The social turmoil we are experiencing only seems to heighten our personal concerns and difficulties. In these uncertain times Buddhism is our resource, but only if we bring our own effort.
What I want you to consider is the role and importance of silence in your life. Consider the following examples:
The silence of sitting during zazen.
The silence of relaxing in an open meadow, or walking through a deep forest.
The silence of the sky.
The silence of the ocean tides or running stream.
The silence of embracing a loved one.
There are many more. The context of every experience is silence.
A hallmark of Rinzai Zen is the initiative of the student in his or her own investigation. The more we recognize silence in our lives, the more likelihood of clarity and peace arising. There is no peace for noisy mind; yet there is always silence and peace.
In my teacher’s language, he would always talk about “zero.” He stressed the need to always return to zero, always manifest zero. Rather than zero, substitute “silence.” Always return to silence, always manifest silence.
We tend to be preoccupied with what arises in silence, rather than silence itself. Zen practice can be described as the investigation of the nature and activity of silence. Yet, how aware are we of silence in our daily lives? If there is no silence, there can be no peace.
Rather than getting lost in a maze of concepts like emptiness, nirvana, or no self, get intimate with silence in your own life. Nurture silence and see how it nurtures you.
A few guidelines to avoid going astray:
Silence is never an object.
Silence is never fixed.
We are never apart from silence.
Return to silence; arise from silence. Realize what cannot be discussed.
Seiju
The past is already past.
Don't try to regain it!
The present doesn't stay.
Don't try to touch it from moment to moment!
The future has not yet come,
Don't think about it beforehand!
Layman Pang
Kai Han
If you are interested in contributing essays, reviews, poetry, images, event announcements, personal reflections etc., to the next issue of the Kai Han, due out in the spring, please send them to Michele at mmpen1891@gmail.com.
gassho.
My year is up and with Seiju returning I will be moving on.
My time here has been spectacular. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to have been part of this wonderful Sangha.
I am not leaving Albuquerque once I am settled I will just be another member sitting most mornings and helping out in the yard.
Seiju has said he is going to continue the programs we have started, the Monthly Full Moon Sit, the Monthly Day Sit and the Monthly Movie Night. So if you have an interest in helping with these programs please let him know.
This will be my last update that I will send out, Michelle needs articles for the upcoming spring issue of the Kai Han so if you have any material drop her an email.
We have Hanamatsuri (Buddha's Birthday) coming up in April so keep an eye out for dates and times.
Donations and attendance has been poor this month so come on by and drop a few bucks in the donation box let me go out with bang.
Again I wish to thank everyone for a spectacular year.
Gassho
Paul
When the mind is at peace,
The world too is at peace.
Nothing real, nothing absent.
Not holding on to reality,
not getting stuck in the void,
you are neither holy or wise, just
an ordinary fellow who has completed his work.
AZC is funded entirely by the donations of our sangha members
and the support of those who strive, as we do,
to help others see their worlds a bit more clearly.
We welcome your support.
Gassho.
ARTICLES
Why I am not going to buy a cellphone by Philip Reed
Albuquerque
