EASTER

BIRTH DEATH REBIRTH DEATH

Buddha Nature is beyond imagination. Transcends and includes imagination. I will not even speak about emptiness. Nor the Being that is Non-Being. Yet I’m drawn to write. For the benefit of all Beings, All Being, all Non-Being.

Sujata Buddha gave freely of the nourishment of rice milk. She had no need to say anything. Or did she? Not established on words and letters, she also manifested as the stream, and the golden bowel, and floating upstream, and the morning star.

Upon seeing the morning star, Shakymuni Buddha is reported to have said, “I, the Great Earth, and all sentient beings simultaneously attain enlightenment.”

This statement is repeated by numerous sources, with slight variations. I word it “I, the Grath Universe, and all Beings, simultaneously manifest enlightenment.” 

Upon Shakymuni holding up a marigold, Mahakasyapa smiled. It is reported that Shakymuni said, “I possess the treasury of the true Dharma eye, the wondrous mind of nirvana, the subtle dharma-gate born of the formlessness of true form, not established on words and letters, a special transmission outside the teaching . I bequeath it to Mahakasyapa.”

What does my wording matter? It is the wording that manifests as me. What do I say upon enlightenment? Sometimes “I, the Great Universe, and all Beings, manifest enlightenment.” Sometimes “Mmmmmmmmmm.” Sometimes “it is second period, light the incense.” Sometimes “Let’s go for a walk.” Sometimes, I hold up a marigold. Sometimes, I hold up a toilet brush. Sometimes “I am the treasury of the true Dharma eye.” Sometimes, there is so much smoke that my vision is clouded. Sometimes I am the smoke that manifests together. Sometimes I feel pain and lash out. Sometimes I feel pain and smile at such a manifesting gift. Sometimes I feel joy and eat a caramel. Sometimes I feel joy and smile at such a gift. Gratitude manifesting sometimes grabs me by the heart. Gratitude manifesting sometimes grabs me by the throat. Gratitude manifesting sometimes punches me in the gut. Sometimes I nourish other Buddhas. Sometimes, other Buddhas nourish me. Sometimes I am the golden bowl. Sometimes I am breaking pottery. Sometimes, I am the wet stream. Sometimes, I am the dust bowl stream. Sometimes I am the morning star. Sometimes, I am the pebble in my shoe. Sometimes, there is no time. Sometimes, my knees ache. Sometimes, I count the minutes. Sometimes, I am the time Being. Sometimes, I am space Being.

How are you manifesting? What is manifesting you! There can be seemingly unbearable fear in manifesting true Being. Dying upon the cushion sounds easy. Is it? Accept this as well. Manifesting this well.

8 Deep Bows, Zenho (scribe) and Issan Sensei

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SCHEDULE 3/17-3/24

MONDAY, 6:30AM, Zazen at the Teahouse, Dokusan with Issan Sensei

TUESDAY, 6:30AM, Zazen at the Teahouse; Andy Opening

WEDNESDAY, 6:30AM, Zazen at the Teahouse; Andy Opening

THURSDAY, 6:30AM, Zazen at the Teahouse, Dokusan with Issan Sensei

FRIDAY, 6:30AM, Zazen at the Teahouse; Andy Opening

Zenho is away 4/3/24 – 4/10/24