Good morning!
We are in sesshin, which means embracing (摂心) or touching (接心) the heart and mind. Our hearts and minds are normally going out, but are rarely embraced or touched. We seldom protect, much less touch them, thus we let karma drive them.
The compiler and editor of my paper “Zen and Science” asked me to comment on how Zen Buddhists deal with ISIS. How can we solve such problems as ISIS terrorism? The ordinary way is endless tit-for-tat, with more massacre and bloodshed.
Even if religion means reunion with holiness (wholly wholesome) from sin (separation, selfishness), and Muhammad said killing a person is killing humanity, and Jesus said to turn the other cheek – still, religious passions incite religious wars.
The past Paris and recent Brussel terrorist attack groups planned to attack nuclear plants, and a current presidential candidate advocates a nuclear attack on them. Such is the truly MAD (mutually assured destruction) mind and hellish heart!
This is due to the karma of survival instinct. Unless we still our karma, see the truth of the interdependent nature of our existence, serve it, and save all, we will never end ego delusion, divisiveness, and desire, and will spiral into devastation and demise.
The Buddha said,
Enmity is never appeased by enmity here,
But by non-enmity. This is the truth forever.
Better than the one conquering thousands upon thousands in wars
Is the one conquering oneself. He is the greatest of war conquerors.
Anyone can sit, still karma, see dharma, serve it, save all, and attain unconditioned peace (nirvana) and unsurpassed awakening. This is the Zen Buddhist way of conquering not only oneself, but all in a wholly wholesome way and world.
3/26/16
The above pictures were sent from Japan taken by Garyo,
who has been practicing with us at MZC and
whose travelogs with pictures appeared here often,
who is now staying at Zuioji Temple practicing together with monks
(the above pictures were taken on her first full day stay),
one of the 88 temples to visit in pilgrimage in Shikoku Island,
after her 33 day pilgrimage trip there.
Her travelog in Shikoku with beautiful pictures is here:
http://simplyjustwalking.com/2016/04/01/shikoku-day-34/
Above two pictures were taken at MZC after sitting
This picture was taken in Rosan’s garden,
keeping blossoms even after the strong wind siren