Dharmically Unqualified
ACZC Happenings, 2/22 - 3/1
“Position, power, and hierarchy has to be based on the wish to deliver others before our own attainment; to acknowledge our imperfections. So if you feel unqualified, that's perfect. That's exactly how we're supposed to feel. Because if you do feel qualified, how could you be?
Liberation means being liberated from the inclination to ignore our flaws - to dismiss them, hide them, divert or disguise them.“ - Gyokei Yokoyama
Hello Sangha!
Just a quick one today while our communications team prepares themselves for the weekend’s festivities (though in lieu of a cartoon this week they’ve generously left us some extra juicy quote - fill in your own wise and witty image! (and feel free to send it in! (best response will get posted next week!!))
But speaking of buddhifically busy weekends, here’s a reminder on the schedule for this weekend:
At Sozenji Temple (3020 W Beverly Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640) and on Gyokei’s Zoom (https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8111889419) (All are welcome!):
Saturday 2/24, 4pm Honsoku Haiyaku Gyocha (formal tea and talk on the koan of the combat with Akiba Roshi
Sunday 2/25, 10am Formal Hossenshiki Dharma Combat
At ACZC and on our usual zoom channel:
Monday 2/26, 7:30pm (less formal) Dharma Combat with your ACZC sangha friends and a few other well wishers and challengers
Note - if you’re coming Monday in person and have a zafu you can bring for yourself, please feel free to bring it! We’re confident we’ll have a spot for all, but there’s a chance seats could be in short supply.
And then next weekend (Friday 3/1 - Sunday 3/3) will see our Spring Commuter Retreat right here at ACZC for easy attendance by all, which you are welcome to attend in person, on zoom, or in whatever sort of hybrid of those you would like. Offered on a sliding scale based on your own expected attendance and what you can afford. Registration and more info here!
But speaking of the epically unZen sounding “dharma combat” and wondering what the heck that means, this week on the podcast we are very excited to bring you Dharmically Unqualified (Dharma Combat) w/ Gyokei Yokoyama. Gyokei unravels the deeper meaning of Dharma Combat on the eve of ACZC’s first ever attempt at such a ceremony. What qualifies someone to be a Zen teacher? Is a vow to liberate all beings actually good for us? Is it as arrogant as it sounds?? And at what point does healthy humility turn into less than healthy self depreciation?? Find out here!
Up now at http://aczc.org/aczcpodcast or on all your favorite podcast platforms.
And hey, here’s a koan for the week:
Case in point:
A monk asked Fayan, “I’ve heard it taught that ‘All things grow from the roots of non-existence.’ What is the root of non existence?”
Fayan said, “Things take shape before their substance. They’re named before they have names.”
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 - 2/24, 10am - 12pm
Sit & Discussion w/ Emily Eslami - Our biggest day of the week! Two half hour rounds of zazen and then Emily returns to the hot seat for another expert installment on the beginner’s mind. Join us!
Monday - 2/26, 7:30pm - 9pm
Sit & DHAARRMAA COMBAAATT - One half hour of zazen and then ACZC brings you our reverently irreverent take on an ancient (and somewhat batty) ceremony. Whose dharma will reign supreme?? Will our head monk earn his stripes in the empty ring? Let’s find out.
Wednesday - 2/28, 7:30pm - 9pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion w/ Leon Sandler - A monk wants to know where things come from, and Fayan’s just jaded enough to give him the straight answer. Let’s see if we can straighten it out.
Thursday - 2/29 at 7pm - 8:30pm (Zoom Only)
Yoga & Zazen w/ Nina Snow - And Nina is back for an evening of winding down and waking up with one hour of Slow Flow Zen Yoga, followed by one half hour of the sweetest zazen you will sit all week. We’ll see y’all there.
Friday - 3/1 at 8am
Chanting & Zen Breakfast - This week! We chant the Heart Sutra in English followed by Sengcan’s choice little ode to not choosing anything - The Faith in Mind Inscription. Poetry for the ages! And then stick around for ACZC’s fresh hot take on traditional Zen breakfast (house milled multi grain porridge! Mmm…). A nutritious (and delicious) part of this complete practice. Let’s dig in.
Friday 3/1 at 7:30pm
Spring Commuter Retreat begins! (click here for full info)
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