Preparing the Mind to Realize Emptiness

Following on Mei's talk on Form & Emptiness, the topic will be Preparing the Mind to Realize Emptiness. As an ancient Zen adept put it, "The clear circle of brightness is what exists from the very beginning". Put another way, there is an aspect of our experience here and now that is unhindered and luminous. But how do we come to see this? And how do we live it? We will talk about some of the ways the Zen ancestors encourage us to prepare the mind to realize emptiness.

Form & Emptiness

Mei Elliott: Form & Emptiness are a foundational teachings in Soto Zen, and yet many find the subject perplexing and mysterious. My hope is to present the topic in a way that is both accessible and useful in your own practice. During the talk I'll include teachings on not-self, Nagarjuna's "two-truths," and the relationship between emptiness and freedom from suffering.

Rumination

Michael McCord: Do you have thoughts that plague you? Do you get emotionally sidetracked by situations in the past or the future that seem to give you no peace?

Tonight, we will explore the principal causes of these disturbing thoughts and body sensations and how the context of Zen practice addresses these directly. We'll look at practical steps as well as an overall context of how to hold our bother, where to put our mind, and what acceptance has to do with this.

Under the Words

Kodo Conlin: Founder Dōgen put it, "The path of all buddhas and ancestors arises before the first forms emerge; it cannot be spoken of using conventional views.” Our topic for tonight is getting under the words, invitations to broaden our spectrum of experience, abiding in the vastness beyond words and stories.

List-Making & Non-Dualism

Anshi Zachary Smith: “We’ll explore, among other things, the intellectual and philosophical environment in which Zen Buddhism developed in China, in particular the that fact that it contained both a proliferation of dualistic “list-making” and a preponderance of radical non-dualism (perhaps “anti-dualism”) as pioneered by some earlier Mahayana Buddhist schools, e.g. the Huayan school. We’ll also see how this balancing act has continued even up to the present day.”

Living with One Shoulder Bare

Michael McCord: We'll explore the ritual garment practice of Buddhist monks who draped cloth such that one shoulder was bare with their daily garments, symbolizing they always had at least one arm ready to help others.  How can we live this way in the modern world when "our" stuff seems to be overwhelming as it is - and what ways may this help us as well?

Hui Chao Asks About the Buddha

Anshi Zachary Smith raises Case 7 of the Blue Cliff Record,  “Hui Chao Asks About the Buddha,” to see what it can tell (or show) us about the exact nature of the much-debated term “Buddha Nature” in the context of Zen practice. We will also be bringing in a bit of Dogen, which is always a good thing—rather like adding pepper, or maybe even smoked Paprika, to soup.

Social & Communal Harmony

Maybe it's me, or what seems like perpetual election season, but little seems more relevant than reflecting on Social & Communal Harmony. What does the Buddha have to say about this, as one who lived through his own period of political upheaval and community division, and was insulted a fair amount? Let's pick up some of the Buddha's words and see what light they shine on how he was able to walk beneficially through this wild world. 

Yangshan’s Mind and Environment


“This case raises and explores the question of what actually happens when, as Dogen asks, you take “the backward step that turns your light inwardly to illuminate your self”. Not surprisingly, it’s not exactly as straightforward as turning on the kitchen light on the way to the fridge and there are some nuances to sort out.” — Anshi Zachary Smith