Roshi Letter, Summer Ango 2018

Dear Sangha,

In Dogen’s seminal writing on practicing the Way, he offers a valuable pointer:

Sitting upright, practicing Zen, is the authentic gate to free yourself in the unconfined realm of samadhi. Although this inconceivable dharma is abundant in each person, it is not actualized without practice, and it is not experienced without realization.

It’s that time of year again, when we take time to concentrate our practice, to study, to work with sangha members, and thus deepen our concentration, our compassion and wisdom. This is in accord with the traditional Zen seasonal retreat called ‘an-go’ or peaceful dwelling. During the summer, we practice both as a residential retreat at The Grail and also in the city, in the midst of our ordinary daily lives. For thirty days we all personally commit to more zazen, study, and clear awareness of our interaction with others, attentiveness to the precepts, and our responsibility to the whole world.

This year, our residential ango begins with an informal unpacking and set-up from July 18 to July 20, when our Dai Sesshin begins. After Dai Sesshin, there is Precepts week, Arts Week (watercolor and poetry) and Shuso Sesshin Week. Whether you are in residence at the Grail or practicing at 588 Broadway, or in some other location, you have the opportunity to engage in vital Zen practice and study!

This year our ango study text is Dogen’s essay “Bendowa.”  Attached below is Kazuaki Tanahashi’s translation. There are also many other felicitous translations you can find on line. Dogen encourages us to meet our lives directly and recognize our relationship with all that is.

One person is asked to serve as ‘Shuso’, or practice leader, someone to show up as our model of sincere practice. This year’s shuso is Ian DAISHI Koebner who has written the attached letter and commitment form to help us articulate our aims for this period of time. Please join Daishi and the whole community in exploring this active way to energize our practice!

Thank you for your practice,

Roshi Enkyo and the Village Zendo Teachers

Attachments: Shuso Letter, Shuso Commitment Form, and Bendowa

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