Author Archive

Four Vows For You

May. 26, 2010 - Posted in: Blog - 9 Comments

During the recent Four Vows Workshop, we were all stunned by the many possibilities for translation, interpretation, creation of the vows for each one of us. We thought it would be interesting to use this blog as part of a reconsideration of the wording of our vows. You can find a character-by-character guide on our downloads page http://villagezendo.org/downloads/.

Senitent Beings are numberless, I vow to save them.

What about this? What are sentient beings to you? who vows? what is it to save?

Desires are inexhaustible, I vow to put an end to them

Is ‘desire’ the best word here? How to put an end to them?

The dharmas are boundless, I vow to master them.

What ‘dharmas’ are these? And what is ‘master’ them?

The Buddha Way is unattainable, I vow to attain it.

Is this about ‘attain’?

Let’s hear what you think and how you might express it.


Welcome to our Blog

Feb. 11, 2010 - Posted in: Blog - 68 Comments

It’s winter here now
Overlooking the overlook
Leafless trees against the colorless sky.
All the warmth within.
You can see your breath.

What better way to recognize emptiness and form? Hoping this blog will bring us together intimately, where we can activate the way and truth of expression (the name of our temple, btw).
– Roshi