Circle of the way with kokoro (heart-mind)
Calligraphy by Shinmon
“Between aspiration, practice, enlightenment and nirvana, there is not
a moment’s gap; continuous practice is the circle of the way. ”
For the month of February we will focus on the teachings of Dogen Zenji, the founder of Soto Zen in Japan, at both our Wednesday evening and Sunday morning practice times, with dharma talks by Mountain Rain’s guiding teachers and practice leaders.
Dogen Zenji brought Soto Zen practice from China to Japan in the thirteenth century. His writings have come to be known world-wide for their poetic and paradoxical language, and penetrating depth. Studying Dogen together we can widen and deepen our perspectives on practice.
We will focus on Dogen’s text “Continuous Practice”, exploring what it means for us as lay practitioners in the 21st century for practice to permeate every aspect of our lives.
There is no need to read the text in advance, but for those who would like to follow along a PDF of the entire Treasury of the True Dharma Eye, translated by Kazuaki Tanahashi, is available HERE. “Continuous Practice” is Chapters 31a and 31b.
On Sunday, February 11, we will have a half-day retreat to mark the Buddha’s Nehan, or final enlightenment at his death, and to celebrate his long life of continuous practice.
The month will conclude with a weekend retreat March 2-3, focusing on the precepts as continuous practice. with a jukai ceremony On the Sunday afternoon there will be a jukai (receiving the precepts) ceremony for five Mountain Rain sangha members.
Everyone is welcome to participate in all or any of these events.
