Last October, 2021, Rachel Boughton, Abbess Flower Mountain Zen, asked us to form an Alliance, a sisterhood between BZC and FMZ. In January, 2020, she co-created Flower Mountain Zen with teachers, leaders and hosts. I'm one of those who lead intermittently on Sunday mornings and early morning meditation on Wednesdays with Amy Robinson. It's good to have friends in the Dharma and especially those who enjoy supporting others in finding 'their place in the world.' You are always welcome to join Flower Mountain Zen on Sunday mornings. I will lead again once I return from the Monastery Christ in the Desert, Abiquiu, New Mexico.
Each month we explore a new koan or perhaps continue with the same one. Koans may be a word, phrase or a story. They have an ancient history and yes, are alive from the words of women then and now.This month's koan is made up of seven couplets, each flowing into the next. When I sit here, what do I remember? What's here right now?
May's koan
Transmission verse of the 12th century Chinese nun Wenzhao
If the well of divinity fails to stir,
what embodies wonder?
Utterly unique solitary brilliance,
whose radiance is it?
Perfect thus-ness
looks like reality
Conceiving of an eminent ancestor
is making a blemish on perfect flesh.
Discussing "just this"
is searching for shadows.
For a lifetime the old teacher spoke of dreams,
and then died.
Each of us came here to wake up.
Don't you remember?
Boise Zen Center Weekly Meditation mdt
Tuesday-Friday mornings 7:00-8:10am
Saturday morning 8:00-9:10am
Tuesday evening 6:00-7:10pm
Wednesday Mornings May Meditation 7:30-7:50am mdt
18th Amy Robinson
25th Amy Robinson
Sunday morning May 15th Rachael Boughton, Roshi 10:00-11:45 pdt
BZC Weekly Meditation Zoom Link
FMZ Wednesday, Sunday Mornings Zoom Link
Each month we explore a new koan or perhaps continue with the same one. Koans may be a word, phrase or a story. They have an ancient history and yes, are alive from the words of women then and now.This month's koan is made up of seven couplets, each flowing into the next. When I sit here, what do I remember? What's here right now?
May's koan
Transmission verse of the 12th century Chinese nun Wenzhao
If the well of divinity fails to stir,
what embodies wonder?
Utterly unique solitary brilliance,
whose radiance is it?
Perfect thus-ness
looks like reality
Conceiving of an eminent ancestor
is making a blemish on perfect flesh.
Discussing "just this"
is searching for shadows.
For a lifetime the old teacher spoke of dreams,
and then died.
Each of us came here to wake up.
Don't you remember?
Boise Zen Center Weekly Meditation mdt
Tuesday-Friday mornings 7:00-8:10am
Saturday morning 8:00-9:10am
Tuesday evening 6:00-7:10pm
Wednesday Mornings May Meditation 7:30-7:50am mdt
18th Amy Robinson
25th Amy Robinson
Sunday morning May 15th Rachael Boughton, Roshi 10:00-11:45 pdt
BZC Weekly Meditation Zoom Link
FMZ Wednesday, Sunday Mornings Zoom Link
