Circumambulation

In our tradition we have a practice of Circumambulation; walking around in a circle. Actually the shape can vary; most often, though, we walk in a square that is not a square but more of a rectangle, but we sometimes round the corners just a bit so it's more of an oval.

In any case we walk around, it may be around something; and that something may help us determine the shape. What shape is the something? Is it a deity? Does that deity have a shape it prefers? Is there a particular purpose of the circumambulation? That purpose may be best served by a particular shape.

Are we circumambulating empty space? What shape is the space? How big is the space? Do we want to match it or compliment it?

Who; What; When; Where; Why; & How?
The answer to these questions helps us determine the right shape, speed, timing, spacing, and the number of circumnavigations to complete.

A large part of my training was experiencing this circumambulation in a variety of circumstances so that I could extract the proper shapes, spacing, and timing for whatever circumstance I might find myself.

Circumambulation interrelates with many of the principles of our school. Circumambulation burns the Tane (or seeds) of our Go(u) (Actions from the past) to use them, purify them, and clean them.

Circumambulation relates to our policy of polishing both ourselves and our environment through our body. The use of ritual to do this as a Renshu (or practice of kneading / polishing) ourselves is key to our discipline.

We use this act of walking around to both use the energy created in stillness, and to create energy through movement. To energize ourselves and our environment.

Our school has practices derived from 'in-yo' (shadow-sunshine) and 'onmyodo' (the way of shadow sunshine). The practice of balancing stillness and movement is central to this school; circumambulation and seated meditation combine wonderful for this practice.

It relates to our school of 'Fu-Sui' (Wind Water) where we learn to work with the world through Nagare (flow). We believe there is an interrelationship between Spirit, Air, Wind, Water, and everything else.

Of course, as the Zen Man Walking, I believe that to take a walk is one of the healthiest and most natural practices we can engage in. It's one more way for me to take a hike, and get out of my way.

Majjhima Nikaya quote on walking zen

You tell me to stand still, but I am not walking," he shouted, "whereas you who are walking say you are still. How is it that you are standing still but I am not?" The Buddha turned round. "My legs move but my mind is still," he said."Your legs are still but your mind moves all the time in a fire of anger, hatred, and feverish desire. Therefore, I am still but you are not.
Majjhima Nikaya

Buddha Bless posted this on FB, so I just had to walk away with it and post it here...

dame vs. o'jozu

dame vs. o'jozu
Dame means wrong or incorrect. Jozu means well done or correct.
My zen name jozen comes from this jozu, with zen (as meditation) added.

Some teachers prefer the 'dame' method of teaching (This does not mean we are a dummy). Telling us what we do wrong, so we can drop it, and discover a different way. This stems from the Truth that, the Truth cannot actually be stated so, all we can do is say what it is not.

Other teachers prefer the 'jozu' method where we are encouraged to follow the path we've chosen and continue on. This comes from the Truth that everyone must be included and that no one should give up.

But most of us know that it's a combination of the approaches that works best. To choose the right method for this person at this moment is the key.

This is one method of zen. To choose every moment of everyday just the right step. To choose without choosing we say... because we are aligned with the upright path the choice is not ours to make the path chooses for us. But we do choose to step on the path or not.

Zen Story

There is a tradition in Japan to go on pilgrimage, to study with other teachers, to experience other temples. Sometimes for a night, a day, a week, or even years. So we have this natural tradition of many Zen Men Walking.

One such Zen Man was a traveling monk going from temple to temple looking for a new master. He came upon a dilapidated temple, up on a hill. It was getting dark and looked like rain so he'd thought it would be nice to be inside tonight, and something seemed to be drawing him to the temple.

He climbed the hill and came up to the gate. He banged loudly on the gate and waited. It was quite sometime, but eventually he heard the gate being opened. On the other side stood two men. One was smiling and radiant, obviously an enlightened master; but the other (who was holding the gate) was a one eyed man who was obviously not mentally fit.

The traveling monk, after seeing this masters smile, really wanted to stay; and asked, 'If possible I'd really like to stay the night (but with hopes he might be able to stay and train with this radiant master).' The Master answered, 'Well, it is only my assistant and I here, so with only the two of us, we have plenty of room for you to stay. But we have a tradition in this temple that in order to stay you must win a debate on the Dharma.' The traveling monk had no trouble with this condition, and said so. The Master liked this traveling monk and really wanted him to win, in fact he hoped the monk might stay for many years and perhaps be his successor.

The Master thought, if I debate with him and I win he will have to leave; or if I debate with him and he wins, why should he stay. But if I have him debate with my slow friend he will surely win and stay; but to not make his plan too obvious, the Master said, 'I am tired and it's time for my nightly rituals before I retire, so you will have your debate with my assistant. But to make it interesting you will have your exchange silently, in sign language' With that the Master retired to his quarters to await the arrival of the traveling monk.

After a short time the monk arrived, but he was a little pale. The Master asked what was the matter. The monk said, your assistant is quite amazing; we had our dharma exchange and he soundly beat me.' The Master was very surprised and asked what had happened. The monk replied, 'Well, I held up one finger to indicate the Buddha; but your assistant held up two fingers to indicate the Buddha and the Dharma; so I held up three fingers to represent the three treasures of: the Buddha, The Teaching, and The Buddhist Community; he then held up a fist to show that they are really all one. There is no answer to this reality, so I had to accept my defeat at his hands. Therefore, though I had really hoped to stay, I lost; so I must leave.' Just as the monk left, the assistant crashed into the Masters room, 'Where is he?! Where is he?!' 'Calm down', said the Master, 'He has left. But tell me, what happened?' 'Well,' said the assistant, 'He was the guest, so I let him begin; he held up one finger to make fun of my one eye; but I wanted to still be nice, so I held up two fingers to show that he was lucky to have two eyes; But then he held up 3 fingers to taunt me again that between us we only had 3 eyes; so I held up my fist to wallop him, but he ran in here for your protection... It's a shame he's gone though, before he taunted me, I kind of liked him.'

Meditation

Meditate: every moment counts. Find a few moments every day. Find the gaps in between our thoughts, and simply sit with those empty spaces instead of the thoughts... just let the thoughts go. If they come, just let them go... find instead the void... and let the void grow.

From the void all things come, so only in the void does everything exist.
In the west we say that everything comes from somewhere; but in our teaching Everything comes from nothing. In the nothing there is potential for everything.

Quote: Thich Nhat Hanh

There is no way to happiness,
happiness is the way.

You should be happy right in the here and now.
There is no way to enlightenment.
Enlightenment should be right here and right now.
The moment when you come back to yourself, mind and body together,
fully present, fully alive, that is already enlightenment.
You are no longer a sleepwalker.
You are no longer in a dream.
You are fully alive.
You are awake.
Enlightenment is there.

And if you continue each moment like that,
enlightenment becomes deeper.
More powerful.

There is no way to enlightenment,
enlightenment is the way.
Vietnamese zen buddhist monk - Thich Nhat Hanh

John Muir Quote

I only went out for a walk and then stayed till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in." John Muir