The world of being
There is a saying: “The soul is reflected in the eyes.” The mind is reflected in the eyes. Do not try to catch anything, do not fix your eyes on anything. This is what is meant by to look inside.
There are two ways to look at the world.…
Making Peace
Dear friend, don't you see this man of the Way,who does not seek the truth,nor flees from delusions?
This is the first verse of the Shodoka, the Song of Awakening, written by Master Yoka Daishi.
Yoka Daishi gives us a piece of friendly…
Having few desires
2600 years ago, Shakyamuni Buddha invited his fellow human beings to reconsider their relationship to the world. As he was dying, he gave eight recommendations, called the Eight Satori of the Great Man. The first satori was to have few desires,…
The absolute political act
To take the right posture, one needs be very delicate, with careful attention, total commitment. To take matters in hand without harming oneself. Some people are casual or arrogant enough to believe that they are beyond this practice. In the…
Cooperation with all existences
A baby in its mother's womb receives its life without making the slightest effort. It receives its mother's life. Its mother receives the life of the universe. We receive our life from the entire universe at all times.
This baby out of the…
Liberation
Zen is the most direct, simplest form of practicing Buddhism. Zen is nothing other than zazen, meditation without object.
To do zazen is to experience regained freedom and in doing so, to taste pure existence. During zazen, we are free because…
Liberation
Zen is the most direct, simplest form of practicing Buddhism. Zen is nothing other than zazen, meditation without object.
To do zazen is to experience regained freedom and in doing so, to taste pure existence. During zazen, we are free because…
Faith: Strength and Wisdom
An authentic and just life requires faith. In Buddhism, faith is not faith in something. It is not faith in beliefs or superstitions. It is not believing that an outside power can save us or solve the problem of life and death for us. We ought…
Free of Self
In the morning, when we don the kesa, we bring to mind what our practice is by singing :
O great garment of liberation
Field of happiness beyond all forms.
The kesa represents the Buddha's teaching, that is, the teaching of the universe.…
The mind of the morning of the world
The mind of zazen is the mind of the morning of the world, before the passions, before the flames rise. To awaken with the day which is dawning. Be careful not to let your mind take hold of the usual preoccupations. Maintain the calm of the…
