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Treeleaf Zen

Dogen Zenji wrote … Shûjô jizai, nanzo kufû o tsuiyasan. The vehicle for the fundamental exists naturally: where is the need to expend effort (for seeking the truth)? [Nishijima] The true vehicle is self-sufficient. What need is there [for] special effort? [SZTP] .

As a young man, these were Dogen’s questions: Since we all already are ‘Buddha-nature’ , why do we need to practice? How are we ‘originally enlightened’ if we don’t feel so? Tazunuru ni sore, dô moto enzû, ikadeka shushô o karan, Now, when we pursue the truth, the truth originally is all around: why rely…

Now, on SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO, we begin our trip through Master Dogen’s Fukanzazengi (The Standard of Sitting-Zen Recommended for Everyone) We will compare and contrast various translations, two by my teacher (Gudo Wafu Nishijima) and one by the Soto Zen Text Project … Each day, we will take a sentence, a phrase, one word or…

On today’s SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO we talk about Buddha statues … ( And, silly me, seems that I pulled the microphone out just before the sitting … you’ll know when. Please turn the sound off at that point and just sit, timing yourself. Or, you can choose to sit with the horrible rumble, just being…

Today’s SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO is about home, and leaving home … Although both lay people and monks can attain liberation,still there is difficulty and ease …Family life, being disorderly and noisy, with many jobs and many dutiescan be the root of hindrances …Thus, it is called ‘very difficult’ Master Nagarjuna quoted in Shobogenzo Shukke-Kudoku .

Today’s SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO really rocks … There are those who, attracted by grass, flowers, mountains and waters, flow into the Buddha Way. And there are those who, grasping earth, rocks, sand and pebbles, manifest the Buddha’s seal. Master Dogen in Bendo-wa .

When you are sad, just be sad; When you are happy, just be happy. Each is just the mind at work in a given moment. Things come and go, like the rising moon and the setting sun. By piercing this matter, one knows a peace and happiness beyond sadness or happiness … Great Master Ma…

(The following was written and spoken by me in response to the many sad stories currently in the news. Please pardon me for being dour and formal … as it all breaks my heart) . Here are three ways to view tragedy in this world: First, this world can appear ugly – and is ugly…

We have a very special episode of SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO, our daily Zazen show, netcast every day right here. The subject is how to sit with kids or any other seeming ‘distractions.’ Have a watch, a sit and a laugh too … Remember: We should sit Zazen with whatever comes. THE WAY THINGS ARE is…

I am starting a new ‘tradition’ at Treeleaf … sitting some days with a special formality honoring old tradition and line. There is a time for t-shirts and a time for black Koromo. This is important because, although we live in modern times, we are part of a continuing Zen lineage. As things change and…
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