Treeleaf Zen

( Dogen’s Instructions for the Cook – VI ) Waste not, want not … Everything always in its place … The reference to “high and low” places is from this Koan concerning GuishanLingyou (771-853) and his disciple Yangshan Huiji (807-883). The dialogue reads:       One day [Yangshan] went along with Guishanto prepare a field…

( Dogen’s Instructions for the Cook – V ) Getting up from the Zafu and down to work … Looking in to oneself and changing out … _____________________________ In the past, eminentmen in possession of the way practiced in this way [as cooks], workingenergetically with their own hands. In this latter day, how can we…

( Dogen’s Instructions for the Cook – IV ) In this passage, the “six flavors” are bitter, sour, sweet, salty, mild and hot. The “three virtues” are to be light & gentle, pure & healthy, and prepared correctly. Life, like cooking, is sometimes bitter, sometimes sweet and all the other flavors. With a bit of…

On Metta … and letting go of the territory as well as the owner … (remember: recording ends soon after the beginning bells; a sitting time of 20 to 35 minutes is recommended) To subscribe to “Treeleaf Zen” click here.

A Buddhist Response to Terror … ______________________________________________ (remember: recording ends soon after the beginning bells; a sitting time of 20 to 35 minutes is recommended) To subscribe to “Treeleaf Zen” click here.  

Please join our weekly “Live from Treeleaf” Zazenkai meditation … BUT DUE TO TECHNICAL REASONS, TODAY’S ZAZENKAI IS RECORDED … so,  ‘LIVED FROM TREELEAF’ … a ‘RE-SIT’ … FOR WHICH I APOLOGIZE … We start with 3 floor prostrations (or deep Gassho), then chant the Heart Sutra in ENGLISH (see below), then sit about 40…

I’m tired, nothing to say … ( and that’s maybe the best talk of all ) ______________________________________________ (remember: recording ends soon after the beginning bells; a sitting time of 20 to 35 minutes is recommended) To subscribe to “Treeleaf Zen” click here.  

( Dogen’s Instructions for the Cook – III ) Doing things carefully … the Zen way … _____________________________ Next, the variousstewards consult in the store hall about what seasonings should be used on thefollowing day, what vegetables should be eaten, how the rice gruel should beprepared, and so on. The Rules of Purity for Chan…

( Dogen’s Instructions for the Cook – II ) Keeping it simple … _____________________________ When this mountain monk[I, Dôgen] was in Song China,on my days off I inquired of retired elderly monks who had held minor andimportant offices, and they shared something of their views with me. Theirexplanations are the bones and marrow bequeathed by…

( Dogen’s Instructions for the Cook – I ) For our ongoing 100-day ANGO … let’s start cooking … If you would like to find the complete translation we will be using … SOTO ZEN TEXT PROJECT _____________________________ Buddhist monasteries have, in principle, six stewards. All are disciples of Buddha and all carry out the…

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