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View of Mt. Fuji from Mt. Dai Bosatsu W I N T E R / S P R I N G 2006 Teisho on Rinzai Roku, The Book of Rinzai, Chapter 14 Eido T. Shimano Roshi 2 talk on Mumonkan, Gateless Gate Case 19 Roko ni-Osho 8 Dogyo-ninin (We Two Together) Shoshin Anne Hughes 13 Diary of Our Pilgrimage 2005 Seigan Ed Glassing 18 Dream? Fujin Zenni 25 My Impressions of the Pilgrimage to Doshin David Schubert 26 Yamakawa Roshi performing Dai-Hannya View from inside the Genkan of Shogen-ji Our Trip October 2005 Yayoi Karen Matsumoto 27 Sesshin at Shogen-ji Saiun Atsumi Hara 29 Memories Banko Randy Phillips 31 Dai Bosatsu Kongo-ji News 33 New York Zendo Shobo-ji News 36 News 37 Dai Bosatsu Zendo 2006 Calendar 39 New York Zendo 2006 Calendar 40

Published twice annually by The Zen Studies Society, Inc. Eido T. Shimano Roshi, Abbot

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Editor: Seigan Edwin Glassing; News: Aiho-san Y. Shimano, Seigan Edwin Glassing, Fujin Zenni, Jokei Megumi Kairis; Graphic design:Banko Randy Phillips; Editorial Assistant and Proofreading: Myochi Nancy O’Hara; Teisho Transcription and Editing: Jimin Anna Klegon; Final Editing: Myochi Nancy O’Hara

Photo Credits: Junsho Shelley Bello (pp. 2, 5, 35, back inside cover-center, back cover); Renji Ellen Darby (pp. 7, 9, 12, back inside cover-top right, bottom left, ); Seigan Edwin Glassing (pp. front inside cover- all images except top left, 18, 20, 25, 26, 27, 32);Soshin Anne Hughes (pp. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17); Aram Kailian (pp. 11, back inside cover-top left,bottom right); Banko Randy Phillips (pp. front cover, front inside cover- top left, 19, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31);Jim Spencer (p. 8)

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Tenzo utensils Roshi points to his name plaque WINTER / SPRING 2006 1 from 50 years ago Teisho on Rinzai Roku The Book of Rinzai after being prematurely acknowledged “…if you understand that mind is by some ‘Zen masters.’ Even if you can like a phantom, that not even a speck of Jishu: Ascending the High Seat Chapter 14 speak eloquently, it is creating nothing but dust, not even a single dharma exists, that hell-karma. If you are a true student of everywhere is purity – this is buddha.” By Eido Shimano Roshi this moment in front of my eyes is shining Dharma, you ignore the mistakes of the Purity here does not mean lack of dirt Golden Wind Sesshin, Day 6 alone and clearly hearing my teaching, world. You desperately apply yourself to or dust. The true meaning of purity is this one dwells nowhere, penetrates September 30, 2005 attain genuine insight. When you attain that our heart is pure and through that throughout the ten directions and is genuine insight, then indeed that’s all.” pure heart we see that everything is completely free in the three realms. Goes _____ glittering, literally glittering. Even now, into the state of differentiation, and is not at this moment, everything is glittering. affected by it; in an instant, pierces through Having sat for the past six days and This is buddha. If you can see things this the Dharmadhatu. On meeting a buddha it having just heard Master Rinzai’s teisho way, that is buddha. is a buddha, on meeting a patriarch it is on this beautiful Golden Wind day, it a patriarch, on meeting an it is an seems that nothing needs to be added. “But buddha and devil are two aspects.” arhat, on meeting a hungry ghost it is a However since some people may not One is considered pure, one is considered hungry ghost. This one travels everywhere get what Master Rinzai is trying to teach defiled. However, “According to this through every land, influencing sentient us, I will have to speak. Today, I will mountain ’s view,” (this is important) beings yet never apart from One Mind. speak addressing the senior students. “there is no buddha, no sentient being, no Each place is pure. Light penetrates Junior students, pay particular attention, past, no present. One who attains it, attains through the ten directions, and the myriad otherwise you will be simply confused. it instantly. No time is required, no practice, are one.” no realization, no gain, no loss. Throughout Most chapters in Rinzai Roku begin the day, there is no other Dharma.” “Followers of the Way, the resolute with someone asking a question related student of Dharma knows that at this to the previous chapter. At the end of the We have completed reading and moment there is nothing to do. Only previous chapter a buddha-devil appeared recitation of Diamond today. I because you don’t have enough faith in and therefore to clarify the meaning of have listened to the dialogue between yourself do you search outside, thought it, someone asked Master Rinzai, “‘What Buddha and Subhuti and chanted the after thought. Having thrown away your Someone asked, “What is buddha-devil?” is buddha-devil?’ The Master replied, ‘Your sutra literally innumerable times but head, you seek it ceaselessly. Even the one thought of doubt is the devil.’” Doubt each time I always find something new. The Master replied, “Your one thought of Complete and Sudden of doubt is the devil. But if you grasp the is the devil. In front of Ryutaku-ji there In yesterday’s part Buddha said, “Subhuti, Enlightenment goes into the Dharmadhatu is a big plaque written by Master Hakuin it is the same concerning . If a true meaning of the ten thousand unborn and manifests his body. Heading to the dharmas, if you understand that Mind is which says, “The Great Doubt Hall.” The bodhisattva announces, ‘I will liberate all Pure Land, he dislikes the secular and zendo is the place where we should have living creatures’ he is not rightly called a like a phantom, that not even a speck of delights in the sacred. Such a fellow is still dust, not even a single dharma exists, that doubt. But that doubt and this doubt bodhisattva.” attached to giving and taking, and holds on are different doubts. Master Hakuin’s everywhere is the purity – this is buddha. to the concepts of purity and defilement. But buddha and devil are two aspects. One great doubt means digging, ceaseless We say, “Shujo muhen seigan do.” The But the teaching of the Zen school is not investigation while Master Rinzai here is translation of it is: “However innumerable is pure, one is defiled. According to this like this. It is revealing right now. No time mountain monk’s view, there is no buddha, talking about the negative doubt. all beings are, I vow to save them all.” If a is required. This mountain monk’s teaching bodhisattva announces, “I will liberate all no sentient being, no past, no present. One is just medicine for a corresponding who attains it, attains it instantly. No time “But if you grasp the meaning of the living creatures,” if someone says, “Shujo sickness. Ultimately, there is not a single ten thousand unborn dharmas…” This is muhen seigan do,” he is not rightly called is required, no practice, no realization, no dharma that has substance. See things in gain, no loss. Throughout the day, there is no a typical Chinese expression. Unborn a bodhisattva. Why is this so? It’s because this way and you will be a true renouncer means interdependent. In other words, all living creatures are already liberated. other Dharma. Even if there were a Dharma of home. Having relinquished your to surpass this, I dare say that it would be no one, no thing can exist all by itself. All are DONE. To say on top of it, “I household, you may spend ten thousand This seems so obvious and because it is will liberate all living creatures” is called like a dream, like a fantasy. This is all this golden coins each day.” mountain monk teaches. obvious we forget and think that we are presumptuous. independent, free from anything, that we “Followers of the Way, don’t say, ‘I owe nothing. Big mistake! From a matured student’s point of “Followers of the Way, the one who at understand Zen, I understand the Way,’

2 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY WINTER / SPRING 2006 3 view, to say “Shujo muhen seigan do,” were mere prescriptions for medicine, Some of us think that we may have passage from : is absolutely unnecessary. However and superficial descriptions. Eventually, I a good heart, but many delusions. If from a new student’s point of view, it is relinquished them all, searched for the Way somehow this delusion part can be All composite things absolutely essential. I will tell you why. and started to practice Zen. Later I met operated on and removed, then we think Are like a dream, a fantasy, Some of you are familiar with Dogen outstanding teachers (such as Obaku, such only the good heart will remain. Thus a bubble and a shadow, Zenji’s Shobogenzo. There is a saying as Daigu). At last my Dharma eye became we may become a Buddha. Rationally, Are like a dewdrop and at the beginning of the chapter called clear, thus I could discern all kinds of it makes sense. But that’s not the way a flash of lightning. Bendowa. A quick translation reads as teachers under heaven and tell the true from things go! [laughs] Even an exceptionally They are thus to be regarded. follows: “Although this Dharma is rich or the fake. This discerning eye was not with good surgeon cannot do this kind of abundant in each person, it is not actualized me when I was born from my mother. But operation. “Doctor, could you please —and so you should without practice. It is not experienced without rather, after extreme discipline (extreme operate on me I have lots of delusions? realization.” Similarly, Master Rinzai says, discipline!) and ceaseless investigation, one But please remove only the delusion Think in this way of “You desperately apply yourself to attain day, all of a sudden, I could clearly see who part, I still have a good heart so do you all this fleeting world: genuine insight,” then you will know that I am.” Master Rinzai tells a new student think you can keep that inside?” You As a star at dawn, this Dharma is fulfilled in each person. about his own practice experience, “This visit hospital after hospital, doctor after a bubble in a stream, But unless you actualize it through is what I did, and so you should do this doctor, and no doctor will accept you. If A dewdrop, a flash of lightning practice, unless you experience the too. I guarantee the result without fail.” there is some great doctor, he may say in a summer cloud, realization, the incomparably profound, to you, “Well, patient, I love you.” That’s A flickering lamp, and minutely subtle, subtle Dharma In another place Master Rinzai said, all. [laughs] No sarcasm there. There is a phantom, and a dream.” cannot be testified. I say, “minutely subtle, “Virtuous , do not spend your days in no sarcasm. “I love you.” And no need subtle,” and it is literally minutely, indeed vain. When this mountain monk did not have for a logical explanation, like: “Because subtle, amazingly, perfectly arranged any clear understanding, my mind was utter you are originally … a loving being.” by… [throws the hands up]. darkness.” He was just as you are now, his Just: “I love you.” This is a wonderful mind was utter darkness; “but I did not statement. Nobody can be hurt hearing In another part of Diamond Sutra spend my days in vain. With burning belly it. Hundreds of thousand of times you’ve Buddha said, “Let no one say that the and turbulent mind (with burning belly heard it and yet still people don’t say it Tathagata cherishes the idea ‘I must liberate and turbulent mind!) I searched for the enough, [whispers] “Alright. I love you. I all living beings.’ Allow no such thought, Way rushing around. Later I gained some love you. I love you.” This is a wonderful Subhuti. In reality there are no living beings understanding and at last today I can talk statement, especially if uttered sincerely to be liberated by the Tathagata.” Again, all to you like this. I advise you, followers of the with the understanding that this Dharma are already liberated. And this is not a Way, do not practice for the sake of clothes is already in every one of us and we are concept, this is the truth. But beginners and food, look how quickly the world passes. already enlightened. This is no other than of the Way don’t see it; therefore “You A good teacher is very hard to meet, like the Hakuin’s “sentient beings are primarily all “Followers of the Way, the one who at desperately apply yourself to attain genuine udumbara flower (which blooms once in a Buddhas.” That’s Hakuin’s way of saying, this moment in front of my eyes is shining insight. When you attain genuine insight, thousand years).” “With burning belly and “I love you.” This is the real meaning of alone and clearly hearing my teaching, then indeed that’s all.” turbulent mind.” In this sense, Rinzai and his words. Perhaps with some exotic this one dwells nowhere (which means Dogen are saying the same thing: unless eastern flavor, but essentially what he is pervades all over), penetrates throughout Master Rinzai speaks about the you practice and actualize it, you cannot saying is, “You are o.k., as you are .” the ten directions and is completely free importance of actual practice only see this Dharma. in the three realms. Goes into the state twice. This is directed to the beginners. Consequently, “there is no Buddha, of differentiation…” such as the wind, a On page 57 of the new translation he In another place in Diamond Sutra, no sentient beings, no past, no present. flower and the rain. When it goes into says, “Followers of the Way, he who is a Buddha says, “If anyone says that the One who attains it, attains it instantly. No a flower, it is a flower. When it goes renouncer of home ought to practice the Tathagata comes or goes, or sits, or lies time is required, no practice, no realization, into the wind, it is the wind. It does not Way. Take this mountain monk, for example. down, he fails to understand my teaching, no gain, no loss. Throughout the day, there become the wind, it IS the wind. When In the past, I studied the (precepts) because the Tathagata neither comes from is no other Dharma. Even if there were a it goes into a fragrance, like the Misho intensively, and I also investigated the anywhere nor goes to anywhere.” Dharma to surpass this, I dare say that incense, it IS the Misho incense. This and shastras (shastras are commentaries it would be like a dream, like a fantasy.” is differentiation, millions of kinds of on the sutras). Later I realized that these He is DONE. This brings to mind another famous differentiation. When it goes to Tenzo-

4 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY WINTER / SPRING 2006 5 san’s food it is a delicious lunch… “and in yourself…” or you don’t have enough right now.” “IMA” means “now”. “KOKO” Dharma is fulfilled in you; therefore you is not affected by it. In an instant pierces practice. Practice brings faith, practice means “here”. desperately apply yourself so that you through the Dharmadhatu. On meeting brings conviction and self-confidence. attain genuine insight and can see this a buddha it is a buddha, on meeting a Simon is now doing Ino [sutra leader]. “No time is required. This mountain Dharma. “This Dharma, incomparably patriarch it is a patriarch, on meeting a At first it was awful! [laughter]The monk’s teaching is just medicine for profound and minutely subtle, is hardly matriarch it is a matriarch, on meeting an next day it was slightly better. [more corresponding sickness.” For a healthy met with even in hundreds of thousands arhat it is an arhat, on meeting a hungry laughter]By now…well - not yet, but person no medicine is necessary. of millions of eons. We now can see this, ghost it is a hungry ghost.” maybe one month from now, it will be listen to this.” Now and always, always sort of acceptable. One year from now – “Ultimately (ultimately!) there is not a we are seeing this. Kanzeon Sutra, in Chapter 25 of Lotus O.K. And Tomoaki will play the mokugyo single dharma that has substance.” This Sutra, specifies thirty three conditions [wooden drum] without missing a beat. is an important sentence. “See things in “When you attain genuine insight, then in which Kanzeon Bodhisattva appears. All this comes from experience. It’s this way and you will be a true renouncer of indeed that’s all,” DONE! as far as truth [chants the first few lines in Japanese] not enough just to read instructions home. Having relinquished your household, is concerned. You may ask, “What is a Here we have exactly the same thing: on on how to strike the mokugyo, how to you may spend 10,000 golden coins each relationship between genuine insight meeting a rich man it (Kanzeon) is a rich strike a gong, or read what the best way day. and social problems?” You don’t have man. to make a good sound is. It is a simple to worry about that until you come to thing, experience tells us it is simple “Followers of the Way, don’t say, ‘I this point, then: IT will tell you what’s “This one travels everywhere through the angle with which you strike: bong! understand Zen, I understand the Way (I next. For now, “desperately apply yourself every land influencing sentient beings.” And the sound becomes either dull or understand Buddha-Dharma) after being to attain genuine insight.” “Sensitive” sentient beings though. transparent. Which one is better, goes prematurely acknowledged by some ‘Zen Otherwise, someone may think, “Oh, this without saying. “Only because you don’t masters.’” Or, after attending one, two, The next chapter, naturally, will start is Misho incense, it must be expensive.” have enough faith in yourself (you don’t three, or four sesshins, don’t say, “I with someone asking, “What is genuine Yes! It is certainly one aspect of the have enough practice), do you search understand Zen, I understand the Way, insight?” and Master Rinzai will answer truth. One inch cost x amount of dollars. outside, thought after thought,” book after I understand Buddha-Dharma.” Don’t that question. But for this we have to And then it turns into smoke, it becomes book, instruction after instruction – this say that, shut up! I too have been talking wait until next teisho. ungraspable! But, I feel it is worth will take you nowhere! Pain, pain, pain now for one hour or so. burning. Someday, maybe one person, is not an instruction! Each second is kh! Sesshin has not ended yet. Sitting gives two persons, or three, or hopefully four kh! So precious! Why do you complain? “Even if you can speak eloquently, it is you confidence. Confidence gives you will come to the realization that this is creating nothing but hell-karma.” Soen peace. Peace gives you broadheartedness not a matter of being expensive. This “Having thrown away your head you Roshi once said something to me while and clarity. So let’s sit, sit, and sit! Misho incense purifies the atmosphere seek it ceaselessly. Even the Bodhisattva we were reading together Dante’s Divine and thus purifies one’s heart. It purifies of Complete and Sudden Enlightenment Comedy. At the description of hell, Roshi past regrets, present anxieties, future goes into the Dharmadhatu and manifests said, “Taisan, without fail you and I will go worries. All these are purified. There are his body.” He is the one who thinks that to hell.” At that time I did not understand many kinds of incense, some of which through his own joriki power, his own the real meaning of his words. But now…. can give you a headache. But here at efforts he can get to the Pure Land; this this is so very precious to me, so I would DBZ, we’ve been using the new students’ kind of person is called Bodhisattva of like to keep it private. money to buy this kind of incense. Complete and Sudden Enlightenment. “If you are a true student of Dharma, “Light penetrates through the ten “Heading to the Pure Land, he dislikes the you ignore the mistakes of the world.” directions, and the myriad of dharmas are secular and delights in the sacred.” Dislikes You ignore what she said, what he said, one. the pain and delights in peace. Sounds how he judged, etc. etc. Instead, “You Followers of the Way, the resolute student familiar? desperately apply yourself to attain genuine of Dharma knows that at this moment there insight.” You desperately apply yourself. is nothing to do.” It is already DONE! “Such a fellow is still attached to giving Dogen says, “Although this Dharma Fundamentally DONE! and taking, and holds on to the concepts of is fulfilled in each person, it is not purity and defilement. But the teaching of actualized without practice and it is not “Only because you don’t have enough faith the Zen school is not like this. It is revealing experienced without realization.” This

6 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY WINTER / SPRING 2006 7 on Mumonkan, Gateless Gate up in the useless clutter, wondering I think the devastation of hurricane “What should I do, how should I Katrina can be understood as a Case 19: Nansen’s “Ordinary Mind is the Way” respond, which way should I go?” And wonderful metaphor for our practice. when we hear “ordinary mind,” we’re If we really look honestly at our lives, “Nansen Kills the Cat,” Mumonkan Case By Roko ni-Osho Sherry Chayat sure it must be different from the we see the fears we all have of opening 14, but here are a couple of others that Golden Wind Sesshin, Day 2 self-absorbed, anxious, self-doubting, to what is terribly chaotic. Because of exemplify Nansen’s ordinary mind. September 26, 2005 blaming mind we’re all too familiar such fears, sometimes spiritual practice with. Perhaps we feel overwhelmed by can be misused. A kind of closing down One day, Nansen said to his monks, the unruly circumstances we perceive can ensue, a closing the door on what “My Master Baso said, ‘This Mind is as our ordinary mind: suffused with is inconvenient to see. Perhaps we can’t Buddha.’ However, I would not say that. I embarrassment with how badly our bear the pain of seeing what’s there, and would say, ‘Not Mind, Not Buddha, Not is going, sleepiness overtaking after years and years of it, things have Things.’ Am I mistaken?” Joshu, who us, pain we can’t deal with, cold, fear it solidified into a nice smooth impenetrable was among the assembly, bowed and will get worse. And what we really feel surface. Zazen may be looking good; we walked away. Another monk followed is, “What’s the way out?” Never mind may be feeling nothing. But this is not him and asked, “What did you mean just “What is the Way?” what the buddhas and ancestors taught! now when you bowed and left?” Joshu And we forget that the way out is the It’s interesting, though: when we can’t said, “You’ll have to ask the Master.” The way in. open the floodgates ourselves, life has a monk went to Nansen and asked, “Why way of making it happen. Sometimes it’s did Joshu behave that way a moment a personal disaster and sometimes it’s ago?” “He understood my meaning!” something wonderful—falling in love! Nansen exclaimed. Mumonkan Case Heart opens! But usually, in sesshin, 27 presents Nansen’s “Not Mind, Not we have to let the levees be breached, Buddha, Not Things.” Today we have the meeting of Nansen and let the flood waters come crashing through—and all that formerly hidden and Joshu—nobody meets nobody, as Another story: Joshu, when he was stuff is revealed. Like with the hurricane: Emily Dickinson put it. What a pair they living at Nansen’s monastery, was everything that had been safely flushed are: two of the greatest Zen masters of responsible for keeping the fire. One day, down and sanitized came washing up. Tang dynasty China. We are told that he set fire to some wood and locked the In order for us to even begin asking the both were enlightened at quite a young door from the inside. Smoke billowed up. question, “What is the Way?” we have age, after both had studied the vinaya, He shouted, “Help! Fire! Help! Fire!” All to look at our own shit. This is practice! the sutras and shastras, had realized that the monks came running. He shouted, “If someone else’s words could not do it, anyone can say a word of Zen, I will open This word “Way” of course comes In the New York Times Sunday and had plunged into unwavering zazen the door.” Sounds familiar, right? What from the Chinese Tao, in Japanese, magazine a few weeks ago there was practice. did Nansen say while holding the cat: Do—as in kendo, chado—the way of a wonderful article by Dr. Abraham “Speak! Say a word, and I will save the swordsmanship, of tea. When Joshu Verghese about going down to help Nansen, after a deep experience of cat!” Here, too, no one could answer came to see Nansen he was not a mere some of the displaced and injured people This, went off to live in the seclusion of Joshu, and the fire continued to rage. beginner. He had already had, we are who were suffering such terrible trauma a deep mountain, where he spent more Nansen simply passed the key to him told, some insight. Indeed, the question, in the wake of the hurricane, and he than 20 years being “nobody.” But even through the window, and Joshu opened “What is the Way?” comes from having wrote of his realization that “The years though he was so thoroughly nobody, as the door. is often the way, people found out about had some opening. We ask the question have shown that there is no armor. because we have been jostled out of our There never was. The willingness to be him, and considered him somebody Thus we see Nansen’s wonderful complacency, our ignorance. “What is wounded may be all we have to offer.” indeed. So Joshu sought him out, as did ordinary mind at work. It’s so natural. the Way?” We may phrase it differently: other great Zen teachers like Obaku But ordinarily, our ordinary mind doesn’t What is my life all about? Why am I here? This willingness to be wounded is and Tozan. There are many wonderful work so well. Often we feel the need for What is the way in? How can I find some very precious to keep in mind. It’s encounters that have been handed down a flashlight, so lost in the darkness of inner pacification? How can I find my so tempting to try to keep a lid on it, to us between Nansen and Joshu. The ignorance are we. Sometimes the mind way? whatever it is; to keep the difficult things one many of you are familiar with is is just stuck, not at all natural; so caught

8 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY WINTER / SPRING 2006 9 from emerging; but that is really where and self-esteem cannot happen without have experienced a relationship in which Way beyond doubt, you will find it as vast our true beginning on this Way occurs. the willingness to keep going no matter we have felt very needy—and the more and boundless as outer space.” Then at We must be able to ask this question what, in the midst of the darkest dark we have pushed for closeness, the more last your zazen takes you. Mu is muuuing from deep within our hearts, from inner night of the soul; the willingness to be the other person has pulled away. By you. This very place is nothing but; there desperation: “What is the Way?” It’s not open, and ask this question. trying to draw the other person toward is no grasping or striving or pushing away an intellectual question. us, we become separated. Trying: already or contriving; no thought of what comes And Nansen says, “Ordinary mind is there’s a problem, the very trying is next or what happened before; there is To have a vow is essential for our the Way!” Not, “ordinary mind is going based on a perception of separation, of just this unfolding moment: the song of practice, essential for our lives. When TO the Way.” IS the Way. The path, self and other. the wind. Muuuuuuuuuuuu. we chant “However innumerable all this Way, is right under our feet, and beings are, I vow to save them all,” we we are on it all the time, one step after “How can I know the Way unless I try “How can it be talked about on the have to realize that this starts with another. for it?” persisted Joshu. Another natural, level of right and wrong?” How can it saving ourselves. Until we see through honest question. How can I know my be conceived of? How can it be about and through, until we penetrate the Sosan Zenji said, “The great Way is not true nature unless I keep sitting, keep getting or not getting, knowing or not- bullshit, and really wake up, we can’t difficult; just avoid preferences; avoid struggling, sesshin after sesshin? Indeed, knowing? “With these words, Joshu have compassion. When we understand picking and choosing.” Another , this is absolutely true, but the problem came to a sudden realization.” our own wounds, then we can say with Case Two of the Hekigan-roku, features is, we have the notion while struggling tenderness, as Dr. Verghese said to one Joshu again, quoting Sosan’s statement. that the Way is something different, of the New Orleans refugees he treated, Avoid preferences. Always we find something out there, something “I’m so sorry.” Of course he couldn’t do ourselves drifting into thoughts of how extraordinary to get, to complete us, a thing about the devastation, but to hear things should be, and thus we suffer— to fill the inner lack we’re sure exists. those words made all the difference to and all the time we are in the midst of Consumed by this concept of The Way, that old man. We say, “All the evil karma things as they are: on the great Way. of Ordinary Mind in capital letters, we ever committed by me since of old....” forget that the path is right under our and we can finally feel this, finally say, “Shall I try to seek after it?” Joshu feet. “I’m so sorry.” To hear our own cry, and asked. A natural question, so honest. understand that we have behaved in ways “How do I get it? What should I do?” “The Way is not a matter of knowing that have been destructive to ourselves or not-knowing,” Nansen said. What can and others because we have not looked “If you try for it, you will become you know about it? How can you grasp honestly inside—this is the process of separated from it,” replied Nansen. If it? If you think it’s something to be known sesshin. Sitting after sitting, fearlessly you’ve ever been in a swimming pool or grasped, you’ve already separated being with what comes up. How can you trying to catch hold of a ball floating from it. Then he said, “Knowing is sleep? Sleepiness is avoidance! MU right nearby, you’ll remember that when you delusion.” You’ve made something up into the heart of it. Then, quite naturally try to grab it by scooping the water about it. But it is just the Way. It’s not The Diamond Sutra tells us, “Stream- “I’m so sorry!” becomes “I vow to save toward you, the ball goes further away. about the Way, not to the Way, not on entrant is merely a name.” There is no all beings.” Trying, you separate yourself from it. or off the Way—it just is this Way. “Not stream-entering. We are already in Or another example: Sometimes a new knowing is confusion.” You can’t hang the stream; already on the Way. “The So Joshu, going all across China, in those mother, no matter how much she loves around in your ignorance, slacking off disciple who pays no regard to form, days not an easy thing to do, comes to her baby, may feel deeply ambivalent in your zazen, wandering about in your sound, odor, taste, touch, or any quality Nansen, to meet with a great teacher, and about the time and the demands of being delusions. You have to ask the question is called a stream-entrant.” To sit here asks, “What is the Way? How can I wake a parent. Perhaps she puts a lot of energy with penetrating earnestness, and listen in this beautiful place paying no regard up to it?” He asks “What is the Way” into finding childcare; she can’t wait for carefully to the response! You have to be to form—this does not mean stopping out of his own desperation and his own the baby to be independent. But of course, ready—through your years of struggle, our ears to the beauty of the song of the vow, knowing he must go deeper, eager the more she pushes the baby away, the of thinking it’s something to try for and wind, the voice of the raindrops, but just to submit; not yet having experienced more fiercely the baby clings to her. It’s strive for—before you can hear the hearing them as “vast and boundless as full clarity, not yet full transformation of only when the baby feels unwavering and response. outer space.” With these words, Joshu body and mind. This sincerity, honesty, complete attention that he or she can came to a sudden realization. These humility—it’s essential. Self-confidence feel confident. And I’m sure many of us “When you have really reached the true words: Nansen and Joshu, mind to mind.

10 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY WINTER / SPRING 2006 11 So we might say, these words are merely arms to it, opening our hearts to it. To Dogyo-ninin (We Two Together) a name. These words have no form, no live in accordance with the Way means: sound, odor, taste, touch, or any quality. I love you! I embrace you as me, as One! By Soshin Anne Hughes taught and spread Shingon ; he Just listening without any comment, we To have this loving spirit guiding us: this built a monastic center at Mount Koya; find the Way vast and boundless. Golden is what is holding us on this beautiful and being a gifted calligrapher and poet wind revealed, revealed. Everything is mountain, supporting us in this vast – emperors asked him to write for them being revealed when we are not trying universe. The verse continues: – he published many texts on Buddhism. for it, when we are just, just THIS. In 828 he opened the School of Arts and If useless things do not clutter your Sciences, a private school that accepted Mumon comments: “Nansen dissolved mind… all students, no matter what their social and melted away before Joshu’s —if you don’t get caught up in status or how much money their family questions. He could not offer a plausible preferences—then indeed, had. It was the first school in Japan to explanation.” Coming from this ordinary Every season is the best season. provide education for all. Until then mind, there is no teacher and no student. there was only one Government College, And yet, here are the teacher and the Every sitting, no matter how painful, but it was for the sons of nobles, not student, interacting. The teacher knows is the best sitting. To have this feeling for the children of commoners. And he the right time to use words, to come makes sesshin, makes life, so enjoyable, provided free meals for both teachers from oneness to differentiation; knows in the midst of whatever it is. We may and students. At first he received much when the student is ready to hear. It’s strongly feel, “I don’t like it!” But even opposition to such a school, and his not a matter of explanation. “Even this “don’t like” is ordinary mind. So response was a quote from Confucius: though Joshu comes to a realization, he don’t erect any barriers of seeking after “All within the four seas are brothers...” must delve into it for another 30 years it, or pushing it away, of knowing or not- Legends and stories still abound about before he can understand it.” Thirty knowing. We all have enough barriers. Kukai’s travels and activities and he more years—sudden realization, nothing Let them go, let them be blown away has taken on an almost mythical status left to prove—and yet, 30 more years, by this Golden Wind, let them be seen among the people of Japan. 30 more years, and again 30 more years. as the insubstantial mists they really After Nansen’s death Joshu went on a are, and let us all continue on this one Kukai, popularly known as Kobo-Daishi, When I visited To-ji (Eastern Temple) pilgrimage, deepening, always deepening ordinary-mind Way. was a charismatic and influential priest of in Kyoto in 1998, I learned that in 823 his understanding, and it wasn’t until the the Shingon Esoteric sect of Buddhism Kukai had been presented with this age of 80 that he began teaching. He lived in eighth century Japan. Born on the temple by Emperor Saga. It had already until the age of 120. island of Shikoku in 774 to parents in been standing for nearly 30 years when This koan ends with the famous and the local gentry, Saeki no Mao began his this gift was made, but there were very beautiful verse: studies at fourteen and became a scholar many unfinished buildings. Kukai built a in Chinese classical culture. In 804 Lecture Hall (Kodo) and supervised the The spring flowers, the autumn moon when he met a Buddhist monk and was carving and installation of many statues. The summer breezes, the winter introduced to the sutras, he renounced Fourteen of the twenty-one statues that snow… his studies, became a monk, and went exist today date from that time. And the to China to study Esoteric Buddhism, famous , the symbol of Kyoto, All of these phenomena take place eventually taking Dharma from was begun under Kukai’s guidance. While in the most natural way. Sometimes his great teacher Hui-kuo. By the time I was admiring these statues, a monk not such lovely things occur, also in he returned to Japan his reputation there encouraged me to visit Shikoku and the most natural way: spring floods, was well-established. He interacted experience the real thing. That plus Eido autumn hurricanes, summer forest with nobility and commoners alike; Roshi’s spiritual vision that has guided all fires, winter avalanches! These too are he forged a friendship with Emperor of us at the zendo, gave me the courage natural, ordinary mind. Experiencing Saga; he reconstructed the Mannoike to plan my pilgrimage to Shikoku. tears, experiencing joy just as it is, reservoir on Shikoku Island, which without thinking, “Oh, this is not how gave him a reputation for finding and In the tradition begun by Kukai’s it’s supposed to be,” but opening our sustaining water, rivers and springs; he disciples and followers, every year more than 100,000 people take the pilgrimage

12 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY WINTER / SPRING 2006 13 to Shikoku Island, the smallest of Japan’s hand. Three years later, the chief priest to spend more time with his wife and four main islands, to visit its eighty eight of Annyo-ji was called in and through children. Another pilgrim was a recent temples. This pilgrimage takes a circuit of prayers succeeded in opening the child’s college graduate. Many of his classmates 750 miles around the island. Many of the hand, whereupon a stone fell out. On the had gone off to Australia or Hawaii to temples are along the coast, several are stone was written: ‘Incarnation of Emon celebrate school’s end, but he wanted inland, but most of them are on the top Saburo.’ something more fulfilling than just lying of mountains, some over two miles in on the beach. His classmates thought he height. Since it is a circular journey, one’s For many centuries the pilgrim traveled was crazy. But by the time he reached pilgrimage can begin at any of the eighty- on foot, the only means of getting the last temple, he had a strong desire to eight temples; but the usual pattern is to do something with his life; and decided begin at temple number one, Ryozen-ji, to apply to medical school. Although his Temple of Vulture’s Peak, and finish at grades were poor, he believed in Daishi Okubo-ji, the eighty-eighth temple on Power, which enabled him to complete the route. All eighty-eight temples have the circuit in thirty days, while carrying names, but the pilgrims refer to them a heavy load on his back. He inspired by their number. Legend has it that the everyone who ran into him. first twenty-three temples in Tokushima awaken Faith; the next sixteen temples Walking alone, day after day, in the in Kochi provide Religious Discipline; midst of solitude and the beauty of the twenty-six temples of Ehime bestow nature is an unbelievable experience. It Enlightenment; and the last twenty-three around. These days most Japanese go has been said that a pilgrimage is “the temples in Kagawa lead to . by car, train, taxi or on one of the many journey to know the self completely.” available bus tours. Only about 1,000 The poet-monk Santoka wrote, “When The first pilgrim to Shikoku was named pilgrims each year travel on foot. A bus you travel, you truly come to understand and address and any special thoughts and Emon Saburo. One day Daishi came to tour to all eighty-eight temples takes human beings, poetry and nature.” And prayers for relatives, friends or yourself. his home in Ehime-ken begging for food. less than two weeks, while the average T. S. Eliot expressed it this way: The color of this paper is white for one’s The wealthy Saburo pushed him away. pilgrimage on foot takes about fifty days. first four pilgrimages; green for the fifth Next day, Daishi asked for food again On one of my treks I met a twenty-year “We shall not cease from exploration and sixth; red for the seventh to the and Saburo treated him even worse. This old who completed the circle in thirty And the end of all our exploring twenty-fourth; silver for the twenty- same thing happened for seven days. On days. It took me four years. From 1998 Will be to arrive where we started fifth to forty-ninth; and gold for fifty or the eighth day Saburo flung Daishi’s bowl to 2004, most summers I would head off And know the place for the first time.” more pilgrimages. Then you put some into his face breaking it into eight pieces. to Japan to spend a few weeks traveling money in the offertory box, ring a bell Daishi never returned, but the eight on foot visiting Kukai’s temples. Only on Shikoku are pilgrims called overhead, and bow. Most pilgrims recite sons of the wealthy Saburo died one henro, which means to be far away; the Hannya-shingyo Sutra and the special after the other in eight days. This made Why does anyone in this day and age the Chinese character for hen has the of the honzon; for example, if Saburo realize what a selfish life he had go on foot around Shikoku? Each of the religious meaning of spreading the light the chief deity is Jizo, then you would been leading; he gave all his possessions pilgrims I met had their own story. One far and wide. Each temple on Shikoku has recite: On ka ka kabi sa ma ei sowa ka. As away and went searching for Daishi. man had lost his job, which he thought a main hall, Hondo, where the temple’s a memorial of one’s visit, pilgrims have He walked around to the eighty-eight he’d have for life, and was making his principle image is enshrined, such as their record books, Nokyocho, stamped temples twenty-one times, searching and pilgrimage to discover at age fifty-four Dainichi Nyorai, Shakyamuni Buddha in red at the temple office. On the temple searching. When he finally found Daishi what was next for him. I ran into him or Jizo Bosatsu. There is also a second grounds high in the mountains, one is he collapsed and begged for forgiveness. several times along the way, and again building called Daishi Hall (Daishi-do) surrounded by the natural beauty of birds Kobo-Daishi placed a small stone in his at our journey’s end at temple eighty- in which a statue of Kobo-Daishi is and wild flowers. Statues and gardens hand and Saburo died peacefully. Temple eight. After forty-nine days of pilgrimage, enshrined. At each of these halls a pilgrim complement the raw beauty and there fifty-one, Ishite-ji (Temple of the Stone he had come to the realization that his puts a slip of paper into a box. On this is always a huge statue of Kobo-Daishi, Hand), recalls this story. The wife of family was wonderful, but that he’d spent paper, which contains prayers for peace, and quite often one of Kannon Bosatsu Lord Ikitoshi Kono gave birth to a son, too little time with them. His plan was happiness and prosperity and a picture or Fudo Myo. On the special garments but the baby could not open his left to seek out work that would enable him of Kobo-Daishi, you write your name that many henro wear, are the words:

14 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY WINTER / SPRING 2006 15 Dogyo-ninin, two people together. It’s to reach my planned destination. Those even a book on the life of Kobo-Daishi. was horrified at how I had miscalculated, hard to explain, but you never feel alone. drawings were quite beautiful, written And it wasn’t only adults who were so and asked her to call a taxi. “No, no,” she You truly feel that Kukai is with you at with different colors and in elegant compassionate and helpful. When I got said, she would drive me there. Henro or all times. handwriting. I wish I had kept them. off the train to go to temple seventy- no henro, I refused, but thanked her and nine, Tenno-ji (Temple of Emperor), asked her again to call a taxi. She refused There is no begging for alms or Another time I had taken a bus to go the station master told me to go left and insisted I get into her car. She would takuhatsu on the part of the henro. From to temple number sixty-one, Koon-ji for two blocks, then make a right until not call a taxi. I had no choice but to the time of Daishi up to the present, (Temple of Incense Garden), and from I came to the third light and then make get into her car. We had a very moving the practice of Japanese people to offer there planned to walk to the next three another right. I did that, but in the heat time together, laughing along the way on food or money or other gifts to henro, temples before returning for the day. I had forgotten whether he had said a drive that took almost an hour. It was without being asked, gives them the On the bus trip I got distracted gazing make a right or a left. While I was trying another unforgettable memory of the opportunity of sharing in the pilgrim’s out at the rice fields and the towering to recall, two young boys on bicycles eighty-eight temples and Dogyo -ninin. journey. And the henro, in turn, may not mountains in the distance. Too late I stopped and asked me where I was going. refuse whatever the is. His or realized that the bus had passed my When I told them, they asked if they I’d like to close with a quote from her response is ‘Thank you very much.’ starting point. I ran up to the bus driver could go along with me; I was never so Oliver Statler: “...this Shikoku pilgrimage and when he told me the next stop overjoyed as at that moment. They got is the only pilgrimage I know of that is was not until temple sixty-two, Hoju- off their bikes and walked with me until essentially a circle. It has no beginning and ji (Temple of Wealth & Happiness), my we reached the temple. They were eighth no end. Like the quest for enlightenment, heart fell. Those temples were very far grade classmates and the most delightful it is unending.” apart and the idea of walking in ninety companions. At that moment I truly felt degree heat from sixty-two, back to sixty- “Dogyo-ninin,” We Two Together. one, and then back again to sixty-two, to continue on to temples sixty-three The last temple on the circuit, number and sixty-four seemed overwhelming. eighty-eight, is Okubo-ji or Temple of I went back to my seat, disgusted with a Large Hollow. The night before my my lack of awareness. As soon as I sat planned visit there I returned to my Whenever this happened to me, it was back down an elderly lady from the front room quite late, but worked out how to an unforgettable part of the journey. of the bus came over to me and handed reach the temple and was very pleased; it me something wrapped in white tissue. was a fifteen minute walk from the train On one such journey, in the ryokan “Ganbatte kudasai,” she said. “Don’t station. When I got off at Nagao-cho it in Tokushima, when I would return to give up.” I realized it was money from a was very hot, but I thought nothing of my room at night, tired and eager to stranger, but before I could thank her, she it. However, after fifteen minutes I saw collapse into a hot tub, almost as soon got off the bus. I could only bow to her no mountain and of course no temple. as I entered my room there would be from the window. She must have thought I kept on walking and walking for about a gentle tap on the door and two or that I needed the money. I never spent it; an hour, under a burning sun and still no sometimes three ladies would enter and I carried it with me to all the temples sign of mountains. By now I was alone carrying tea and desserts. They would I visited. Whenever I thought of giving in rice fields, no one in sight, until I saw sit down and want to hear all about the up, I remembered that money wrapped someone hanging up laundry. I ran over temples I had been to that day. They in white. It felt like an obligation to not to her, and asked her for directions to the could not take off a whole day to go give up. It inspires me even to this day. last temple. She looked at me strangely, up to a mountain temple, so they got I thought, and invited me into her house. vicarious pleasure from my tales. Their Sometimes walking along a highway She unrolled a huge map, pointed to appreciative responses to my stories – not all the temples are reached by where we were, at the bottom, and traced immediately revived me, and they’d ask mountain paths – storekeepers would out a road that reached up to the top of which temples I planned to visit the next come out to offer tea or ice cream. And the map. Then she got out another huge day. In the morning, at the desk, would among the henro themselves, whatever map and continued to move her finger be written instructions from them with they had, they shared with each other: until she arrived at the top of that map hand-drawn maps indicating the best way half a piece of fruit, some candy, or and finally to the eighty-eighth temple. I

16 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY WINTER / SPRING 2006 17 Diary of Our Pilgrimage 2005 Kanzeon statue sitting on a mountain. and offer incense; each of us is moved. It is a gray and rainy day today. We are Eido Roshi reads a few poems from his By Seigan Ed Glassing one event. This pilgrimage is more than dressed in formal monk traveling gear. newly republished book Like a Dream, the commemoration of Kanzan Egen’s We walk up the stone steps to the entry Like a Fantasy. The poems he chooses passing 650 years ago; it is an honor gate; a fellow dharma brother from are deeply personal homages from hardly met with and a Dharma debt Ryutaku-ji greets Eido Roshi. We walk to his beloved teacher we are all repaying with our bodies and through the grounds of the monastery . Only a few steps away minds. Aiho-san then spoke, echoing his surrounded by fog and bamboo groves. we come to D.T. Suzuki’s grave. His words, saying that we monks are the Waiting to greet us on the top of a set smaller is covered in green moss offspring of Eido Roshi and Dai Bosatsu, of stairs is Yokota Roshi of Engaku-ji. and is humbly situated in the midst of and so, we should carry ourselves with He and Eido Roshi bow to each other the cemetery—nothing special. The fog dignity and strength. Soun and Renji help and he leads us to a dark cave within and mist surrounding our group casts by driving us to the airport. With some which is a huge stupa dedicated to all a dreamlike quality to the afternoon, anxiety, excitement, and anticipation the past masters of Engaku-ji including somehow very fitting. The rest of the about what’s next, we board our 777. Soyen Shaku. The pagoda is so big it day we spend on trains traveling from takes up most of the space. Only one to Minokamo, the small city th Oct. 4 candle is lit; Yokota Roshi leads a Great close to Shogen-ji. Memories flood back The flight is thirteen and a half hours; Compassionate Dharani and dedication. as I recognize places on the train where we fly over Canada, Alaska, and the We enter the Dharma Hall where Ven. I did takuhatsu (begging for alms) seven Bering Strait; over the International Nyogen Senzaki and D.T. Suzuki years years ago. Date Line and into tomorrow. The sun ago sat listening to Soyen Shaku’s teishos; accompanies us throughout the trip. it is more intimate than you might think. Oct. 6th As we land in Narita Airport in the We are warmly offered formal tea with Shogen-ji Sesshin. As I am the inji, afternoon the sky clouds over. Myoyo- the fairly young Roshi. It begins to rain Fujin, the next senior monk in line, goes Oct. 3rd san Tanaka greets our party and helps heavier now and after our tea we say our to Shogen-ji at 10:00 AM to attend a Our journey begins. First, a short gather our bags; she will accompany us goodbyes and take our leave. meeting for sesshin schedule. The rest morning sit and chanting at New York throughout our trip. She, along with of us arrive at Shogen-ji an hour later. Zendo with all of our group members: Roshi, will help us with logistics – train An eight-minute walk takes us to a We are all formally dressed in monk Eido Roshi, Fujin, Doshin, Entsu, Yayoi, tickets, directions, hotels and taxis. temple called Tokei-ji. This was Soyen traveling garb, complete with ajiro (straw Banko, Saiun and me. Aiho-san and Myoyo-san’s quiet manner and charm Shaku’s temple and is smaller than hat), tabi, waraji (rope/straw sandals) Katsuro graciously serve us formal tea. are like a Bodhisattva’s. Going through Engaku-ji but just as beautiful. We and our black kanban bukuro identifying Eido Roshi tells us that preparations for immigration Entsu encounters problems. meet the Osho’s son who is preparing us as coming from Dai Bosatsu Zendo; this auspicious event have taken two Unfortunately, he is sent back home for Day. Entering the Beikoku (America) is written in kanji on years. A great amount of thought, energy, because of visa problems. We continue immaculate cemetery, which has flowers the front. At the entrance gate I shout time and money from many generous on to Tokyo with disappointment for on every grave, we come to the official “Tanomimasho!” and immediately it’s people have gone into making this trip him and hope that the rest of our trip burial site of Soyen Shaku Zenji. We answered with “Dohre!” by the Shikaryo. possible. He talks of the teacup he was will go well despite this setback. chant Great Compassionate Dharani This is the traditional greeting on given when he was a monk attending entering the monastery. We are shown th the 600th ceremony for Kanzan Egen Oct. 5 our rooms and our seats in the zendo. All Zenji 50 years ago. He speaks about Today we are to visit Engaku-ji, Soyen of us, including Fujin and Yayoi are seated how lucky is his karma, to be attending Shaku’s monastery and the place where in the middle/back of the main zendo. twice in one lifetime. He speaks of his Ven. Nyogen Senzaki, and D.T. Suzuki This is a surprise, as nuns are usually friendship with Tani Kogetsu Roshi, practiced. 6:30 AM wake up. Breakfast. separate from the zendo monks and join Dai Bosatsu Zendo’s connection with As I was asked to be Eido Roshi’s inji for later on in the day during sesshin. Banko Shogen-ji; and the fact that each of us the trip, I do my best to attend him. An and Saiun will sit with other lay people who are going have practiced at Shogen- hour train trip to Kamakura. Outside our from America, and Taiwan in the ji. All of these things culminate in this train window we see a King-Kong-sized Dokusokutsu, a building not far away. I accompany Eido Roshi and wait in

18 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY WINTER / SPRING 2006 19 the inji’s quarters while he meets with ji. Afternoon dokusan again was packed. unload our rice and money, wash our to see Banko and Saiun briefly; they are Yamakawa Roshi. That afternoon sesshin feet, and prepare for lunch. Today will doing okay, they said that they heard starts. Tomorrow, three simultaneous Oct. 8th be the much-anticipated udon-sai (udon our “HO” all morning! Dokusan ends; dokusans will be going on, Eido Roshi Takuhatsu day at Shogen-ji. After noodle lunch). Famous throughout all one sit, then banka (afternoon chanting) at one bell, Yamakawa Roshi on another morning service, breakfast, and dokusan Zen monasteries, the monks are served followed by yakuseki (supper). There and of Doryu Oki Roshi of Tokugen-ji, all the monks gather together at 7:30 heaps and heaps of noodles. Before lunch is a short rest before returning to the in Nagoya, on the third. Jet lag is starting AM to get into groups for alms begging. there is dread and nervousness exhibited zendo at 5:30 PM. The Kaihan (evening to hit. I am glad that I brought caffeine It is a rainy day, but takuhatsu is going by the monks from the other monasteries; han) starts dokusan again; this time I skip lozenges with me. I iron Roshi’s robe and to go forward. There will be three areas Shogen-ji has a reputation for being strict Yamakawa Roshi’s line and run to Zuiryo try to sleep. nearby the monastery to which the three and udon-sai is no exception. Doshin Roshi. Yayoi is already there. We both groups will go. The Dai Bosatsu Zendo and I wind up being on the same team get in. The only thing I remember is that Oct. 7th contingent is assigned to join with monks sharing a bucket of noodles with two he rang me out holding the bell like a 4:00 AM wake-up. Didn’t sleep very from Tokugen-ji and Heirin-ji. There are other monks. It begins. After only two town crier. Above his head! Then he said well. A taxi drives Eido Roshi, Doryu buckets of noodles the other two monks in English: “More Direct!” Good advice. Oki Roshi, his inji, and me to Shogen- have had it, they slow down their eating The rest of the evening: periods of zazen ji. We arrive at 5:30 AM; the sesshin to one noodle at a time. Doshin and I punctuated by junkei. As is the custom participants have been awake since however are still okay, but I insist that at Shogen-ji no one asks to be hit with 3:30 having completed morning service, Doshin slow down and let them share the keisaku (stick), they just hit you. Tai- morning tea, breakfast and some zazen. – after all, it is a teamwork event. Three u stalks with the stick like a lion hunting Eido Roshi prepares for dokusan; he will buckets later and almost thirty minutes for prey; the victims are those foolish be seated in Boun-tei, an old building of continuous eating, it ends. When enough to sleep. Some did. WACK- (said to have a ghost) surrounded by finished, everyone shares their battle WACK, WACK-WACK. Later, Doshin beautiful gardens. At 6:00 AM sharp it stories about how many buckets they and I agree that his stalking seemed to is still rather dark out when the bonsho twenty monks all in a line; this style of ate. It seems that the Shogen-ji monks, cast such a spell that it was putting us to rings three times. I hit the kansho bell takuhatsu is called renpatsu. We walk including the Dai Bosatsu monks who sleep; it took everything in our power to at the same time as the other bells, and down the many steps to Ibuka, a small trained there, came out on top. As udon- keep our eyes open. each has a different sound. There are so village below. The stone steps are very sais go, we all agree that it was not as many monks that come for Eido Roshi’s slippery as we walk in our waraji. At the bad as some that we have encountered. Oct. 9th dokusan that there is not enough time bottom of the steps we start chanting It is hard to explain udon-sai and its 4:00 AM wake-up. Morning service for him to see all of them. Dokusan “HO” (Dharma) in a long breath. It is reasoning. I have heard different stories: at Shogen-ji; with no lights except ends as it began: three bonsho bells and quite impressive to hear so many monks one of them is that serving noodles to for two candles, it makes the entire three strikes of the kansho. Mid-morning chanting together. From time to time a monks is an offering to recompense morning feel as if we are still sleeping. teisho by Yamakawa Roshi; Eido Roshi is person will run up to us and give us a bag them for their hard efforts in sesshin; as With lightening fast chanting it is nearly in attendance. There are over 120 people of uncooked rice or some money. After such, they must not and cannot refuse an impossible to read the Lotus sutra in the doing sesshin. Tai-u Zenji (who runs the about an hour and a half we have a sarei offering. Another version is that monks dark. Breakfast. Dokusan. Once again I Rinzai Zen Temple in ) is the tea break at Zentoku-ji, a temple nearby. temporarily become the embodiment don’t get in. The morning is spent doing in the main zendo. Junju Zenji, We are given a cup of tea and sweets. of spirits of family ancestors, and by teihatsu (shaving our head), zendo/ground another monk from my days at Shogen- Before we leave the temple the Osho providing food for them, the spirits are cleaning and kaiyoku (bath). Lunch. In the ji, is the jisha. Un-ryu Zenji, my brother shows us a relic; it looks like bone, but it appeased. Another is that monks are afternoon sosan (mandatory dokusan) monk from Denmark, is the head tenzo. is the remnants of the actual shukin (belt) eating for all the beings in the six worlds. with Yamakawa Roshi for our Dai It is very impressive to see so many that Kanzan Egen wore. Fascinating. It is Whatever the reason, it is tradition to Bosatsu group. Eido Roshi arrives for monks and lay people from all over the so exhilarating to do takuhatsu again, it eat lots and lots of noodles. the last teisho of the sesshin; I attend world and so many temples under one brings back so many memories. I look to him once again. After teisho, there roof. I see many returning monks that I behind me at Fujin, Doshin, and Yayoi I That afternoon, dokusan with is Dai-hannya. Dai-hannya is one of the had practiced with years ago. They are see smiles on their faces; they must be Yamakawa Roshi, Zuiryo Roshi, and most intriguing chants and to those who all quick to show me pictures of their feeling the same thing in their hearts. Kokeizan Roshi. I wait in line for are unfamiliar, it can be very shocking. children and wives telling me what Yamakawa Roshi, but there are just too At least twelve wooden cabinets are happened to them after leaving Shogen- Upon our return to Shogen-ji we many people, so I don’t get in. I manage placed in front of the roshis and monks;

20 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY WINTER / SPRING 2006 21 inside are sutra books of the entire six line up dressed in formal traveling gear ceremony; Dai Bosatsu monks join them. We are to stay as guests in their home hundred volume Tripitaka. At a signal and leave Shogen-ji by walking down the For this reason, none of us really get to tonight. On the way to their house, from Yamakawa Roshi, the entire stone steps and out of sight. The tenzo see the Kaisanki event in its entirety, however, we take a detour and drive explodes with shouting: DAI-HANNYA- gong follows the bonsho in the same rather when we have free time, we see up an enormous mountain overlooking HARAMIKYO-TONOSANZO-GENJO- sequence; then finally the han. It is very it off the sidelines. The hokku (dharma a sunset valley. From here we walk into BUJO-YAKU and the monks unfurl the quiet and an odd sense of finality echoes drum) sounds, people settle down in a wood and visit a huge rock. This rock books like an accordion. The sutra book throughout the grounds. Sesshin is their seats. The oshos and priests walk was the very rock that the is ‘aired out’ three times to the right, over, and this great event has come to a single file into the hall, the guest roshis Bassui Tokusho Zenji sat on in zazen. and three times to the left. According conclusion. Now preparations begin for are next, followed by the last person, We are in awe. Tomorrow we will visit to tradition, merely flipping the pages in Kaisanki, the founder’s day. Yamakawa Roshi. He is dressed in the the temple he founded, Kogaku-ji. That most formal robe, a dazzling fluorescent evening, we gather together and perform Oct. 11th orange. The ceremony is solemn. The a chanting ceremony dedicated to the All Day we prepare for Kaisanki, the Iwata ancestors. They, in turn, offer us biggest event of the year at Shogen- a splendid feast with Japanese delicacies ji, honoring Kanzan Egen Zenji; over hard to believe. Mr. And Mrs. Iwata’s one thousand people will be attending hospitality is heartwarming. tomorrow. Late afternoon there is a formal pre-chanting ceremony Oct. 14th celebrating the eve of Kaisanki. Various It is a picture postcard day. In formal chants are performed including Dai- monk robes we visit Kogaku-ji. Soen hannya and the beautiful Ryogon-shu. Nakagawa Roshi was ordained as a this way provides as much as if one Ryogon-shu gyodo (walking chanting) Buddhist monk here. Mud and Water, a had read each book in its entirety. After is extremely moving, almost hypnotic. collection of letters and famous talks each book is waved it is slammed down The sangha stands as the ino starts the retired grand master of Urasenke Tea by Bassui Zenji, was written here. It is on the table and another sutra book is Ryogon chant in a deep melodic voice. School offers a bowl of tea; shakuhatchi a rather large temple, like Shogen-ji, and started with another DAI-HANNYA… The roshis then lead the monks in a slow flute music is performed. And then the spread out under the mountains. We shout. This lasts for perhaps ten minutes mazelike single file path that crisscrosses most spectacular Ryogon-shu gyodo I arrive to find Myoyo-san and her son and is absolutely mesmerizing. A Segaki the Dharma Hall this way and that. We have yet seen at Shogen-ji. The ceremony waiting for us. We are then led inside Service is performed. The monks return stop with hands in gassho between each ends in the early afternoon. Everyone is Kogaku-ji and served tea with Miyamoto to the zendo for Setsuryo (sesshin section of the chant. Preparation for served a delicious catered boxed lunch Roshi. He speaks to us about Bassui and ending ceremony), “Hannya-shin-gyo” Kaisanki continues for the rest of the of shojin-ryori (vegetarian food). The day his history. A layperson is also present; it is shouted at the top of our voices. The day. concludes. Our group takes its leave of turns out that his grandfather knew Soen roshis meet after the ceremony and have Shogen-ji with feelings of sadness and Roshi and was friends with him. The dinner together. I am helping the injis Oct. 12th joy. This evening we spend at Suimeikan, layperson has brought many old shikishi again. That night there is a performance Nine roshis, hundreds of oshos, priests one of the most famous hot spring hotels to show Eido Roshi; written on them are by a theater group dramatizing the life and monks are dressed in their most in Japan. We bathe in the healing waters numerous calligraphies by Soen Roshi. of Kanzan Egen Zenji. I am so high, and formal robes. Purple, gold, black, green, and have our first dinner with Eido When we finish tea, we visit the Hatto so-o-o-o tired from sesshin that the play silver, and yellow; there is an ocean of Roshi after sesshin. All of us share our (a special building in some monasteries seems like it is all in slow motion. colors and people. Kimono clad women, sesshin experiences with great laughter, which acts as a separate Dharma Hall). shakuhatchi flute players, children, lay happiness and joy. Here we chant Namu Karatano for Oct. 10th people; CEOs from various companies, Master Bassui. 6:00 AM; late wake-up. A photograph all converge at the Hondo. At last, this Oct. 13th of all the participants is taken in front is the event that Shogen-ji has spent We travel on trains most of the day We pilgrims from DBZ have come to the of the Hondo. Solemnly, the bonsho is years preparing for. Everyone has done a through an extremely mountainous final stop on this odyssey – Dai Bosatsu rung to signal the end of this auspicious superb job of making Shogen-ji beautiful, landscape. We arrive at Enzan (Salt Toge (peak). This turns out to be the gathering – first seven times, then five, including reconstruction of whole Mountain City) in Yamanashi prefecture climax of our trip and one that, looking then three times. As it rings, monks buildings. Most of the Shogen-ji monks and are greeted by our gracious hosts back now, is a day I shall never forget. from each of the respective monasteries work behind the scenes though during the Mr. and Mrs. Iwata, friends of Eido Roshi. We drive in several cars accompanied

22 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY WINTER / SPRING 2006 23 by Miyamoto Roshi and several of his decide to hike up. It is a roller coaster Dream? monks to Mount Dai Bosatsu. It is a long ride. If I thought the scenery before was winding road, which keeps climbing up breathtaking, this completely blows me By Fujin Zenni and up. This place is the real root of the away. The top of Dai Bosatsu Toge is Dai Bosatsu Mandala, which Roshi has sparse; only an old pagoda, a stupa, and Upon unpacking my suitcase and carrying it up spoken about so much. a small headless Buddha statue stand to the attic, I realized our trip to Japan wasn’t Roshi came here many times, always as sentinels. Near silence engulfs us, a dream. Even the beautiful photos and the a few months at a time, to do solitary punctuated only by the wind. We are souvenirs we brought back have this dream- retreat. It was here that he conceived utterly alone; it feels as if every single like quality, not to speak of the time we spent the idea of having an International Zendo being in the six worlds is watching: gods, there. I had never envisioned traveling to Japan composed of lay people and monks alike. titans, men, demons, ghosts and animals. with Eido Roshi and a few dharma brothers and It was here too that he forged his historic They hold their breath as we take a sisters. While preparing to leave, only Eido Roshi friendship with Ven. Nyogen Senzaki few steps; then suddenly Mt Fuji rises seemed to realize the significance of what was through letter writing. We arrive at an like a behemoth above the mists of the going to unfold. The rest of us just made sure old-style rustic house in the woods. It is horizon. Our jaws gape open…wow! We we didn’t forget anything. called the ‘hut of the three worlds’. We stand watching Fuji-san; Fuji-san stands watching us. Eido Roshi then shouts a After landing in Narita, the dream started. First, it was nightmare-like, as we were thunderous KWATSU! I am speechless. hoping for a miracle to happen to Entsu after immigration stopped him. Then the I feel like I am bearing witness to dharma took over, and we just proceeded from one event to the next, as if carried something magnificent, something that by Roshi’s lifetime of practice. We all became men and women of buji, with literally should perhaps be private. The circle nothing to do! To say “Thank you” or “Unforgettable” doesn’t quite convey my is now complete; from Soyen Shaku, feeling. Listening to my brothers’ and sisters’ reports, I can only join them in saying Ven. Nyogen Senzaki, and D.T. Suzuki, that it will take me another few years to fully digest the impact of this pilgrimage. to Soen Roshi, to Eido Roshi. From this great peak in Japan to Los Angeles, and In any case, it will remain a landmark for the rest of my life. My heart goes out to still farther to a temple in New York City Aiho-san for her continuous support of Shobo-Ji and to Shokan and Renji for their meet the master caretaker of the house and a monastery by Beecher Lake, in the unconditional dedication to DBZ while we were away. and of Dai Bosatsu Toge, Mr. Masuda. He Catskills, The Dai Bosatsu Mandala. leads us to the back of the house and to our amazement a staggering view of Mt That evening we celebrate a superb Fuji appears. Eido Roshi leads the entire farewell dinner in Tokyo hosted by group in one of the most moving Great Myoyo-san. Next day our group will Compassionate Dharanis and dedicates disperse. Doshin, Yayoi and I will return it to Tozu Kaisan Mitta Kutsu Soen Zenji to America. The others will stay on for a Dai Osho, and to Tozu Innen Kaisan few days before returning. Being our final Choro-an Nyogen Zenji Dai Osho. With meal together it is a mixture of happiness Namu Dai Bosa chanting, we each offer and sadness. All of us speak one by one incense. Then out of a fairytale, a picnic of our gratitude and of how much this feast has been prepared for us in the trip far exceeded anything that we could house. Sandwiches, rice balls, vegetables, have dreamed of. We toast to Eido tea, and even a little beer to toast Kanpai Roshi, to Yamakawa Roshi and to all who Soen Nakagawa Roshi! We all thought it helped us on this journey: Myoyo-san, couldn’t get any better. And then it did. and Maiku; our brothers and sisters who took care of NYZ and DBZ, especially Having finished our informal meal, the Aiho-san, Shokan, Renji, and Jokei. And Master offers to drive us to the top. to all those who were unable to travel Limited space in his vehicle only allows with us in body, but were ever present Eido Roshi, Fujin and me to go. The rest with us in spirit. Gassho.

24 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY WINTER / SPRING 2006 25 My Impressions of the Pilgrimage to Japan Japan Trip October 2005 By Doshin David Schubert Roshi and all that he has done to train us so By Yayoi Karen Matsumoto life for many DBZ monks, it was one of diligently. I felt his inspiration throughout the challenges for me. But this year, the sesshin and during the entire trip, and takuhatsu was enjoyable, chanting, Ho- repeatedly wondered what my life would o-o-o, and walking with my brother and have been like if karmic circumstances sister monks. had not allowed me to meet him and his Dharma teachings. To return to Shogen-ji There was a humorous aspect to the galvanized my original one-year of practice pick-your-own-dokusan-roshi there. So many things gained clarity. As we arrangement. Twice each day dokusan attended ceremonies that honored Kanzan was offered with a choice of three roshis. Egen Zenji and Shogen-ji’s anniversary, the Each visiting roshi did two dokusans during beauty and grace of this practice took on the sesshin. Everyday the menu of roshis a greater depth, and my heart grew heavy would change. At the beginning of the with gratitude. Through this pilgrimage I Shogen-ji sesshin, I didn’t have much was able to reaffirm my connection with First, I deeply bow to Eido Roshi and Aiho- interest in sampling dokusans, seeing no Yamakawa Roshi and the monks of Shogen- san, as well as Yamakawa Roshi, Myoyo need to window shop for roshis. It also ji, and for this I am thankful. Tanaka, Maiku Michael Weissert and Mr. seemed to be a confusing proposition to and Mrs. Iwata for their immeasurable do dokusan with so many. But by the After sesshin we traveled many miles generosity and careful preparation, which second day, I thought, “Why not?” After by train, venturing further and further made this momentous pilgrimage possible. going to both of Eido Roshi’s dokusans, Thank you for this precious Dharma gift, into the high mountainous country. I will never forget my first glimpse of Mount Fuji, and unsuccessfully waiting in Yamakawa which I will share with everyone for the Roshi’s line, I decided to check out some rest of my life and beyond. as I jumped to the other side of the bullet train to look out the window. When we The trip to Japan was great in many ways, of the other ones, sometimes not even knowing which line was which, thinking, As Roshi commented at the site of arrived we were greeted by the kindest beginning with a good start and a warm people, Mr. and Mrs. Iwata, who hosted send-off from Aiho-San at Shobo-ji. “How about this line?—Sure!” Once Soen Roshi’s retreat on Dai Bosatsu when we quickly got settled in one of Mountain in Japan, “THIS is the root of Dai us that evening. They took us to a huge rock that Bassui used for Zazen. At dusk, Since returning from my half-year these dokusan lines, a monk turned his Bosatsu Zendo.” The entire journey took head back to a fellow monk and asked, us all back to the essence of our Rinzai amidst the sound of crickets, we made our training at Shogen-ji in 2003, whenever “Where is this?” Zen practice. We literally walked in the way through the forest to stand beneath I reflected back on the experience I felt footsteps of the venerable Zen patriarchs, the mammoth boulder. This was a dream! I appreciation mixed with some dread. My first new dokusan was with the Soyen Shaku, Kanzan Egen, Bassui, Soen was so impressed when Banko climbed the But during this revisit to the monastery, Kokeizan Roshi. As soon as entering his Roshi and innumerable bodhisattvas. Every rock and assumed a Zazen posture. That on the occasion of the grand memorial space, there was a feeling of sensitive place we visited was saturated with such sparkling energy possessed us all at that anniversary of Master Kanzan Egen, I was delicacy and quiet. He talked in a very quiet powerful Dharma energy that it left, even moment; this is it! filled with a happy, light-hearted feeling. me, speechless. To be able to chant and Being in the company of Roshi, Seigan, and mellow voice. I had to become quiet offer incense at such spiritual places was an The next day we traveled to Kogaku-ji Fujin, Doshin, (and at the beginning too, just in order to hear him. This went on opportunity that is hardly ever met with, and shared tea with the gracious abbot. Entsu), and Saiun and Banko, had a lot for a good many moments. Then he asked even in countless eons. The image of Eido The sunny skies were my heart, as we left to do with this. Also, the atmosphere me a question. I hadn’t understood a word Roshi beneath an umbrella in the warm and began ascending Dai Bosatsu Toge. at Shogen-ji was like a festive sesshin. It of anything he had said! I had to tell him falling rain reading the words of Nyogen Never, never would I have expected to be was good to see my old classmates and that I didn’t understand much Japanese. Senzaki from “Like a dream, Like a Fantasy” standing where Soen Roshi stood, looking senior monks. Even the previously mean He seemed to understand that. Then he at Soyen Shaku’s grave site, will never at distant Mount Fuji and chanting the Great bosses were light-hearted and friendly. So continued speaking at length anyway! At escape my being. Compassionate Dharani! We all manifested the training experience was rounded out the end, he rang me out. the DBZ mandala at that moment. with a warm, human aspect. It was also How was it possible that we DBZ unsui interesting to be with the monks from I decided that for the next dokusan, would be attending sesshin at Shogen-ji Needless to say, the impressions that guest monasteries, each group having which turned out to be with Zuiryo- together? At the risk of sounding egotistical, this pilgrimage left are still wonderfully its own character. Although takuhatsu ji Roshi, I would let him know from the I felt so proud to be able to represent Eido resounding in my heart. was one of the highlights of Shogen-ji very start that I could only speak a little

26 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY WINTER / SPRING 2006 27 Japanese or Nihon-go; thinking that he clear and moving experience, the Dharma Sesshin at Shogen-ji would then speak back in very simple would be lost. I got that feeling again that terms. This worked very well, and I was dedicating one’s life to the dharma was By Saiun Atsumi Hara the sesshin exhortation, we had to be in able to hear his dokusan much better. well worth it. Then we visited the actual the position of the “greeting ” He also gave me a hint, which was helpful retreat hut where Soen Roshi practiced (kneeling down, bent over, the forehead for the next dokusan-roshi – Yamakawa on Dai Bosatsu Mountain. There was still to the floor). We held this flexibility- Roshi. farther to walk up the mountain. When testing position for over ten minutes the Kogaku-ji Roshi heard that none of several times. Fujin and I were secretly laughing till our us would walk up Dai Bosatsu Mountain sides split about my nervous meetings with because there was no one to guide us, Meals these new roshis. (Later we learned that he shook his head. I read it as something Outside of the Zendo, there are no it wasn’t so secret, that others had heard like, “What’s wrong with you, where’s cushions. We had to sit cross-legged us.) We joked that seeing Matsumoto your spirit? You came all this way and directly on the hard-wood floor. Roshi would definitely be a must – he and won’t walk up the mountain?” It turned I share a surname. Unfortunately time ran out that, kindly, Mr. Fujiwara was willing Zazen out. I wish I had gotten in the swing of this to guide some of us up the mountain, so Immediately after each meal, we did whole movement earlier; it was all over we followed. Agile and lithe Saiun and Mr. zazen. There was no break in between. too soon. But maybe it’s more interesting Fujiwara were in the lead with Banko and I had a hard time to get my breathing to leave the enso circle open-ended. me in the rear, short of breath. I thought right with a full stomach. One time at of Roshi, Fujin and Seigan taking it easy in breakfast I tried not to eat too much All in all, the multi-roshi-dokusan their car ride up the mountain, later to because of this, but I was too hungry experience was like entering a pool of take the same ride myself – a rocky ride to do samu way before lunch! If there roshi-consciousness embodied in different from hell, leading to heaven. Anyway, we were two sits, there was a brief break locations. Each different and each the got there to the top, and what an awesome which we could not figure out if we could same. view of Mt. Fuji. Dai Bosatsu Mountain: as stand up or rest since nobody changed Roshi calls it, the root of DBZ! Banko and I had a tremendous opportunity their position. Almost all of us ended up During the second part of our trip we sitting two sits straight through. followed the Soen Roshi connection, The hospitality of our many hosts to participate in a sesshin at Shogen-ji for th which took us to Enzan and Master Bassui’s was humbling: Yamakawa Roshi and the the occasion of the 650 anniversary of Kinhin Kogaku-ji, and to Dai Bosatsu Mountain. Shogen-ji monks, the roshis and monks of the passing Kanzan Egen in October. It Kinhin (walking ) is a We were greeted by the gracious hosts Engaku-ji and Kogaku-ji, Mr. & Mrs. Iwata, was a three-day sesshin and had included separate activity done twice a day. Mr. & Mrs. Iwata, and Mr. Fujiwara. Mrs. Myoho Tanaka, not to mention my in the program such activities as Dai There is no kinhin after a long sit, teisho DBZ Japan Alumni. In advance, Eido Roshi Hannya, Takuhatsu (samu for lay people), We were taken to the woods and saw had seen to it that the planning and the Udon-sai and teisho. We were told that or morning/evening services. Kinhin, and touched the rock formation that many details of the trip were taken care because this was a “ceremonial” sesshin, therefore, is not the time to go to the Master Bassui of Kogaku-ji sat on to of. All the transitions and parts of the trip it was different from the usual sesshin at toilet. practice zazen. Banko was the only one of went smoothly. And there were so many Shogen-ji. Although it was “lighter” than our group who climbed to the rock seat others who gave their time and energy to usual, it was hard enough for me to do. Toilet break and took the zazen posture. We visited make this trip happen. The experience also made me realize how From the beginning (3:30am or 4am) Kogaku-ji where Soen Roshi was ordained much Eido Roshi modified the Japanese until samu (i.e. morning service, breakfast as a monk. It had a sense of simplicity and I had been thinking for a while that I traditional way of sesshin to fit all non- and dokusan), there was no break. It quiet; not pretentious, not bright. I began would like to go to Japan with Eido Roshi practitioners (ordained or was about four hours. Actually as far to appreciate Master Bassui. Just as earlier and my Dharma brothers and sisters. Now not doesn’t matter). as I remember there was only three in the trip at Engaku-ji (monastery of it has happened. The practice aspect was times when we could go to the toilet. Soyen Shaku, teacher of Nyogen Senzaki great and so too was the human Dharma Let me give you some examples. During dokusan time, however, almost and D.T. Suzuki), we were served tea connection of it, all working together. everybody went to dokusan (we had and sweets by the monks and met the Beautiful and heart-warming! Sozarei eight roshis who gave us dokusan), even Roshi. I appreciated his mini Dharma talk During Roshi’s opening remarks at the Jikijitsu. Therefore there was nobody saying that although nowadays intellectual Nine Bows, Sozarei and the Jikijitsu’s announcement watching the people who remained in the understanding was popular, without a Yayoi of the officers, the Jisha’s warnings and Zendo. It seemed free to go to the toilet 28 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY WINTER / SPRING 2006 29 anytime or to get up and stretch your can sit on a zafu while eating, chanting or Mandala Memories legs. At DBZ, we are not allowed to go in the dokusan line. When the physical The incredible beauty and grace of to the toilet during dokusan but there is body is treated right, you can go into By Banko Randy Phillips Yamakawa Roshi doing eighteen formal a break between the two sits. your heart/mind. prostrations dressed in the most gorgeous brocade I have ever seen. Morning and evening services Also we have to realize that DBZ is Lay people were not provided sutra aimed not only for ordained but for lay Having dinner with Roshi and 7 other books. There was no announcement of people too. At Shogen-ji, there was no Roshi’s at Gero Onsen. Looking over the which sutra we were to chant. Even if translation for foreigners, lay students 140 tatami mat room filled with Roshis, you had a sutra book, you could not read had to be in the dining room before the Oshos and injis I could just barely make it because there was no light. Even if you meal gong, and in the Hondo (Main Hall) out Roshi in the distance! But his bearing, had memorized the sutra you were to before the gong for services or hokku for Zen presence, graciousness and the chant, it was almost impossible because teisho. No announcement of the sutras respect shown by those around him are they chant the sutras about five times to chant was given (at DBZ we are even images I will never forget. Nor the food! faster than we do. told the page numbers!!). Since there was no translation of Cushions When I think about physical ability and anything said or done (other than some There are no zabutons or zafus in the the treatment of lay people for sesshin, I zendo rules) all of the foreign participants Zendo. There is a futon which they fold have to say that Shogen Monastery (and to the sesshin (from Taiwan, Switzerland, back on itself in a certain way (Shogen- probably most Zen monasteries in Japan) and the US) were very hungry for any ji’s way) to sit on. There was no easy are aimed only for young Japanese monks information they could glean about way to arrange the height that is right for (not even nuns). DBZ’s way is far away First of all I would like to thank Eido Roshi, what was going on. Saiun would offer you. I could never get my right posture from “Japanized” or “Shogenized.” It is Aiho-san and Yamakawa Roshi for offering impromptu (after-the-fact) translations to sit, actually, which made me so tired. very user-friendly. me this great Dharma opportunity. There of Yamakawa Roshi’s teishos and the Moreover, as I told you before, there is were countless others that also helped play we saw about Kanzan Egen. When it no cushion for meals, services, teisho I am very appreciative of Eido Roshi’s make this trip possible and I owe each of became known that there was a book of and dokusan line. You have to sit cross- modification for us. I am also deeply them a debt of gratitude. his previous teishos available in Japanese legged for the first three, and seiza in the grateful that I could have an opportunity and English everyone was asking, “when dokusan line directly on the hard-wood to experience a sesshin at Shogen-ji so The memories of this experience are are we going to receive it?!” When they floor. that I could re-realize the many good varied and many. Some that come to were finally distributed the sheer joy on their faces was a sight I will never forget. points of DBZ. Thank you, Eido Roshi, mind: Our work on these books, after all, was Keisaku and thank you, Yamakawa Roshi. why Saiun and I were fortunate enough to You are not allowed to request to have Following Roshi at breakneck speed attend this very special function. keisaku. It is not used to help release Gassho through a crowded Japanese rail station (with seconds to board a train) is an tension or aid in concentration but When we stayed with the lovely Mr. and simply as a means of punishment. experience in itself. Leadership at a trot, but also faith that the troops will do what Mrs. Iwata-san Saiun and I stayed in a very is asked of them! modern -style house. We got up Samu early and helped them prepare breakfast Actually only during samu, you can Running to dokusan with size 8 kinhin for all the others who were in other of stretch and relieve your body. zori (Japanese-style slippers) - my shoe their houses nearby. Mrs. Iwata opened size is 13. We were told that we had to up a box of recently delivered matsutake So you can see that there are many wear the supplied zori when running to mushrooms the likes of which I have never differences found between Shogen- dokusan (unless you had your own, which seen. Then she asked me to cut them up. ji and DBZ. DBZ’s way makes much I didn’t). The place that Eido Roshi gave Saiun had to help my shaking hands cut up more sense for your physical body; such dokusan was a good block away from this box of the rarest (and most delicious) as having kinhin each after a long sit, where we sat zazen. I never got in to see mushroom Japan has to offer. Their services and teisho, a break after each him. generosity to and love of Roshi were such meal so that food can be digested and we a pleasure to behold.

30 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY WINTER / SPRING 2006 31 Trying to sit zazen at Shogen-ji. The way pairs of Buddhist statues I have ever DBZ News: the practice is setup at Shogen-ji the order seen (a Jizo and a Kannon of like size and of importance is: samu, takuhatsu and posture.) Then trudging up the path behind Spring Kessei 2005 zazen. I was allowed a small stool to sit on Shogen-ji with Saiun, following beautiful Spring Kessei 2005 began on April 8th with the following returning residents: Rev. Fujin which is a major concession here (which I stone trail markers of Bodhisatvas’ that Butsudo Zenni – Shikaryo and Inji (Roshi’s Attendant), Jokei Megumi Kairis – Office, am thankful for). The general pain of sitting eventually lead to Kanzan Egen’s shrine. Jisha and Open Space Coordinator, Jushin David Seaman – Jokei. New students joining on the floor with no cushion everywhere Then having dokusan with Yamakawa else you went made getting back to the Roshi. Then on to Bassui zenji’s rock and the sangha included Tomoaki Sasaki, Simon Manzer and Matt Klein. difficulties of doing zazen something to the temple that he built, Kogaku-ji. Soen look forward to! But the atmosphere in Roshi enters the picture here in my mind Summer Work-Exchange 2005 the zendo when dokusan was in progress and feeling. He was ordained here and DBZ saw a very busy summer this year, packed with Open Space retreats, Intro to was very lax and disturbing. The people he probably worked on the main koan of Zen weekends, and special events such as O-Bon. Joining our residents to help out who went to dokusan would trickle in as this place: “Kore nan zo? (What is this?) this summer were: Rev. Ippo Keido Zenji, Shiun Valerie Foote, Jimin Anna Klegon, Reiun they finished; some people who stayed Then on to Soen Roshi’s meditation hut Steve Hartstack, Bunan John Flaherty, Shofu Steve Lakeman, Denshin Bruce Ackland, used the time to walk around and take it on the side of Mount Dai Bosatsu. This is Yuho Carl Baldini, Tentetsu Jericho Blum, Shoen Hisako Inoue, Shinju Naoko Umitani, easy. I didn’t come all this way to “get out” where it really starts to “gel” for me. This Sean Law, Benjamin Mayock, Emi Yabuno, Steve Dahlem, Heather Gallagher, Pian Shu, of zazen. The second night Yamakawa is the place where Soen Roshi sat zazen John Lynch, Erin Roycroft, Manu Sassonian, Pascale Burkart, Susan Pope, Karen Remmler, Roshi visited us through the main door (in nature) and did samu. He wrote some Johanna Schwartzbeck, Rafal Wieczorkowski, Maya Klegon, Fred Forsythe, Jim Spencer, of the zendo and “inspected” the troops. poems here, he got some enlightenment Keith Wilson, Jenna Woginrich and Laura Andrews. There was a subtle shift in atmosphere here, he got some ideas here of spreading and it was the first real sit of the sesshin Dharma to the West, and stared at one Samu Weekends at DBZ for me. of the most beautiful views of Mount Fuji This year, DBZ conducted three Samu Weekends during the warm spring months, in Japan. Nyogen Senzaki read his poems, where sangha members come and spend a weekend here at DBZ, volunteering their My dharma brother and sister traveling Eido Roshi eventually helped spread time and their efforts to join residents in work practice on the mountain. companions. There are vignettes of all of the dharma to the west. “Started” by a them whom I love dearly: Doshin with his guy sitting “alone” and doing zazen - the The primary focus of our Samu practice on these weekends is gathering, preparing new found peace at the place that was so power to change the world. Then on and stocking firewood to fuel DBZ’s wood-burning furnaces throughout the cold hard on him, Yayoi’s telling of her hilarious up the mountain by foot (pant, pant!) winter months. With cooperation and assistance from New York State’s Department of dokusan adventures, Seigan with all of the with Yayoi-san and Saiun (an occasional Environmental Conservation, we worked with Forestry officials who identified decaying pressure of being inji “two and a half hours glance over her shoulder to see if I was or dying trees that needed to be cut down in order to help the forest sustain itself. Thus, at dinner in seiza!”, Fujin’s happiness and still afoot.) There at the top is Roshi with this winter we were able to heat the monastery entirely with firewood gathered from ever present grace at the top of the world Seigan and Fujin sitting in a small café-hut, trees on our property, and did not have to purchase any wood from outside sources. with Roshi, Saiun’s bewilderment and with smiles all around. A blue sky without Most importantly, the wood is harvested in a manner that is ecologically beneficial and gratitude at the sheer scope and depth of a cloud. And Roshi. This is it. This is the helps to preserve more than 1200 acres of forest on Dai Bosatsu Mountain. everyone’s generosity towards us. Dai Bosatsu Mandala become complete for me. Coordinated by NYZ member Soun Joe Dowling, Samu Weekends are free of charge, The concretization of this Dai Bosatsu and are a great way to gather and practice together as a community, in a lighthearted Mandala. I guess it started on one hand Words, of course, cannot express my with all that I have read about this so-called gratitude, but I send a heartfelt “Thank and casual atmosphere, both inside and outside of the zendo. mandala. But on the trip it started with you” to all who helped make this life- the stupa at the founders cave in Engaku- changing experience possible. I do vow to Thank you to Soun and the following participants, who helped make Samu Weekends ji (honoring Soyen Shaku and Nygogen do what I can to support this wonderful a success: Daiden Chuck Young, Daishin Pawel Wojtasik, Koge Eileen Danville, Keiun Senzaki among others), the dank smell of Mandala and hope that all can see it Claire Dacey, Somon Terrence Truta, Jimin Anna Klegon, Koju Agung Hertando, Shoen a cave, incense, and an echo that all have complete in their own way; the power to Hisako Inoue, Shinju Naoko Umitani, Junsho Bello, Yanti Hertando, Kevin Murphy, Noel heard when they chanted there. Then change the world. Rodriguez, Laura Trevino, Seema Christie, Jocelyn Perry, Eric Smith, Elaine Tucker, and at the museum at Tokei-ji (where Soyen Keith Wilson. Also, to Yuho Carl Baldini, for introducing fellow Aikido practitioners Shaku’s grave is located) there was a scroll Robert Savoca, Terri Rzeznik, Valia Napadaylo, and Sam Geller to practice here at DBZ. picturing the demons of zazen (about 10 Special thanks also to DBZ caretaker Tamcho Bruce Aldrige, whose year-round effort feet long), a scroll by Soyen Shaku in , and support is invaluable. and one of the most beautiful matched

32 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY WINTER / SPRING 2006 33 Please stay tuned to our 2006 calendar, and look for postings on the bulletin board Chimon Bill Mitrus, a student of Roko ni-Osho who joins us from Hoen-ji temple in at Shobo-ji for dates of future Samu Weekends at DBZ. If you have any questions, or Syracuse, Junsho Bello – Office Assistant, Stefan Streit – Assistant Jisha, Andrea Feiler would like more information, please e-mail Soun at [email protected]. – Assistant Tenzo, Erin Roycroft, Darin Carnie, and Fred Forsythe. Part-time Kessei students included Alan Davies from New York City, and Russ McDougall, a Holy Cross Kark-Hassinger Wedding priest who is a friend of Brother Bernard, and traveled from Uganda to join us for six In June, Dai Bosatsu Zendo was very pleased to host the wedding of Jesse Hassinger weeks. and Aimee Kark. Eido Roshi officiated at the ceremony, which was charged with beauty, emotion and flair. Nyogetsu Ronnie Seldin set the mood with a lilting, yet dramatic Finally, we were happy to welcome back senior ordained Rev. Renji Meido Zenni and performance of the shakuhatchi (Japanese bamboo flute), and then the bride and groom Rev. Shokan Undo Zenji, whose cheerful attitudes and strong practice supported the exchanged self-penned vows. Following the ceremony was a delicious wedding feast, resident sangha here for a month while Roshi and Fujin were traveling in Japan. meticulously planned and prepared by Rev. Entsu Jodo Zenji. The DBZ sangha wishes Jesse and Aimee the best of luck and a lifetime of happiness. Jukai 2005 On November 5, the last day of Harvest Sesshin, a Jukai ceremony was performed for Many thanks to Roko ni-Osho and Dori Urch (mothers of groom and bride respectively), nine of Eido Roshi’s students. Roshi spoke about the fact that taking the precepts and who helped tremendously in the planning and coordination of this special event. Special becoming Buddhist is not about don’t, don’t, don’t, but rather do, do, do! For example, thanks also to all the work-exchange helpers (including many of Roko ni-Osho’s students he said: “we hear ‘don’t kill’, but we have to look at it from another point of view, ‘do’ from Hoen-ji) who graciously offered their time and assistance in pulling everything kill… what do we kill? Kill thoughts in zazen, kill delusions, and kill ignorance in your together: Chimon Bill Mitrus, Doshin David Schubert, Jisho Judy Fancher, Jikishi Celia practice. By doing this your life will transform.” Oyler, Fugan Sam Gordon, Julia Gordon and Jackee Chang. The following students took Jukai and received the following names:

O-Bon 2005 Shelley Bello Junsho Shining Purity For the third year in a row, O-Bon Festival was stormy and exciting. Wind, clouds, and Alicja Borowska Jonen Always Nen rain (and even a blackout!) all contributed to the drama that began with the welcoming Agung Hertanto Koju Universal Principle fire and concluded with the bonfire after the floating of candlelit lanterns on Beecher Brian Holeman Daisen Great Spring Lake. A power outage helped to set the mood as Eido Roshi conducted the Dai Segaki Hisako Inoue Shoen Supreme (Dharma) Connection service by candlelight. On Sunday, guests awoke to a beautiful morning; the clouds had Simon Manzer Zenchu Zen Universe parted to reveal a crisp, clear sky. Tomoaki Sasaki Seizan Holy Mountain Stefan Tessler Genkai Fathomless Ocean This year, as has always been the tradition, Aiho-san blessed us with her cheerful Naoko Umitani Shinju Heart Jewel presence and extraordinary culinary abilities, lovingly preparing a traditional Japanese feast, with assistance in the tenzo from Rev. Seigan Fudo Zenji and Seizan Tomoaki Sasaki. With more than 130 total guests in attendance, this was our biggest O-Bon to date.

Summer Sesshin in Zurich This August, Eido Roshi once again visited Switzerland to conduct sesshin with the Rinzai Zen Gesellschaft community, coordinated by Rev. Shokan Undo Zenji at the Stiftung Felsentor zendo and retreat center in the beautiful Lucerne countryside. Many participants from all over Europe gathered to attend, and the sesshin nen was strong. This summer also marked Roshi’s first visit to the new Shogen-dojo location in Zürich, where he performed a dedication ceremony to celebrate the opening of this beautiful and spacious new place to practice zazen.

Fall Kessei 2005 Fall Kessei 2005 began on September 8th with the following returning residents: Rev. Fujin Butsudo Zenni – Shikaryo and Inji (Roshi’s Attendant), Jokei Megumi Kairis – Office and Open Space Coordinator, Jushin David Seaman – Jokei, Seizan Tomoaki Sasaki – Assistant Tenzo, Zenchu Simon Manzer – Jisha. New Kessei students this fall include

34 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY WINTER / SPRING 2006 35 DBZ Fundraising 2004 and 2005 Senju Kannon Our November 2004 fundraising effort was very successful, and generated a total In the spring of this year, Eido Roshi donated two statues of Senju Kannon, the thousand of $69.889.49. DBZ used these monies for additional repairs to the roof of Beecher armed, thousand-eyed, Kanzeon to New York Zendo Shobo-ji. Kanzeon in this form House, repairs to our furnace & heating system, maintenance of our gravel road, repairs represents the Bodhisattva’s multitudinous powers to save all sentient beings. Both to the stonework on our front entrance, repairs to our snow-plow, and assistance in statues now flank the main altar Buddha of Infinite Light and Life. funding Eido Roshi’s three book projects. Our deepest gratitude goes to the many Sangha members who so generously support the Dharma and keep our practice alive Upcoming Events through their kind contributions. New Years Eve Last year was the first time we offered sangha members the option of donating a fixed New York Zendo will host its annual New Year’s Eve Celebration and chanting on Dec. amount on a regular basis by setting up an automatic payment program for credit card 31. Two sits will precede a Dharma Talk by Eido Roshi, which will be followed by donations. This convenient option was well-received, and will be offered again for our chanting Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo 108 times. During the chanting, each participant 2005 fundraising program. We thank you in advance for your continued support, which will strike the gong and offer incense. A party will follow on the second floor, featuring enables us to sustain our two beautiful places of tranquil for generations to traditional Japanese New Year’s food and drink. Please call for more information or to come. register. 8PM to 2AM; doors open at 7:15. Members: $20; non-members: $30.

Scholarships Available for Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kessei Students Interim and Opening Teisho 2005 The NOK foundation, lead by an anonymous New York Zendo member is offering Eido Roshi will give the last Teisho of 2005 on Thursday De.c 15; all are welcome to scholarships to DBZ prospective Kessei students. If you are interested in participating attend. From Dec. 16 to Jan. 3, New York Zendo will enter its winter interim period; in Spring or Fall Kessei 2006, call or email Dai Bosatsu Zendo for more information. therefore the Zendo will be closed. It will re-open with the first Teisho of 2006 on Wed. A limited amount of scholarship will be given to Zen students based on motivation. Jan. 4th. Eido Roshi would like to express his gratitude to the NOK and for its ongoing support to both New York Zendo and Dai Bosatsu Zendo. Scholarship funds will allow young students to experience three months intensive Zen training, which can become a Zen Studies Society News turning point in their lives. New Publications from the Zen Studies Society Dai Bosatsu Zendo is planning to create a “scholarship fund” to help students with low income to attend Kessei or even sesshin. If you are able to help sponsor students, After more than four years of exhaustive efforts, Eido Roshi’s please call or email the office. Tel: (845) 439-4566; Email: offi[email protected]. new translation of the Rinzai Roku, The Book of Rinzai, has come to fruition. Truly a landmark achievement, Roshi’s new version is the only English translation of this seminal New York Zendo Shobo-ji News Zen text currently in print. Beginning in spring 2005, all of Eido Roshi’s teishos delivered during sesshin at Dai Bosatsu Repairs and Painting Zendo Kongo-ji have come from this important classic This spring, repairs were made on New York Zendo’s roof and interior; water damaged work. Eido Roshi received many letters of congratulation closets and walls were repaired and painted and the jisha closet floor was replaced. and encouragement. One of these came from Prof. Kenneth Through the kindness of Dr. Cunningham Rundles Ward (our neighbor who helped Inada, a Professor who taught at the University of Hawaii get Shobo-ji’s back garden refurbished) our entire back wall and chimney have been while Eido Roshi was attending school there. repainted a cream color. This work was done during the warm days of November, and, synchronistically, the natural altar where Jizo sits grew a halo of mushrooms decorating the garden for the autumn season. Dear Roshi Shimano, About a week ago, I received your translated work, The Book of Rinzai, The Recorded Segaki Service sayings of Zen master Rinzai (Linji). I have read it now and must commend you for doing New York Zendo celebrated its annual Segaki Service attended by thirty-three people. a marvelous translation for the Westerner based on your own deep and A chanting service was held for the deceased and a special meal was prepared by Aiho- experience. Very few Zen Masters have your unique background and I am happy that you san Yasuko Shimano. Eido Roshi spoke of the difficulties of being born in the six realms finally accomplished your lifetime dream and goal. Your work must be considered to be a and how zazen and chanting helps ease the suffering of all beings. valuable contribution to the whole genre of American Buddhism! Prof. Kenneth K. Inada.

36 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY WINTER / SPRING 2006 37 We are also pleased to announce the publication of Selected Dai Bosatsu Zendo 2006 Calendar Teishos on Gateless Gate by Yamakawa Sogen Roshi, translated th by Saiun Atsumi Hara. Released to commemorate the 650 JANUARY anniversary of Kanzan Egen Zenji’s (the spiritual founder Sat-Sun Dec 31 - 1 New Year’s Celebration of Shogen-ji Monastery in Gifu Prefecture, Japan) passing, Fri-Sun 13-15 Winter Weekend Sesshin the book contains teishos delivered by Yamakawa Roshi to Western audiences while at Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji in FEBRUARY New York. Sangha member Saiun Atsumi Hara translated Wed 15 Day these teishos from Japanese. She also composed this book with the help of Eido Roshi and Banko Randy Phillips. A MARCH Japanese version was published by Tankosha Publishing Co., TBA March –On Sesshin Ltd., Japan, and is also available at both . APRIL More than twenty-seven years since its last pressing, the Thu 6 Spring Kessei Begins long-awaited new edition of Like a Dream, Like a Fantasy: Sat-Sun 8 – 16 Holy Days Sesshin The Zen Teachings and Translations of Nyogen Senzaki is now Fri-Sun 21 – 23 Intro to Zen available from Wisdom Publications. Edited and with a new Fri-Sun 28 – 30 Samu Weekend introduction by Eido Roshi, Like a Dream, Like a Fantasy collects many of Nyogen Senzaki’s talks, essays, and poetry MAY into one fascinating volume that offers an intimate, in-depth Fri-Sun 19 – 21 Intro to Zen look at one of Western Zen’s earliest pioneers. Sat-Sun 27 – Jun 4 Memorial Day Sesshin

All three of these titles are available through the DBZ JUNE Monastery Store and at NYZ Shobo-ji store. Please call Fri-Sun 9-11 Samu Weekend DBZ at 845-439-4566, NYZ at 212-861-3333 or e-mail Fri-Sun 23 – 25 Samu Weekend offi[email protected] for more information or to order. JULY Kanzan Egen Zenji 650 Year Memorial Service and Sesshin at Shogen-ji Sat-Sun 1 – 9 Anniversary Sesshin In October, Eido Shimano Roshi was invited to attend the six-hundred and fiftieth Mon 10 Spring Kessei Ends Memorial service of Kanzan Egen Zenji at Shogen-ji in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Eido Roshi was one of nine roshis attending, giving dokusan to over 120 sesshin participants. AUGUST This was Eido Roshi’s second time attending Kanzan Egen’s memorial service; he Fri-Wed 4 – 9 Summer Samu Sesshin attended fifty years ago as a practicing unsui at Ryutaku-ji. A magnificently colorful Sat-Sun 12 – 13 O-Bon and austere service was officiated by Yamakawa Sogen Roshi. This was the culmination of a short sesshin in which monks from Shogen-ji, Tokugen-ji, Heirin-ji, Zuisen-ji, SEPTEMBER Zuiryo-ji Myoko-ji, Rinzai-ji, Kokei-zan, and Dai Bosatsu Zendo sat. Eido Roshi was Fri-Sun 8 – 10 Intro to Zen also accompanied by Banko Randy Phillips and Saiun Atsumi Hara as well as monks: Tue 12 Fall Kessei Begins Seigan Ed Glassing, Fujin Attale Formhals, Doshin David Schubert and Yayoi Karen Sat-Sun 23 – Oct 1 Golden Wind Sesshin Matsumoto, all of whom practiced at Shogen-ji. In addition to the events at Shogen-ji, through Eido Roshi’s connections, the group also visited the graves of Soyen Shaku and OCTOBER D.T. Suzuki at Engaku-ji, and Tokei-ji. They also visited the temple founded by Bassui Fri-Sun 13 – 15 Intro to Zen Tokusho Zenji, Kogaku-ji. The climax of the trip was a pilgrimage to the famous Dai Sat-Sun 28 – Nov 5 Harvest Sesshin Bosatsu Toge, a mountain pass overlooking Mt. Fuji. This Dai Bosatsu Toge is where Soen Roshi practiced his solo retreats and where the friendship between Ven. Nyogen NOVEMBER Senzaki developed; it is the root of the Dai Bosatsu Mandala. Thu-Fri 23-24 Thanksgiving Celebration Thu-Fri 30 – Dec 8 Rohatsu Sesshin This trip was made possible through the support of the Sangha and the many people who took care of both zendos in Eido Roshi’s absence. Special thanks to Aiho-san, DECEMBER Shokan, Renji, and Jokei for their continued running of New York Zendo and Dai Sun 10 Fall Kessei Ends Bosatsu Zendo while the group was away. Sun-Mon 31-Jan 1 New Years Eve Celebration

38 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY WINTER / SPRING 2006 39 NewYork Zendo 2006 Calendar

JANUARY Sat-Sun Dec 31-1 New Year’s Celebration Wed 4 Opening Teisho by Eido Roshi: Winter/Spring Training Begins Sat 7 Japanese Dharma Class Sat 28 New Year’s All Day Sit FEBRUARY Sat 4 Parinirvana All Day Sit MARCH Fri-Sun 10-12 Soen Roshi/Yasutani Roshi Weekend Sesshin Sat 18 Japanese Dharma Class Sun 19 Parinirvana All Day Sit APRIL Sat 1 Japanese Dharma Class Wed 19 Teisho by Eido Roshi Sun 23 Spring All Day Sit MAY Fri-Sun 5 – 7 Gempo Roshi/Ven. Nyogen Senzaki/ Kengan Goto Weekend Sesshin Sat 13 Japanese Dharma Class JUNE Wed 7 Teisho by Eido Roshi Sat 17 Japanese Dharma Class Sun 18 Summer All Day Sit JULY Sat-Tue 1-4 Closed for Independence Day Sun 23 Segaki All Day Sit Mon-Sat 24-Sep 5 Closed for Summer Interim: Spring Training Period Ends AUGUST Open only Wed/Thu: Aug 23/24, 30/31 SEPTEMBER Sat 2 Japanese Dharma Class Wed 6 NYZ Fall Training Period begins: Teisho by Eido Roshi Fri-Sun 15-17 NYZ 38th Anniversary Weekend Sesshin OCTOBER Wed 4 Teisho by Eido Roshi Sat 7 Japanese Dharma Class Sun 8 Bodhidharma All Day Sit NOVEMBER Fri-Sun 10-12 Soen Shaku/Kaigen Weekend Sesshin Thu-Sat 23-25 Closed for Thanksgiving DECEMBER Fri-Fri 1-8 Rohatsu Week: 1 sit added Thu 14 Fall Training Ends: Teisho by Eido Roshi Fri-Wed 15-Jan 3 Winter Interim, Zendo Closed Sun-Mon 31-Jan 1 New Years Eve Celebration 40 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY