June 11, 2020

There is a story of a Chinese Zen teacher named ‘Bird’s Nest,’ who was called this because he lived up in a tree.  There was a statesman and poet who was a student of Bird’s Nest.  One time this statesman came and asked, “What’s the great meaning of Buddha’s teaching?”  And his teacher said, “Refrain from all harm, do all good. “  And the statesman said, “Though this is so, even a three-year old child can say that.”  And the teacher said, “A three-year old child may be able to say it, but an eighty-year old person cannot practice it.”  The statesman bowed in thanks for this response.

Talking about causing no harm is easy; actually doing no harm is a practice requiring strength, determination, and courage--because it will take your entire life. 

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Our ZHS on-line schedule:  

• Mondays: 7-8:30pm - zazen, short service, lecture/discussion
• Tuesdays-Fridays: 5:30-6:10pm - zazen, offering of merit/bows
• Saturdays: 8:00-10:15am - zazen, short service, tea, discussion/study
• For more information:  www.zenheartsangha.org)  

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Special bows for today: 

• Please offer bows for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and others who have died from police brutality
• Please offer bows for Dottie Kelly, Misha's family member, who died of lung disease on May 20th
• Please offer bows for Annette Merrill, Misha's cousin, who died on May 13th from lung cancer
• Please offer bows for Donald Kennedy, former president of Stanford University, who died from COVID-19
• Please continue to offer bows for Nick Battaglia, Camille Spar's father, who died Aprill 13th 
• Please continue to offer bows for the family of Alison Templeton, a PS parent, who died on April 1st 
• Please continue to offer bows of well-being for:   
• Beverly Klemme whose beloved horse Saphire died May 26th
• Rev. Les Kaye, Misha’s Zen teacher, who is recovering at home undergoing chemotherapy

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Wonderful links shared by sangha members and friends:

• Zen Heart Sangha website: resources about COVID-19: www.zenheartsangha.org
• From our dharma friends, Diane and Wing: 'blue eyes/brown eyes exercise:  https://youtu.be/f2z-ahJ4uws
• From our dharma sister, Jill: Rutger Bregman, author of Humankind:   https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/may/09/rutger-bregman-our-secret-superpower-is-our-ability-to-cooperate
• From our dharma sister, Camille: an important commentary on race, riots and society to help us understand from Trevor Noah https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4amCfVbA_c
• From our dharma sister, Jill:  Jane Elliot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebPoSMULI5U
• From our dharma brother, Stephen: Maui surfers paddling out to create a circle of aloha in support of George Floyd and his family: https://www.kitv.com/story/42197703/maui-surfers-hold-paddle-out-in-honor-of-george-floyd?fbclid=IwAR1BHWD5nekMFW4bXRQrOhx2vNgydZoXdv7zrz1TxCPOdEdLyfVh4mDF0rs
• From our dharma sister, Jill: Ibram X Kendi on “racism and anti-racism”:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D6Ge1VXySo
• Anti-racism resources for white people: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BRlF2_zhNe86SGgHa6-VlBO-QgirITwCTugSfKie5Fs/preview?pru=AAABco-l62s*wWgmhgauhStr-4WtSmpVLQ
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Many thanks to those of you who are sending me articles to share, links to helpful information, and for making comments…it is a gift beyond measure. Please know that you can either leave a comment on the blog itself, or send something directly to me and I will be happy to paste it in.