Author Archives: mugaisangha

I started feeling into this post a few days ago. I had some great things to write yesterday and did not get around to the writing. We should all be thankful. Question: Why did you come to Zen practice, or any spiritual practice for that matter? I would bet that for most of you, theContinue reading “Blog 1-28-2023 POTENCY EMPTINESS”

“Calvin: I wonder why people are never content with what they have? Hobbes: Are you kidding? Your fingernails are a joke, you’ve got no fangs, you can’t see at night, your pink hides are ridiculous, your reflexes are nil, and you don’t even have tails! Of course people aren’t content! Calvin: Forget I said anythingContinue reading “BLOG 1-21-2023 HAPPY NEW YEAR”

Yesterday, Zenho shared a profound teaching, informed by a powerful realization on attachment. Following is Zenho’s writing: ATTACHMENT As some of you are aware, we (issan and Zenho) have been playing with changing The Four Boddhisattva Vows: “Sentient beings are numberless…” The one that we have ;had great difficulty with is the second vow. ItContinue reading “being-attachment”

Chan Master Xinzhou E’hu Dayi ( a practitioner in our lineage).  Emperor Xianzong (r.806-821) once called for a debate to take place at the Linde Temple in the Palace. A Dharma Master asked, ‘What are the Four Truths?’ The master [Dayi] replied, ‘There is only one “Di” so where would the other three be?’ Happy NewContinue reading “BLOG 1-8-2023”

Photo by David D’Agostino Happy New Year dear friends! Continuing our blog this week with reflections of our sangha members whom are engaged in exploring the journey of Tokudo. Today we are presenting the photographs of David D’Agostino and the written reflections of Kurt Jokai Wulfekuhler. Here are David’s photos: David is having an openingContinue reading “Tokudo Reflections”

Solstice-Christmas-Tokudo Solstice – the Earth turning in its orbit, so that the northern hemisphere once again comes closer and closer to the Sun. Light seemingly expanding. The northern hemisphere more intimate with the sun. Christmas – a recognition of a new birth, birthing us anew, beginning of a burgeoning life, our slates are clean, theContinue reading “BLOG 12-25-2022”

The Winter Solstice is Wednesday, December 21st this year. The longest night of the year. Light a candle or two. The late Stone Age, roughly 10,200 BC is estimated to be the earliest period that humans recognized the Winter Solstice. Monuments such as Stonehenge, in England, Newgate, in Ireland and Maeshowe, in Scotland are alignedContinue reading “WATCHING THE DARK”

Dear friends, Tokudo (Jap., ‘attainment of going beyond’). The ceremony in Zen Buddhism through which a layperson is initiated into Buddhism, or a monk is ordained. (From the Oxford Concise Encyclopedia of World Religions). I am not sure about the translation offered above, as there is no attainment here. And really, every moment, for every being, is going beyondContinue reading “BLOG 12-11-2022”

Dear friends, Tokudo (Jap., ‘attainment of going beyond’). The ceremony in Zen Buddhism through which a layperson is initiated into Buddhism, or a monk is ordained. (From the Oxford Concise Encyclopedia of World Religions). I am not sure about the translation offered above, as there is no attainment here. And really, every moment, for every being, is going beyondContinue reading “BLOG 12-11-22”

Greetings Friends, It is such a wonderful Bodhi Week! Sitting zazen, mini-sesshin, together and engaging in service makes Rohatsu time special. For those who have not been able to attend in person we hold you in our hearts and your presence is palpable in the zendo among us. We still have a few more daysContinue reading “Bodhi Week”