Sanshin Zen Community

Hoko recently completed a series of four dharma talks exploring the four main components of Sanshin's practice vision: Zazen, study, work, & ritual -- each with their own particular areas of focus, or "specialties," at Sanshin.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9Vi3s1UrMe7Hq8vFS2KypNiCDNStmanF&si=SP0cxsVg5tBhfiSF

See Hoko's commentary on gate statement 44 ("Right means") of the 108 Gates of Dharma Illumination below. New commentaries are posted to our website each Monday: https://www.sanshinji.org/108-gates/gate-44-right-means

"Simply doing actions that help other beings is skillful means, and those beneficial actions equip others to take beneficial action themselves. As bodhisattvas we are always demonstrating how to move through the world with wisdom and compassion, not because we’re better than anyone else but because wisdom and compassion are what happens when we see clearly and we’re not pulled around by delusion. Our challenge is to do this in a way that’s not self-conscious: look at me, what a great and inspiring role model I am!"

Gate 44 Right means Right means are a gate of Dharma illumination; for they are accompanied by right conduct. 衆生を導く正しい方便は法明門である。それによって衆生は正しい行いを具えるからである。...

Our October newsletter is available here: https://www.sanshinji.org/sangha-news/archives/10-2024

See Hoko's commentary on gate statement 39 ("Not to quarrel") of the 108 Gates of Dharma Illumination below. New commentaries are posted to our website each Monday: https://www.sanshinji.org/108-gates/gate-39-not-to-quarrel

"Differences of opinion are normal and healthy. We’re never all going to agree about everything; our karmic circumstances are all different. The question is: what do we do with those differences of opinion? Do we attack the other person and create a win-lose situation? Or do we maintain our equanimity so we can think clearly and see clearly and leave some possibility for agreeing to disagree? Do we maintain a spirit of inquiry and give the other person a chance to explain his or her viewpoint? Or do we just grab as much territory as possible for ourselves?"

Gate 39 Not to quarrel Not to quarrel is a gate of Dharma illumination; for it stops angry accusations. 争い闘わないことは法明門である。それによって怒り争うことが断たれるからである。...