milwaukee zen center newsletter

volume 26, no.6 November 2009

Marvelous Activity life that I do not see for My daily activities are miraculously interdepend- These are the days of the miracle they are. not unusual, ent universe resides in brilliant blue skies, an Rather, I tend to think I’m just naturally in one drop of water, one enormous harvest moon, of miracles as leaping harmony with them, stick of firewood. cold winds and fallen beyond the natural order Grasping nothing, We, too, in each golden leaves. As I pulled of things, dazzling in their discarding nothing, moment engage in into my parking space uniqueness. I do not see In every place there’s marvelous activity. Our behind the Zen Center that the natural order no hindrance, no conflict. gratitude for the lifting of this afternoon my neigh- of things is the greatest Who assigns the ranks a finger, the step of a foot bor was standing atop a miracle of all. It is Indra’s of vermilion and purple? must know no bounds. veritable mountain of net, it is buddha nature, The hills’ and mountains’ But how to express it? leaves that he was it is our original face. last speck of dust From earliest childhood tamping down into his In Dôgen’s essay, Jinzû, is extinguished. a refrain has sounded in compost pile. Next spring or Miracles, he says, “The (My) supernatural powers our ears: “You ought to the transformed leaves miracles I am speaking of and marvelous activity – be grateful.” But what will enrich his garden. are the daily activities of Drawing water and is gratitude? Is it that Life is all transforma- buddhas, which they do carrying firewood. momentary warm feeling tion, things growing, not neglect to practice.” His daily activities are we experience when changing, turning into And “Miracles are prac- not unusual, yet he sees someone does something something else. My hair, ticed three thousand them for what they are: nice for us? The relief we once long and auburn, times in the morning and miraculous activity. When feel when we narrowly is short and silver today. eight hundred times in drawing water, he knows escape catastrophe? We And yet, we so seldom the evening.” that clouds, rainfall and say “thank you” to people see the miracle of the In this same essay, he streams are there. That and sometimes, perhaps ordinary. I am not amazed cites the example of thirst will be slaked, only internally, to the when my foot touches Layman P’ang. clothing washed and universe. Within our the floor in the morning Layman P’ang (740- excess poured back Buddhist practice we and I stand erect, never 808) was not a monk and into the earth. All those prostrate in gratitude for thinking of all the neu- indeed refused to shave activities are present as the teachings of Buddha. rons, electrical impulses, his head, saying “I want he pulls the bucket up In this month of muscles, tendons and to do what I like.” from the well. Likewise, November we actually bone that come into play Nevertheless, he deeply carrying firewood, he set aside a day called when the thought arises, understood the Way recognizes seeds, shoots, Thanksgiving so that once “I must get up now.” I and when he was asked sun, rain, earth, tall trees, a year we will recall our don’t wonder that my once by the Zen Master an ax, strong arms. And occasions for gratitude. heart beats and my breath Shih-t’ou about his knows that fire will be, In truth, our occasions for moves silently in and out. daily activities he smoke and ashes will gratitude are as infinite in These are ordinary bits of responded thus: be. Heat will transfer number as the breaths we its energy to him. A draw, yet we cannot

continued on page 2 continued from page 1 Without hindrance, powers. I once had a I had was the power to spend every waking without conflict, joy prison inmate who was not need “powers.” He moment saying “thank wells up and is reflected Laotian ask me if I had didn’t understand. you”, though it may be to infinity by the jewels “powers”. He explained But Layman P’ang in our hearts to do so. of Indra’s net. Prostrating that while wandering does: “My supernatural How can we ever express in gratitude for our life, in the jungles of Laos powers and marvelous gratitude in full measure? prostrating in gratitude he had encountered activity: drawing water Layman P’ang offers for the teachings of the a mystical hermit who and carrying firewood.” his answer: be naturally Buddha, we live in deep taught him a power Each daily activity in harmony with our harmony with our chant for deflecting our buddha-nature daily activities. Then we, daily activities. bullets (he claimed it ceaselessly manifesting. too, become supernatural And the Layman also worked.) He was, of –Tonen O’Connor power and marvelous reminds us that with no course, disappointed activity. We offer our hindrance or conflict, we when I said that if you Acknowledgments: Dôgen quote from a translation by Katherine gratitude in the form have no need to concern fired a bullet at me it Thanas and Kazuaki Tanahashi of participation, grasping ourselves with ranks or would hit me. Later, in Enlightenment Unfolds. Layman P’ang’s poem found in nothing, discarding noth- status, with high or low, upon reflection, I wrote Zen Sourcebook, in a translation ing, wholeheartedly doing with worthy or unworthy him a letter in which I by Ruth Fuller Sasaki, Yoshitaka all the ordinary things. or to search for fantastic said that the only power Iriya & Dana Fraser

Milwaukee Zen Center – Schedule December 2009 2 Introduction to Zen 4, 5, 6 Rohatsu Sesshin 24 & 25 CLOSED for holiday 31 Renewal of vows, candle lighting ceremony

January 2010 1 CLOSED for holiday 6 Introduction to Zen 12 Dôgen Series #1 16 All-day sitting 17 All-day sitting PHOTOS: PETER TOFTE 19 Dôgen Series #2 26 Dôgen Series #3

February 2010 2 Dôgen Series #4 3 Introduction to Zen 20 All-day sitting 21 All-day sitting

To see the 2009 Schedule and more information on Two-day sitting, visit our web site at www.milwaukeezencenter.org

Rev. Dokai Georgesen giving a dharma talk at MZC. Happenings Sangha member Dharma Talks: On Larraine McNamara- October 21, Rev. Tenshin McGraw is currently Nakano from Jorinji in participating in the fall Japan gave a fine lecture ango at Tassajara Zen to a large group from our Mountain Center in sangha and neighbor Carmel Valley, California. sanghas. On November 7, This rigorous practice Rev. Dokai Georgesen period will last three from Hokyoji Zen Practice months, and we send

Community also gave Larraine our support TSUMOTO a wonderful dharma and best wishes for her talk in place of our continuing commitment. usual study class.

Upcoming events: On PHOTOS: SENYU MA During the first December 4, 5 & 6 we week in October, Tonen will honor the Buddha’s traveled to San Francisco Enlightenment with to attend the annual Rohatsu Sesshin, a period meeting of the Association of dedicated practice that of Soto Zen Buddhists, marks the high point which always includes of our year. Rev. Tomon a workshop. Marr will join us from Albuquerque for the This has been an sesshin. Tonen will give active period for presen- a dharma talk on Friday, tations on Zen. Tonen Dec. 4, and Tomon on has spoken at UW-Fond Saturday, Dec. 5. Rev. Tenshin Nakano speaking at the MZC du Lac and given talks to three sections of the The MZC will offer a study series on the life Comparative Religions Autumn, cliffside class at Pius XI High and work of Dôgen at School. On October 24, 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday & I stand alone watching the Mike Mulooly brought evenings, Jan.12, 19, 26 afternoon move toward evening, 15 members of his and Feb. 2, led by Rev. the day ablaze in the clear air. Buddhism class at O’Connor. The study UW-Waukesha to the topics will be Dôgen An autumn breeze weaves its way Zen Center to hear a talk the man, the religious thru the woods, and experience zazen. philosopher and the poet, taking on a dry solitude. with the final meeting A precepts ceremony featuring a showing of Below, Pine Creek carries a crisp tune, was held at Green Bay the new movie, Zen, a calming of the heart. With each breath, Correctional Institution based on Dôgen’s life. sky a kaleidoscope. for Mike Holz in which There is a fee of $45 for –Russ Flynn he publicly acknowl- the four-part series, with edged his intention to attendance limited to follow the Buddha Way 10 students. For further and received the name information, contact Tôtai (cave or deep the MZC. inner site of our being + tranquil, peaceful.)

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8:00 end of practice 9:15 break, coffee & tea Phone 9:30 study class* I am interested in a membership 6:30 pm Zazen 10:30 end of practice (tax deductible): 7:10 pm Kinhin *except on all-day sitting days J General -$25/month 7:20 pm Zazen J Supporting – $30 or more/month J Out-of-town – $10/month J Participating - any amount you can afford $ Introduction to Zen An informal presentation on Buddhism and Zen, J I would like to make a one-time contribution $ followed by instruction in zen sitting, tea and discussion. J Please add me to your mailing list J Please remove me from your mailing list 6:30-8:30 p.m.–first Wednesday of each month. J Please change my mailing address Zen sitting instruction and private interview available TITLE QTY PRICE TAX* TOTAL by appointment. Call 963-0526. Eiheiji Incense — Short 5.5” $ 7.00 .39 $ Long 10” $ 7.00 .39 $ MZC Contact Information Shipping - $3.00 first two boxes of incense and 50¢ per item thereafter. $ For messages: Phone: (414) 963-0526 *Only Wis. residents need include applicable sales tax. Fax: (414) 963-0517 E-mail: [email protected] TOTAL $ For information and schedules:www.milwaukeezencenter.org Please make checks payable to Milwaukee Zen Center

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