Bright Way Zen is a Zen community in Portland OR, USA, and worldwide via our "Cloud Zendo" (Zoom). This podcast includes talks and classes by our teacher, Rev. Domyo Burk, (Zen Studies Podcast) and by Sangha members and visiting teachers. If you like this, please consider joining us at brightwayzen.org!
As the Sangha bridges between our summer study series and our Sangha Voices Series, Domyo leads a Zen Practice "Ask Me Anything" inviting Sangha members to bring forward any questions they have about Zen or their practice.
By sharing personal stories from her life, senior student Jinryu illustrates how she has gained insight into her own Karmic journey. Through her openness and heartfelt willingness to share, she provides an inspiring example.
We all naturally care about being accepted, included, and valued. In fact, it can be said that social belonging is the one Koan we all share as human beings. As with any Koan, there is a great deal to be learned from examining our narratives about relationships, how we feel about them, and what we know to be true through Zen practice. By reflecting on these connections with an open heart, we can take refuge in something deeper - unconditional, independent, and absolute.
Sandokai is an ancient teaching poem composed by Chinese Zen master Sekito Kisen (Shitou Xiqian, 700-790). It's recited daily in Soto Zen temples throughout the world and deals with an issue of paramount importance in Zen: the relationship between the relative and absolute dimensions of reality. Absolute and relative are terms that describe two profoundly different aspects of reality – the relative aspect, in which everything is defined by difference and particularity, and the absolute aspect, in which everything is part of a seamless whole. Both aspects are simultaneously true, even though they may appear contradictory, just as a finger is a thing unto itself, defined by its separateness from other fingers, but is also simply part of a hand. In Week 5 we examine the lines "Light and dark oppose one another like the front and back foot in walking. Each of the myriad things has its merit, expressed according to function and place. Phenomena exist; box and lid fit. Principle responds; arrow points meet."
Kakumyo, Abbot of Dharma Rain Zen Center and Domyo's Dharma brother, speaks to the supportive nature of Sangha. By being witnessed and reflected by our fellow practitioners, we can deepen and actualize our efforts in Zen practice. A thoughtful discussion follows.
The Sandokai is an ancient teaching poem composed by Chinese Zen master Sekito Kisen (Shitou Xiqian, 700-790). It's recited daily in Soto Zen temples throughout the world and deals with an issue of paramount importance in Zen: the relationship between the relative and absolute dimensions of reality. In Week four we studied the lines "Eye and sights, ear and sounds, nose and smells, tongue and tastes; Thus with each and every thing, depending on these roots, the leaves spread forth. Trunk and branches share the essence; revered and common, each has its speech. In the light there is darkness, but don't take it as darkness; In the dark there is light, but don't see it as light."
The common worldview of the Buddha's time was that beings are reborn after death. A central question in religious practices, including Buddhism, was what you could do in this lifetime to ensure a favorable rebirth - or liberation from the whole cycle of rebirth. Our Zen practice is not dependent on rebirth being true or untrue. It doesn't matter whether you believe in it, or whether you disbelieve or maintain an agnostic attitude. Nevertheless, the traditional narratives and imagery of rebirth teachings contain many valuable lessons for us.
Sandokai is an ancient teaching poem composed by Chinese Zen master Sekito Kisen (Shitou Xiqian, 700-790). It's recited daily in Soto Zen temples throughout the world and deals with an issue of paramount importance in Zen: the relationship between the relative and absolute dimensions of reality. In week 3 of our line-by-line study of the Sandokai Domyo leads us in a discussion of the four following lines "Sights vary in quality and form, sounds differ as pleasing or harsh. Refined and common speech come together in the dark, clear and murky phrases are distinguished in the light. The four elements return to their natures just as a child turns to its mother; Fire heats, wind moves, water wets, earth is solid."
Senior student Kanshin relates his changing experiences over the years: from discovering and getting used to Zazen, to repeatedly returning to sitting and forms, and then to finding and helping to establish this sangha on the west side.....and gradually being transformed by continuous practice. Sangha members also share their personal stories and appreciation.
Sandokai is an ancient teaching poem composed by Chinese Zen master Sekito Kisen (Shitou Xiqian, 700-790). It's recited daily in Soto Zen temples throughout the world and deals with an issue of paramount importance in Zen: the relationship between the relative and absolute dimensions of reality. In week 2 of our line-by-line study of the Sandoak Domyo leads us in a discussion of the four follwing lines "The spiritual source shines clear in the light; the branching streams flow on in the dark. Grasping at things is surely delusion; according with sameness is still not enlightenment. All the objects of the senses interact and yet do not. Interacting brings involvement. Otherwise, each keeps its place."
If you want to follow the way of the Dharma ancestors, you must realize your true nature. Although our practice is "just sitting", it is inseparable from our project of realization. What is this true nature that we must realize? What is the essence of Zazen? Just sitting is an ingenious method of opening ourselves up to reality without arousing dualistic striving.
The Sandokai is an ancient teaching poem composed by Chinese Zen master Sekito Kisen (Shitou Xiqian, 700-790). It's recited daily in Soto Zen temples throughout the world and deals with an issue of paramount importance in Zen: the relationship between the relative and absolute dimensions of reality. Over the next couple months Domyo will lead the Sangha througha line-by-line discussion of this meaningful text. This week Domyo gives us an introduction to the history of this piece as well its role in our linage and we begin with the first two sentences "The mind of the great sage of India is intimately transmitted from west to east. While human faculties are sharp or dull, the Way has no northern or southern ancestors."
In the final week of our 12 week long precept study, Sanga member Tyler discusses his thoughts and idea around how honouring and respecting the three treasure can be used as a tool towards meaningful Zen practice.
When we experience mental and emotional states of distress, what can we do? Through patient practice, we can relieve our own suffering by turning to the ever-present refuge of thusness, or suchness -- when we discover and recognize the emptiness of all our perceptions.
In the eleventh week of our precept series, Sangha member Jen, weaving Buddhist literature, personal stories and experience, leads the sangha through a deeply meaningful discussion on the role of anger in our life and our Buddhist practice.
One's practice and spiritual growth could be described as a "path". However, by reframing our practice as one of fulfillment, maturation, and becoming more beautiful and beneficial with time (as old growth Douglas Fir trees do!) we can engage with this process in a new way, and realize our true potential.
