Category Archives: Uncategorized

  Good morning!   Today is the equinox, the middle of the five-day o-higan, yonder shore, identified as nirvana, the time of receiving spirits of ancestors, who are thought to be in nirvana. Equinox day is equal in daytime and … Continue reading →

  Good morning!   Again we have rain. Moisture in the air condenses and makes clouds, creating lightning, thunder, and rain. If we know that thunder is not god’s roaring (kami-nari), but electricity created in clouds, we are not terrified … Continue reading →

  Good morning!   Last week we talked about the Two Ways of Seeing and Cultivation. The Two Ways of Cultivation in the Zen Tradition are Sitting and Samu (Work, lit. Doing Duties). In Theravada Buddhism, renouncers and lay people … Continue reading →

Prof. Duncan Williams： AMERICAN SUTRA: A Story of Faith and Freedom in the Second World War On Friday afternoon, May 3rd, Professor Duncan Ryuken Williams of USC will offer a dharma talk and conversation with Hozan Alan Senauke at Berkeley Zen … Continue reading →

  Good morning!   After series of rainy days, we are now surrounded by abundant green. We have our regular sesshin, embracing and touching the heart (coeur, 摂心/接心), core of our existence. I had back pain before sitting, but now … Continue reading →

  Grieving for Sri Lanka   Hatred never ceases through hatred  It ceases only through love. This is an eternal law.                                                               —Dhammapada, verse 5   Our deepest compassion and sympathy goes out to the victims of Easter Sunday bombings … Continue reading →

  Good morning!   In the morning sunlight we are now surrounded by many flowers – redbuds, lilacs, crabapples, wisteria, azaleas, dogwood, cherries, etc. The Buddha held up a flower, and Mahakashyapa smiled. We appreciate holy truth, goodness, and beauty … Continue reading →

  Good morning!   We are now surrounded by flowers. We have fresh flowers at the altar. I was reluctant to sweep the garden when asked to do so as a child. But I was delighted to clean, if it … Continue reading →