Kindness and Compassion Practice in Buddhist and Secular Contexts
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Jichihan and the Restoration and Innovation of Buddhist Practice
Japanese Journal of Religious Studies 1999 26/1-2 Jichihan and the Restoration and Innovation of Buddhist Practice Marc Buijnsters The various developments in doctrinal thought and practice during the Insei and Kamakura periods remain one of the most intensively researched fields in the study of Japanese Buddhism. Two of these developments con cern the attempts to restore the observance of traditional Buddhist ethics, and the problem of how Pure La n d tenets could be inserted into the esoteric teaching. A pivotal role in both developments has been attributed to the late-Heian monk Jichihan, who was lauded by the renowned Kegon scholar- monk Gydnen as “the restorer of the traditional precepts ” and patriarch of Japanese Pure La n d Buddhism.,’ At first glance, available sources such as Jichihan’s biograpmes hardly seem to justify these praises. Several newly discovered texts and a more extensive use of various historical sources, however, should make it possible to provide us with a much more accurate and complete picture of Jichihan’s contribution to the restoration and innovation of Buddhist practice. Keywords: Jichihan — esoteric Pure Land thousfht — Buddhist reform — Buddhist precepts As was n o t unusual in the late Heian period, the retired Regent- Chancellor Fujiwara no Tadazane 藤 原 忠 実 (1078-1162) renounced the world at the age of sixty-three and received his first Buddnist ordi nation, thus entering religious life. At tms ceremony the priest Jichi han officiated as Teacher of the Precepts (kaishi 戒自帀;Kofukuji ryaku 興福寺略年代記,Hoen 6/10/2). Fujiwara no Yorinaga 藤原頼長 (1120-11^)0), Tadazane^ son who was to be remembered as “Ih e Wicked Minister of the Left” for his role in the Hogen Insurrection (115bハ occasionally mentions in his diary that he had the same Jichi han perform esoteric rituals in order to recover from a chronic ill ness, achieve longevity,and extinguish his sins (Taiki 台gd Koji 1/8/6, 2/2/22; Ten,y6 1/6/10). -
PUBLICATION of SAN FRANCISCO ZEN CENTER Vol. XXXVI No. 1 Spring I Summer 2002 CONTENTS
PUBLICATION OF SAN FRANCISCO ZEN CENTER Vol. XXXVI No. 1 Spring I Summer 2002 CONTENTS TALKS 3 The Gift of Zazen BY Shunryu Suzuki-roshi 16 Practice On and Off the Cushion BY Anna Thom 20 The World Is Vast and Wide BY Gretel Ehrlich 36 An Appropriate Response BY Abbess Linda Ruth Cutts POETRY AND ART 4 Kannon in Waves BY Dan Welch (See also front cover and pages 9 and 46) 5 Like Water BY Sojun Mel Weitsman 24 Study Hall BY Zenshin Philip Whalen NEWS AND FEATURES 8 orman Fischer Revisited AN INTERVIEW 11 An Interview with Annie Somerville, Executive Chef of Greens 25 Projections on an Empty Screen BY Michael Wenger 27 Sangha-e! 28 Through a Glass, Darkly BY Alan Senauke 42 'Treasurer's Report on Fiscal Year 2002 DY Kokai Roberts 2 covet WNO eru 111 -ASSl\ll\tll.,,. o..N WEICH The Gi~ of Zazen Shunryu Suzuki Roshi December 14, 1967-Los Altos, California JAM STILL STUDYING to find out what our way is. Recently I reached the conclusion that there is no Buddhism or Zen or anythjng. When I was preparing for the evening lecture in San Francisco yesterday, I tried to find something to talk about, but I couldn't; then I thought of the story 1 was told in Obun Festival when I was young. The story is about water and the people in Hell Although they have water, the people in hell cannot drink it because the water burns like fire or it looks like blood, so they cannot drink it. -
Sandokai – Annotated by Domyo Burk – 2017 Page 1 of 5 the Harmony of Difference and Sameness
Sandokai, by Shitou Xiqian (Sekito Kisen) – Text translation by Soto Zen Translation Project Explanations and free-association commentary by Domyo Burk, 2017 The Harmony of Difference and Sameness - You might call this teaching poem, “The San – many, difference, diversity, variety; used as a synonym for “ji” or the concrete, Apparently Paradoxical Fact that Absolute and phenomenal aspect of our life (Okumura) Relative are Intimately Related and Mutually Do – one, sameness, equality, commonality, unity; used as synonym for “ri” or the Dependent.” It tries to point out how each thing is absolute or ultimate reality of emptiness beyond discrimination (Okumura) simultaneously a thing (or being), differentiated Kai – promise, agreement, tally; in ancient times, merchants wrote a contract on a tally from all others, and part of an overall unity within (piece of wood), then broke it in half; could later confirm agreement by putting together which all things are ultimately equal, and have the the two halves. (Okumura) Absolute and relative, then, are like two halves of one thing. same fundamentally empty nature. The mind of the great sage of India is intimately transmitted from west to east. We have a chance to encounter the full truth of The insight/reality of awakening (mind) reached by Shakyamuni Buddha (great sage of Buddhism right here and now. Despite its India) is carefully and authentically passed from person to person, face-to-face transmission through space and time, it has not (intimately transmitted). There are many differences between countries and cultures dissipated or changed. It’s a living reality affirmed (west and east), but the essence of the Buddha’s teaching does not change. -
New American Zen: Examining American Women's Adaptation of Traditional Japanese Soto Zen Practice Courtney M
Florida International University FIU Digital Commons FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations University Graduate School 2011 New American Zen: Examining American Women's Adaptation of Traditional Japanese Soto Zen Practice Courtney M. Just Florida International University, [email protected] DOI: 10.25148/etd.FI11120903 Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd Recommended Citation Just, Courtney M., "New American Zen: Examining American Women's Adaptation of Traditional Japanese Soto Zen Practice" (2011). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 527. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/527 This work is brought to you for free and open access by the University Graduate School at FIU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of FIU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY Miami, Florida NEW AMERICAN ZEN: EXAMINING AMERICAN WOMEN’S ADAPTATION OF TRADITIONAL JAPANESE SOTO ZEN PRACTICE A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in LIBERAL STUDIES by Courtney Just 2011 To: Dean Kenneth Furton College of Arts and Sciences This thesis, written by Courtney Just, and entitled New American Zen: Examining American Women’s Adaptation of Traditional Japanese Soto Zen Practice, having been approved in respect to style and intellectual content, is referred to you for judgment. We have read this thesis and recommend that it be approved. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Laurie Shrage ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Kiriake Xerohemona ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Lesley A. Northup, Major Professor Date of Defense: November 10, 2011 The thesis of Courtney Just is approved. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Dean Kenneth Furton College of Arts and Science ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Dean Lakshmi N. -
A Short Talk During Zazen
A Short Talk During Zazen Shunryu Suzuki Roshi (Presented during zazen on the moming of June 28, 1970, between the tenth and eleventh Sandokai lectures) YouSHOULD SIT WITH YOUR WHOLE BODY: your spine, mouth, toes, mudra. l Check on your posture during zazen. Each part of your body should practice zazen independently or separately: Your toes should prac tice zazen independently, your mudra should practice zazen independently, and your spine and your mouth should practice zazen independently. You should feel each part of your body doing zazen independently. Each part of your body should participate completely in zazen. Check to see that each part of your body is doing zazen independently- this is also known as shiknntaza. To think, "I am doing zazen" or "my body is doing zazen" is wrong understanding. It is a self-centered idea. The mudra is especially important. You should not feel as if you are resting your mudra on the heel of your foot for your own convenience. Your mudra should be placed in its own position. Don't move your legs for your own convenience. Your legs are practic ing their own zazen independently and are com pletely involved in their own pain. They are doing zazen through pain. You should all ow them to practice their own zazen. If you think you are practicing zazen, you are involved in some selfish, egotistical idea. If you think that you have a difficulty in some part of your body, then the rest of the body should help the part that is in difficulty. You are not having difficulty with some part of your body, but the part of the body is having difficulty: for example, your mudra is having difficulty. -
Introduction Shunryu Suzuki Sojun Mel Weitsman
Introduction Shunryu Suzuki Sojun Mel Weitsman INTHE SUMMER OF 1970 Suzuki Roshi gave these talks on the Sandokai of Sekito Kisen. BRANCHING Suzuki Roshi had come to America in 1959, leaving Rinso-in, his tem STREAMS ple in Yaizu, Japan, to serve as FLOW IN THE priest for the Japanese-American congregation at Sokoji temple at DARKNESS 1881 Bush Street in San Francisco. During those years a large number of people came to practice with him, and San Francisco Zen Center Zen Talks on the Sandokai was born. Suzuki Roshi became By tht author of Z~n Mind. Beginne~s Mind surrounded by so many enthusias- tic American Zen students that in 1969 he and his students moved to a large building at 300 Page Street and established Beginner's Mind Temple. Two years earlier, Zen Center had acquired the Tassajara resort and hot springs, which is at the end of a four teen-mile dirt road that winds through the rugged mountains of the Los Padres National Forest near the central coast of California. He and his stu dents created the first Zen Buddhist monastery in America, Zenshinji (Zen Mind/Heart Te mple). We were starting from scratch under Suzuki Roshi's guidance. Each year Tassajara Zen Mountain Center has two intensive practice period retreats: October through December, and January through March. These two practice periods include many hours of zazen (cross-legged seated meditation) each day, lectures, study, and physical work. The students are there for the entire time. In the spring and summer months (May through August), Tassajara provides a guest season for people who are attracted by the hot mineral baths and the quiet atmosphere. -
161: the Ten Pillars of Buddhism Transcription Taken from the Windhorse Publications Book of the Same Title FOREWORD As the Open
161: The Ten Pillars of Buddhism Transcription taken from the Windhorse Publications book of the same title FOREWORD As the opening passage of this book makes clear, the paper reproduced here was first delivered to a gathering of members of the Western Buddhist Order, in London, in April 1984. The occasion marked the celebration of the Order's sixteenth anniversary, and the theme of the paper was one of fundamental importance to all those present: the Ten Precepts. These Precepts are the ten ethical principles that Order members `receive' at the time of their ordination, and which they undertake subsequently to observe as a spiritually potent aspect of their everyday lives. The theme was therefore a very basic and seemingly down-to-earth one, but here, as he is wont to do, Sangharakshita demonstrated that no theme is so `basic' that it can be taken for granted. As a communication from the Enlightened mind, the various formulations and expressions of the Buddha's teaching can be turned to again and again; their freshness and relevance can never be exhausted. As he spoke, it was clear that Sangharakshita was addressing a far larger audience than that which was present at the time. The relevance of his material extended of course to those Order members, present and future, who could not be there on that occasion. But it reached out further than that, to the entire, wider `Buddhist world', and still further, to all those who, whether Buddhist or not, seek guidance and insights in their quest for ethical standards by which to live. -
Program Guide
IBFF NO1 NOVEMBER 20–23, 2003 LOS ANGELES WWW.IBFF.ORG INTERNATIONAL BUDDHIST FILM FESTIVAL Debra Bloomfield Jerry Burchard John Paul Caponigro Simon Chaput Mark Citret Linda Connor Lynn Davis Peter deLory Don Farber Richard Gere Susannah Hays Jim Henkel Lena Herzog Kenro Izu REFLECTING BUDDHA: Michael Kenna IMAGES BY Heather Kessinger Hirokazu Kosaka CONTEMPORARY Alan Kozlowski PHOTOGRAPHERS Wayne Levin Stu Levy NOVEMBER 14–23 David Liittschwager Elaine Ling Exhibition and Sale to Benefit the International Buddhist Film Festival John Daido Loori Book Signings by Participating Photographers Yasuaki Matsumoto Throughout the Exhibition Steve McCurry Curated by Linda Connor Pasadena Museum of California Art Susan Middleton 490 East Union Street, Pasadena, California Charles Reilly Third Floor Exhibition Space Open Wed. to Sun. 10 am to 5 pm, Fri. to 8 pm David Samuel Robbins www.pmcaonline.org 626.568.3665 Stuart Rome Meridel Rubenstein Larry Snider 2003 pigment print © Linda Connor, Ladakh, India digital archival Nubra Valley, Camille Solyagua John Willis The Dalai Lama’s Rainbow The Dalai Lama’s NOV 20–23 at LACMA www.ibff.org Alison Wright image: Welcome to the first International Buddhist Film Festival. The Buddhist understanding that what we experience is projection, is cinema in the most profound sense. In the sixth century BC, Prince Siddhartha, the future Buddha, was challenged by personal and political upheaval, and he heroically strove to find a meaningful way of living. Waking up and paying attention, he discovered a path of spiritual transformation. The seeds of this breakthrough have continued to flower through 2,500 years. A new wave of contemporary cinema is emerging to embrace all the strands of Buddhism—directly, obliquely, reverently, critically, and comedically too. -
Zen Masters at Play and on Play: a Take on Koans and Koan Practice
ZEN MASTERS AT PLAY AND ON PLAY: A TAKE ON KOANS AND KOAN PRACTICE A thesis submitted to Kent State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts by Brian Peshek August, 2009 Thesis written by Brian Peshek B.Music, University of Cincinnati, 1994 M.A., Kent State University, 2009 Approved by Jeffrey Wattles, Advisor David Odell-Scott, Chair, Department of Philosophy John R.D. Stalvey, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements iv Chapter 1. Introduction and the Question “What is Play?” 1 Chapter 2. The Koan Tradition and Koan Training 14 Chapter 3. Zen Masters At Play in the Koan Tradition 21 Chapter 4. Zen Doctrine 36 Chapter 5. Zen Masters On Play 45 Note on the Layout of Appendixes 79 APPENDIX 1. Seventy-fourth Koan of the Blue Cliff Record: 80 “Jinniu’s Rice Pail” APPENDIX 2. Ninty-third Koan of the Blue Cliff Record: 85 “Daguang Does a Dance” BIBLIOGRAPHY 89 iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS There are times in one’s life when it is appropriate to make one’s gratitude explicit. Sometimes this task is made difficult not by lack of gratitude nor lack of reason for it. Rather, we are occasionally fortunate enough to have more gratitude than words can contain. Such is the case when I consider the contributions of my advisor, Jeffrey Wattles, who went far beyond his obligations in the preparation of this document. From the beginning, his nurturing presence has fueled the process of exploration, allowing me to follow my truth, rather than persuading me to support his. -
Goal No1, -No Poverty
Rev.KushikiAlanSenauke TheabbotofBerkeleyZenCenter 〜 W h a t c a n w e d o n o w f o r o u r f u t u r e ? 〜 - F r o m B u d d h i s t P e r s p e c t i v e s - G O A L N O 1 , - N O P O V E R T Y - 2021.6.26(Sat) 2-4pm(PST) FREEADMISSION @Zoom 【BBA】 【REGISTER】 SOTO ZEN HTTPS://FORMS.GLE/4RTAR SHUNSHU OTANI-HA BLPGHNQMT2R8 JODO SHINSHU HONGWANJI-HA NICHIREN SHU PRESENTS BAY AREA BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION PRESENTS SDGs&Buddhism Whatcanwedonowforourfuture? -FromBuddhistPerspectives- SDGs(sustainabledevelopmentgoals)aimbothinthepresentdayaswellasinthe futureatasocietyinwhichnooneisleftbehind.Thisisacomprehensiveandinclusive waythatlookstoresolvingtheseventeenrelatedtopicsthat193countriesoftheUnited Nationshaveidentifiedincludingpovertyandhunger,correctinginequality, environmentalconservation,andtherealizationofapeacefulsociety.AtaUN summitheldinSeptember2015,themembercountriesunanimouslydecidedtoadoptas internationalobjectivesthatbytheyear2030theyshouldaimtofulfilltheseseventeen goalsmentionedaboveaswellas169specifictargets.Governmentagenciesofeach country,industry,andnon-governmentalorganizationsareunitedinmovingforwardto bringingabouthappinessforallpeopleandworkingtowardstheprotectionofthe environment. We,theSotoZen,ShinshuOhtani-ha,NichirenShuandJodoShinshuHongwanji-ha InternationalCentersintheBayAreahavecreatedagroupcalledtheBayAreaBuddhist Association(BBA).WeareplanningtoholdaBuddhistinterdenominationaleventtolearn abouthowBuddhismrelatestotheUnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentGoals (SDGs).Wehopethatthroughthisprojectministersandassistantsfromeachsectwill -
Transcendent Spirituality in Tibetan Tantric Buddhism Bruce M
RETN1313289 Techset Composition India (P) Ltd., Bangalore and Chennai, India 4/3/2017 ETHNOS, 2017 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00141844.2017.1313289 5 Self-possessed and Self-governed: Transcendent Spirituality in Tibetan Tantric Buddhism Bruce M. Knauft 10 Emory University, USA ABSTRACT Among Tibetan Buddhist tantric practitioners, including in the U.S., visualisation and incorporation of mandala deities imparts a parallel world against which conventional 15 reality is considered impermanent and afflicted. Tantric adepts aspire through meditation, visualisation, and mind-training to dissolve normal selfhood and simultaneously embrace both ‘conventional’ and ‘ultimate’ reality. Ethics of compassion encourage efficient reengagement with conventional world dynamics rather than escaping them: the transcendental ‘non-self’ is perceived to inform efficient and compassionate waking consciousness. Transformation of subjective 20 ontology in tantric self-possession resonates with Foucault’s late exploration of ethical self-relationship in alternative technologies of subjectivation and with Luhrmann’s notion of transcendent spiritual absorption through skilled learning and internalisation. Incorporating recent developments in American Tibetan Buddhism, this paper draws upon information derived from a range of scholarly visits to rural and urban areas of the Himalayas, teachings by and practices with contemporary 25 Tibetan lamas, including in the U.S., and historical and philosophical Buddhist literature and commentaries. CE: PV QA: Coll: KEYWORDS Tibetan Buddhism; tantra; spirituality; selfhood; ontology; spirit possession 30 This paper considers dynamics of transcendent spirituality in a cultural context that has often remained outside received considerations of spirit possession: Tibetan Buddhist tantras. I am concerned especially the Sarma or ‘new translation’ generation and com- pletion stage practices associated with highest yoga tantra in Tibetan Buddhist Gelug and Kagyü sects. -
BEYOND THINKING a Guide to Zen Meditation
ABOUT THE BOOK Spiritual practice is not some kind of striving to produce enlightenment, but an expression of the enlightenment already inherent in all things: Such is the Zen teaching of Dogen Zenji (1200–1253) whose profound writings have been studied and revered for more than seven hundred years, influencing practitioners far beyond his native Japan and the Soto school he is credited with founding. In focusing on Dogen’s most practical words of instruction and encouragement for Zen students, this new collection highlights the timelessness of his teaching and shows it to be as applicable to anyone today as it was in the great teacher’s own time. Selections include Dogen’s famous meditation instructions; his advice on the practice of zazen, or sitting meditation; guidelines for community life; and some of his most inspirational talks. Also included are a bibliography and an extensive glossary. DOGEN (1200–1253) is known as the founder of the Japanese Soto Zen sect. Sign up to learn more about our books and receive special offers from Shambhala Publications. Or visit us online to sign up at shambhala.com/eshambhala. Translators Reb Anderson Edward Brown Norman Fischer Blanche Hartman Taigen Dan Leighton Alan Senauke Kazuaki Tanahashi Katherine Thanas Mel Weitsman Dan Welch Michael Wenger Contributing Translator Philip Whalen BEYOND THINKING A Guide to Zen Meditation Zen Master Dogen Edited by Kazuaki Tanahashi Introduction by Norman Fischer SHAMBHALA Boston & London 2012 SHAMBHALA PUBLICATIONS, INC. Horticultural Hall 300 Massachusetts Avenue