A Terrifying Teaching
ACZC Happenings, August 19th - August 25th
“If you don't have the perception of a self, you’re probably not going to get angry. But. We can discuss whether maybe sometimes it's okay to get angry if someone chops off your arms and legs…” - Jason Dodge
Hello Sangha!
While working on Jason’s excellent Diamond Sutra podcast this week, it came to our attention that in all our years quoting and painting so many of our wise and witty dharma friends, we hadn’t put up anything directly from the person whose made so much of our Buddhist studies possible here in the English speaking West - Red Pine, the great commentator and translator of so many of the classic Zen golden greats. You want to read a sutra and have a fighting chance of getting what the hell it’s talking about? Red Pine’s your guy. You want a rendition of the Xinxinming that is somehow the most accurate, intelligible, and will have you inadvertently bopping your head to the rhythm of its rhymes (like say next Friday morning?? See below!)? He’s got that too. And you gotta love a quote glorifying being deprived of teachings from someone who’s done so much to provide.
But speaking of leaning on each other like trees growing ever upward into the blazing light, registration is now up for our Fall Mount Baldy Retreat (November 10th - 13th (Friday - Monday))! We’ve been hearing a bit of excitement and buzz from many of you already about the chance to get away for a few days of sweet silence in some scenic scenery, with all your Zen friends, to which we say, we’re stoked too and there’s no time like the present (there’s no time but the present, amiright?) to register. And please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you have. See y’all on the slopes.
But speaking of having all your questions answered by an empty hand reaching out to give you nothing but the gift of your own self unbound (which we’re pretty sure is a high five), this week on the podcast we are very excited to bring you A Terrifying Teaching (Diamond Sutra ch 14) w/ Jason Dodge. In a flash, Subhuti understands everything, and in a flash Buddha pulls the rug out from him (and us!) and frees him from his own enlightenment. Join us as Jason bravely (and expertly) takes us into an epic chapter of the Diamond Sutra where we learn what exactly holds us back, how to free ourselves from it, and how to get over ourselves once we manage that. Plus! The Buddha regales us with tales of his past lives cavorting with concubines and tangling with kings and his own pesky feelings. Is it possible to free ourselves of our own perceptions? Is it advisable? Is anger a choice? And is it sometimes a necessary one? What is the antidote to the three poisons and where can we get ourselves some? Find out here!
Up now at http://aczc.org/aczcpodcast or on all your favorite podcast platforms!
And here’s the koan of the week:
Case in Point:
A monk asked Zhaozhou, “What is the point of Zen?”
Zhaozhou said, “The cypress tree in the courtyard.”
The monk said, “Please stop trying to teach us with random objects.”
Zhaozhou said, “I’m not trying to teach you with random objects.”
The monk said, “Ok then, what is the point of Zen?”
Zhaozhou said, “The cypress tree in the courtyard.”
This Week in Zen! All times posted in Pacific time zone, all sessions hosted in person and on Zoom unless otherwise marked (email us for quick and easy Zoom access info):
Saturday - 8/19 at 10am
Sit & Discussion w/ Nina Snow - Our biggest day of the week! Two half hour rounds of zazen and then we get rewarded with a bonus round of Nina this month as she takes the hot seat to lead us in a little talk & tea. We’ll see y’all there.
Monday - 8/21 at 7:30pm
Sit & Talk w/ Dave Cuomo - One half hour of zazen and then Dave is back to discuss not one, not two, but three triple treasures (is that math right?) aka community, truth, and reality; aka zazen, study, and, well, community! (there might be a theme here…). Let’s discuss.
Wednesday - 8/23 at 7:30pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion w/ Leon Sandler - This week! It’s a koan classic - a brave monk is not in the mood to take Zhaozhou’s schtick, but can our erstwhile master be pried out of the weeds (aka those sweet smelling trees) long enough to get some answers on what it all means? Let’s find out.
Thursday - 8/24 at 7pm (Zoom Only)
Yoga & Zazen w/ Nina Snow - And Nina returns with a rousingly restful evening of yoga and zazen, with one easy and attentive hour of slow flow yoga, followed by one half hour of a sweet silent sit. We’ll see y’all there.
Friday - 8/25 at 8am
Chanting & Zen Breakfast - And speaking of our friendly translator friend whose work we pine for, this week! We chant the Heart Sutra in English followed by the Trusting the Mind Inscription as rendered in sacredly Seussian glory by Red Pine. Poetry for the ages! And then stick around for the newest (and tastiest) addition to our schedule with our own hot take on traditional Zen breakfast (fresh milled multi grain porridge, mmm!). A nutritious (and delicious) part of this complete practice. Let’s dig in.
Tuesday - Friday, 7am - 8am
Morning Sit - One simple hour of what we do best - just sitting. Optional five minute stretch break offered in the middle.
See y’all soon!
Love,
ACZC