Wisdom and farts, January 22nd 2015
..were among the topic of Nobu’s talk on the Shobogenzo HACHIDAININKAKU today.
Here is the first half an hour (in Japanese only):
Is Buddhism only for introverts?, January 18th 2015
Today was Mui’s turn to give a talk about Shobogenzo HACHIDAININKAKU.
Mui asks the question “Is Buddhism only for introverts?”, when talking about the part:
The third is ‘enjoying the tranquility of nirvana’. What He called ‘enjoying the tranquility of nirvana’ means leaving behind all the noise and hubbub for the solitude of the open country.
As the Buddha said:
“O you monks, if you seek to be tranquil and quiet, liberated from the insistence of the defiling passions, at ease and content, then you should part company with confusion and bustle, and dwell at your ease in some solitary place. The person who dwells in quietude continually forsakes what those in the heavens esteem so highly amongst themselves. Therefore, withdraw from those about you, as well as from other crowds and, in a place of solitude apart from them, reflect on the source of the eradication of suffering at your leisure. If you are one who enjoys the company of others, then you will take on the woes of their company, just as with a flock of birds that gather in some huge tree, there is the lament of dead branches breaking off under their weight. When the world binds itself around us, we drown in the suffering of such company just as an old elephant, sunk down in mire, is unable to drag himself out. This is what I call ‘distancing yourself from those about you’.”
Here are the first minutes (in Japanese only):
Climbing up to Antaiji in the snow, January 15th 2015
Less snow than usual at this time of the year, but still enough to make it easy to concentarte on zazen and study. This year’s topics are Gakudoyojinshu, Juundoshiki and Hachidaininkaku.
Zen for nothing
The movie “Zen for nothing”, that was filmed two years ago at Antaiji, will have its world premiere at the Solothurn film festival in Switzerland. It will be shown in cinemas around Europe (and maybe America?) later during 2016.
Here are some Interview clips and outtakes:
Winter practice period, December 17th 2015
Winter practice period
We will be closed off from the outside world by the snow until next spring.
Mui will be our head monk during the winter practice period, the dharma combat ceremony will be held on March 11th.
Staying at Antaiji in 2016
We are looking for residents between the age of 18 and 40 years who do speak at least basic Japanese and want to stay for a minimum of three years. If you are interested, please first come as an aspirant for 80 days.
In 2016, we will accept aspirants for a 80 day trial period on March 26th, April 26th, August 26th and September 26th only. We do not accept any short term visitors, except for retreats which will be held three or four times a year (Usually in May, July and September).
Retreats
There will be three retreats in 2016, when we welcome short term guests:
Truenature retreats in April/May and October, and a Yoga Zen retreat in July/August.
Yearbook 2015
English articles.
Recent pictures
Antaiji, December 17th 2015
Videos
Videos shot on the same morning: Walk around the zen hall and bringing the kids to the school bus.