Field of Flowers October Hybrid Sesshin

photo by Pierce Butler and Corwyn Miyagishima

 Another month and another sesshin -- and this one was an anniversary.  Fifteen years ago, Boundless Way had its first sesshin at the Temple.  To commemorate this, the teachers chose the kōan from the Gateless Gate, "The Buddha holds up a flower" which celebrates the transmission of the Dharma from Shakyamuni Buddha to Mahakashyapa, a fundamental story in our Zen tradition.  Dharma Holder Alan Richardson, Dharma Holder Michael Herzog and I taught the sesshin, and Dharma Holder Rev. Paul Galvin was the tanto (head seat.). Rev. Paul named the sesshin:  even though there was only one flower in the story, everyone who attended, in person and on line, revealed their Buddha nature without hesitation -- many flowers, many smiles.   A lovely and deep time for us all.

Aimless Wanderers Sesshin September 2024

 

photo by Pierce Butler

Almost a month ago we had our Distant Temple Bell sesshin on Zoom.  Pictured to the left are many of the attendees.  To celebrate David Rõshi's new book "Wandering Close to Home" we took as our theme a kõan about wandering, Case 20 from the Book of Serenity:  Dizang's Nearness.  In this kõan, Fayang tells Dizang that he is wandering aimlessly, but he doesn't know where he's going.  Dizang praises him, saying, "Not knowing is most intimate."

In these times, with war, politics and wild weather surrounding us, not knowing what will happen next feels realistic.  To allow ourselves the intimacy of being in good company in our lostness and confusion is the path that Zen shows us.  May we all wander into clarity and balance as we face these difficult times.