by SJZC Administrator | Jul 20, 2025
Dogen Zenji offered us Four Methods of the Bodhisattva. The first is generosity, what and how we give. Our daily lives are where we offer our energies, our hearts, our efforts. As in zazen, where we sit in our authentic self, when we’re not on the cushion one way that...
by SJZC Administrator | Jul 13, 2025
From Mushin: We gathered for a summer movie night at Sangha Jewel, where we watched I Heart Huckabee. The story begins with Albert confused and worried about coincidences that he feels have some meaning which he can’t figure out. His confusion prompts him to seek help...
by SJZC Administrator | Jul 8, 2025
The first of the Eight Awakenings of Enlightened Beings is having few desires. This is a great practice. It steers us to noticing how often desire lurks just below the surface of our mental stream. All the thoughts of “I want this” or “I don’t want that.” All the ways...
by SJZC Administrator | Jun 3, 2025
Words from Mushin: “Zazen never becomes anything special, no matter how long you practice,” said Kodo Sawaki Roshi. “If it becomes something special, you must have a screw loose somewhere.” Listening to this fine old master Zen adept we are...
by SJZC Administrator | May 26, 2025
Words from Mushin: Writing this on a quiet afternoon during the Memorial Day weekend, I notice the very simple pleasure that a warm breeze on my face elicits. It’s these unanticipated moments of simplicity, where no mental agenda presses, and the thinking mind is as...
by SJZC Administrator | May 11, 2025
Mothers’ Day brings to my mind Prajnaparamita, mother of all Buddhas. What IS prajnaparamita? We translate it as the “perfection of wisdom”. “Prajna” is “wisdom”, and “paramita” means “that which goes beyond”. Whatever’s happening right here and now. Where is the...
