一期一会 (ichi go ichi e)

New Years Eve Zazen and Sarei Event

We hosted zazen and Sarei event on 12/31. After short zazen session, Rev Ito explained word "ichi go ichi e".

一期一会 means one should try to make every occasion perfect to extend hospitality to another person as the occasion is unique in one's lifetime.
you can read more about this zengo here.

Noble Eightfold Path

Ann Kugyo continued explaining Noble Eightfold Path in buddhism, Right speech, Right action and Right livelihood.

Read more about Eightfold Path here.

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Truth of the path

Ann Kugyo explained Truth of the path leading to the cessation which is part of The Four Noble Truth. She also explained Noble Eightfold Path in buddhism.

Read more about Eightfold Path here.

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The Four Noble Truths

Ann Kugyo explained The Four Noble Truths.

1. The truth of dukkha (suffering, anxiety, stress)
2. The truth of the origin of dukkha
3. The truth of the cessation of dukkha
4. The truth of the path leading to the cessation of dukkha

Read more about it here.

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主人公 (syu jin ko)

主人公

syu jin ko

Do you know who you are?

Rev Ito also talked about Keisaku.

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平常心是道 (byo jo shin kore do)

平常心是道

byo jo shin kore do

Everyday mind is the way.   When Jo Shu Osho (趙州和尚) asked a question to Nansen Osho,(南泉和尚) zen master how to be enlightened.

Nansen osho's answer was "everyday mind is the way".

Rev Ito also talked about a book Mumonkan (無門関). This book is used to learn zen at zen monasteries.  You can read more about this book from this link.

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目耳鼻舌身意 (gan ji bi zetsu shin I)

目耳鼻舌身意

gan ji bi zetsu shin  I

   Gan: eye

       Ji: ear

      Bi: nose 

Zetsu: tongue

  Shin: body

         I: heart, mind

Rev Ito described this word.  You don't close your eyes during zazen. Keep half eye open.  1/3 of your focus should be on your nose line.

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風喘気息 (fu zen ki soku)

風喘気息

fu zen ki soku 

Rev Ito described the zengo indicating how to take a breath during zazen. 

Fu:  Wind.  Describing taking a breath loudly.

Zen: Not smooth breathing. 

Ki: Rough breath. 

Soku: This word represents perfect breath which is quiet, smooth and not rough.

Rev Ito mentioned that he was taught to breath in for 7 seconds and out for 23 seconds during zazen.  

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You are your own teacher

You are your own teacher.

Ann Kugyo spoke about her thoughts on "emerging and becoming".

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行住坐臥 (gyo ju za ga)

行住坐臥
gyo ju za ga

Rev Ito explained this zengo. This zengo represents 24 hours in human life.

Gyo: Walk, your activity

Jyu: Living

Za: Sitting

Ga: Sleep

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財施 法施 布施 (zai se, hou se, fu se) / 臍輪 気海 丹田 (sairin, kikai, tanden)

財施 法施 布施 

zai se, hou se, fu se 

fu se: fuse means make an offering. Rev Ito mentioned 2 types of offerings, zaise and hou se.

• zai se: money contribution
• hou se: In Buddhism, priest is expected to return to people who gave zaise utilizing preists study and experiences.

       

臍輪　気海　丹田

sairin, kikai, tanden

Rev Ito further explained tanden.  Here is the diagram indicating location of sairin, kikai and tanden.

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臨済箱根禅堂 坐禅心得 (rinzai hakone zendo zazen kokoroe)

臨済箱根禅堂　坐禅心得

rinzai hakone zendo zazen kokoroe

1. 礼儀作法
2. 坐してかんがえよ
3. 坐をきめよ
4. 背筋　頭　丹田
5. 気息を坐らせよ
6. 丹田を落ち着かせここが己の住処なり

1. reigi saho: Well Mannered.  Respect for individual, respect your leader

2. za shite kangae yo: Do not think anything else

3. za wo kime yo: Find and discover your sitting

4. sesuji atama tanden: Let your body sit

5. kisoku wo suwarase yo:  Let your breath to sit. Take a long breath

6. tanden wo ochitsukase kokoga onoreno sumika nari: Let your mind to sit

Rev. Ito mentioned importance of tanden.  You can read more about tanden here

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いま ここ われ (ima koko ware) 直日 (jiki jitsu)

いま　ここ　われ
 ima koko ware

   now, here, myself

• Ima: If you can't accomplish now, how are you going to accomplish tomorrow?
• Koko: you are here, focus and do your best
• Ware: do you know who you are?

直日

jiki jitsu

  

Jikijitsu is the person who manages zendo. You can read more about Jikijitsu here

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安居 (ango)

 安居 
ango

In zen study, students visit different monastery twice a year (summer and winter) leaving their home monastery.

By visiting other places, students learn new things and obtain new ideas to embrace their zen practice.

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地獄 餓鬼 畜生 修羅 人間 天上 (jigoku gaki chikusho shura ningen tenjo)

地獄 餓鬼 畜生 修羅 人間 天上

jigoku    gaki      chikusho

           shura          ningen        tenjo

    

       hell        devil      a brute

           slaughterous      humna    heaven    

          

This word is from  "Rokudo rinnen", desire realm. You can read more about desire realm here.

"We all human go through these places. " 

                     

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動中禅 (do cyu zen)

動中禅

do cyu zen

People can practice zen aside from sitting. Develop your own zen energy while you live your daily life.

                     

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日日是好日 (hi bi kore ko jitsu)

日日是好日
hi bi kore ko jitsu 

 Everyday day a good day   

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一日一炷禅 (ichi nichi ichi shu zen)

一日一炷禅
 ichi nichi ichi shu zen

 One day, one incense burning time, zen.

Focus on zen.  Even if you sit zazen for 1 hour but your heart isn't there, it is meaningless.

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和敬清寂 (wa kei sei jaku)

和敬清寂

wa kei sei jaku         

  

The art of tea is most intimately connected with Zen not only in its practical development but principally in the observance of the spirit that runs through the entire ceremony process. The spirit in terms of feeling consists of "harmony"(wa), "reverence"(kei), "purity"(sei), "tranquility"jaku". These four elements are needed to bring the art to a successful end; they are all the essential constituents of a brotherly and orderly life, which is no other than the life of the monastery.   -Rev Enyu Ito, 2001-  Link to copy of document from 2001

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Letter of Rennyo 

Rev Enyu Ito Ito read "While Ashes" from letter of Rennyo on 49th day memorial service after the Japanese disaster in 2011.  He also read this during 1 year memorial service.  

Here is the link to the copy of "white Ashes".  

無 (mu)

無 
 mu     

  

 Emptiness,none, no. In a koan by Master Joshu found in the Mumonkon (a collection of koans) it is reported that a student asked Joshu, "Does a dog have Buddha Nature or not?"  Joshu replied "mu".  Later another student asked Joshu, "Does a dog have Buddha Nature or not?" and the master replied "U...yes".  For someone doing koan work with a teacher in the Rinzai tradition, this brings much confusion. To pass the koan with one's teacher, one must demonstrate an understanding which surpasses the rational mind.

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一切衆生 悉有仏性 (Itssai shu jo shitsu u butsu sho)ri

一切衆生　悉有仏性 
Itssai shu jo               shitsu u butsu sho  

  

All living things possess  Buddha nature (enlightenment).

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即心是仏 (soku shin ze butsu)

即心是仏 
soku shin ze butsu

Everyone was born with Buddha's heart.

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三昧 (san mai)

三昧 
san mai

Concentrate, focus your mind to create your own enlightenment.

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和光同塵 (wa ko do jin)

和光同塵
wa ko  do  jin

 Softening the radiance and becoming one with dust.

 

 -Live your life without showing off your talent or status.

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即今目前聴法底 (sokkon mokuzen cho ho tei)

即今 目前 聴法底  
sokkon mokuzen cho ho tei

"Now, here, who am I?"