Tag: meditation
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wa kei sei jaku 和敬清寂
This sign used to hang outside of our gate to the zendo. “Wa, Kei, Sei, Jaku,” famous Sado (tea ceremony ) word describing four essential elements of Sado. 和(Wa) Harmony 敬(Kei) Respect 清(Sei) Purity 寂(Jaku) Tranquility So why this word for tea ceremony relates to zen? It is believed that Eisai, who established the Rinzai…
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wabi-sabi 侘び寂び
Jia found this pottery in the clearance section because of imperfections. He loves this piece. We talked about wabi-sabi. In traditional Japanese aesthetics, wabi-sabi is a world view centered on accepting transience and imperfection.
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New Year Eve 2021
Dear Students of Hakone Zendo,There is an interesting tension in me as I write to you on this last day of 2021. One part wants to say something wise and positive, while the other part does not want this email to be just another pat comment with well wishes and Happy New Year!’s that tend…
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Why we were told not to step on the edge of tatami mat
So you were told not to step on the edge of tatami mat at our zendo and wondering why. Rev Ito told me that because the edge was more expensive to repair. I researched a bit more to find out the reasons why people were told not to step on the edge of the tatami…
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Mind is like a pond
I participated in Rinzai’s online zazen-kai with my son, which priest Yokoyama led from Tokoji in Shizuoka, Japan. His story resonated with us, so I shared it during our zazen-kai at Hakone Gardens. He told us a famous story. One day, a young man asked a monk, ” I can’t sleep well as I am worried and…
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生老病死 (shourou byoshi)
Rev Ito’s Teisho. Born, get older, sickness and death. We were able to present him with Bonsho as well.
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Are you aware of “now”?
Kugyo san talked about being aware of now during zazen meditation @ Hakone Zendo.
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It’s Not the End of the World
Kugyo talked about “The Four Noble Truths” and how she sees recent events in her life…
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