Raichozan (Thunderbird Mountain) Zendo

We are a lay sitting group in Glendale AZ. We meet on Tuesday evenings at the West Valley UU Church at 59th and Cholla. Offering instruction in zazen (Zen Buddhist meditation) and the opportunity to practice with the structure and support of a group inspired in the Rinzai Zen tradition.Beginners welcome.

We meet on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30
First time visitors should call 602.492.2212 or email mui@cox.net for orientation instructions.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Shu jo mu hen sei gan do (Beings are numberless I vow to free them).


Recently I read a debate between Robert Thurman and Steven Batchlor. Towards the end of this debate Bob takes the stand that you can't really take the vow to save all beings if you don't believe in reincarnation and the great skeptic Steven leaves a very mundane, yes you can. Needless to say, it left a dry taste in my mouth. So how do we we keep the Great Vow to liberate all beings, we awaken
Zen Master Dogen said
When without expectation, suddenly you break through the lacquered bucket of the ancestors* style, and lift your head and hit yor chest [in unmediated expression], suddenly you attain realization of the way. When one person realizes the way, self and other together realize the way. In one morning of realizing the way, past body and future body together realize the way. “
When the Buddha awakened he said  
“I and all sentient beings on earth, together, attain enlightenment at the same time.” Our enlightenment belongs to the universe.