Kakutani Sensei

A few more pictures from the Zen arts Saturday get together at the Weik farm:

Encountering the Ancestors: Pai Chang (part 3 of 3)

Jay Rinsen Weik leads a retreat workshop at the Toledo Zen Center on November 16, 2008.

"This principle is originally present in everyone. All the Buddhas and bodhisattvas may be called people pointing out a jewel. Fundamentally, it is not a thing - you don't need to know or understand it, you don't need to affirm or deny it. Just cut off dualism; cut off the supposition 'it exists' and the supposition 'it does not exist.' Cut off the supposition 'it is nonexistent' and the supposition 'it is not nonexistent.' When traces do not appear on either side, then neither lack nor sufficiency, neither profane nor holy, not light or dark. This is not having knowledge, yet not lacking knowledge, not bondage, not liberation. It is not any name or category at all. Why is this not true speech? How can you carve and polish emptiness to make an image of Buddha? How can you say that emptiness is blue, yellow, red or white?"

Listen HERE.

Burns and Allen

I said something about Burns and Allen at the zendo the other night. They were very popular way back, going back to Vaudeville days. I think there is something very sweet from a more innocent time, and maybe Zen, too, especially about the socks...enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW6GWEi3g3U

Thank you Kakutani Sensei

Sensei lead us in a paper, mold and calligraphy workshop at Black Oak Farm on a gorgeous mid September day. Following morning zazen we shared in a hands on experience of turning pulp into paper. Along the way we found a fallen hornets nest that made its way into some of our paper while the children made plaster globes out of balloon molds. Sensei showed us how to make a rope out of long grass that he then coiled to make a mold for a torn paper bowl.

Later in the afternoon we created molds out of styrofoam by writing on the board with an ink/clay slip that kept the image intact when we melted the rest of the board over a fire. We then shaped the paper over the styrofoam mold. Sensei 's generous practice of using what is at hand and harmonizing with mistakes is such a wonderful expression of the world coming to rest as one's own heart.

Music and Life: Alan Watts

James and Jay at the Toledo Zen Center September 16th 2009

Thanks for Chelsea for the pic!

Encountering the Ancestors: Pai Chang (part 2 of 3)

Jay Rinsen Weik leads a retreat workshop at the Toledo Zen Center on November 16, 2008.

"In the teaching hall, the master said, 'The spiritual light shines alone, far transcending the senses and their fields. The essential substance is exposed, real and eternal. It is not contained in written words. The nature of mind has no defilement; it is basically perfect and complete in itself. Just get rid of delusive attachments and merge with the realization of thusness.'"

Listen HERE.

Zen Pottery workshop with Kakutani Sensei

Just a reminder we are set to begin at 9:00 on Saturday and end around 5:00. The address for the farm is: Black Oak Farm 6624 Jeffers Rd Swanton OH 43558. See you then!

James Ford Roshi at the Toledo Zen Center

Thank you Roshi for your wisdom, wit and charm.

mid september night

shined horses crickets scratching

on God's pillow stars

Zen Meditation Video

A nice general introduction from the Zen Centre of Vancouver, thanks to James Ford for passing on the link...

an ant runs towards

the shadow of a white plate

frightened mind same thing

late summer twilight

a rhododendron blushes

our table is set

on a rainy night

the sound of crickets lays down

inside out none say

perfection is you, nothing lacking...

If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled. If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.
~Lao Tzu

Kakutani Sensei Returns

Master Potter Mitsuo Kakutani will lead a zen arts workshop at Black Oak Farm on Sept. 19 from 9-5. This time we will be making our own paper to incorporate into the clay. The suggested donation for this event is $35=$50. As always everyone is welcomed regardless of capacity to financially donate. The gathering of the Sangha is in itself the Great Gift to All. Please email or register in person on Wednesday night.