Month: January 2014
Jijuyuzanmai runs out of battery, Januar 29th 2014
The round of talks on the Gakudoyojinshu has finishes, and since yesterday we take turns lecturing on Bendowa. Here is today’s talk by Gusho. He tries to explain “jijuyuzanmai”, a central term that is translated as “self-joyous meditation” in the text below. Unfortunately the battery ran out before Gusho could give his final answer… Translation … Read more
Yudai gives dharma talk on chapter 8 of the Gakudoyojinshu, January 24th 2014
Today was Yudai’s turn. First he reads in Japanese: Next the English translation from “Heart of Zen”: Yudai used a lot of examples from the life at Antaiji to explain about the “activities of a Zen monk”. Like walking in the snow, or washing dishes… At last, as always, discussion with everyone. Eko asks about … Read more
“Buppou ha nan desu ka (What is dharma)?”, January 23rd 2014
Today it was Tsukan’s turn to read and talk about Dogen’s Gakudoyojinshu, chapter 7. First he read the original in Japanese: Next the translation by Shohaku Okumura roshi, published by Soto-shu: And here the first minutes of his talk in mixed Japanese and English, staring out with a question: “Buppou ha nan desu ka (What … Read more
A walk in the snow and strange sounds from the barn, January 19th 2014
After today’s dharma talk on Gakudoyojinshu, I took a walk with the camera around the main hall. When I took some steps in the deep snow in front of the kitchen, I could hear strange sounds coming from the blue barn…
Start of the winter practice period, January 16th 2014
How are you all doing? I hope you had a good start into the new year! As every year around this time, the mountains around Antaiji are covered with snow. Last year, on December 16th, everyone except me and my family left Antaiji to go begging or visit with family and friends. December 21st should … Read more