Goodness Shattered
⚡️ ACZC Happenings, 6/29 - 7/3 ⚡️
“It freaks me out to even think about ordaining someone whose goodness hasn't been shattered.”
- Gyokei Yokoyama
Hello Sangha!
Just like that, the year is halfway over and summer is in full swing! July is in the wings, the fireworks are popping, and something excellent (and maybe wicked?) this way comes — one Dave Cuomo, ACZC’s beloved caretaker, will be returning from Japan soon. Pretty exciting stuff, if you ask us.
And speaking of things that happen, this week on the podcast we are pleased to present Goodness Shattered w/ Dave Cuomo. First, we learn to be good. Then we have that goodness shattered. And then, when we stop trying to do anything, the true goodness can shine through. Dave walks us through Baizhang’s three teachings to try to find out if we are inherently good or bad by nature and whether thinking like that does us any good. Did we really learn everything we need to know in kindergarten or have we just forgotten how cruel kids can be? Are dogs ever to blame (absolutely not)? Are cats (ok, maybe)? Has scolding someone ever helped anyone?? Find out here!
Up now at http://aczc.org/aczcpodcast or on all your favorite podcast platforms.
Your koan for the week:
“What is the true self? It’s brilliantly transparent like the deep blue sky, and there’s no gap between it and all living beings.”
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 - 6/29, 10am - 12:30pm
Sit & Discussion w/Jitsujo Gauthier - Our biggest day of the week! Two half hour rounds of zazen, one walking meditation in the middle, and then friend of the sangha/ZCLA’s own Jitsujo Gauthier returns to the hot seat with a talk on the topic of “Prajnaparamita and Unselfing." Come on out!
Monday - 7/1, 7:30pm - 9pm
Sit & Discussion w/ Henry Zander - We’ll sit zazen for 30 minutes and then Henry is back to regale us with another installment of Zen poetry corner featuring Ryokan and Han Shan. Sounds like just the thing for a hot Monday night. Join us!
Wednesday - 7/3, 7:30pm - 9pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion w/ Mota Mynttinen - Mota is back to lead us through Chapter 16 of The Zen Teaching of Homeless Kodo, featuring the text quoted above. What does having a “brilliantly transparent” true self mean? Come on out and let’s find out together!
Friday - 7/5, 8am
Morning Chanting Service - This week we’re chanting the Hannya Shingyo, Daihishin Darani, and the women ancestors in our lineage. Poetry for the ages! Come out and lend us your voice.
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