No-Separation Non-Attachment

The core of the teaching lies in the balance of no separation and non-attachment.

These two seemingly opposite phrases are both completely true.

We must be un-attached to the teaching of no-separation.

Yet is is true that these two ideas are also not separate.
But only two wings of the same dove.

Peaceful resolution of all dichotomies...
Sometimes we see one side, and sometimes we see the other side.
But both sides exist, only our limited physical senses cannot always see this.

There is always both a visible element and an invisible one.
Both are real.

When we live in this reality every moment of everyday, we live the teachings in our daily life.

Buddhist Chant Monks of Kanzeonji Recitation of Ancient Sutras

Experience Counts

It is through our own experience, our experience of watching & being with others, that we determine how best to proceed. What steps to take in our lives. This experience is both in words and actions; sights, sounds, and smells. Everything we encounter counts.

Dōjō道場 (Way Place, A place for Training in The Way)

The original term 道場 dōjō was used in Buddhist temples to denote a training hall. Not usually martial arts in the beginning, but later they began to be used this way. Today the term is most well known as a martial arts training all. But it a hall to train in The Way; The Way was expected to refer to A Way of the Dharma.

Zen Man Walking

This is one of the Pics that was taken by a disciple about the time that Zen Man Walking was coming into being.

This was a ceremony by root teacher and I preformed where we chanted the Hannyashingyo for an incoming dignitary to the Japanese Community.

Moving meditations have always been a part of our practice, indeed a part of our heritage. But over the last decade or so we have allowed the practice to be a central theme of life at Jizo-an.

But in actuality the name Zen Man Walking was simply because I was a Zen Man that liked to walk.

My root teacher teaches us kyudo, Japanese Zen Archery, as one of our primary practices (along with seated meditation, chanting, calligraphy, and other Japanese Traditional Arts that he exposes us to). He told me long ago that kyudo was the only exercise we need; if we relax and open ourselves the proper way, chemicals flow muscles are both used and stretch out, breathing, heartbeat, and bone all synchronize... very very healthy practice. He was healthy, so I followed his lead. Then I discovered that he took a walk every day; and decided it best to follow him in this practice too.

We formed a Zen Walking group, and started walking after kyudo practice together; got a dog who needs a daily walk... and Zen Man Walking was born.

The evolution to being such a strong part of life at Jizo-an is, like all the other aspect of my life... just an amazing evolution of relationships and events that simply 'blow me away'. Thank you all for being a part of Jizo-an and Zen Man Walking.

-jyozen-

Zen in Daily Life, Zen in Motion, not being separate from zazen.

Zen in Daily Life, Zen in Motion, not being separate from zazen.

We have a practice at Jizo-an  of 動く瞑想 Ugoku Meisō Moving Meditation.
This steps from the truth that zazen (seated meditation) is not separate from daily life.
Our seated meditation practice is simply part of what we do each day, along with mindful living.
Mindful of others, and mindful or our place in the world.

Simply put, we care.

Ugoku meiso includes the standard kinhin or walking meditation we do between sittings. It also includes the yoga we do, the budo (martial arts) we do, and the geido (or traditional arts) that are included in our activities at Jizo-an. These can be great bridges between our zazen and our daily life. But in truth there is no separation. These are just the things that we do.

We call them awakened behaviors. For this is what we choose to make our life up with... Awakened behaviors. Behaviors that enrich or lives and those around us in so many ways that it is not possible to count; but the enrichment is not the point. The point is simply to engage ourselves into a life of ugoku meiso, because this is how awakened ones live.

Now these particular ones we chose were ours to choose. The ones that others choose are theirs. but to live the life of ugoku meiso is a wonderful way to live for us. Choose your life as you see fit, please choose wisely.

-jyozen-

American Zen

“American Zen will carry the same flavor and essence as Shakyamuni’s original teachings, as well as the Chinese and Japanese flavors, yet will become its own special form of Zen.”

Quote - Soyu Matsuoka Roshi

Soyu Matsuoka Roshi, came to America in 1939 as the assistant minister at Zenshuji in Los Angeles. Later he moved to San Fransico and began taking on 'American' Students of Zen and promoting 'Shikantaza' for westerners. From here, his next Zen temple was in Chicago. Later he moved back to the West Coast and Established the Long Beach Zen Center. The Establishment of Zen in America for Americans was his realized goal, and he was to be the first of his kind.

My teacher, Rev. Ryugen Watanabe was his disciple. Matsuoka Roshi is, therefore, my Dharma Grandfather.

-jyozen-