Study: June 6, 2021, 9:30 am – 11:00 am, The Book of Householder Koans by Eve Myonen Marko and Wendy Egyoku Nakao. We will focus on one koan, Unripe Fruit (p. 167). We’ll be exploring various ways to engage with this and other koans. Is there another koan that resonates with you? If so, go ahead and bookmark the page, as we may explore other koans, time permitting.
Householder Koans (Mar)
Our study of the Book of Householder Koans has been very rich. Many thanks to everybody for really showing up with openness and vulnerability.
The next study group will be taking place on March 28, 2021 following our usual sit. Kenko suggests we look at the Chapter entitled “Gates of Practice” and the Koan “Shishin: Golden Buddha“. We’ll be exploring various ways to engage with this and other koans in the same chapter. Is there another koan in this chapter that resonates with you? If so, go ahead and bookmark the page, as we may explore other koans, time permitting.
Householder Koans (Feb)
Our next study group will be taking place on February 28, 2021 following our usual sit. Jo-Ei suggests we look at the Chapter entitled “Gates of Practice” and the first Koan “Christina: How pathetic I am“. We’ll be exploring various ways to engage with this and other koans in the same chapter. Is there another koan in this chapter that resonates with you? If so, go ahead and bookmark the page, as we may explore other koans, time permitting.
Study: Three Step Zen Mindfulness Method by Ryodo Roshi
Regarding Ryodo Roshi’s chapter, you can find a one-page overview that summarizes the realms of the mind he names, along with some of their qualities.
Here’s a link to the entry point I would suggest, into the Cloudbook, namely the section on the “Realms of the Mind.”
I think the following few short consecutive sections would be helpful to read for our December 6 study meeting:
As you read the sections, you are invited to explore:
- How do you experience each of these “Realms” and “Steps?”
- What are their qualities, for you?
- Are there specific practices that support you in taking particular “Steps”?
- What words or images do you find helpful in communicating the qualities of each “Realm”?
For an overview of his overall online writings, here’s the Table of Contents at https://zenmindfulness.org/cloudbook.php?page=TOC
To help identify possible future study texts, Shokai suggested we take a look at Suggested Readings from the Village Zendo:
Looking forward to studying with you!
Outdoor service, kinhin, study
The Oxbow Zen Sangha met for our (masked and distanced) second outdoor event. Zazen, a chanting service, and a long outdoor kinhin period were followed by group study of “White Fragility” and what it might suggest for our practice. Bows to all!
June Study
Our study of Janet Abels’ book “Making Zen Your Own” will continue on Sunday June 28, after the regular sit, from 9:30-11:00 AM. We will be discussing the relationship to our lives of Chapter 11, which is on Yunmen.
June Zazenkai
Dear Oxbow Zen friends,
Exciting News! On Saturday, June 6, we will be having a half-day Zazenkai. Please note that change in the day of the week: Saturday, not Sunday. You are warmly invited to participate in all, or as much of, the day as is possible for you. The timing after the Dharma talk may shift a little depending on circumstances. Feel free to join whenever you can. Just mute your mic and settle in.
We will share the Zoom link through the email list, as usual, or email us directly for details.
Please mute yourself during Zazen and during the chants. You’ll hear the Ino and Doan. Chant along in your own home.
Right now, interview opportunities are planned during Zazen after the talk and before Open Sozan. For those of you sitting with Oxbow Zen, if you’d like to request interview during the day, please let Soshin Hoshi know (ldufour917@gmail.com or send her a text).
Questions? Don’t hesitate to be in touch.
Looking forward to practicing with you,
Kenko.
Schedule:7:45 Connect your tech, connect with folks, settle into your seat.
8:00 Zazen (Jikido)
8:30 Verse of the Kesa (Doan)
8:35 Stretching/Break
8:40 Zazen
9:10 Stretching/Break
9:15 Dharma Talk
9:35 Stretching/Break
9:40 Zazen (Interview opportunity)
10:10 Stretching/Break
10:15 Zazen (Interview opportunity)
10:45 Stretching/Break
10:50 Seated Heart Sutra (Ino, Doan), 11:00 Open Sozan
11:30 Good Byes
Study Sunday May 17 2020
Study: On Sunday, May 17, from 9:30-11:00 after the sit you are warmly invited to participate online in our monthly Zen Study with coffee, snacks, and fellowship (https://oxbowzen.org/study-group/). We’ll be discussing the connection to our lives of the reading on “Xuefeng,” which is Chapter 10 in Janet Abels’ book “Making Zen Your Own.” All are invited!
*Online* Zazenkai Sunday May 3 2020
Dear Oxbow Zen friends,
Exciting News! This coming Sunday, May 3, we will be having a half-day Zazenkai.
You are warmly invited to participate in all, or as much of, the day as is possible for you. The regular Sunday morning sit from 8-9:35 AM is folded into the schedule (bonus: with talk!). The timing after the Dharma talk may shift a little depending on circumstances. Feel free to join whenever you can. Just mute your mic and settle in.
Please mute yourself during Zazen and during the chants. You’ll hear the Ino and Doan. Chant along in your own home.
Right now, interviews are planned during Zazen after the talk and before Open Sozan. If you’d like to request interview during the day, please let Soshin Hoshi know.
Questions? Don’t hesitate to be in touch.
Looking forward to practicing with you!
Schedule:
7:45 Connect your tech, connect with folks, settle into your seat
8:00 Zazen (Jikido)
8:30 Verse of the Kesa (Doan)
8:35 Stretching/Break
8:40 Zazen
9:10 Stretching/Break
9:15 Dharma Talk
9:35 Stretching/Break
9:40 Zazen (Interview opportunity)
10:10 Stretching/Break
10:15 Zazen (Interview opportunity)
10:45 Stretching/Break
10:50 Seated Heart Sutra (Ino, Doan)
11:00 Open Sozan
11:30 Good Byes
Study Sunday April 12 2020
Study: On Sunday, April 12, from 9:45-11:30 after the sit you are warmly invited to participate online in our monthly Zen Study with coffee, snacks, and fellowship (https://oxbowzen.org/study-group/). We’ll be discussing the connection to our lives of the reading on “Deshan/Tokusan” which is Chapter 9 in Janet Abels’ book “Making Zen Your Own.” All are invited!