THE NEWSLETTER OF THE STUDIES SOCIETY

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WINTER/SPRING 2009 WINTER/SPRING 2009

CONTENTS

The Blue Cliff Record Case 97 Eido Shimano Roshi 2

Harvest Sesshin: Day Five Eido Shimano Roshi 7

The Eloquent Silence of Nyogen Senzaki Shingeshitsu Roko Sherry Chayat 12

Nen : Intense Thought Eido Shimano Roshi 19

Profound Gratitude Aiho Yasuko Shimano 24

Lankavatara Sutra Shokan Undo Osho 25

Ichi Go Ichi E Fujin Butsudo 26

Nyogen Senzaki Memorial Pilgrimage to Yayoi Karen Matsumoto 28

What is THIS? Koju Agung Hertanto 32

New York Zendo Shobo-ji News 34

Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji News 36

New York Zendo Shobo-ji Schedule 2009 42

Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji Schedule 2009 43

New York Zendo.Shobo-ji 223 East 67th Street New York, NY 10065-6002 (212) 861-3333 [email protected]

Dai Bosatsu Zendo. Kongo-ji 223 Beecher Lake Road Livingston Manor, NY 12758-6000 (845) 439-4566 [email protected]

Editors: Jokei Kyodo, Seigan Ed Glassing News: Seigan Ed Glassing, Giun Kendo Editorial Assistance and Proofreading: Giun Kendo, Daiden Charles M.Young, Myodo Matthew Perez Design: Genno Linda King Calligraphy:Yume ("Dream") pg.6: Nyogen Senzaki, Enso pg 44: Nakagawa Soen Roshi Photo credits: Facing page, pgs 28, 34: Daishin Pawel Wojtasik; pg 19: Myodo Matthew Perez; pgs 20, 39: Jokei Kyodo; pg 27: Fujin Butsudo; pg 31: Aiho Yasuko Shimano; pg 37: Nina Current; pg 38: Jinen Nancy Woodard, pg 40: Zensho Martin Hara; Front & back covers, pgs 17, 45 (top): Genno Linda King

Published by The Zen Studies Society, Inc. Eido T. Shimano Roshi, Abbot.We ask that no part of this newsletter New York Zendo Shobo-Ji 40th Anniversary Front and back cover see page 36 be reproduced without our permission. ©2009 The Zen Studies Society, Inc.

1 Hekiganroku, The Blue Cliff Record That was in September. Naturally I asked him, “How long will it take?” He Case 97: The ’s “The Transgression is Wiped Out” said, “At the latest, by January.” I told him, “Fine, very good . . . please let us Eido Shimano Roshi ‘Completely exposed,’ says Setcho again. know the price.”

Engo’s Introduction: Today's teisho will be dedicated to I was thinking they would arrive in Choro-An Nyogen Zenji Dai Osho, also January, or at the latest, February. But If you take up one and let two go, you are known as Nyogen Senzaki. there were lots of problems importing not yet expert.To understand three corners the tatami mats. Inspection at customs when one is presented still goes against the We have just completed our seven-day took many, many days and months. Also, essence of the teaching. Even if you can sesshin at Dai Bosatsu Zendo to com- we wanted to install tatami in the move heaven and earth at once, the four memorate the 50th Anniversary of his Dokusan room, so it needed some car- directions clash like thunder, flash like light- departure. He died on May 7th, 1958. I pentry work. Finally, the tatami came ning, upset the ocean, overturn mountains assume many of you know a little bit and were installed in the Zendo and and pour like a torrent . . . you still fall far about him. But, the main questions I Dharma Hall. The carpentry in the short of it. would like to point out are: After all, Senzaki. He was born, it is said, in 1876, Dokusan room was completed two days who was Nyogen Senzaki? What did he just one hundred years before the birth before sesshin began. In other words, all Is there anyone among you who can control do in America? And where did he go? of Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji. And he this was presented and prepared to wel- the center of the heavens? An axle of the passed away on May 7th, 1958, just ten come Nyogen Senzaki on the occasion earth? “Choro” literally means “Morning Dew,” years before New York Zendo Shobo-ji of his 50th anniversary. In April, a few of so Choro-An is “Hut of Morning Dew.” was established. us even took a pilgrimage to Los Angeles Main Subject: “Nyogen” means “Like a Fantasy.” It specifically to invite him and bring him comes from the Diamond Sutra. At the This may be just coincidence . . . or, back with us. We received our newly The Diamond Sutra says, "Furthermore, if very end, it says, “All composite things maybe not. installed tatami in perfect timing. If they virtuous men and women who receive this are like a dream, like a fantasy. Like a had come in January, it would not have teaching are downtrodden, their unfortu- bubble and a shadow. Like a dewdrop I’ll tell you of two uncanny stories – they been as dramatic as this. And none of us nate destiny is the inevitable result of and a flash of lightning. They are thus to may give you hints as you look at his life. planned it this way . . . it just happened! karma committed in their past mortal lives. be regarded.” By virtue of their present misfortune, the The first: Last summer, when I was in Here is the second uncanny story: As I effect of their past will be worked out, and At the end of sesshin, we normally have Switzerland, a friend of mine said to me, said, Nyogen Senzaki’s name is Choro- then they'll be in a position to realize a cup of tea together in the ceremonial “Roshi, is everything okay?” I said,“Yeah, An, which means “Morning Dew”. This supreme enlightenment." way, in silence, and I speak. This time, my everything is okay except . . .” And, I did spring, a young lady came to Dai Bosatsu extemporaneous remarks went some- not say anything. The following day he Zendo intending to stay for a few days, Verse: thing as follows: “Seven days have passed said: “Except what?” but for some reason she extended her like a dream, like a fantasy.” And, believe stay to one month. And she even want- The clear jewel is in my palm. it or not, I still feel as though I am in that “Well,” I said, “our tatami mats in Dai ed to stay for a kessei – not knowing Whoever is accomplished realm. Usually, we live in an “upside- Bosatsu Zendo are getting old – thirty- anything about Nyogen Senzaki, not will be rewarded with it. down view” world, and it’s hard for us to one years old.” And he said, “Okay, I’ll knowing anything about us having this When neither foreigner nor native comes, see things right-side-up. The Diamond take care of that.” So, I immediately got 50th Anniversary sesshin. So she is now It has utterly no abilities. Sutra verse is well-expressed – the in touch with my friend in , who at DBZ. One day she told me, “Believe Since it has no abilities, “right-side-up view.” had donated all of our tatami mats over it or not, in Hebrew my name means the evil one loses the way. thirty years ago. I said to him,“This time ‘Morning Dew.’” And she said that ever Gautama, Gautama, It is necessary for me to use everyday we’ll pay; can you do it again?” And he since she came, some unknown power do you know me or not? language to describe the life of Nyogen replied,“It would be my honor.” or energy has been urging her to stay at

2 WINTER / SPRING 2009 3 DBZ. “Now I understand the reason used his own pocket money to pay for my This February I was in Japan, and I was Buddha’s entering Parinirvana. In other why I am here,” she said. “And I have a travel expenses, though my teacher has now asked to give a talk on Nyogen Senzaki, words, it did not come from Shakyamuni mission to stay here. My name is left and we are apart from which I did. Upon my return from Japan Buddha’s mouth like Atta Dipa, which is ‘Morning Dew.’” one another. What I am doing here now is to Dai Bosatsu Zendo, I found a package undoubtedly the direct teaching of enduring what is hard to endure. Doing from someone and a letter saying, Shakyamuni Buddha. Nyogen Senzaki became a Buddhist what is difficult to do. I have been doing all “These are the letters written by monk at the age of nineteen and prac- kinds of work, including grooming horses. Nyogen Senzaki to his parents. Perhaps However, he had many awakened stu- ticed at Engaku-ji in under While working together with immigrants they will be useful for you.” And the let- dents and each student had another Roshi. In 1905 he came to from Europe and Africa, I always tell myself ters, only parts of which I have read awakened student, and with the readi- America. that the land on which I now stand may now, are from that package. Nyogen ness of time, they got together and com- someday become the land of Buddha Senzaki did not expect his private letters piled the teachings of Shakyamuni I am going to read some of his newly dis- Dharma. The person who punched me to be sent back to America fifty years Buddha. One of them was the Diamond covered letters. This is only an excerpt today may someday become a Buddha. The after his death. So, through these let- Sutra. The essence of it is sunyata: “All written to his father and mother on May person who treated me with contempt may ters, we are able to know about his life composite things are like a dream, a fan- 18th, 1906. He said (of course, this was eventually become happy. I keep repeating in San Francisco. tasy, a bubble and a shadow. Like a dew- written in Japanese and I translated): this to myself. It’s just like the drop and flash of lightning.” All these we who is mentioned in the Lotus Sutra, Jo There was some kind of anti-Japanese can see, but we cannot grasp. As phe- To state it briefly, there are three purposes Fukyo Bosatsu. He bowed to everyone he movement in the early 1930s, and perse- nomena they exist, but as entities, they for my coming to America. One is to raise met saying, “You will become a Buddha.” cution was all over – he had to carry a don’t. They are thus to be realized. They funds for the operation of the People became angry because they thought pistol whenever he went out, to protect are thus to be regarded. This is the Mentorgarten in Aomori prefecture. But he was making fun of them. They beat him himself. Passing through all these seem- essence of the Diamond Sutra. because of the problems I have been having with sticks and stones. He did not stop ingly difficult days, he continued to work with my eyes, I was not allowed to be on the bowing to them, always repeating, “You will and study and sow the seed of Buddha “Furthermore, if virtuous men and same boat as my teacher Soyen Shaku become a Buddha.” Dharma in American soil. women who receive this teaching are Roshi. This eye disease also caused an downtrodden,” – oppressed or treated unexpected problem in obtaining the trust The next letter was written to his friend This kind of everyday-language explana- badly, like Nyogen Senzaki was in San of the Russell Family. Mr. Miyamoto in 1928: tion is rather easy for you to under- Francisco – “their unfortunate destiny stand, but that is not the main purpose is the inevitable result of karma com- Mrs. Russell was, in fact, the first I’m now sowing some inconspicuous Dharma of my talk tonight. mitted in their past mortal lives. By American Zen student. Soyen Shaku seeds, and I will likewise end my life in this virtue of their present misfortune, the stayed at her home for about a month country inconspicuously. But I am convinced Who was Nyogen Senzaki? What did he effect of their past will be worked out, or so, and the original arrangement was that fifty years from now, the seeds I have do in America? Where did he go? and then they will be in a position to that Nyogen Senzaki was also going to sown will sprout, and true Buddha Dharma realize supreme enlightenment.” This stay there. But somehow, this eye dis- will shine in America. I have made many sac- The Diamond Sutra says, is too rational; too logical. The real is ease caused some complications. rifices, but I am following my teacher Soyen not rational. Shaku’s will. And this is my main purpose for Furthermore, if virtuous men and women The second purpose is for my own study. coming to America. who receive this teaching are downtrodden, In order to understand the Diamond Since my main vocation is the Buddha their unfortunate destiny is the inevitable Sutra, we must realize our own true Dharma, I may not be able to pursue ordi- I just turned fifty-two years old. My hair has result of karma committed in their past nature. To realize our own true nature nary academic studies. However, I am now become white, and perhaps you may not mortal lives. By virtue of their present mis- means understanding that there is no staying with a schoolteacher and she is recognize me. Essentially, what I am doing fortune, the effect of their past will be such thing as the evil karma committed teaching me rhetoric, and perhaps someday is tsuyubarai: cultivating the soil so the worked out, and then they will be in a posi- by our own past lives. Thus, there are no I can be a journalist for an American news- Buddha Dharma may successfully be trans- tion to realize supreme enlightenment. sins to be extinguished. paper. But the main reason for my coming planted to America. to America is to transmit Zen to this coun- The Diamond Sutra was written about This is the real point. This is why we are four hundred years after Shakyamuni doing . try. That’s why my teacher, Soyen Shaku, This is another very uncanny happening:

4 WINTER / SPRING 2009 5 Dai Bosatsu Zendo Harvest Sesshin 2008 Day Five Teisho We often say we have lots of accumulat- To understand the Diamond Sutra, in ed evil karma. By chanting Purification, short, is to understand our mind: little by little, all these karmic defile- “All composite things are like a dream, Eido Shimano Roshi ments will be gone, and then someday, a fantasy, bubble and a shadow. Like This morning we heard wonderful news: when we become completely pure, we’ll a dewdrop and flash of lightning . . .” that Senator Obama was elected our all be enlightened. This is too rational, next President of the . I too logical. We are already enlightened The greatest mistake we all make – say that it is wonderful, because it seems anyway; we simply don’t know it yet. which we don’t even realize that we’re to me that the United States of America We’re too suspicious to accept this – it making – is to think, “This body is my became enlightened. I would like to say sounds too good to be true. body.” This is the biggest mistake. something about the karmic connection between Dai Bosatsu Zendo and this At the same time, perhaps all of you So, to requite the beneficence which we historical event. have tasted this much when your zazen received from the struggle of Nyogen is really good: No border between you Senzaki and various teachers who tried I have noticed that this Sesshin we have so and others. No border between you to transplant this tradition from East to many people from foreign countries. and the good earth. And when you West is to understand, experientially: Japan, China, Vietnam, Canada, Poland, exhale, the universe exhales . . . when Holland, France, Austria, and Switzerland. Tom's Cabin. Those of you who have not you inhale the universe inhales. Who was Nyogen Senzaki? What did he I believe most of you are quite familiar yet read Uncle Tom's Cabin, by Harriet do? Where did he go? with the history of the United States, but Beecher Stowe, please read it. This As Nyogen Senzaki said in one of his I would like to convey something about novel boldly criticizes slavery, and poems, “America has Zen all the time. If you want to truly realize the essence the karmic connection between DBZ and President Lincoln was immensely moved Why, my teacher,should I meddle?” Not of the Diamond Sutra, the answer is very the history of this country, as well as my by it. As you all know, President Lincoln only America – Africa has Zen all the simple: Who was Nyogen Senzaki? He personal karmic connection with signed what is known as the time. Why should I meddle? Or, can I was nobody. What did he do in President-elect Obama, though we have “Emancipation Proclamation” in 1863. I meddle? Can we meddle? America? He did nothing. Where did he never met face-to-face. will return to that subject in a moment. go? He did not go anyplace. I’m going to make up a new word: In February of 1971, for the first time, I On the last Thursday of November, we unmeddleability. We think we are bump- This is really like a dream, like a fantasy. drove up to this Beecher Lake property. celebrate Thanksgiving Day. If my under- kins. “Some day we’ll be enlightened.” After fifty years, he is shining more than It was a beautiful cold day. There was no standing is correct, Thanksgiving in No! You already are – always – enlight- ever! monastery of course, no gate house, no America began in 1621. The Pilgrims ened. And none of you believe this. It Having bid farewell garage, and no woodshed. Only Beecher from England left their country as a sounds too good to be true. to the far native country House. When I came to that bridge by result of increasingly hostile religious Wind and moon are in harmony Sangha Meadow (DBZ's cemetery), I persecution. The Protestants became The problem for our practice is not our Not despising utter poverty thought “At last – we found the place for protestants, really ‘in protest.’ So they pain, our drowsiness, or our thoughts, but You continued to live in true Zen us to build the monastery.” So I said to came to this new continent, and were simply our lack of faith in the Dharma. The hut of morning dew Mr. Johnston, “This is it.” This was even called ‘Pilgrims.’ From their point of That’s it! is like a dream, like a fantasy before we negotiated with the property view, it was a religious pilgrimage. But Fifty years have passed owner. At that time, I had no idea that Native Americans were already here. Muslims face Mecca and do prostrations since you departed O this frozen place we had driven past was This particular spot by Beecher Lake five times a day. They may have their a lake called Beecher Lake. Later I found was one of the spots the Native own reasons, but we can learn a lot from out that the name “Beecher” came from Americans discovered and lived in. They their dedication. If we do, our hearts the Beecher family, and that one of the had some special intuition that this place may become softer, less arrogant, and members of the Beecher family was has ki (spiritual energy) and would be a less suspicious. Harriet Beecher Stowe, who wrote Uncle good place for them to live. From their

6 WINTER / SPRING 2009 7 point of view, the Pilgrims were not wel- Emancipation Proclamation, and later discrimination. One hundred years later, the will one day live in a nation where they will come – it was an invasion. In the early that year in the Gettysburg Address, he Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in not be judged by the color of their skin but days here, the Pilgrims struggled to sur- said, “A government of the people, by the midst of a vast ocean of material pros- by the content of their character.” vive, and when the first harvest took the people, and for the people,” which perity. One hundred years later, the Negro place, they thanked God by celebrating still is considered the foundation of is still languishing in the corners of American And it goes on. It's a really wonderful Thanksgiving Day. At any rate, because Democracy. Abraham Lincoln was assas- society, and finds himself an exile in his own speech. these pilgrims were from England, and sinated in 1865. land. So we have to come here today to because they were white, and Protestant dramatize a shameful condition.” Forty years ago, a few months before – they are called WASPs – White Anglo- 1963 – exactly one hundred years after Shobo-ji was dedicated, the Buddhist Saxon Protestants – and they became the signing of the Emancipation Dr. King speaks about how black people Church in Chicago invited me to come the most influential group of people in Proclamation – was a year which I shall were unhappy victims of discrimination, and give a talk on – on this country. never forget. Two important events and he describes this very powerfully and Buddha's birthday. So in April of 1968, I took place. I was already in America,and accurately. Then he says to the audience: went to Chicago, and it was upon my During the American Revolution, on July the Civil Rights movement was quite return that I heard the news that Martin 4th, 1776, this nation declared her active. Dr.Martin Luther King Jr.was the “Go back to Mississippi, go back to Luther King had been assassinated. Independence. Two hundred years later, head of that movement, and in August Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go on July 4th, Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo- 1963 his well-known “I Have a Dream” back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go Later, while Dai Bosatsu Zendo was ji was dedicated. speech was delivered in Alabama. Later back to the slums and ghettos of our north- being built, it became clear in my heart that very year, in November, John F. ern cities, knowing that somehow this situa- that the dedication day for Dai Bosatsu The Civil War was between the north- Kennedy was assassinated. He was not tion can and will be changed. Zendo must be on July 4th, 1976 – ern part of the United States, such as a WASP. He was the first Catholic because each of us has our own slavery- our New York area, where industry and President of the United States; and he Let us not wallow in the valley of despair. I conditioned heart. It does not have any business were the essence of livelihood; was also quite active in the Civil Rights say to you today my friends – so even color, it does not have any visual form, and the southern part, like Georgia, movement. though we face the difficulties of today and but we all know that our minds and our Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, where tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream hearts are not yet emancipated. So, our agriculture was the essence of liveli- The Martin Luther King speech, “I Have deeply rooted in the American dream. own personal “emancipation proclama- hood. Unlike nowadays, use of a Dream” is quite poetic, and of course, tion” was declared on July 4th, 1976; machines was limited, so human energy addresses lots of political and sociologi- I have a dream that one day this nation will because just two hundred years before and human power were indispensable. cal issues, but some part is relevant for rise up and live out the true meaning of its that, America declared her independ- And this is how slavery came about. me to share with you now: creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evi- ence, and a Buddhist monastery is a There are still such terms existing: dent, that all men are created equal." place where each participant strives for “slave-trade” and “slave-ship.” In other “Five score years ago, a great American, in spiritual emancipation. That's why that words, human beings were purchased or whose symbolic shadow we stand today, I have a dream that one day on the red hills particular date and that particular year traded from Africa and the West Indies. signed the Emancipation Proclamation.This of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the were selected. They were brought to the United States momentous decree came as a great beacon sons of former slave owners will be able to sit for agricultural labor. The Civil War, to light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who down together at the table of brotherhood. Actually, to say so is not quite right. state it briefly, was the disagreement had been seared in the flames of withering Even though we wanted to open DBZ between two parts of the United States injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to I have a dream that one day even the state on July 4th, 1976, if the circumstances – the North, where slavery was unnec- end the long night of their captivity. of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the did not allow us – for example, if we essary, and the South, where slavery was heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of lacked the building funds – nothing could considered essential. So they fought. But one hundred years later, the Negro still oppression, will be transformed into an oasis have happened. But somehow the is not free. One hundred years later, the life of freedom and justice. Mandala web connects all things; nothing The Civil War lasted from 1861 to 1865. of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the is disconnected. The Mandala web made In 1863, Abraham Lincoln signed the manacles of segregation and the chains of I have a dream that my four little children it possible for us to open on that day.

8 WINTER / SPRING 2008 9 As you know very well, many people minority. When Martin Luther King charisma, virtue and intelligence. And I'm father came from from Kenya to laugh at me and say, “You are like Don made his speech “I Have a Dream,” so glad that American citizens, or a sub- Honolulu to be a student of that univer- Quixote, why do you sing ‘The Senator Obama was two years old; he stantial part of us, supported him – thus sity. His mother, originally from Kansas, Impossible Dream’ again and again?” was just a baby! Forty-five years later, he will become our President on January moved to , Washington with her Because this is my “I Have a Dream.” Martin Luther King's dream is starting to 20th, 2009. parents before moving to Honolulu. Martin Luther King's dream was what I come true. At last, citizens of the United Seattle is the city where Nyogen Senzaki have just read to you. And my States are truly enlightened, knowing In his acceptance speech in Chicago, first landed in 1905. It is also the city “Impossible Dream” came from the that if we were to continue under the Obama said,“We made it. We shall over- where Chester Carlson was born that Broadway musical, Man of La Mancha. present circumstances for four more come.” After nearly two years of cam- same year. After moving to Honolulu, There is a verse which goes: years, or eight more years, we'd be like paigning: We made it. We shall over- Obama’s mother became a student at hundreds of people crammed into a come. And he was not only speaking to the University, and this is where she met This is my quest, to follow that star small room without oxygen. And so, we black people: “We” means all of us. We Barack Obama Sr. They met on campus. no matter how hopeless, elected Obama. made it. We shall overcome. The following year, on August 4th, 1961, no matter how far; Barack Obama Jr. was born in Hawaii. to fight for the right, Two days before the election – Nov. 2nd So this is the connection between Dai After finishing high school, he went to without question or pause; – his grandmother passed away in Bosatsu Zendo and the “Emancipation Occidental College near Pasadena, to be willing to march Hawaii; and when I heard that she passed Proclamation.” And we – not I – we have California. Because Pasadena and into hell for a heavenly cause. away not knowing whether or not her a dream. We must have a dream. Mishima (where Ryutaku-ji is located) beloved grandson will become the are sister cities, I had the opportunity to This part is just like our zazen practice; President of the United States, I thought Dogen Zenji said, travel to Pasadena several times during our emancipation training. “Obama will win.” Not because some the mid-’60s. Obama attended sympathetic votes would go in his favor – Setsu ni omou koto wa Columbia University in New York in the This is my quest. in fact, her death was not widely publi- Kanarazu toguru nari early ’80s. After graduation he moved to No matter how hopeless . . . cized. Nevertheless, I heard it from Chicago. This is the city where the Sometimes you feel despair, as someone, and I was convinced that her Which means: “Whatever it may be, if World Parliament of Religions took Martin Luther King said. death is the birth of a new United States you think of something desperately, place in 1893, where Soyen Shaku intro- of America. For this reason I was really sooner or later it will become true.” duced Buddhism for the first time to the No matter how far . . . happy when I heard the news yesterday. West. In my opinion, Barack Obama is Ten years, twenty years, three lifetimes, Martin Luther King's dream took place part of the Dai Bosatsu Mandala web. five lifetimes. As all of you are quite aware, all those forty-five years from the day he spoke it outstanding leaders – Abraham Lincoln, – nearly half a century has passed. But, This nation was made by Native To fight for the right John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King – “No matter how hopeless, no matter Americans, WASPs, Africans, Jews, without question or pause; were assassinated by someone who did- how far; to fight for the right without Europeans, Latinos, and Asians. Now we To be willing to march n’t like change, and I sincerely hope that question or pause . . .” Though Barack are really becoming more and more into hell for a heavenly cause that won't happen to Senator Obama, Obama is not the descendant of slaves, diverse. I am so glad that Senator And I know if I’ll only be true our President-elect. If that happens, through his dedication to break down Obama was elected, and so glad that to this glorious quest . . . 'despair' is really the only word I can racial barriers, he made Martin Luther American people, with enlightened eyes, think of. For some of you, despair King’s dream come true by becoming have chosen him to be the next leader of This is what Man of La Mancha's becomes stimulation or encouragement the President of the United States. this nation. At last we realize the injus- “Impossible Dream” is telling us: this is for your practice; and some of you may tice of this unreasonable discrimination. the attitude for us to take in our practice. simply lose hope and may give up your Now let me tell you my personal con- Whether black, white, yellow or red, we Not only people from Africa, but many practice. This is the reason why such a nection with President-elect Obama. I all have two eyes that are horizontal and Latinos and Asians also came into this . . . almost messiah . . . came to this nation came to the University of Hawaii in one nose that is vertical. O country. The WASP is becoming a at the most appropriate time, with such August, 1960. That year, Barack Obama’s

10 WINTER / SPRING 2009 11 The Eloquent Silence of Nyogen Senzaki

Shingeshitsu Roko Sherry Chayat McCandless had a website with his biog- Tanahashi and I were leading, “Ancient raphy as an artist and photographs of .” We traveled to Nara, Compiling and editing Eloquent Silence: some of his beautiful paintings. I got in Koya-san, and Kyoto, and then my stu- Nyogen Senzaki’s Gateless Gate and Other touch with him, and we soon began a dents and I met with Miyamoto Taiho Previously Unpublished Teachings and lively correspondence, in the course of Roshi, the Kancho at Soen Roshi’s ordina- Letters was a profoundly moving experi- which he reminisced about his mother’s tion temple, Kogaku-ji (founded by Bassui ence, one through which I felt an ever- close discipleship under Nyogen Tokujo Zenji), and climbed Mount Dai deepening in-nen with this pioneer of Senzaki, and his own childhood friend- Bosatsu. After our return to the States, I Zen in America. ship with the Zen teacher, who had re-immersed myself in the Nyogen stayed with the McCandless family in Senzaki material, and in June, I went to Two years ago, knowing that the 50th Pasadena for several months after being California for the American Zen Teachers anniversary of Nyogen Senzaki’s passing released from Heart Mountain Intern- Conference, which was conveniently would occur in 2008, we were thinking ment Camp. Duncan-san and I agreed being held in San Francisco that year. I about ways of commemorating his that I would visit him that summer and had arranged to meet with Duncan inspiring life. In direct response, the Dai see some of the Nyogen Senzaki materi- McCandless the very day I arrived. Bosatsu Mandala exerted its magic. In als from his mother’s estate, including the fall of 2006 I received a telephone Eido Roshi and I met to discuss the proj- those poems. Zenshin Richard Rudin picked me up at call from Josh Bartok, senior editor at ect just before the start of Rohatsu the airport and we drove into the hills Wisdom Publications. He said he had Sesshin 2006. We looked at the To bring the book out in 2008 would and spent an unforgettable afternoon, recently received a collection of Xeroxed pages Josh had sent me. My require fast work, both on my part and first at Duncan-san’s apartment having Xeroxed pages of what appeared to be excitement grew when Eido Roshi told on the part of Wisdom. I discussed it tea and talking, and then at his studio, transcriptions of talks by Nyogen me about letters from Nyogen Senzaki with Josh, and he said if we could have where, from a large chest, he began Senzaki, including commentaries on the to his teacher, Soyen Shaku Roshi.These everything to him by September of bringing out treasure after treasure— Gateless Gate. Would I be interested in included two written in the late 1800s 2007, it would be possible. I quickly the originals of the calligraphy poems editing this material? and early 1900s, before Nyogen Senzaki read through the material that Josh had that Eido Roshi remembered seeing, came to the United States. Sharply crit- sent, and saw that it was in need of sub- many photographs, and the robe, rakusu, I immediately got in touch with Eido ical of Japanese Buddhism, they were in stantial editing. First, it had to be con- and kesa that Nyogen Senzaki had given Roshi, and he agreed that this would old-style kanji, and would be very hard verted into computer files—a time-con- his dear student, Ruth Strout indeed be a worthy project, one that to translate, Roshi said. I began thinking suming process. With the kind help of McCandless. We so strongly felt the would continue the work he had started of Japanese friends of a certain age who speedy typists Kanro Christine Dowling, presence of teacher and disciple, and with Namu Dai Bosa: A Transmission of Zen might still recognize those kanji. Kigetsu Jennifer Sampson, and Tetsunin their remarkable Dharma relationship. Buddhism to America and the two editions Pat Yingst at Hoen-ji and Yobin Andrea Duncan-san was kind enough to let me of Like a Dream, Like a Fantasy (the second Eido Roshi then showed me old, faded Rook at Dai Bosatsu Zendo, the materi- borrow a number of the calligraphies, edition of which I had worked on with Xeroxes of Nyogen Senzaki’s poetry, in al started coming to me digitally, and I which I carefully brought with me to San him). In August 1960, when Eido Roshi his beautiful calligraphy, with his own began editing in early 2007. On another Francisco Zen Center; the next morn- (then Tai-san) was about to leave for the English translations typed or hand-writ- visit to DBZ, Eido Roshi showed me ing, before the conference started, my United States, Soen Roshi had given him ten on each page. Roshi remembered some wonderful old photographs of friend Sunyana Graef, who runs the three boxes containing Nyogen Senzaki’s seeing the originals of these poems when Nyogen Senzaki alone, with Shubin and Vermont Zen Center, went with me to manuscripts, asking him to publish them visiting Duncan McCandless, a son of Jimmy Tanahashi,and with Soen Roshi, as an area copy shop and helped me scan as the opportunity arose. Before he Ruth Strout McCandless, many years ago well as several historic group images; everything. Then, equally carefully, passed away in 1984, Soen Roshi named in California, and suggested I try to find these, Jokei scanned and sent to me. Zenshin picked them up at San Eido Roshi literary executor of all his him so that we might scan some of the Francisco Zen Center and returned work and holdings, including Nyogen originals for the proposed new book. I had to take a break in the spring for a them to Duncan-san. I went back to the Senzaki’s writings. The Internet came through: Duncan pilgrimage that my dear friend Kazuaki East Coast. Eido Roshi had given me an

12 WINTER / SPRING 2009 13 untranslated poem that would become proofs for further checking. By spring, the Nyogen Senzaki’s early days in the frontispiece of the book, and two final pages came in for a last proofreading. California. After sesshin, I got in touch letters from Nyogen Senzaki to his In April, a few of us went to Los Angeles, with Josh. I knew final production was teacher, Soyen Shaku Roshi. I needed to at the kind invitation of Eido Roshi and about to begin—but would it still be find someone who was of a generation Aiho-san. That Dai Bosatsu Mandala possible to include Eido Roshi’s memo- to remember what those kanji meant. Day, Roshi conducted the full service at rial poem and those excerpts in the Luckily, here in Syracuse was Professor Nyogen Senzaki’s grave in Evergreen book? He discussed it with the produc- Tsutomu Nakatsugawa, who had visited Cemetery, and invited him to come to tion department and said as long as the Dai Bosatsu Zendo with his wife, Dai Bosatsu Zendo the following month, new material could be placed before and Masako, and was a friend of Hoen-ji. to be with us for our Nyogen Senzaki after what had already been set as num- With some trepidation, he agreed to Sesshin. We offered the finished manu- bered pages, it could work. take on the task, as long as I was willing script at the grave, under the headstone to rewrite and polish his English. As he inscribed with Nyogen Senzaki’s words: The wonderful openness, flexibility, and got more deeply into the work, he real- “Friends in Dhamma, be satisfied with professionalism shown by Wisdom ized that he could not understand cer- your own heads. Do not put on any Publications toward this entire proj- Excerpts follow: tain words and phrases; he asked a false heads above your own. Then ect—and, of course, the Dai Bosatsu From the Introduction friend in Japan, Professor Mitsuo Ishida, minute after minute, watch your steps Mandala—allowed this to take place. for help, and they both spent many long closely.These are my last words to you.” Starting in 1922, three years after Soyen hours and did a great deal of research, What a Mandala Day that was! Still, as mid-summer approached, we Shaku’s death and exactly seventeen aided in Buddhist terms by a priest at wondered—would the books really be years (as mandated by his teacher) after a temple near Professor Ishida. The I had selected several excerpts from the ready for distribution so that they could his arrival in the United States, whenev- results of our collaboration can be book for a preview publication designed be given to those who would attend the er he could save enough money, Nyogen seen in the first two letters in the by Banko Randy Phillips to be given to upcoming Fortieth Anniversary Sesshin Senzaki would hire a hall to present lec- Correspondence section of the book. participants at the forthcoming Nyogen at New York Zendo Shobo-ji? I kept in tures on Buddhism. He called these Senzaki Sesshin, and during our stay in touch with the production department; meetings his “floating zendo.” Gradually, Working almost continuously except Los Angeles, many emails went back and everything was going smoothly. In June, people began asking to sit with him.“I at during sesshin at Hoen-ji, I completed a forth to Banko so that the small booklet we received the final cover text from last established a zendo in 1928, which I first draft that summer. Eido Roshi could be finished in time. Wisdom; with just a few editorial have carried with me as a silkworm wrote an excellent Foreword. At some changes, it was approved. Amazingly hides itself in its cocoon,” he told a stu- point during that time, the title for the At that May 2008 commemorative enough, a full month ahead of schedule, dent. Now the adult Mentorgarten book came to me: Eloquent Silence. The sesshin, we strongly felt that Nyogen on the eighth day of the eighth month of Sangha was born—a Sangha that had no annual week that my husband, Andy Senzaki had indeed joined us. On May 7, 2008—a mystical and powerfully auspi- divide between East and West, no con- Hassinger, and I spend on Wolfe Island, Eido Roshi offered him a Chinese poem cious date—the books arrived at Dai nection with any religious organization Canada, allowed for a blissful lack of he composed for the Fiftieth Bosatsu Zendo, New York Zendo, and or establishment, and very little of the interruptions, and I was able to write the Anniversary Memorial Service. He ded- the . hierarchy typical of . In his Introduction. One more editing of the icated his teisho to him, as I did my talks, he addressed his students as entire manuscript, and the September Dharma Talk. Earlier that year, in With gratitude to Eido Roshi for the “” or “Fellow Students,” and deadline was met. That December, I February, Eido Roshi had given a talk in opportunity to “entangle my eyebrows” noted,“The same spirit of Sangha found received the first page proofs, and the Japan about this pioneer of Zen in the with Nyogen Senzaki, and for everyone’s in my Mentorgarten movement may be next few months were spent doing fur- West; after he returned to the States, he unstinting efforts to bring this book into found in early Buddhism—nay, not only ther editing. In February, the cover received a packet of letters from some- existence, I offer profound bows. in early Buddhism, but in both ancient and design arrived; I sent it digitally to Eido one who had heard his talk. Now he modern Buddhism as well. If there is true Roshi, who was in Japan, and he emailed translated excerpts from three letters, Shingeshitsu Roko Sherry Chayat Buddhism, there is this Sangha spirit.” back that he liked it very much. That reading them to us in his teisho, and they same month, I received the edited page were truly remarkable depictions of

14 WINTER / SPRING 2009 15 Nyogen Senzaki and dis- we are cut off from our own inner wis- head, but as the young monk Tai-san From The Gateless Gate covered in each other the values of dom. He notes that real Zen teachers observed when Nyogen Senzaki visited moral integrity, resolve, and purity they never give anything; rather, they take Ryutaku-ji, had a beautiful silver crown CASE FORTY-SEVEN both found gravely lacking in the away whatever their students are of hair. “Those who digest Zen well THE THREE BARRIERS OF TOSOTSU Buddhist establishment in Japan. In his attached to. should do their work in the world with- commentary on Case Twenty-two of the out displaying any trace of Zen,” he says Tosotsu erected three barriers and Gateless Gate, Nyogen Senzaki quoted a Stressing that silence is the most elo- in “Amban’s Addition” to the Gateless made the monks pass through them.The New Year’s Day poem he had written: quent vehicle for expressing Zen, in his Gate, and in the same commentary he first is, in studying Zen, the aim is to see commentary to Case Twenty of the tells us, “Monks have no monopoly on your own true nature. Now, where is One hundred thousand bonzes Gateless Gate he says,“I appreciate your Zen. Zen belongs to the world. Laymen your true nature? Secondly, when you of Japan are intoxicated with sake enthusiasm in copying my lectures and and laywomen adherents should study realize your own true nature, you will be on this New Year’s Day. keeping them, but remember that I Zen—even children in kindergarten free from birth and death. Now, when Alone, Brother Soen is sober— speak them with shame and tears. I do should be trained in the Zen way. The the light is gone from your eyes and you nothing is able to tempt him. such a dirty job (this talking on Zen) shrubs and grasses around this humble become a corpse, how can you free I light a lamp on my windowsill, and because nobody else has done it here house also study Zen. They show the yourself? Thirdly, when you free yourself pine for him from this side of the ocean. before me. Please do not show my lec- color of Zen through their own natural from birth and death, you should know He must be very happy when the plum tures to any outsiders and say that they green. . . . Zen monks are like street where you are. Now your body sepa- blossoms herald the coming of spring! are a part of my Zen. I have no such cleaners. They do their work so that rates into the four elements. At this funny business as preaching Zen. others can go their different ways. . . . moment, where are you? Then he added,“This monk is my discov- Whatever I say passes away before you True monks who guard the lamp of ery, being of the same name, by pronun- record it.You only catch my yawns and Dharma are becoming fewer and fewer.” Bodhisattvas: All in the Gateless ciation, as my teacher Soyen Shaku, but coughs.” The world—not just the Zen world, not Gate deal with one’s own true nature. written differently in Chinese charac- just the Buddhist world—needs the They begin with Joshu’s “Mu.” Gutei’s fin- ters. He is in Mishima, Japan, these days. Nyogen Senzaki had no use for cool-headed, compassionate, and incisive ger, Zuigan’s inner master, the Sixth His full name is Soen Nakagawa. He will Buddhists who sought renown or used teachings of this true monk more today Patriarch’s true self, and ’s come to America in the future, gather propaganda to attract students. “The than ever.With palms together, in com- pacified mind—each leads the student the old assembly around him, and tear teachings lose their richness when they memoration of his life of integrity, sim- directly into the region of buddha- Kashyapa’s preaching sign into rags.” have many followers” (Case Twenty-six plicity, wisdom, and unstinting loving- nature. Anyone who has experienced of the Gateless Gate). Indeed, he held kindness, this book is offered to men, turning inwardly can actualize the same, Certain themes recur throughout most of his contemporaries in the Zen women, children, shrubs, grasses, and with ease, at any time. It is not confined Nyogen Senzaki’s commentaries, Buddhist establishment in disregard, par- street cleaners! in a thing; therefore, it will be discovered talks, essays, poems, and letters: “Block ticularly in Japan, but in America as well, in everything. It is not excluded in a the road of your thinking,” he tells us as is evident in this paragraph from Case place; therefore it will be exposed at any again and again.That’s all we need to do. Two of the Blue Rock Collection:“Here place. The first barrier of Tosotsu is, “Give the uppercut to your own dualis- in America, many so-called spiritual “Now, where is your true nature?” At tic ideas.” The simpler the better, he teachers gather students who bring the moment of your hesitation, you are emphasizes; no word is best of all. We many questions; they then patiently try far away from it, ten thousand miles afar. must continually strive to actualize the to entertain them with favorable truth of Zen for ourselves, since realiza- answers.” In the United States, Nyogen The second barrier of Tosotsu is,“When tion “will not come to us by luck, as in a Senzaki lived as an ordinary citizen, not you realize your own true nature, you lottery” (Case Twenty-two of the calling attention to himself in any way. will be free from birth and death. Now, Gateless Gate). If we are filled with He wore a suit and tie, placing his robe when the light is gone from your eyes “emotional pining” for something out- over them when engaged in zazen or and you become a corpse, how can you side, for someone else’s understanding, giving a lecture; he did not shave his free yourself?” Kukai, a ninth-century Japanese Shingon monk, said, “When

16 WINTER / SPRING 2009 17 death comes, I am not there.While I am the four elements, which move on as Nen (Intense Thought) here, death cannot claim me. Why vividly as the ebb and surge of the sea of should I be afraid of death?” The state- buddha-nature. ment is quite logical. Dualistic conscious- Eido Shimano Roshi ness and death have no opportunity to MUMON’S COMMENT meet each other. People simply fear Every year, after summer sesshin is over death due to their habit of dualistic If you can pass these three barriers, you in Switzerland, I have two days of vaca- thinking. In fact, they are threatened by will be a master wherever you are. tion time in Europe. This year, I went to the idea of death, not by death itself. Whatever happens around you will be Pisa in Italy with my students M., who nothing but the essence of Zen. usually accompanies me in Switzerland, Dogen, a thirteenth-century Japanese Otherwise, you will be living on poor and J., a nun from Dai Bosatsu Zendo. Soto teacher, said,“In the region of bud- food, and will not have enough of it to dha-nature, there is no birth, and accord- satisfy yourself. In front of the famous Leaning Tower, ingly, there is no death. Life never begins; there is an old Catholic cathedral, the therefore, it never ends. Birth and death Years ago, a Japanese woman worked on Duomo di Pisa. Instead of climbing up are simply psychological demarcations.” this koan. She worked hard, day and into the tower, the three of us decided This is my free translation. In this koan of night. At the end of the third seclusion, to go into the cathedral. Centuries of with me, neither Euros nor dollars. So, Tosotsu, to pass through the second bar- she came to sanzen and expressed her peoples’ prayers help to create a unique we ignored them and tried to speed up, rier, you must eliminate not only the fear Zen in silence, folding her hands, palm to and powerful atmosphere unlike any- but they were blocking our way and we of death, but death itself, birth itself. palm. I said, “The first barrier is passed. thing I have experienced in American could barely move forward. Within a Some of you come to sanzen and show How about the second barrier?” She churches which are much more modern. minute, a second attack came. Again, the me your own last moment, shutting your kept herself in the same pose. I said, kids spread the map in our faces, saying, eyes and playing a corpse.You are dead, “Come on, now, tell me, when the light Attendant J. was raised Catholic before “Mister, mister, one euro!!!” This time sure enough, but where is your buddha- is gone from your eyes and you become becoming a Buddhist nun. Therefore, they came so close that our bodies nature? Until you can prove yourself in a corpse, how can you free yourself?” she was emotionally overwhelmed and touched. real freedom beyond birth and death, She went on in the same pose, folding quite “drunk” by her pious feelings upon you are just a bad actor, after all. her hands palm to palm. I said, “You are leaving the church. Afterwards, we spent All the way to the car, the same game quite stubborn. Never mind the second some time seeing the other sights in the was repeated four more times. When The third barrier:“When you free your- barrier. How about the third? Now your Piazza dei Miracoli (“Square of we finally reached the car and M. opened self from birth and death, you should body separates into the four elements. Miracles”), then finally started walking the door for us, two of the little girls ran know where you are. Now your body Where are you?” She did not change her toward the car. We were all feeling quite up to J. holding a small brocade purse separates into the four elements.At this pose at all. I said, “Come on, come on, elated. On the way to the car,M. said,“It saying, “Miss, you dropped this, is it moment, where are you?” Some of you where are you?” She still stood, folding is hot, I will run ahead and start the air yours?” J.’s face went pale. I realized stretch your arms and legs out on the her hands palm to palm, without a word. conditioning, but please walk slowly and what had just happened---the woman floor. I never blame the manner in which I said, “Such monotonous Zen! What is take your time.” and the girls were pickpockets. I quick- you present your koan in sanzen, as long the use of it? Get out.” Before I rang the ly asked J.,“Do you have your passport? as you express Zen from the bottom of bell to call the next student, she bowed As soon as M. left, a woman in her twen- Did they take anything else?” She your heart. If you mean, however,to indi- to me and got out of the last barrier ties accompanied by three young chil- checked and nothing was missing. By cate the four elements—earth, water, gracefully. I know it is useless to bring up dren approached J. and I in two teams. then, the whole team had fled. fire, and air—by means of such acrobat- a canceled check here. I only wanted to We had been warned about aggressive ic stunts, you simply make me laugh. To suggest to you that the answer in Zen is pickpockets and theft in this popular We then went inside the car and locked represent the elements of modern not necessarily shown by gesture, or by tourist area. Two girls came towards the doors. I asked J., “May I see your chemistry, your fingers and toes are not words. When one can master oneself me, spreading a map in front of me purse?” Her passport, a twenty dollar enough, in any case. Now what are you wherever one stands, one can turn shouting, “One Euro! One Euro!!!” The bill and a string of prayer beads were still going to do? A good physician knows whatever happens into true and living woman and the other girl did the same inside. I was amazed by the skill of the about the health of a patient’s blood Zen. Of course I am not praising stub- thing in front of J. I did not have any cash young thieves, using a couple of big maps from a glance at the face, even before bornness or uniformity at all. O laboratory work is done. Now show me

18 WINTER / SPRING 2009 19 to hide what they were doing, and return the purse. J’s grandfather had shouting “One Euro!” to divert our used them for decades, praying and attention. chanting with them. His spiritual ener- gy saved J. from losing her passport in a J.’s beads are made of purple amethyst foreign country. crystal. They come from her grandfa- ther, who was a faithful Buddhist in True In the Lotus Sutra there is a phrase that Pure Land (Jodo Shinshu) School. After goes, “Sometimes you may be attacked his death, his wife gave these well-used by thieves, surrounded by them, and beads to her daughter (J.’s mother), and may face the chance to be killed. If you they were passed on to J. on the day of pray to Kanzeon Bodhisattva whole- her ordination. J.’s mother told her, heartedly, the thieves will not only stop their evil deed, but may also cultivate “Keep these always with you, wherever compassionate minds.” you go.” This is exactly what happened with J.’s Why did the professional pickpockets beads. Decades ago, in the countryside return this purse to J.? I was puzzled. of Japan, J.’s grandfather prayed day and They were immigrants from a foreign night, and his Nen finally had a chance country, and had no way of knowing we to bloom this past summer in Italy. were Buddhist priests. After thinking it over,I realized that the power of Nen in Nen will never disappear and never die. the beads is what made the thieves What an awesome power! O

The article above was originally featured in Schole Magazine, a Japanese Buddhist periodical, earlier this year. We are pleased to include the Japanese text from the original article on the following pages.

20 WINTER / SPRING 2009 21 22 Profound Gratitude Lankavatara Sutra Revisted

From September 11th to 14th, 2008, 1968. On this day, New York Zendo by Shokan Undo Osho by the Lankavatara Sutra, although my New York Zendo Shobo-ji celebrated its Shobo-ji was officially opened. Soen own perception of reality was quite dif- 40th Anniversary with a special sesshin. Roshi, Yasutani Roshi, Chester and When I was around 25 years old, toward ferent from how Buddha explained it to It was a remarkably strong retreat with Dorris Carlson, Bill and Milly Johnstone, the end of my hippie years, I discovered be. Be that as it may, the reading experi- joyful Dharma energy, ending in a cere- and many other distinguished guests and Buddhism and Zen. Maybe I should clar- ence itself was so calming and refreshing, mony on Sunday afternoon, which was sangha members who were involved in ify: I discovered books about Buddhism with the gentle flow of the dialogue and attended by 150 guests. I would like to the creation of the temple were present. and Zen. Deep inside myself I clearly felt the many repetitions, that I was deeply express my profound gratitude to all the In those days, it was inconceivable that a that this is it! – especially Zen. So I read satisfied, whether I understood the people who helped make this wonderful Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple had opened every book available on the topic of meaning or not. Didn’t Buddha repeat- event possible. For about a year we had in . The newborn baby either Zen or Buddhism. And there edly say in the Lankavatara Sutra that were MANY. This was in the mid-seven- Bodhisattvas should patiently take on been meeting, planning and organizing temple needed lots of care in daily ties and the public interest in Zen and and get used to the view; that all manifes- for Shobo-ji’s birthday. Great effort was affairs, zazen meetings and sesshin Buddhism was enormous. Besides all of tations, including ourselves, exist in the involved, both behind the scenes and out preparations. Eido Roshi’s burning pas- the Beat Zen literature available, all of D. mind only? This “patiently take on and front, in repairing and beautifying the sion for the Dharma helped Shobo-ji T. Suzuki’s works had been translated get used to” warmly touched my heart temple and preparing for sesshin. Some grow and become strong. We both into German, as well as uncountable and strongly supported my wish to fol- of these projects included: helped and encouraged each other other good, serious Zen books, which low this path. throughout the years, with the mutual are nowadays considered classics. At 1. The front of New York Zendo’s support of the sangha. that time I understood quite well that to Recently, in a sudden impulse, I grabbed building was stripped and repainted. study Zen without actually practicing is this book again and read the Lankavatara 2. The outside wooden entrance Now forty years have passed, and today, like a lifeless corpse. And I occasionally Sutra. More than thirty years had passed doors were re-sanded, stained, and we just completed our Anniversary tried to do the real thing – sit cross since I first read it. How different was sealed with polyurethane. Sesshin and celebration. As Confucius legged – but was intimidated by my own my response this time, yet how much the said,“At the age of forty, I was no longer failure; after five minutes I could not same! As I started to read, I was trans- 3. A brand new entrance door was deluded.” The Shobo-ji sangha is now stand the pain anymore and stood up. It ported back in time and felt exactly as if installed, stained and sealed. firmly stabilized.This has given me a new wasn’t until a few years later, after a cut- I were sitting at the table some thirty 4. Six toilets were replaced. energy and joy. I am truly grateful for the ting crisis in my life, that I started to sit years ago; certainly due to my concen- support I received from the Dharma. regularly on a daily basis, and was able to trated, upright and open-minded reading 5. The wooden deck in the garden This is the most wonderful gift from the progressively increase the length of my at that time. The next thing I noticed was zendo was replaced. Dharma and from Shobo-ji. Indeed, sitting periods. how familiar this view of “not a single “Dhamma Dipa, Dhamma Sarana.” I can thing exists” was to me. Unlike decades 6.The garden zendo’s roof and Some time before this happened I came ago, some of the theories and explana- shingles were replaced. never thank you enough, Dharma. Even across a book called Sutras of tions of the Sutra were not only compre- after eons, my gratitude to the Dharma Buddhism. It included the hensible, but accurate expressions of my 7.A new bowing mat and will never disappear. purple zabuton for Eido Roshi Heart Sutra, the Diamond Sutra, the own experiences. I could not help but were purchased. Lankavatara Sutra and some others in an feel grateful for the Rinzai Zen training I Toki Oshimi Koto wo accurate translation into modern am undergoing, and once more I became 8.A gratitude gift of a new robe Hagemishi Himo Sugite German. I thought that this was clearly aware of the differences between for Eido Roshi was ordered Hô no Irie ni Yu wo Aminikeri and made in Japan. Buddha’s original teaching and I was very Nyorai Zen (reading and studying the eager to read and understand what he Sutras) and Soshi Zen (our actual Zen 9. New jihatsu wrapping cloths The days where I begrudged every taught. I made it a kind of meditation to training, koan study and life experiences). were made. minute spent on accomplishing things read this book. I sat on a chair at a table are now gone, At last I can bathe with my spine straight and read slowly This time, once again, when reading the 10. New chopsticks for the jihatsu leisurely in a Dharma pool! and concentrated word by word. Some words “patiently take on and get used sets were purchased. of the passages I was able to understand. to,” my heart was filled with feelings of I remember so vividly the beautiful Gassho, Certainly not the Heart Sutra. And the faith and willingness. Although we usual- autumn afternoon of September 15th, Aiho Yasuko Shimano O Diamond Sutra did not make much sense ly say: "Practice thirty more years," I wish to me, either. But I was very impressed my practice will continue forever. O

24 WINTER / SPRING 2009 25 Ichi Go Ichi E

Fujin Butsudo

Two years ago, I went to Shogen-ji in encounter. As we were led around the It was only upon parting from Mizuno engaged in. But to experience first-hand Japan to attend Rohatsu sesshin. After studio admiring his work, time literally Sensei that I realized what had been meeting someone who had transcended sesshin was over,Yamakawa Roshi took vanished. I cannot even tell for sure how offered to me: the gift of inexhaustible time, cultures, age and race was an me to a hot spring hotel together with long we stayed with him. It could have spirit. Freely offered to all, we trample unforgettable inspiration. In Japan, there a group of non-Japanese monks. While been two hours, it could have been four, it under our feet every single day, so is a Zen saying, “Ichi Go, Ichi E” which the attendant monk was driving us, I but it felt no more than twenty minutes carelessly! I made myself promise to means, “One opportunity, One meet- heard Roshi tell him to go to a town at the most. Though we used Japanese remember that afternoon every single ing.” It implies, “Unprecedented, unre- called Tajimi, not far from Shogen-ji in to communicate, my friend and I com- day of my life, until I am so saturated peatable encounter,” in other words: a Gifu. Afterward, I was supposed to pletely forgot the fact that we were with it that I don't need to be remind- meeting that truly changes your life. I meet a European friend of mine; so we talking in a foreign language. We could ed any more. cherish very much the tea bowl and spoke on the phone about where we have been speaking in Russian or other gifts, which I received on that day. could meet each other.When I told him Chinese, and still would have under- I read many times what ancient Japan But more importantly, someday when I was going to Tajimi, he said, with an stood each other perfectly. Mizuno was like, or ancient anywhere, when serving tea, I hope to not merely enthusiastic voice,“Oh! I know a potter Sensei spoke to us as if we were his people were more inclined to allow quench the visitors’ thirst, but like there. Why don’t we visit him!” After own children. His voice, his gestures, his themselves to dissolve completely into Mizuno Sensei did with us, to swallow spending the night with Roshi and the whole attitude was like a river, gently the moment, whatever they were with them Beecher Lake in one gulp. O group in the hot-spring hotel, I called up flowing downstream. He spoke of Tani my friend, telling him where I thought I Roshi and Eido Roshi’s friendship with was. Roshi happened to hear my con- great fondness, showed us photos of versation and exclaimed,“We are not in them from years ago, when they visited Tajimi here, we are in Unuma!” I had his kiln. His wife was like the trans- misunderstood, but the appointment parency of the mountain stream. She with the potter had been made, so it was present, in fact very attentive, sit- was decided that we would go anyway. ting by the irori (the hearth), serving powdered tea, sweets, green tea, I had been told that Mizuno Sensei, the clementines, responding quickly and ele- potter, was in his late seventies. Upon gantly to whatever needs came up. At meeting him, I couldn’t believe my eyes: the end, Mizuno Sensei presented me he looked more like in his early sixties! with a black tea bowl, an incense burn- We had lunch together, and then he er, a hana ire (flower vase to be hung in took us to his kiln. Unfortunately, it was a tokonoma) and a small sake cup.While raining on that day, so we didn’t spend talking to me, he wrote on a piece of much time looking at the kiln. He took rice paper with a brush which clay he us inside his studio, and from then on, had used to make them, and the story the visit turned into a dream. Mizuno behind their shape and color. Within Sensei had met my friend several times, seconds, Mrs. Mizuno was next to me but they were certainly not intimate with packing material and bags so I friends.As for myself, it was our first could carry them safely. Eido Roshi writes calligraphy in Mizuno Sensei’s studio February 2007

26 WINTER / SPRING 2009 27 Nyogen Senzaki Memorial Pilgrimage to Los Angeles The flight was a smooth one, and Roko, fresh, leftover from a ceremony. Takako got Fujin and I landed safely at LAX Airport. these flowers for Nyogen Senzaki. Yayoi Karen Matsumoto We were met by my cousin Etsuko Ota, who took us to the hotel in Little Tokyo, We then headed toward Evergreen Of course! It was on Dai Bosatsu where we greeted Roshi and Aiho-san. Cemetery in East L.A., where I had gone Mandala Day, April 21, 2008, that Roko Etsuko returned to my mother’s house. so many times before with my Osho, Fujin and I were to meet Eido She and Takako Osumi, my other cousin’s Nishihongan-ji Pure Land Sunday school Roshi and Aiho-san in Los Angeles to wife, picked up the many items for the class in my childhood. We arrived, begin our Nyogen Senzaki 50th anniver- memorial service, while I strolled with the unloaded the cars, and set up the gravesite sary memorial pilgrimage. (On the 21st others through the hotel courtyard to a for the chanting ceremony with flowers, of each month, monk Soen Nakagawa Japanese café for lunch. The weather was incense, and matcha (powdered green tea) and monk Nyogen Senzaki would bow to perfect: soft sun and mild temperatures. and sweets. Sitting on goza straw mats on each other from across the Pacific during the grass, we chanted and poured clear the Second World War.) Fujin and I left The first bit of fun began with Aiho-san water over the grave. A moment of New York Zendo before dawn. Following telling the young Japanese waiter that he silence, and a pine tree in the background Seigan’s directions, we walked to the sub- looked like Sangen (a former jisha and resi- reminded me of Nyogen Senzaki’s being. way, which connected with the AirTrain, dent at DBZ and son of Myoyo Tanaka). Of Then Roshi led us to the Tanahashi family which took us like a swift breeze to JFK course the waiter had no idea who Sangen grave, where Jimmy Tanahashi, the karmic Airport. There we met Roko Osho.The was. But he did look like Sangen. Roshi benefactor of DBZ, is buried. We chanted three of us flew out from JFK to LAX. smiled, seemingly agreeing that the waiter there and also at Takako’s family grave. Roshi and Aiho-san had already flown to others of Japanese descent. According to looked like Sangen, but said that most peo- Evergreen Cemetery was getting ready to Los Angeles the night before, of course my mother, in the early 1950’s when ple would not say so. In good humor he close its gates for the evening, and a joyful on flight #21. Hounsai, the current retired grand tea repeated to Aiho-san that most people mood prevailed. The gravesite chanting master of the Urasenke Tea School, would not say so. Aiho-san, also with good and paying of respects for Nyogen And so it was that we, along with many stayed at our home in Los Angeles, he humor, kept on appreciating the resem- Senzaki’s fiftieth memorial at Evergreen others, had been touched in the Dharma went to Nyogen Senzaki’s zendo to do blance, now calling the waiter directly, had been accomplished. by Nyogen Senzaki, the karmic founder of zazen. Nyogen Senzaki would also come “Sangen.” The waiter smiled. Dai Bosatsu Zendo. Foremost was to our house from time to time with his Then, again with Roshi directing us, we Roshi’s and Aiho-san’s Dai Bosatsu Zen students who would study chado After that, we quickly changed and were went to Second Street, which was not far Mandala connection. I thought about (the way of tea) with my mother, Sosei picked up by Etsuko and Takako to go to away. We greeted Alice Tanahashi, the how all of us who have ever studied with Matsumoto. She remembers the stu- Evergreen Cemetery to visit Nyogen daughter-in-law of Shubin Tanahashi, who Roshi at the Zen Studies Society are ben- dents: Henry Mittwer, now a Zen priest Senzaki’s gravesite. Earlier at the hotel, was Jimmy’s mother and also a student of eficiaries of this inspired connection. living in Japan; Robert Aitken, now a roshi Fujin and I made a call for Roshi to Nyogen Senzaki. Directly across the street Roko Osho was editor of the book in Hawaii; and two American women. On Reverend Inoue, a Nichiren Buddhist priest was Nyogen Senzaki’s zendo, the left-side Eloquent Silence: Nyogen Senzaki’s Gateless one of these visits when I was about 3 or who had served in New York City and then unit of a duplex. I never thought much of Gate and other Previously Unpublished 4, it was just Nyogen Senzaki and myself, relocated to L.A. Roshi was trying to it before, but Second Street appears and Teachings and Letters. Fujin was born on while the others were in the tea room. arrange for us to visit with him. The priest disappears as it traverses L.A. Further Nyogen Senzaki’s memorial day, May 7th. Sitting on the dark green couch in our liv- was away, and we were unable to connect uptown, my family home happens to be And I was told by my mother that ing room, he dug into his monk’s bag, with him. Anyway, Takako knew nothing directly on one of the points where Second Nyogen Senzaki cared for me when I was pulled out some candy and gave it to me. about all of this. She had said earlier that Street reappears. The house where the a baby on a couple of occasions, while she Then he showed me how to fold origami. she could pick up some flowers along the zendo used to be was unoccupied, and I taught tea ceremony. On another visit, I wondered if he had way. I thought she had some florist in mind. imagined how it must have been. Looking candy in his bag again. And he did. Years Surprise! Surprise! Takako takes us to her through the book Eloquent Silence, a photo My dad had been interned during the later, I recalled Nyogen Senzaki’s atmos- Buddhist Temple of the Nichiren sect, from Roshi’s collection appears. It is a Second World War at Heart Mountain, phere of deep calm and kindness and which just happens to be the very temple photo of that very house, still bright even Wyoming, the same place that Nyogen thought that maybe it was the Zen. And whose head priest Roshi had tried to con- two years after the passing of Nyogen Senzaki was interned along with many so I began to practice. tact that morning! We went inside the Senzaki, with Soen Roshi and the L.A. temple. There were lots of flowers, still Sangha standing in front of it.

28 WINTER / SPRING 2009 29 After that, we rode around trying to find it and not look at him! Fujin was laugh- Japanese, and rode in the car together. We You should know that usually when Fujin Turner Street, where Nyogen Senzaki had ing through the whole thing. Maybe I was arrived and immediately did a service at my and I are together, we are not necessari- an apartment. We got out of the car to too! But it was probably more gasping family altar, which has a photo of my dad, ly laughing, but somehow when I am walk on N. Alameda Street; Roshi, Aiho- than laughing. who passed away many years ago. I have asked to write an article, there is hilari- san, and Roko Osho going in one direc- been with Roshi and monks to chant in ous material to write about! You may tion and Roshi sending Fujin and me in The next morning, we were scheduled to people’s homes before, but this was a first. have read in an article in a previous the other. We walked and walked and go to Zenshu-ji Soto Mission on Hewitt We walked toward the tea room. In the newsletter about our laughter in Japan . . were not able to find Turner Street, and Street in East Los Angeles. This was the entry area was a calligraphy by Soen Roshi, . and now in Los Angeles, California! I wondered what had happened to it. Back first zendo where I sat zazen, years ago, appropriate to the new spring season and think of Nyogen Senzaki as a being with a home, I looked at MapQuest, and found before it was remodeled. Fujin and I occasion. In the tea room alcove, was a dignified bearing, yet he was an element Turner Street marked. It intersects N. walked on East First Street to Zenshu-ji simple flower arrangement of clematis in a in the wonderful laughing connection Alameda Street just south of E. Temple ahead of Roshi,Aiho-san, and Roko Osho, Mexican clay vase given to my mother by with my friend Fujin. Just as it had helped Street. It was just a block or two further! who were waiting at the hotel to be Nyogen Senzaki. This was coupled with a to carry Roshi and Aiho-san to America, picked up by Reverend Kojima. Fujin and striking calligraphy scroll by Roshi. It read, his quiet and steady influence was felt on We went back to the hotel for a break I reached Zenshu-ji first and were greet- En Zan,“Distant Mountain,” alluding to the the L.A. pilgrimage with all of its uncanny until we met again for dinner. We walked ed by a friendly American Zen minister. phrase from the Hekiganroku, “Endlessly and joyous connections and moments of down East First Street in Little Tokyo and He then went to pick up Roshi,Aiho-san, arising distant mountains, blue heaped upon poignant reminiscence. saw Fugetsudo, the Japanese confec- and Roko Osho; and phoned Reverend blue.” So my mom acted as host, assisted tionery store, in back of which Shubin Kojima to wake him up. We chanted, sat by Etsuko, Mrs. Koizumi, and Mrs. Nogaki, Tanahashi used to have a laundry shop. It zazen together in the zendo, and who acted as ceremonial host and whisked is also the store where my mother,Susie, Reverend Kojima kindly served us matcha delicious tea. The day concluded with din- and father, Eddie, met. For me, and sweets. ner with my mom and her students at a Fugetsudo was also where we got fresh modern Japanese fusion-style restaurant in Japanese manju ricecakes after Buddhist Then we were picked up by Daishin of a renovated bank in Beverly Hills. We Sunday School, and where one caught the Zen Center of Los Angeles. We were returned to our quarters in the hotel after the scent of warm sweet bean and rice greeted by Roshi Egyoku. Egyoku, as I a very rich day. flour in the air. used to call her, used to take tea lessons from my mother at our house when she Regarding the scroll, Roshi told me to tell That evening after having a good dinner in was a resident student at ZCLA with the my mom to give it to me, as it would be the Japanese Village in Little Tokyo, we late Roshi. Although we appropriate for Endless Mountain Zendo returned to the hotel and went our ways did not necessarily speak about Zen, we where I live and practice with Genro. A few to our respective hotel rooms. Fujin and still shared the moment together. I days later, when I brought it up, she I shared a room. The room had an inte- always think of her as my Dharma big sis- remained silent. I guess it’s just too good a rior door which was neither a bathroom ter. Nowadays, duties as abbot seem to calligraphy to give away. nor a closet. I thought it must be a safe, keep her from tea class. Anyway, it was since the doorknob on it was different great to visit her and ZCLA, where we The next morning at our closing breakfast from the other doors, and said so to chanted, sat zazen together, and enjoyed together, guess who was breakfasting catty- Fujin. I opened the door and then there tea and sweets with conversation. It was corner to our table: Yes! Yes! It was the Although I expected to meet everyone was another door, just like a safe would good to share Zen, L.A. Soto-style! man on the bed! First I caught him in the back on the East coast, the Zen phrase have. I opened it, and . . . it opened into a corner of my eye, and nudged Fujin to look often seen in tea rooms, ichi go ichi e – an room where an Asian family was staying, We went back to the hotel for lunch. discreetly. Yes,it was he. I tried not to look unprecedented, unrepeatable encounter but what was most memorable was the Our next appointment was at my moth- and hoped that he wouldn’t recognize me. – describes the unprecedented, unre- sight of a man on the bed looking back at er’s house, and we were picked up by He gave no indication that he did, and did- peatable parting at LAX: we each went me, completely surprised! I was sur- Etsuko and Mrs. Nogaki, a student of my n’t smile either. Fujin and I were both again our own way. The pilgrimage concluded prised, too. I gasped and ran away from mother’s. It turns out that Mrs. Nogaki is consumed by intense laughter, outwardly with feelings of fulfillment and grateful- the door,leaving it wide open! Then I had an old childhood friend of Aiho-san! They controlled, but not really successfully. What ness, ripples extending endlessly. O to inch my way back to the door to close were happy to see each other, chatted in a perfect cap to our trip!

30 WINTER / SPRING 2009 31 What is THIS? And here we are: something that is most- ry of the world to search for answers. In experience that strangles me. Surpris- ly nothing observing nothing that is con- Buddhism, we already have the necessary ingly, it also seems to inspire mindfulness Adapted from a Dharma Talk tinually giving birth to something. technology: zafus. Yet we also need and compassion. I look at my beloved by Koju Agung Hertanto patience and perseverance, which can be wife, friends, teachers and all sentient What is THIS? as elusive as the Higgs boson. beings with gratitude, because I see the Ever since the Big Bang 13.7 billion years interconnection linking all of us. I am ago, the universe has been expanding. Unfortunately, the brain is an imperfect There are many ways to practice and more grateful for the precious life that 400 billion observable galaxies – all con- instrument for observing nothing or many traditions. Breath counting is very I have, and I pay more attention to all its taining anywhere from ten million to a something or THIS. It is prone to delu- powerful, as Hakuin reminds us in the aspects. trillion stars – have been flying apart at sion. It daydreams. It gets distracted. exhortations that we read during incomprehensible speeds since the begin- Even when the observer is paying full Rohatsu. Whether it is breath counting, We are dying every day in our physical ning of time, space and matter. The cos- attention to the observed, the brain fil- or Mu, or Kore nan zo, or , the bodies, where the cells are constantly mos is essentially an eternally growing ters and compares the received image focus is always our tanden or hara or gut. replaced. Most of the cells in our bodies balloon, and the galaxies are all dots on with data stored in the memory. If the That is the place where we live, one are under 15 years old. And at the atom- the surface of the balloon, flying farther image matches the data, we give the breath at a time. In my tradition, ic level, 98 percent of the atoms compris- and farther . . . out. What is this vast image a pre-existing label. If the image Javanese, there is a spiritual exercise as ing our body are replaced every year by expanding nothing that fills the balloon? doesn’t match the data, we invent a new told in the story of Devaruci which men- atoms from our environment. In other Is this nothing created out of something? label. Labels are unavoidably biased tions that “Hara is the universe.” We words, we are always young. We are Why is there so much energy out there according to our emotional state, utilitar- should cultivate our hara or tanden if we dying and being resurrected in every apparently in the middle of nothing? ian considerations, and cultural conven- want to know the universe. moment. What’s on the other side of the balloon? tions. Our genetic heritage dooms us to Will the cosmos continue to expand until labeling. We are born with a capacity to Practice is always going up and down, just Practicing Mu, facing death, fathoming the everything that’s something is so far away speak, and as we learn to speak, we learn like the tanden as you breathe. Eido void – THIS is not a hobby. It takes dedi- that we see nothing in the night sky? Is to label everything. We learn it so well Roshi has stated that there are three hin- cation, all the time and everywhere. A the future nothing at all? that we can’t stop. drances to practice: scattered mind, low huge task. A doable task. We need only self-esteem, and confusion. I’ve experi- to observe our minds. Practice is like What is THIS? Without the label, what is THIS? enced all of them. The most obvious one hammering a nail over and over, and little is the scattered mind that jumps around by little it penetrates the wood. Jesus If we look down instead of up, we find a Labeling is the wall between us and THIS. like monkeys in the forest. If I don’t said in the Sermon on the Mount, “Ask lot more nothing, although it’s a scientific And there lies duality. On one side of the engage their chatter, the monkeys usually and it will be given to you; seek and you question whether the subatomic void is wall: us. On the other side of the wall: go away by themselves. To overcome low will find; knock and the door will be the same nothing as the cosmological THIS. Our practice is to remove the wall self-esteem, I always remind myself that opened to you.” We used to knock soft- void. We do know that there’s a lot of – brick by brick, sit by sit – and perceive this journey is long, and it is OK to feel ly . . . knock . . . knock . . . knock.That is not space down there between the atoms, THIS. When we have carted away bad but not to give up. One more step . the knock of Master Rinzai’s student. We not to mention quarks, neutrinos and the enough bricks, we create for ourselves a . . one more step . . . one more step – it’s have to knock hard . . . KNOCK . . . Higgs boson “god particles” that physi- certain gateless gate through the wall that like trudging through a snowy field. As for KNOCK . . . KNOCK! We bang on the cists may or may not find soon at the really wasn’t there in the first place. As confusion, the remedy is Roshi. We can door! Kick the door! Shake the door! Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland. Hakuin Zenji says in Zazen Wazan, “The ask anything related to our practice dur- Shout with all our might! And the door According to most theories, subatomic gate of the oneness of cause and effect is ing dokusan. Talking to trusted, experi- will be opened to us. space and time are like sand grains float- opened; the path of nonduality and non- enced friends can be helpful. So can read- ing in a void. We don’t know what the trinity runs straight ahead.” Zazen then ing sutras or the sayings of a Zen master. So let us knock with nen, and let us con- void is, but we do know that it’s most of becomes just sitting, just breathing, just But we cannot just read books with our tinue our practice as Master Bassui everything that’s something, including observing . . .THIS. discriminating, dualistic, rational minds. instructed: ourselves. And we know that “virtual” We need practice to fathom the void. Look directly! particles pop in and out of existence in Is THIS the same nothing as the cosmo- What is THIS? the subatomic void. Thus, it seems to be logical void? For scientists, the question Facing death is another aspect of my Look in this manner impossible to have something without is hugely expensive. They must build the zazen. Almost every day I think about And you won’t be fooled! O nothing, and nothing without something. most complicated machines in the histo- dying. This is not abstract, but a kind of

32 WINTER / SPRING 2009 33 New York Zendo Shobo-ji News Preparations, Renovations and Thanks

New York Zendo Celebrates its 40th Anniversary For most of this year New York Zendo has been preparing for the 40th Anniversary. We extend our special thanks to Aiho-san Yasuko Shimano and Seigan Ed Glassing for organizing the various jobs, upgrades, contractors and volunteers who helped make Shobo-ji ready for its celebration. Many people helped in the beautification of the building, while others helped behind the scenes.

Special acknowledgments go to the following: Mr. Shuji Bon Yagi donated six new Toto toilets to Shobo-ji, which were installed by Peter Lombardi with help from Tangen Bart Blank. Mrs. Myoyo Tanaka helped to order a brand new robe, which was the sangha’s gift to Eido Roshi. She also arranged the printing of one of the gifts for all the partic- ipants – a shikishi of Gempo Roshi's calligraphy, “Fantasy.” Additionally, she donated Japanese foods and tea for the sesshin, and ordered new chopsticks for Shobo-ji’s jihat- su sets. We also extend our thanks to Dai Bosatsu Zendo for donating thirty hand- made zafus, a purple zafu and zabuton for Eido Roshi, and a new bowing mat from Japan. Katsuro Anthony McKiernan donated four cakes, fruits, cookies, and bread for sesshin, and Shoteki Chris Phelan donated champagne for the celebration. Thank you to Seigan and Jeannie Joshi for designing the Shobo-ji t-shirts. New York Zendo Shobo-ji celebrated its 40-year anniversary with a special four-day weekend sesshin that concluded with a ceremony held on Sunday, September 14th. The outside of the building was repainted to match its opening colors from September Over fifty Sangha members participated in the retreat, including Roko ni-Osho, Genjo 15th, 1968. Peter Lombardi, Seigan, Genkai Stefan Tessler, Curtis Gatz, and Kozan Piotr Osho, and representatives from Dai Bosatsu Zendo, the Zen Center of Syracuse, Roszczenko stripped, sanded, and restained the wooden double doors and completely Chobo-ji, Endless Mountain Zendo, Brooklyn Aikikai, Hollow Bones Zendo, and Wild replaced the outside front door. Peter also extensively renovated the garden zendo’s Goose Zendo. deck, roof, and beams.

Each day, Eido Roshi told incredible stories about the opening of New York Zendo Finally, a deep bow to all who donated their time, ideas and work, and to all those who Shobo-ji, and about the efforts of Soen Roshi, Chester and Dorris Carslon, Aiho-san made special contributions to New York Zendo Shobo-ji. Yasuko Shimano, and the many known and unknown deceased Dharma brothers and sis- ters who have woven a strand in Shobo-ji’s mandala web. He also expressed his grati- Main Altar Buddha Restoration tude to the Dharma for actualizing his Impossible Dream of an authentic Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple in the middle of New York City. At the conclusion of Shobo-ji’s 40th anniversary sesshin, Eido Roshi gave a teisho, in which he mentioned the history of the Amida Buddha statue on the main zendo’s altar. As our sesshin concluded,fifty guests joined the Sangha in a celebration to mark the found- Amida means “Endless Dimension Universal Life.” Our beautiful Amida Buddha statue ing of our city temple. Roko ni-Osho acted as Master of Ceremonies and introduced spe- was made in Korea and resided at Ryutaku-ji before Soen Nakagawa Roshi gave it to cial guest speaker Dr.Tenzin Robert Thurman, Professor of Buddhist Studies at Columbia our sangha in 1968. Since then, it has been watching over us and practicing with us at University. Dr. Thurman gave a lively talk about the Dharma in the West, after which New York Zendo Shobo-ji. During these past 40 years, however, the wooden statue Ryugan Robert Savoca Sensei,Yuho Carl Baldini and students from Brooklyn Aikikai led a has aged and has been in need of restoration for quite some time. Large cracks devel- misogi purification ceremony in the main zendo. Next, sangha member Dr. Chi-in Lionel oped in the statue’s surface, and its skin began to peel. Party introduced and performed a harpsichord concert, featuring pieces by Domenico Scarlatti, J.S. Bach, Girolamo Frescobaldi, and François Couperin. Eido Roshi was asked to After the anniversary celebration, Roshi asked Togetsu Johanna Schwarzbeck, a profes- give closing remarks, and he spoke about how important it is for each of us to have a vow sional gilder and art restorer, to investigate the condition of the statue. It turned out and a dream – to march on, no matter how difficult – and to trust in the Dharma. to be in far worse condition than we had originally suspected. Woodworms had com- pletely invaded the statue. The back of the Buddha needed to be filled, re-gilded and Four cakes with ten candles each were presented to Roshi,Aiho-san, Roko ni-Osho, and antiqued, and the right hand and left toes needed to be re-attached. the representatives of Brooklyn Aikikai to blow out. Then everyone gathered outside for a group photo, before moving upstairs for a champagne toast offered by Seigan Ed Togetsu worked on the statue for almost two months and returned Amida Butsu to Glassing. To conclude the wondrous day, everyone in attendance sang “The Impossible New York Zendo in the beginning of December. Now Amida Butsu looks breathtaking, Dream,” followed by thunderous applause. Each participant received a gift bag, which having been restored to its original condition. Thank you to Togetsu for her outstand- included Nyogen Senzaki’s new book, Eloquent Silence, introduced by Eido Roshi and ing and skillful job. Thanks also to the many Sangha members and anonymous donors edited by Roko ni-Osho. who contributed money for the restoration.

34 WINTER / SPRING 2009 35 Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo Ji News thunder, respectively. Fujin carries the wind on his back in a large sack, and Raijin holds a striker in each hand, which he uses to make rumbles of thunder on his drums. Together, they now preside over the two windows on either side of the Dharma Hall Winter Interim 2007-2008 altar and lend their ki to our chanting services. Their images are featured on the front and back covers of this issue of the newsletter. The colder, darker months of the year were enlivened this winter by the presence of three interim residents who joined us for sections of the winter interim period. Matthew Leavey spent two weeks practicing with us, sharing his baking skills and south- Ordinations London accent. Jinen Nancy Woodard returned to DBZ this winter and made great strides to organize and catalog the original blueprints of the monastery building. Also, On Gempo Roshi's day, June 3rd,Tenrai Talia Lugacy visited DBZ for the first time, shared most of the interim period with us, Fred Forsythe and Stefan Streit were ordained and decided to return for the spring kessei. as Zen Buddhist monks by Eido Roshi at Dai Bosatsu Zendo. Tenrai received the monk's name Gudo, which means “Quest.” Stefan was Spring Kessei 2008 given the Dharma name Giun, which means “Good Cloud” and the monk's name Kendo, Spring kessei began on April 3rd with residents Fujin Butsudo, Jokei Kyodo, Shinkon which means “Unmistakable Way.” The two Wado,Tenrai Gudo, Giun Kendo, Seizan Tomoaki Sasaki,Tangen Bart Blank, Join Jocelyn new monks were heartily supported by spiritu- Perry, and Peter Lombardi joined by returning kessei students Yobin Andrea Rook and al guardians Fujin Butsudo and Karen Streit, Kozan Piotr Roszczenko. Talia Lugacy participated in her first kessei, and Ciska Matthes Roko ni-Osho,Aiho-san and Seigan Fudo, fami- joined for approximately three weeks. We were also pleased to have a visit from long- ly members, friends, DBZ residents, and numer- time Dharma friend Brother Bernard Klim, C.S.C., who traveled from Uganda to join ous members of the DBZ and Shobo-ji sanghas. us for Holy Days Sesshin. Obaku Visit

Choro-An Nyogen Senzaki's 50th Memorial Later in June, Dai Bosatsu Zendo received a somewhat unexpected visit from nine Obaku 2008 marked the 50th anniversary of Nyogen Senzaki's death, and several happenings Zen priests and lay students. The trip was arranged by one Asano Osho, who had visit- this year helped us to remember and honor his immeasurable contribution to the ed DBZ approximately 16 years ago, and the group was led by Nakamura Rodaishi of Dharma in the West. Here at Dai Bosatsu Zendo, we held a well-attended Ven. Nyogen Tetsugen-ji in Japan. In addition to these two, the Obaku group was composed of two Senzaki 50th Memorial Sesshin, featuring several teishos and Dharma talks based upon other temple priests – Takashima Osho and Miyazaki Osho, two shintos (first-year Nyogen Senzaki's writings and lectures. The Nyogen Senzaki 50th Memorial Sesshin monks) – Yamamoto Zenji and Kunizaki Zenji, and three lay people – Mr.Fumihiko Hokyo, included a special tea offering by tea teacher Ms.Wako Umetsu and Ms.Yoshiko Goto – Mr. Makoto Nakamura, and Ms.Akane Kozu. who is the grand-daughter of Eido Roshi's ordination teacher, Kengan Goto Osho. Also, in the weeks leading up to this sesshin, a huge shipment of new tatami mats arrived from The group stayed with us for two days and shared with us some of the most well- Japan for the zendo, the Dharma hall, and the dokusan room. These were a generous known practices of the Obaku school of Zen. Perhaps the highlight of their stay was a donation by Omar Danial and Nigol Koulajian. Many thanks also to Rev. Genro Lee traditional Obaku-school fucharyori meal, prepared for the DBZ residents by Asano Milton, whose woodwork in the dokusan room allowed us to turn that space into a tata- Osho with help from Kozu-san. Taking more than a full day of work to prepare, this mi room for the first time. stunning meal incorporated more than 20 sublimely nuanced and artfully displayed courses. Truly, a treat rarely met with! Nyogen Senzaki's 50th memorial was also honored by the publication of Eloquent Silence, a sizable collection of Nyogen Senzaki's previously unpublished lectures, essays, poems, calligraphy, and letters, including his complete commentary on The Gateless Gate. The Obaku group also presented for us their characteristic bombai chanting, in which Eloquent Silence was translated and edited by Roko ni-Osho Sherry Chayat and features we heard some familiar sutras and dharanis chanted in the classical Chinese pronunci- an introduction by Eido Roshi. Congratulations to Roko ni-Osho and Eido Roshi! Dai ation, with enchanting accompaniment by inkins and the hokku. Also, Ms.Akane Kozu Bosatsu Zendo would also like to thank Rev. Daien George Burch, who sponsored the performed for us a beautiful and expressive traditional Japanese dance to a classic purchase of numerous copies of the book for use by DBZ and Shobo-ji. melody called “Sakura.”

Ichikukai Visit A Hearty Welcome to Fujin and Raijin Shortly before O-Bon this summer, Dai Bosatsu Zendo had the rare opportunity to A pair of striking new figures appeared in the Dharma Hall this spring. Two painted host Hiruta Sensei and five other misogi practitioners from Ichikukai Dojo – the only wooden statues depicting Fujin and Raijin were donated just in time for the Nyogen active misogi dojo in Japan. Misogi is an ancient and energetic Shinto purification prac- Senzaki 50th Memorial Sesshin. Fujin and Raijin are the Japanese gods of the wind and tice that combines different styles of breathing, chanting, and shouting that are all aimed

36 WINTER / SPRING 2009 37 at completely expelling air from the lungs and stirring up a clarity and primal vitality in student at the University of Buffalo and a great-nephew of Eido Roshi, joined us for the practitioner. Hiruta Sensei, Abe-san, Ichikawa-san, Narita-san, Gen-san, and part of his summer break, and Shogo Wada spent his first few weeks in the United Anekouji-san traveled from Ichikukai and joined the DBZ residents, along with Ryugan States as an interim resident at DBZ. Robert Savoca Sensei, Yuho Carl Baldini, Terri Rzeznik, Grace Rollins, Justin Coletti, Daiden Charles Young, Zenchu Simon Manzer, and Tom Worsnopp. Together, we per- Samu Projects formed harai (misogi) in the zendo and shared a festive meal before the Ichikukai con- tingent continued on to Hiruta Sensei's new dojo, the International Kei-Zen Center, in This year saw the evolution of several notable projects, installations, and donations at extreme upstate New York, near the Canadian border. Dai Bosatsu Zendo. A highly visible example is the new bridge over the outflow at the foot of Beecher Lake, which was completed in the waning days of summer by Peter O-Bon Lombardi with assistance from Tangen Bart Blank and Shogo Wada. This spring and summer also presided over the construction of a new greenhouse and two new dry- About 120 guests, work exchange students, and residents received the beneficence of stone planting beds behind the woodshed. The greenhouse was purchased with money beautiful weather, a starry sky, and a waxing moon for the 2008 O-Bon ceremony, as donated earlier in the year by the DBZ resident community and constructed by Samu we chanted Dai Segaki for our deceased loved ones and floated painted lanterns on Weekend Participants. Alas, our busy schedule did not allow an opportunity to put the Beecher Lake. Aiho-san joined us from Shobo-ji and led the large tenzo team for the greenhouse together in time for this year's growing season, but the residents are excit- event, which included the skillful efforts of Seigan Fudo, Seizan Tomoaki Sasaki,Yusen ed about the modest first-fruits from the planting Junko Fujii, Manu Sassoonian, Lann Ikeda, Shogo Wada, and Ryota Hikima. Again this beds and eager to get an earlier start next year. Also, year, Peter Lombardi led the zomu crew, which coordinated the beautiful outdoor as if summoned by the construction of the new lantern-and-torch lighting and treated us to a massive O-Bon fire. greenhouse, Mr.Kiyuu Yokoyama appeared in the late fall and spent several days with us, working diligently Also, this year’s ceremony was enhanced by newly-donated segaki cymbals and flags. despite chilly weather to plant a myriad of vegetables Rev.Yuzen Suzuki of Kokoku-ji temple generously coordinated both of these donations. and ornamentals in the greenhouse and in the vicin- The cymbals were made by Mr. Toshio Koide, and the segaki flags were lovingly and ity of Sangha Meadow. meticulously constructed by several members of the Kokoku-ji sangha: Ms. Kaori Suzuki, Ms. Kazuo Kessoku, Mr.Tomohiro Idie, Ms.Yukiko Maruyama, Ms. Mizue Wakai, DBZ also gratefully received two major pieces of and Ms. Hiroko Uenoyama. The spirits of the deceased and O-Bon's attendees also outdoor equipment this year. One was a new log enjoyed a bountiful offering of homegrown vegetables from Mr. Kiyuu Yokoyama. Even splitter, the purchase of which was coordinated by though the event itself lasted less than 24 hours, it was a beautiful and moving experi- Soun Joe Dowling and funded by donations from sev- ence for all who attended. eral frequent Samu Weekend volunteers. The other was a new riding lawn mower, donated by Jim Tisch and coordinated through the effort Summer Interim Residents and Work Exchange 2008 and initiative of Laura Last. Both of these highly useful gifts were put to immediate and enthusiastic use by our Zomu and the summer samu volunteers. The summer of 2008 featured a particularly dense event cal- endar at Dai Bosatsu, with the monastery often hosting mul- Finally, after quietly spreading its roots in the literal underground of Dai Bosatsu Zendo tiple groups or events on a given weekend, and almost week- for the past couple of years, our cushion-making department bloomed this year into a ly adding a center-line to the zendo to accommodate the bona fide cottage industry. Led by Tenrai Gudo, the “zafu-ryo” filled orders this year large number of visitors and helpers. Especially considering for 16 pairs of zafus and zabutons for Endless Mountain Zendo, a dozen support the healthy attendance at most summer events, we are very cushions for Hoen-ji, 10 pairs of cushions for Nakamura Roshi's zazenkai at Tetsugen- grateful to the many people who contributed their efforts as ji in Japan, 30 zafus for Shobo-ji, and countless smaller cushion orders for individuals. interim residents and work exchange students this summer. In this effort, we are very grateful to Ms. Hisako Sasaki, who donated her labor to This summer's work exchange participants were: Jinen make shells for 100 zafus. May these cushions gently but firmly support the practice Nancy Woodard, Yusen Junko Fujii, Manu Sassoonian, Freh of their present and future owners! Bekele, Thin-thin Lay, Nicholas Carbuto, Pascale Burkhart, John Lynch, Lann Ikeno, Larry Gagler, Asher Evans, Bill Fall Kessei 2008 Giordano, Christopher Botta, Ben Mayock, and Junko Kawakami. Fall Kessei began on September 17th. Residents Fujin Butsudo, Jokei Kyodo, Shinkon Wado,Tenrai Gudo, Giun Kendo, Seizan Tomoaki Sasaki,Tangen Bart Blank, Join Jocelyn The resident community was also fortunate to receive an Perry, and Peter Lombardi were joined by returning kessei student Kozan Piotr extended visit from former resident Zenchu Simon Manzer, Roszczenko. First-time DBZ kessei students included Myodo Matthew Perez and who has been studying at Shogen Junior College in Japan Seimu Tina Grant, hailing from Chobo-ji's sangha in Seattle, and Thierry Boudewyn, who and spent 2 weeks of his summer break training at Dai came to us from Strasbourg, France. Also, Shogo Wada was so enthusiastic about his Bosatsu Zendo. Two young Japanese men also stayed for a experiences at DBZ during the summer interim that he elected to return and attend significant portion of the summer interim: Ryota Hikima, a his first kessei in the fall.

38 WINTER / SPRING 2009 39 Harvest Jukai Sesshin 2008 Following the speech, two repre- sentatives of each religion were Eido Roshi conducted a Jukai ceremony on November 8th, the final day of Harvest asked to share a few private min- Sesshin. This year, 8 students took Jukai and received Dharma names, as a symbol of utes with His Holiness. Eido Roshi their commitment to zen practice and their new identity as Buddhists. Congratulations was one of the Buddhist represen- and good luck to this year’s Jukai students! tatives. After the Pope left the auditorium, the ten representa- Name Dharma Name Translation tives were asked – to their sur- prise – to share their experiences Judy Chang Hokaku Release the Crane with the rest of the audience. Eido Roshi, stepping up to the podium, Larry Gagler Gangyo Vow and practice shared what he told the Pope: “Although dialogue and words are John Lynch Ryoju Vulture peak / Spiritual Eagle important, what is more essential is the power of Silence, which is shared by all religions. Silence and ‘being silent’ are the hallmark and wellspring of prayer itself.” The audience Yasuko Hara Ryoun Transcend the Clouds gave him a standing ovation! Laura Jackson-Zaremba Hojun Pure Treasury Eido Roshi Acknowledges Roko ni-Osho as a Roshi Elzbieta Roszczenko Karyo Flower Hill Seigan Edwin Glassing Piotr Roszczenko Kozan Cultivate the Mountain On October 12th, Eido Roshi traveled to the Zen Center of Johanna Schwarzbeck Togetsu Exhale the Moon Syracuse Hoen-ji to conduct a Shitsugo Ceremony. This ceremony acknowledged Roko ni-Osho as a Roshi in the Hakuin-Torei-Gempo-Soen lineage of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. As a symbol of this acknowledgment, Eido Roshi gave her the name Shingeshitsu, “Room for your Heart to Bloom.” Over 150 people attended the event, including sangha mem- bers from Hoen-ji and teachers from the Zen community.

From the very beginning, the entire sangha greeted Eido Roshi and Seigan in robes chanting Namu Dai Bosa. It was very touching to see their love for Roshi in this simple act. The ceremony was elegant and simple and Eido Roshi's words were uplifting. In his congratulatory address, Eido Roshi recounted to the sangha a recent conversation he had Interreligious Gathering with Pope Benedict XVI with Nikyu Robert Strickland. Nikyu said, “We have a temple. We have a teacher. We have a lineage.” Roshi remarked that this simple statement encapsulates the essence of Seigan Edwin Glassing this event. There is a temple, Hoen-ji. There is a teacher, Shingeshitsu Roshi, and there is a lineage which is known as the Taku-ju school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism.This lineage runs This April, Eido Roshi was one of ten religious leaders asked by the Vatican to meet per- through Eido Roshi’s teacher, Soen Roshi, his teacher, Gempo Roshi, Gempo Roshi's sonally with Pope Benedict XVI during his trip to Washington DC. The themes of the teacher Sohan Roshi and continues back to Hakuin Zenji, Rinzai Gigen Zenji, Pope’s visit in the United States were peace and inter-religious dialogue, and his tour cul- Bodhidharma Daishi Dai Osho and Shakyamuni Buddha. minated in an April 17th meeting with representatives of Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism in Washington, DC. Pope Benedict XVI delivered a special address Eido Roshi concluded his remarks, saying, “So, Brothers and Sisters in Dharma, with great to an audience of over two hundred dignitaries and officials. He spoke of the common trust, I happily transmit this wonderful lineage with the name Shingeshitsu Roshi to Roko ni- bonds that the Vatican has had with other religions, a vision of hope, and his view of the Osho.” Shingeshitsu Roshi then gave a teisho on Obaku's “Partakers of Brewers Grain,” future, in which he called upon all people to become artisans of peace:“I assure you that wherein Obaku Kiun Zenji states, “I do not say there is no Zen, but that there is no Zen the Church wantso continue building bridges of friendship with the followers of all reli- teacher.” Following the teisho were a musical performance, several speeches and a wonder- gions, in order to seek the true good of every person and of society as a whole.” ful vegetarian feast made by the sangha.

40 WINTER / SPRING 2009 41 There is a love at the heart of Hoen-ji that shines through in so many ways. The Hoen-ji sang- ha’s devotion to their teacher and to the Dharma is reflected in their many kindnesses.This NEW YORK ZENDO SHOBO-JI warmth is perfectly condensed in Shingeshitsu Roshi’s new name, “Room for your Heart to Bloom.” The Zen Studies Society extends its heartfelt congratulations to Shingeshitsu Roshi, SCHEDULE 2009 and to the entire Hoen-ji sangha.

Genjo Osho Receives JAN Dec 31-1 New Year’s Eve Celebration 8 Winter/Spring Training period starts Shinkon Peter Glynn Teisho by Eido Roshi 10 Dokusan, Japanese Dharma class On May 21st, a beautiful spring day in Seattle, Eido Roshi con- 31 New Year of the Ox All Day Sit ducted Shiho-shiki (Dharma Transmission) for Genjo Marinello Osho. Among those present for the ceremony were Genki FEB 14 Nirvana All Day Sit Takabayashi Roshi (Genjo's ordination teacher and founding abbot of Chobo-ji), Roko ni-Osho Sherry Chayat from Hoen-ji, MAR 20-22 Soen/Yasutani Roshi Weekend Sesshin Meido Moore Roshi from Chicago, Eido Frances Carney of the 28 Dokusan, Japanese Dharma class Olympia Zen Center, Chozen Bays Roshi and Hogen Bays of APR 16 Teisho by Eido Roshi Great Vow Monastery in Oregon, the Ven. Shen-Ling Rossi of 18 Dokusan, Japanese Dharma class Dragon Flower Ch'an Temple in Tacoma,and Urasenke Tea Instructor Bonnie Soshin Mitchell 25 Spring All Day Sit Sensei. Ninety guests attended the ceremony held at the University Friends (Quaker) Hall. MAY 14 Teisho by Eido Roshi The traditional ceremony included challenges by 6 gatekeepers, including Eido Roshi and 16 Dokusan, Japanese Dharma class 23 Nyogen Senzaki All Day Sit Genki Roshi. Once Genjo passed through the six gates, Eido Roshi forcefully pounded a staff on the floor and passed it to Genjo as the symbol of transmission. Then Genjo Osho JUN 5-7 Gempo Roshi, Kengan Osho Weekend Sesshin offered a Dharma talk. A delicious lunch prepared by the Chobo-ji sangha provided an 20 Japanese Dharma Class enjoyable conclusion to the memorable occasion. JUL 3-4 Closed for Independence Day 11 Segaki All Day Sit, Spring Training period ends Shokan Undo Acknowledged as Osho 15-16 Open for regular evening zazen Jokei Kyodo 22-23 Open for regular evening zazen 29-30 Open for regular evening zazen This August, Eido Roshi traveled to Switzerland to conduct his annual sesshin at Stiftung- 31-Sept 2 Closed for Summer Interim Felsentor retreat centre near beautiful Lake Lucerne. Although Roshi has been traveling to Switzerland to do sesshin for many years now, this year’s retreat was quite special. On the last AUG 19-20 Open for regular evening zazen day of sesshin, Rev. Shokan Undo Marcel Urech was acknowledged as an Osho and received 26-27 Open for regular evening zazen Eido Roshi’s endorsement as leader and resident teacher of Shogen Dojo Zurich. SEP 3 Fall Training period starts,Teisho by Eido Roshi 5 Morning Dokusan, Japanese Dharma Class Shokan was first ordained in the Soto Zen tradition in 1986, before becoming a student of 18-20 Shobo-ji 41st Anniversary Weekend Sesshin Eido Roshi in 1991. He lived and trained at Dai Bosatsu Zendo for six years before return- ing to Switzerland to lead the Shogen Dojo Zurich community. Over time, the sangha has OCT 10 Bodhidharma All Day Sit grown and the mandala widened. In addition to his duties in Zurich, Shokan has also been 24 Morning Dokusan, Japanese Dharma Class invited to lead Zazen practice at various retreats and seminars across Europe combining Aikido and Zen. In recent years, a few NOV 14 Morning Dokusan, Japanese Dharma Class students from DBZ have been fortunate enough to travel to 20-22 Soyen Shaku/Kogetsu Tani Weekend Sesshin Switzerland with Roshi to participate in sesshin with Shokan and 25-28 Closed for Thanksgiving the European sangha. DEC 1-8 Rohatsu Week: 1 sit added It was a rare and unique opportunity to be able to witness and 12 Fall Training Ending Teisho by Eido Roshi 13-Jan 5 Winter Interim Zendo Closed take part in this very special occasion, for which I am deeply and 31-Jan 1 New Year’s Eve Celebration inexpressably grateful. On behalf of the Zen Studies Society, I would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Shokan and to our European sangha brothers and sisters.

42 WINTER / SPRING 2009 43 DAI BOSATSU ZENDO KONGO-JI

SCHEDULE 2009

JAN Dec 31-Jan 1 New Year’s Eve Celebration with Eido Roshi 16-19 Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend Sesshin

MAR 11-15 March–On 5-Day Sesshin

APR 3 Spring Kessei Begins 4-12 Holy Days Sesshin 17-19 Samu Weekend 24-26 Intro to Zen Weekend

MAY 2-10 Ven. Nyogen Senzaki Memorial Sesshin 15-17 Samu Weekend 21-24 Intro to Zen Weekend 29-31 Samu Weekend

JUN 19-21 Intro to Zen Weekend 27-Jul 5 Anniversary Sesshin

JUL 7 Spring Kessei Ends 31-Aug 5 Summer Samu 5-Day Sesshin

AUG 8-9 O-Bon

SEP 16 Fall Kessei Begins 18-20 Intro to Zen Weekend 26-Oct 4 Golden Wind Sesshin

OCT 9-11 Samu Weekend 15-18 Intro to Zen Weekend 31-Nov 8 Harvest Sesshin

NOV 13-15 Intro to Zen Weekend 26-27 Thanksgiving Celebration 30-Dec 8 Rohatsu Sesshin

DEC 10 Fall Kessei Ends 31-Jan 1 New Year’s Eve Celebration

44 WINTER / SPRING 20072009 45 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY

The Zen Studies Society Presorted Standard Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji U.S. Postage Paid Newburgh, NY 12550 223 Beecher Lake Road • Livingston Manor, NY • 12758-6000 Permit No. 8604 www.zenstudies.org

WINTER/SPRING 2009