Bright Way Zen

Kakumyo, Abbot of Dharma Rain Zen Center and Domyo's Dharma brother, speaks to the supportive nature of Sangha. By being witnessed and reflected by our fellow practitioners, we can deepen and actualize our efforts in Zen practice. A thoughtful discussion follows.

The Sandokai is an ancient teaching poem composed by Chinese Zen master Sekito Kisen (Shitou Xiqian, 700-790). It's recited daily in Soto Zen temples throughout the world and deals with an issue of paramount importance in Zen: the relationship between the relative and absolute dimensions of reality.

In Week four we studied the lines

"Eye and sights, ear and sounds, nose and smells, tongue and tastes; Thus with each and every thing, depending on these roots, the leaves spread forth.

Trunk and branches share the essence; revered and common, each has its speech.<...

The common worldview of the Buddha's time was that beings are reborn after death. A central question in religious practices, including Buddhism, was what you could do in this lifetime to ensure a favorable rebirth - or liberation from the whole cycle of rebirth.
Our Zen practice is not dependent on rebirth being true or untrue. It doesn't matter whether you believe in it, or whether you disbelieve or maintain an agnostic attitude. Nevertheless, the traditional narratives and imagery of rebirth teachings contain many valuable lessons for us. 

Sandokai is an ancient teaching poem composed by Chinese Zen master Sekito Kisen (Shitou Xiqian, 700-790). It's recited daily in Soto Zen temples throughout the world and deals with an issue of paramount importance in Zen: the relationship between the relative and absolute dimensions of reality.

In week 3 of our line-by-line study of the Sandokai Domyo leads us in a discussion of the four following lines

"Sights vary in quality and form, sounds differ as pleasing or harsh. Refined and common speech come together in the dark, clear and murky phrases are distinguished in the light.

The four elemen...

Senior student Kanshin relates his changing experiences over the years: from discovering and getting used to Zazen, to repeatedly returning to sitting and forms, and then to finding and helping to establish this sangha on the west side.....and gradually being transformed by continuous practice. Sangha members also share their personal stories and appreciation.

Sandokai is an ancient teaching poem composed by Chinese Zen master Sekito Kisen (Shitou Xiqian, 700-790). It's recited daily in Soto Zen temples throughout the world and deals with an issue of paramount importance in Zen: the relationship between the relative and absolute dimensions of reality.

In week 2 of our line-by-line study of the Sandoak Domyo leads us in a discussion of the four follwing lines

"The spiritual source shines clear in the light; the branching streams flow on in the dark.
Grasping at things is surely delusion; according with sameness is still not...

If you want to follow the way of the Dharma ancestors, you must realize your true nature. Although our practice is "just sitting", it is inseparable from our project of realization. What is this true nature that we must realize? What is the essence of Zazen? Just sitting is an ingenious method of opening ourselves up to reality without arousing dualistic striving.

The Sandokai is an ancient teaching poem composed by Chinese Zen master Sekito Kisen (Shitou Xiqian, 700-790). It's recited daily in Soto Zen temples throughout the world and deals with an issue of paramount importance in Zen: the relationship between the relative and absolute dimensions of reality.

Over the next couple months Domyo will lead the Sangha througha line-by-line discussion of this meaningful text.

This week Domyo gives us an introduction to the history of this piece as well its role in our linage and we begin with the first two sentences

"The...

In the final week of our 12 week long precept study, Sanga member Tyler discusses his thoughts and idea around how honouring and respecting the three treasure can be used as a tool towards meaningful Zen practice. 

When we experience mental and emotional states of distress, what can we do? Through patient practice, we can relieve our own suffering by turning to the ever-present refuge of thusness, or suchness -- when we discover and recognize the emptiness of all our perceptions.

In the eleventh week of our precept series, Sangha member Jen, weaving Buddhist literature, personal stories and experience, leads the sangha through a deeply meaningful discussion on the role of anger in our life and our Buddhist practice. 

One's practice and spiritual growth could be described as a "path".  However, by reframing our practice as one of fulfillment, maturation, and becoming more beautiful and beneficial with time (as old growth Douglas Fir trees do!) we can engage with this process in a new way, and realize our true potential.

In the 10th week of our Precept Study Series, Sangha member, Rachel takes us through a personal discussion on her engagement with the Precept of not being mean with Dharma or wealth.

Apart from life's enjoyments, work, creativity, contributions, personality traits, talents, and intellectual pursuits - What is our deeper search about?  In the context of the great matter of birth and death, those things are ultimately ephemeral and ungraspable.  Without giving a single definitive answer, Zen practice encourages us and refocuses us toward the discovery of something more profound.  Members of our beloved Sangha describe their own moments of closeness to this deeper truth.

In the 9th week of our precept study, Yoly discussed the precept of "Do Not Praise Self or Blame Others" with the Bright Way Zen sangha.   

When faced with difficulties from minor to severe, from individual to universal - how can we respond without undue aversion, denial, or spiritual bypassing?  Our practice can help us relate to and engage with our hardships in a different way, with greater authenticity, acceptance and equanimity. Those present share aspects of their own personal experiences.

In this episode Sangha member Mick leads that Sangha in a discussion surrounding the 8th Precept, Do Not Dwell On Past Mistakes.

All of our various Zen garments: the Wagesa, the Rakusu, and the Kesa, correspond with different (entirely optional) sets of vows that can shape our lives. Domyo talks about the origin, appearance and meaning behind these items. Soki, who is considering priest ordination in our tradition, comments on her journey. 

In our seventh week of the Precept Series, Sangha member Leah leads a class discussion on the Precept of not becoming intoxicated.

In this podcast Sangha member Tyler looks at the ways in which Zen practices are made to slow us down and how these practices have an affect on our brain that allows us to more fully enact our Buddhist ideals in our day to day life. 

Kyugen relates his personal story of how he came to Bright Way Zen, and shares what it was like for him to receive the precepts in our Jukai ceremony and enter the stream of teachings in order to realize the Buddha way.  He discusses the deep meaning behind this commitment to live and embody each of the precepts. A friendly conversation with Sangha members follows.

Four, long time Bright Way Zen Sangha members, take Zaike Tokudo. 

In this weeks discussion of the precepts Drew speaks to the Sangha and leads a discussion the precept "Do Not Speak Dishonestly."

Sōtō Zen, among religions, uniquely presents as a path of practice.  There are many different ways to manifest your Bodhisattva vows along this path at Bright Way Zen, which include: Jukai, Zaike Tokudo, Shuso, etc. This is, in a way, a koan of Sōtō Zen practice - if there is nothing to attain, and nothing to achieve, then why do there seem to be goals?

In this weeks precept discussion, Sangha member Gathel leads a discussion on the Precept of Not Misusing Sexuality. 

Domyo and Sangha continue the conversation about this fascinating Dōgen sutra, specifically section 2-2: East Mountains Walking in the Water. In the dream of Sansuikyo, what could be the meaning of "mountains", "walking", "sentient vs. insentient", or "incomprehensibility as a false notion"? 

In the foruth week of our annual precept study, Sangha member Dan leads a discussion on the Precept of Do Not Steal. Honour The Gift Not Yet Given. 

Mountains walking, a stone woman giving birth in the night...what could these things mean? This sutra might be best read as poetry, or like a dream.   Domyo and Sangha members continue reading from this fascicle and consider which passages resonate most for each of us.

In this episode our Sangha member Erica discusses the third precept in our precept study, Do Not Kill. Cultivate and Encourage Life. 

In the second week of our Precept Study our Sangha member Eric discusses the Three Pure Precepts.

Many Dōgen writings (as well as other Ch'an and Zen writings), although poetic, can seem vague and obscure.  However, they can communicate the truth deeply and be quite profound through study.  Domyo and Sangha members begin to read from and discuss this fascicle and its meaning.

Given the daunting volume and diversity of Buddhist texts available to read - where does one even begin? How does it all fit together and interrelate?  Our teacher gives an overview of the major Buddhist sects as illustrated in a complex and colorful lineage tree graphic, and by pointing out foundational sutras and key Soto Zen texts, to better orient and encourage us to study the Dharma.

This episode marks the first talk in our 12 week series on the precepts.  In this first talk is led by our senior student Coral as she guides us through the Precepts as practice in our lineage, the The refuges and the karma verse.  

The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara/Kanzeon is beloved for their omniscient, compassionate awareness to the cries of the world. Keeping them in mind, Sangha members name aloud some of what we are bearing witness to in today's world. How do we remain aware and open-hearted to the state of things, while staying committed to our Bodhisattva vow to liberate all beings? How can we bear witness even though there may be nothing we can do?

Sangha As The Next Buddha

Particularly in Soto Zen, our central practice of Shikantaza - just sitting - the method of no-method - can be challenging.  How can we steer away from dullness, dreaminess, and scattered thoughts? Luckily there are many ways in which we can stay more engaged and wholehearted in our Zazen. Domyo and Sangha members share helpful thoughts, tips, and methods.

In this episode Domyo continues a discussion around Zen practice and our relationship to the natural world. 

Social relationships can be very challenging to our practice.  It's common for people to feel a sense of lack, rejection or inadequacy.  How can we stay connected to one another and feel mutual acceptance and belonging? It starts with realizing everyone around you is suffering, and meeting them where they are - acknowledging their own inherent goodness and value, with a sense of responsibility and compassion for them as if they were our only child. When we adopt the attitudes of a Buddha, we transform ourselves and the world.

In this class discussion Domyo leads the class through exercises to help us re-imagine our relationship to the natural world focusing on excerpts from David Hinton's writing "Wild Mind, Wild Earth: Our Place in the Sixth Extinction" as well as images and metaphors taken from Dogen's Mountains and Waters Sutra.