SESSHIN: SILENCE, STILLNESS, and FREEDOM

Sesshin:  gathering or collecting the Mind/Heart (shin).  Mind meaning integration of heart (compassion) and head (understanding). Awareness of who we really are.

Click here to download recording of this teisho.

惺惺著 (sei sei jaku)

惺惺著
sei sei jaku

Are you awake?

Rev Ito talked about "sei sei jaku" which is from mukanmon, "Gateless Gate" case 12.    This means "Are you awake?"   

Click here to download recording of this teisho.

No Self

Kugyo talked about "No Self".  Story about valuable bubble.... Imagine you own a very valuable bubble which is so valuable that you place your trust in it so that should you fall upon hard times, it will look after you.  It’s so valuable that ... listen to the story from link below.

Click here to download recording of this teisho.

主人公 (shu jin ko)

主人公

shu jin ko

Rev Ito reviewed his lecture note which he gave to students at Hakone in 2001. When he reviewed, he realized he need to add 1 more important thing, "Shu Jin Ko" 

Click here to download recording of this teisho.

3 Marks of Existence

3 Marks of Existence

Impermanence, No Self, Suffering

Kugyo talked about impermanence.

All day in rain

Hollyhocks

Follow the sun’s

Invisible road

 ...Basho

The above haiku speaks of change...all day in rain....hollyhocks...following sun’s....invisible road

We, too, as we are seated on the cushion can more easily observe the evidence of change (impermanence) as we follow the breath.  Fewer distractions.   Each breath is different, unrepeatable....as it is so with all senses.

Click here to download recording of this teisho.

Atta Dipa

Atta Dipa 

                                

Kugyo talked about Atta Dipa, words supposedly spoken by Shakymuni Buddha shortly before his death and what we are trying to accomplish in zazen. You can read more details on Atta Dipa here.

Click here to download recording of this teisho.

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.

Click here to download recording of this teisho.