Monthly Archives: March 2017

Practice Makes Perfect

  Good morning!   Dogen said, “Even though this Dharma is abundantly endowed, it never develops without cultivation, it can never be attained without verification.” His Recommendation for the Right Zazen recommends that all cultivate and attain this Dharma, Buddha … Continue reading

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Films Created by Our Members

Here are films our members created: Produced by Cole Hieronymus: 1. Colorado | True Nature – Hier Films  https://youtu.be/GM858-vcpEg   2. “Life is a Pattern.” – Alan Watts | Who are we? https://youtu.be/qyJCIdniL7w    (scenes from St. Louis region) Preview … Continue reading

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From Karma to Nirvana

    Good morning!   We have now beautiful magnolias, daffodils, forsythia, plums, and pears blooming according to the universal natural law. However, humans are now blasting the holy harmony of the natural world due to their individual karma idiosyncrasies. … Continue reading

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Shikoku Pilgrimage 2016 by Garyo, 35

    Closing the Circle (temples 1,2,3 and Koyasan)     It took me two days to return to the first three temples (45km).  On the second day it was raining so hard, that I was totally wet when I arrived in Gokurakuji (temple 2). In Gokurakuji, the temple of Pure Land, I stayed overnight.             Colorful schoolchildren walking in the rain             A temple I passed on the way     Coming back to the first three temples was a great experience.  I remembered the stress I felt in the beginning of the pilgrimage and could enjoy the atmosphere now much more.             Pagoda of Ryōzenji     … Continue reading

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Shikoku Pilgrimage 2016 by Garyo, 34

      Ōkuboji, temple 88     Just opposite of Nagaoji (temple 87), I stayed overnight in the Ryokan Azumaya The lady of the house was extremely nice and served for breakfast an egg with two yolks.  “Dōgyō-ninin” she said, meaning “ same practice, two people”.  The second yolk was for our protector, Kōbō Daishi.             The egg yolk with the lightly beaten egg white mixed with rice tastes really good.             Lady owning the Ryokan Azuyama     Temple 88 is located on Mt. Nyotai (800m). On the way up, I passed the Maeyama Dam and some beautiful rice fields.                         … Continue reading

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Public Talk & Discussion On Paradigm Shift:

Public Talk-Discussion On Paradigm Shift:  From Karma to Nirvana     SCHEDULE: 1:30 – 1:35                      Introduction: Leonora Kham   1:35 – 3:30  From Karma-delusion to Nirvana-awakenin                    Dr. Rosan Yoshida: Director, Missouri Zen Center                        … Continue reading

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Shikoku Pilgrimage 2016 by Garyo, 33

      A Sense of Time (temples 85 and 86)     When walking out of Takamatsu City, one of the reliefs on a bridge showed an ancient warrior fighting on a horse, telling the story of the defeat of the Taira clan in a naval battle in 1185. I was surprised that in Japan, the memory of battles is still alive after nearly 1000 years.               The scene above depicts the famous samurai Nasuno Yoichi  (1169 – 1232) in the battle of Yashima (1185, when Heishi, Taira clan, was … Continue reading

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