Crystal Clear

Good evening!

We just heard the beautiful bell sound appearing and disappearing, and we know that all growth decays, and birth ends in death. All phenomena and formations are impermanent.

We heard that Ed has been hospitalized due to a stroke. We know of the unprecedented disaster in Japan, with more than 6,000 known dead and possibly double that number, given the number of missing people.

Due to the nuclear plant crisis, almost 300,000 people have been evacuated and moved to refugee centers, where they lack freedom of movement and basic necessities.

With no time to cry or complain, they come to terms with reality. They are working their hardest. At home and abroad, people are coming out to help.

Here suddenly spring is blooming with green grass and willow trees, and blossoming with forsythia, daffodils, magnolias, and so forth.

High in heaven, there is the full moon brilliantly beautiful, and the spring equinox, equal in day and night, neither chilly nor hot, is at hand.

So we are now sitting in equanimity, calm and cool, in free and full function together with flowers, birds, breezes, and the bright moon.

Ohigan (???), yonder shore, stands for the equinox and for equipoise beyond billowing and torrents, and illustrates nirvana, unconditioned peace.

Here on earth we have earthquakes of sufferings, tsunamis of transmigrations, and plumes of karmas, constantly pressing upon us.

How can we stop these agitations, stay stable and serene, and savor amrita, immortality, in limitless light, liberation, and love?

Sit still, stop karma, see straight, and settle solid in the dharma, calm and clear, like clear crystal throughout space and time.

Shikan-taza (????) is just forgetting everything, devotedly sitting unmoved amidst all kind of things going on and around.

The Buddha said, “This is the come and see (ehi passika) way.” This means to cultivate and verify nirvana and bodhi, awakening.

Rest in holy truth, peace, goodness, beauty, harmony, and happiness, and refresh, regenerate, and revitalize aspiration, action, unconditioned peace, and awakening!

3/18/11