The Old Women of Mount Wutai

view from our zendo on 5/4/2014

Kugyo san talked about women in zen.  She quoted story 'The Old Women of Mount Wutai" from the book, The Hidden lamp.  

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If Buddha and Jesus had a talk...

If Buddha and Jesus had a talk....

Kugyo talked if Buddha and Jesus had a conversation what would it like to be...

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Kugyo also sited "Of Love" a potem by Mary Oliver.


Mary Oliver (b. 1935)

Of Love

I have been in love more times than one,
thank the Lord. Sometimes it was lasting
whether active or not. Sometimes
it was all but ephemeral, maybe only
an afternoon, but not less real for that.
They stay in my mind, these beautiful people,
or anyway beautiful people to me, of which
there are so many. You, and you, and you,
whom I had the fortune to meet, or maybe
missed. Love, love, love, it was the
core of my life, from which, of course, comes
the word for the heart. And, oh, have I mentioned
that some of them were men and some were women
and some — now carry my revelation with you —
were trees. Or places. Or music flying above
the names of their makers. Or clouds, or the sun
which was the first, and the best, the most
loyal for certain, who looked so faithfully into
my eyes, every morning. So I imagine
such love of the world — its fervency, its shining, its
innocence and hunger to give of itself — I imagine
this is how it began.

From New and Selected Poems, 1992, Beacon Press, Boston, MA

Sited from: 
http://www.journeywithjesus.net/PoemsAndPrayers/Mary_Oliver_Of_Love.shtml

Impermanence (無常)

Kugyo talked about impermanence from her recent experience.

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自力 他力 (jiriki tariki) / 三奉請 （sanbujo)

Rev Ito explained sanbujo and discussed jiriki and tariki.
You can download teisho from here.

Teisho from 3/17

Here is teisho from 3/17
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Letter from Kugyo

Letter from Kugyo

Kugyo will be at San Francisco Zen center from this week for 6 days a week attending zen practice session.  She will be back at our zendo on Sundays.

She wrote a letter to friends and family describing her thoughts.

Here is the copy of her letter.



--

1To my family and friends;

Beginning January 21^st , I will be participating in a residential Zen practice period at San Francisco Zen Center for 9 weeks, finishing March 28^th . During that time I will not be using e-mail, but will be available, if necessary, by phone at 408-354-3238. You may leave a message if necessary and I will return the call when able.

I am looking forward to this experience with both excitement and apprehension. It will be an experience in monastic living (not cloistered!) with the time scheduled between zazen (meditation) and Zen services, work periods (manual labor keeping the center clean and up to snuff), class participation, and sewing (I am sewing an okesa (robe) which is necessary should I make the decision to become a Zen priest. In a way, it is kind of like a spiritual sabbatical with days beginning at 5 a.m. and ending at 9 p.m. It is not done in silence, but rather mindfulness.

Most weeks I will be home with Fred and our dog Hana on Sun. My intention for that day is to stay within the spirit of simplicity and mindfulness, and not get caught up in work tasks like grocery shopping, bill paying, house cleaning, etc. (Although I dearly hope the SF 49ers are in the Super Bowl, it will be a very tempting challenge to not watch the game....). I also will maintain contact with my mom and my sons.

Many have asked me why I am doing this and what I hope to get out of it. Simply stated: I really cannot give a logical or rational answer. My life keeps unfolding in such a way that says: “this is the next step to take.” Like falling in love, whether with an individual, a profession or talent, an idea, or a pet....it just happens. Lots of rational explanations can be offered, but none really speak to the draw of the heart toward something. Some have asked if my intention is to become a Zen priest, and even that cannot be answered at this time. There obviously is some attraction to it and at this time I am not ready to take that definite and formal step. What will occur in the future is unknown as it always is, despite what we may be planning or expecting. So we shall see.

Through all this my dear husband Fred has been supportive, encouraging me to make the decision without pressure either way from him. It is a decision that has definite impact on him as he will be not only picking up pieces that I have previously managed, but will do so mostly alone. We will be celebrating out 25^th wedding anniversary on Jan 28^th .....and there is a certain upside-down-ness in our being apart on that day. What a statement of love he is making and that I am realizing...being apart in the gift of love. I am so very lucky!

You, my family and friends, have shared portions of our journeys together. I appreciate your interest and your concerns.....your encouragement and your acceptance while not understanding. You each, directly or indirectly, have contributed to my coming to this time of decision. Thank you for who you are and for sharing yourself with me.

In Zen Buddhism, gassho is a term indicating a bow, with hands together, in respect and appreciation to another. And so.....

Gassho and love,

Ann Kugyo Nain (Kugyo is my dharma name given when I became Buddhist. It translates “Gentle reverence”....a quality seen present and also seen to move toward)

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Listening

Listening


Let the sound, unheard and heard, come to you. Sit with It, breathe It, trust It. Experience It. It is here.

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