Mitsuko, a former ballet dancer but first time Zazen sitter, who tells us that the best way to…

Today’s “SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO” is, beyond doubt, THE MOST ENLIGHTENING EVER … Master Dogen proclaimed that “Zazen is Enlightenment itself” … Just crossing the legs, straightening the back, and all’s done. The prize is given, the trophy awarded, merely by walking through the Zendo door. There is truly nothing to seek, nothing more to attain…

That’s my wife, Mina, in the photo below … sitting ‘Seiza’ style for Ai-ki-do. Like Zazen, Ai-ki-do is an art of balance in body-mind. There are many common points. We are going to talk posture and form … and will demonstrate a couple of ways to sit Zazen. I live with a woman whose hands…
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