Rote Reverence
ACZC Happenings, 3/30 - 4/5
“They don’t tell you a mindset or skill set you have to have. They just clarify that delusive part of us then put us back out there, and without saying it, they ask, ‘So now what do you really, really want to do?” - Gyokei Yokoyama
Hello Sangha!
Ok, so maybe we were just looking for any excuse to bring that puppy to life, but can you blame us? Who can say no to those eyes? Not even a buddha can resist (if we were to guess what happens next).
But just a quick one this week while we finish up making arrangements to hand over sangha stewardship duties for the Spring (and we’ll have much more to say about all that next week) but for now, speaking of bodies embodying boundless love in ways that words could only wish, this week on the podcast we are very excited to bring you Rote Reverence (Rituals) w/ Gyokei Yokoyama. Gyokei pulls back the curtain on the rituals and forms of Zen, the true koan of the Soto School, to find out if there's any meaning in the method or maybe even some practical value to our venerations. Who are we doing these rituals for anyway? Why don’t they want us to be good at our jobs? How do we move like a hummingbird and when should we move like a rhino? 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:
Uhicyama said, “The Chinese character for “working” (働) is different from “moving” (動). The left side of the character for “human” (人) must be added to transform random movements into work... We should rethink what is true progress for human beings…”
Kodo Sawaki said, “Some people take vitamins so they can overdo, almost tearfully, with red eyes.”
Okumura said, “...we need to make changes, but it seems we don’t know how yet.”
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 - 3/30, 10am - 12:30pm
Sit & Discussion w/ Sara Campbell - Our biggest day of the week! Two half hour rounds of zazen, one walking meditation in the middle, and then our favorite resident emeritus takes the hot seat for some wondering and wandering wisdoms while we sip happily on a little kava java(™) here in the zendo. Join us!
Monday - 4/1, 7:30pm - 9pm
Sit & Discussion w/ Dave Cuomo - One half hour of zazen and then Dave takes the hot seat for a “See y’all soon” (don’t call it a farewell) address before he hungry ghosts us for the Spring. See y’all there!
Wednesday - 4/3, 7:30pm - 9pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion w/ Dave Cuomo - Who wants to stay up late and get a little red eyed discussing the limitations of human work and progress?? Let’s discuss.
Friday - 4/5 at 8am
Morning Chanting Service - This week! We chant the Heart Sutra, send our regards to all our women ancestors, and bid a fond farewell to love and hate with the Trusting the Mind inscription. Poetry for the ages! Come on 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