July 2008 Newsletter

“Knowing that things neither exist nor do not exist, remembering
the dream-like nature of everything, one should avoid being
caught by pride of personality or praise for good deeds;
or caught and entangled by anything else.”
.... The Teaching of Buddha - Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai.

Being Real and Alive
By Kozen Sensei

On your marks, get set, ready, go – the race has begun and many of us are still walking to the starting line – YIKES! Dogen Zenji tells us to sit and train with great intent. Per him, it is as if your hair was on fire – feel that same sense of urgency and train, train, train!

I don’t personally know that urgent sense of training. I do know that I can see the benefits of being willing to open my heart and mind to the teachings of Shakayamuni Buddha and the great Dharma teachers since him.

Dogen Zenji has become a favorite. His writings in the Shobogenzo-zuimonki have changed my life and brought about a sense of persistent and consistent training. I have read one translation through and plan to start on a second translation soon. Laughing – I must be in the slow learners group as I didn’t really “get” all of it and yet I feel as if I have met and old friend. One wonderful thought that keeps running around my mind was that meditation is an unending practice. Dogen Zenji tells us to look forward to it with gusto and to start each sitting with joy.

The hearts of compassion of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are always surrounding each of us, always encouraging us to sit, to train, and to find the peace that lies within each of us; spiritually encouraging us to be real and alive. This is not a dress rehearsal – this is our life – each second at a time is our only guaranteed time – then they are lost forever. The future is unknown, only the now is real.

A big thank you to Rev. Kaiten (Johndennis) Govert who was able to spend regular time at the AZSZC Phoenix and support our practice. Rev. Govert and I keep finding unusual and sometimes eerie connections in our lives. Ask him to tell you of them when you see him – laughing…and no we didn’t make any of it up.

I am happy to be back home and at the same time I miss Japan. My love and blessings to all.

Gassho,
Kozen

We are still meeting at the Tibetan Buddhist temple on Sunday morning and Monday evenings. Attendance is small but steady. AZSZC members spent time cleaning up the grounds of the temple, weeding and pruning this past week. It was good samu and enjoyed by all.

We had a wonderful show of people to welcome Kozen home for our first Saturday service in July. And of course he brought back a few things from Japan for the Zendo and tokens of good will from the supervising Bishop of AZSZC which he happily passed around to all who attended. Kozen is planning on attending Saturday, July 12th services.

Now that Kozen is home, please be sure to check the online calendar regularly for any special services.

Three Refuges

I take refuge in Buddha
I take refuge in Dharma
I take refuge in Sangha

I resolve not to kill, but to cherish all life.

I resolve not to take what is not given, but to respect the things of others.

I resolve not to engage in improper sexuality, but to lead a life of purity and self-restraint.

I resolve not to lie, but to speak the truth.

I resolve not to cause others to take substances that impair the mind, nor to do so myself, but to keep the mind clear.

I resolve not to speak of the faults of others, but to be understanding and sympathetic.

I resolve not praise myself and disparage others, but to overcome my own shortcomings.

I resolve not to withhold spiritual or material aid, but to give them freely where needed.

I resolve not to indulge in anger, but to exercise restraint.

I resolve not to revile the three treasure (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha), but to cherish and uphold them.

Information contained within this section is taken directly from the Teaching of Buddha Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai, Tokyo (Society for the Promotion of Buddhism). This book can be ordered by visiting their website at http://www.bdkamerica.org/default.aspx?MPID=53. If you have questions regarding any information contained herein, please attend one of our services and speak directly with Kozen Sensei or one of our attending Priests and the Recommended Reading page on this site to view Kozen Sensei’s personal recommended reading list.

To those who choose the path that leads to Enlightenment, there are two extremes that should be carefully avoided. First, there is the extreme of indulgence in the desires of the body. Second, there is the opposite extreme of ascetic discipline, torturing one’s body and mind unreasonably.

The Noble Path, that transcends these two extremes and leads to Enlightenment and wisdom and peace of mind, may be called the Middle Way. What is the Middle Way? It consists of the Eightfold Noble Path: right view, right thought, right speech, right behavior, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration….

The important thing in following the path to Enlightenment is to avoid being caught and entangled in any extreme, that is, always to follow the Middle Way….

If a person is to avoid being caught in the current of his desires, he must learn at the very beginning not to grasp at things lest he should become accustomed to them and attached to them. He must not become attached to existence nor to non-existence, to anything inside or outside, neither to good things nor to bad things, neither to right nor to wrong.

If he becomes attached to things, just at that moment, all at once, the life of delusion begins. The one who follows the Noble Path to Enlightenment will not maintain regrets, neither will he cherish anticipations, but, with an equitable and peaceful mind, will meet what comes.

GASHO!