October 11, 2020

 Taking Refuge (Fall Sesshin theme)

Case 4 from the Book of Serenity:  The World Honored One Points to the Ground

As the World Honored One was walking with the congregation, he pointed to the ground with his finger and said, "This spot is good to build a sanctuary."  Indra, Emperor of the gods, took a blade of grass, stuck it in the ground and said, "The sanctuary is built."  The World Honored One smiled.

From Misha's talk about refuge:  Find your blade of grass, your flower petal, your rake or hoe, your keyboard, you car, your neighbor or your enemy...

and like Indra, stick it in the ground of your being while taking refuge in the sanctuary of Buddha Mind. 

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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
• M-F: 7-7:30am - zazen
• 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 Charles Kennicott Leech, Nancy's father who died on 10/9/20
• Please offer bows for all those families who have lost their lives or their homes in the recent fires in Oregon, California, and Washington
• Please continue to offer bows of well-being for:   
• David Shaw, who suffered a stroke on 9/30/20
• Charles Kennicott Leech, Nancy's father who is in the hospital
• Chief Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who died 9/18/2020
• Takiko Kawakami, Fumiko Arao's mother who died 9/2/2020
• Phyllis Merrill, Misha's mother, who is dying
• 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 brother, Bill: National Geographic article on coronavirus   https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/05/graphic-tracking-coronavirus-infections-us/

• From our dharma brother, Jim C.: fascinating look at the Scarlet Medusa jellyfish   https://www.nowness.com/series/nowness-asia/scarlet-medusa-immortality-jellyfish
• From our dharma sister, Shannon:   There are moments when the confines of normal reality crack and we are opened up to Providence. “Hallelujah” performed in honor of RBG. As big as she was in life, she is even greater in death. You can actually feel her spirit being released to God and sense its largess when listening to this song. Crying cleansing tears.”   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-INgWwo8TY&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR2q4LrrWs6POWRJ0vq-ChvyXhT_7ex-f3BU69DmAU7a5Mf82zGAxjEJMmM 
• Need something to lift your spirits?  https://youtu.be/JNgCM7zp30M
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• If you would like to leave a comment on this blog: Here is a quick video on how to--it's from 2017, but should work:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T4RflO5Wgg
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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.