Blog

  • Evening Practice for September 21, 2023 7pm Eastern

    Here is the link to join us via the cloud zendo at 7PM  for the All Beings Zen Sangha evening program.  Tonight we will have a Wellbeing Service followed by one period of Zazen and the chanting of the refuges.    If you would like stay after refuges and do a welcome and check-in please do

    If you are asked for a password please use this  041285

    ABZS does keep an attendance of participation in sangha events*  this is done for the welfare of it’s members and for guidance in future programing

    Please put your zoom in gallery mode, and keep your video link on while muting your mic until the end of the service – Feel welcome to face away from your device camera while keeping your presence visible in the frame for others in attendance to see and know you are there. Please refrain from moving your device around while others are sitting zazen with you.

    Order of Service

    Greeting by the Kokyo

    Heart Sutra in English

    30 minutes period of zazen

    5 minute period of Kinhin (slow walking meditation)

    Enmei X 9

    Loving Kindness Meditation

    Dedication of merit.

    Refuges in Pali

    Heart of Great Perfect Wisdom Sutra

    Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva,

    when deeply practicing prajña paramita,

    clearly saw that all five aggregates are empty

    and thus relieved all suffering.

    Shariputra,

    form does not differ from emptiness,

    emptiness does not differ from form.

    Form itself is emptiness,

    emptiness itself form.

    Sensations, perceptions, formations,

    and consciousness are also like this.

    Shariputra,

    all dharmas are marked by emptiness;

    they neither arise nor cease,

    are neither defiled nor pure,

    neither increase nor decrease.

    Therefore, given emptiness, there is

    no form, no sensation, no perception,

    no formation no consciousness;

    no eyes, no ears, no nose, no tongue,

    no body, no mind;

    no sight, no sound, no smell, no taste,

    no touch, no object of mind;

    no realm of sight… no realm of mind consciousness

    There is neither ignorance nor extinction of ignorance…

    neither old age and death,

    nor extinction of old age and death;

    no suffering, no cause, no cessation, no path;

    no knowledge and no attainment.

    With nothing to attain,

    a bodhisattva relies on prajña paramita,

    and thus the mind is without hindrance.

    Without hindrance, there is no fear.

    Far beyond all inverted views, one realizes nirvana.

    All buddhas of past, present, and future

    rely on prajña paramita and thereby attain

    unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment.

    Therefore, know the prajña paramita as

    the great miraculous mantra,

    the great bright mantra,

    the supreme mantra,

    the incomparable mantra,

    which removes all suffering

    and is true, not false.

    Therefore we proclaim the prajña paramita mantra,

    the mantra that says:

    “Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha.” ∅

    Well Being Ceremony – Call and Response

    Enmei Jukko Kannon Gyo (9 times) led by Kokyo

    Loving Kindness Meditation led byDoshi

    Dedication of Merit led by Doshi

    Refuges in Pali

    Post service check in (please feel welcome to stay or depart as your schedule requires)

    Enmei Jukko Kannon Gyo X9

    KAN ZEON                

    NA MU BUTSU

    YO BUTSU U IN

    YO BUTSU U EN

    BUP PO SO  EN            

    JO RAKU GA JO

    CHO NEN KANZEON

    BO NEN KANZEON

    NEN NEN JU SHIN KI      

    NEN NEN FU RI SHIN

    Loving Kindness Meditation

    This is what should be accomplished by the one who is wise,

    Who seeks the good and has obtained peace:

    Let one be strenuous, upright and sincere,

    WIthout pride, easily contented and joyous.

    Let one not be submerged by the things of the world.

    Let one not take upon one’s self the burden of riches.

    Let one’s senses be controlled.

    Let one be wise, but not puffed up: and 

    Let one not desire great possessions even for one’s family.

    Let one do nothing that is mean or that the wise would reprove

    May all beings be happy.

    May they be joyous and live in safety.

    All living beings, whether weak or strong,

    In high or middle or low realms of existence,

    Small or great, visible or invisible, 

    Near or far, born or to be born,

    May all beings be happy.

    Let no one deceive another, nor despise any being in any state;

    Let none by anger or hatred wish harm to another.

    Even as a mother at the risk of her life

    Watches over and protects her only child,

    So with a boundless mind should one cherish all living things,

    Suffusing love over the entire world,

    Above, below and all around without limit; 

    So let one cultivate an infinite good will toward the whole world.

    Standing or walking, sitting or lying down,

    During all one’s waking hours

    Let one practice the way with gratitude.

    Not holding to fixed views,

    Endowed with insight, 

    Freed from sense appetites,

    One who achieves the way

    Will be freed from the duality of birth and death.

    Refuges in Pali (Call and Response)

    Accapella, inflections as follows:

    ➞Buddham Saranam Ga➚cha➘mi➞iii

    BUDDHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

    DHAMMAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

    SANGHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

    DUTIYAMPI BUDDHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

    DUTIYAMPI DHAMMAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

    DUTIYAMPI SANGHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

    TATIYAMPI BUDDHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

    TATIYAMPI DHAMMAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

    TATIYAMPI SANGHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

  • FINAL SUNDAY PROGRAM for Dragons Leap Temple on Sunday September 17, 2023 6pm Pacific time

    Another Great Leap

    Dear Friends,

    This Sunday will be the final Sunday Program offered by Dragons Leap. For 12 years, Dragons leap has provided a wonderful place to practice, and now it is time for another great leap!

    We will sit zazen at 6:00 pm followed by a talk with Dairyū Michael Wenger at 6:30 pm. To join us via Zoom please follow this LINK or use the Meeting ID: 876 4768 9043. If requested, the password is 176924.

    There will be time to share your thoughts and memories as part of tomorrow’s program. If you you wish to share something, please do!

    Our Ino, Richard Urban, is leaving for Tassajara next week. Ten thousand thank yous to Richard for keeping the Zendo open for these many years and best wishes at the monastery. There will be no more morning Zazen at Dragons Leap.

    Thank you all so much for your generous practice. This sangha has always shown me exactly where I am.

    May our work and friendships continue!

    A very deep bow,

    Ryūgin Kyle Getschow, President of the Board for Dragons Leap Temple

    P.S. The past couple of days, we have been packing up the Zendo and the Dragon’s library for transport to their new home, the upcoming Dragons Leap/Dairyū Michael Wenger Library in Washington D.C. Thank you very much to Inryū Poncé-Barger and All Beings Zen Sangha for creating such a special place for us all to enjoy.

  • Evening Practice for September 14, 2023 7pm Eastern

    Here is the Zoom link to join in the cloud zendo, password if needed: 041285

    Tonight we will have a short service followed by two periods of Zazen with an interval of Kinhin (5 minutes of slow walking in between). We will conclude by chanting the refuges in Pali. Please feel welcome to stay on zoom if you are able to share greetings with the sangha.

    Please put your zoom in gallery mode, and keep your video link on while muting your mic until the end of the service – Feel welcome to face away from your device camera while keeping your presence visible in the frame for others in attendance to see and know you are there. Please refrain from moving your device around while others are sitting zazen with you.

    Please put your zoom in gallery mode, and keep your video link on while muting your mic until the end of the service – Feel welcome to face away from your device camera while keeping your presence visible in the frame for others in attendance to see and know you are there. Please refrain from moving your device around while others are sitting zazen with you.

    Order of Service (text available at highlighted links)

    Greeting by the Kokyo

    Enmei Jukko Kannon Gyo

    Heart Sutra in English

    25 Minute Zazen Period

    5 minutes of Kinhin (slow walking)

    25 Minute Zazen Period

    Four Great Vows

    Refuges in Pali

    Brief Check in and announcements

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 15894387_10211911018119706_6430856835607845771_n.jpeg

    

  • Dharma Talk offered by Inryū Sensei August 31, 2023 7pm Eastern

    Here is the link to join us via the cloud zendo at 7PM  for the All Beings Zen Sangha evening program.  Tonight we will have short service with Heart Sutra in Japanese followed by one period of Zazen and a Dharma Talk by our ABZS Guiding Teacher Inryū Sensei.   We will close by chanting the Refuges in Pali.  If you would like stay after refuges and do a welcome and check-in please do.

    If you are asked for a password please use this  041285

    ABZS does keep an attendance of participation in sangha events*  this is done for the welfare of it’s members and for guidance in future programing

    Please put your zoom in gallery mode, and keep your video link on while muting your mic until the end of the service – Feel welcome to face away from your device camera while keeping your presence visible in the frame for others in attendance to see and know you are there. Please refrain from moving your device around while others are sitting zazen with you.

    Order of Service

    Greeting by the Kokyo

    Enmei Jukko Kannon Gyo

    Heart Sutra in Japanese

    Dedication of Merit

    25 Minute Zazen Period

    5 Minute Kinhin (slow walking) interval

    Dharma Talk

    Four Great Vows

    Refuges in Pali

    Enmei Jukko Kannon Gyo

    KAN ZEON                

    NA MU BUTSU

    YO BUTSU U IN

    YO BUTSU U EN

    BUP PO SO  EN            

    JO RAKU GA JO 

    CHO NEN KANZEON

    BO NEN KANZEON

    NEN NEN JU SHIN KI      

    NEN NEN FU RI SHIN    

    Maka Hanya Haramita Shin Gyo (Heart Sutra in Japanese)

    KAN JI ZAI BO SATSU GYO JIN HAN NYA

    HA RA MI TA JI SHO KEN GO ON KAI

    KU DO IS SAI KU YAKU SHA RI SHI

    SHIKI FU I KU KU FU I SHIKI SHIKI 

    SOKU ZE KU KU SOKU ZE SHIKI JU SO

    GYO SHIKI YAKU BU NYO ZE SHA RI

    SHI ZE SHO HO KU SO FU SHO FU

    METSU FU KU FU JO FU ZO FU GEN

    ZE KO KU CHU MU SHIKI MU JU SO

    GYO SHIKI MU GEN NI BI ZE SHIN

    NI MU SHIKI SHO KO MI SOKU HO MU

    GEN KAI NAI SHI MU I SHIKI KAI MU

    MU MYO YAKU MU MU MYO JIN NAI 

    SHI MU RO SHI YAKU MU RO SHI JIN

    MU KU SHU METSU DO MU CHI YAKU 

    MU TOKU I MU SHO TOK KO BO DAI

    SAT TA E HAN NYA HA RA MI TA

    KO SHIN MU KE GE MU KE GE KO

    MU U KU FU ON RI IS SAI TEN DO

    MU SO KU GYO NE HAN SAN ZE SHO

    BUTSU E HAN NYA HA RA MI TA

    KO TOKU A NOKU TA RA SAM MYAKU

    SAM BO DAI KO CHI HAN NYA HA

    RA MI TA ZE DAI JIN SHU ZE DAI

    MYO SHU ZE MU JO SHU ZE MU TO 

    DO SHU NO JO IS SAI KU SHIN JITSU

    FU KO KO SETSU HAN NYA HA RA 

    MI TA SHU SOKU SETSU SHU WATSU

    GYA TE GYA TE HA RA GYA TE

    HARA SO GYA TE BO DHI SOWA KA 

    HAN NYA SHIN GYO

    The Four Great Vows

    Beings are numberless; I vow to save them.

    Delusions are inexhaustible; I vow to end them.

    Dharma Gates are boundless; I vow to enter them.

    Buddha’s way is unsurpassable; I vow to become it.

  • Evening Practice for August 24, 2023 7pm Eastern

    Here is the link to join us via the cloud zendo at 7PM  for the All Beings Zen Sangha evening program.  Tonight we will have short service with Heart Sutra in Mandarin followed by one period of Zazen and a Well Being Ceremony.   We will close by chanting the Refuges in Pali.  If you would like stay after refuges and do a welcome and check-in please do.

    If you are asked for a password please use this  041285

    ABZS does keep an attendance of participation in sangha events*  this is done for the welfare of it’s members and for guidance in future programing

    Please put your zoom in gallery mode, and keep your video link on while muting your mic until the end of the service – Feel welcome to face away from your device camera while keeping your presence visible in the frame for others in attendance to see and know you are there. Please refrain from moving your device around while others are sitting zazen with you.

    Order of Service

    Greeting by the Kokyo

    Enmei Jukko Kannon Gyo

    Heart Sutra in English

    Dedication of Merit

    25 Minute Zazen Period

    5 Minute Kinhin (slow walking) interval

    25 Minute Zazen Period

    Four Great Vows

    Refuges in Pali

    Enmei Jukko Kannon Gyo

    KAN ZEON                

    NA MU BUTSU

    YO BUTSU U IN

    YO BUTSU U EN

    BUP PO SO  EN            

    JO RAKU GA JO 

    CHO NEN KANZEON

    BO NEN KANZEON

    NEN NEN JU SHIN KI      

    NEN NEN FU RI SHIN    

    Heart Sutra in Mandarin

    The Pinyin pronunciation

    (Title) bō rě bō luó mì duō xīn jīng  

    guān zì zài pú sà , xíng shēn bō rě bō luó mì duō shí,zhào jiàn wǔ yùn jiē kōng, dù yī qiē kǔ è。

    shè lì zǐ, sè bù yì kōng ,kōng bù yì sè , sè jí shì kōng , kōng jí shì sè。

    shòu xiǎng xíng shí,yì fù rú shì。

    shè lì zǐ, shì zhū fǎ kōng xiāng,

    bù shēng bù miè, bù gòu bù jìng, bù zēng bù jiǎn ,

    shì gù kōng zhōng wú sè, wú shòu xiǎng xíng shí,

    wú yǎn ěr bí shé shēn yì, wú sè shēng xiāng wèi chù fǎ, 

    wú yǎn jiè, nǎi zhì wú yì shí jiè, wú wú míng , yì wú wú míng jìn,

    nǎi zhì wú lǎo sǐ, yì wú lǎo sǐ jìn。

    wú kǔ jí miè dào, wú zhì yì wú dé, yǐ wú suǒ dé gù。

    pú tí sà duǒ, yī bō rě bō luó mì duō gù, xīn wú guà ài。

    wú guà ài gù, wú yǒu kǒng bù, yuǎn lí diān dǎo mèng xiǎng, jiū jìng niè pán。

    sān shì zhū fó, yī bō rě bō luó mì duō gù, dé ā nòu duō luó sān miǎo sān pú tí。

    gù zhī bō rě bō luó mì duō, shì dà shén zhòu, shì dà míng zhòu,

    shì wú shàng zhòu, shì wú děng děng zhòu。néng chú yī qiē kǔ, zhēn shí bù xū。

    gù shuō bō rě bō luó mì duō zhòu, jí shuō zhòu yuē:

    jiē dì jiē dì, bō luó jiē dì, bō luó sēng jiē dì, pú tí sà pó hē。

    The Four Great Vows

    Beings are numberless; I vow to save them.

    Delusions are inexhaustible; I vow to end them.

    Dharma Gates are boundless; I vow to enter them.

    Buddha’s way is unsurpassable; I vow to become it.

  • Evening Practice for August 17, 2023 7pm Eastern

    Here is the link to join us via the cloud zendo at 7PM  for the All Beings Zen Sangha evening program.  Tonight we will have a Wellbeing Service followed by one period of Zazen and the chanting of the refuges.    If you would like stay after refuges and do a welcome and check-in please do

    If you are asked for a password please use this  041285

    ABZS does keep an attendance of participation in sangha events*  this is done for the welfare of it’s members and for guidance in future programing

    Please put your zoom in gallery mode, and keep your video link on while muting your mic until the end of the service – Feel welcome to face away from your device camera while keeping your presence visible in the frame for others in attendance to see and know you are there. Please refrain from moving your device around while others are sitting zazen with you.

    Order of Service

    Greeting by the Kokyo

    Heart Sutra in English

    30 minutes period of zazen

    5 minute period of Kinhin (slow walking meditation)

    Enmei X 9

    Loving Kindness Meditation

    Dedication of merit.

    Refuges in Pali

    Heart of Great Perfect Wisdom Sutra

    Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva,

    when deeply practicing prajña paramita,

    clearly saw that all five aggregates are empty

    and thus relieved all suffering.

    Shariputra,

    form does not differ from emptiness,

    emptiness does not differ from form.

    Form itself is emptiness,

    emptiness itself form.

    Sensations, perceptions, formations,

    and consciousness are also like this.

    Shariputra,

    all dharmas are marked by emptiness;

    they neither arise nor cease,

    are neither defiled nor pure,

    neither increase nor decrease.

    Therefore, given emptiness, there is

    no form, no sensation, no perception,

    no formation no consciousness;

    no eyes, no ears, no nose, no tongue,

    no body, no mind;

    no sight, no sound, no smell, no taste,

    no touch, no object of mind;

    no realm of sight… no realm of mind consciousness

    There is neither ignorance nor extinction of ignorance…

    neither old age and death,

    nor extinction of old age and death;

    no suffering, no cause, no cessation, no path;

    no knowledge and no attainment.

    With nothing to attain,

    a bodhisattva relies on prajña paramita,

    and thus the mind is without hindrance.

    Without hindrance, there is no fear.

    Far beyond all inverted views, one realizes nirvana.

    All buddhas of past, present, and future

    rely on prajña paramita and thereby attain

    unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment.

    Therefore, know the prajña paramita as

    the great miraculous mantra,

    the great bright mantra,

    the supreme mantra,

    the incomparable mantra,

    which removes all suffering

    and is true, not false.

    Therefore we proclaim the prajña paramita mantra,

    the mantra that says:

    “Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha.” ∅

    Well Being Ceremony – Call and Response

    Enmei Jukko Kannon Gyo (9 times) led by Kokyo

    Loving Kindness Meditation led byDoshi

    Dedication of Merit led by Doshi

    Refuges in Pali

    Post service check in (please feel welcome to stay or depart as your schedule requires)

    Enmei Jukko Kannon Gyo X9

    KAN ZEON                

    NA MU BUTSU

    YO BUTSU U IN

    YO BUTSU U EN

    BUP PO SO  EN            

    JO RAKU GA JO

    CHO NEN KANZEON

    BO NEN KANZEON

    NEN NEN JU SHIN KI      

    NEN NEN FU RI SHIN

    Loving Kindness Meditation

    This is what should be accomplished by the one who is wise,

    Who seeks the good and has obtained peace:

    Let one be strenuous, upright and sincere,

    WIthout pride, easily contented and joyous.

    Let one not be submerged by the things of the world.

    Let one not take upon one’s self the burden of riches.

    Let one’s senses be controlled.

    Let one be wise, but not puffed up: and 

    Let one not desire great possessions even for one’s family.

    Let one do nothing that is mean or that the wise would reprove

    May all beings be happy.

    May they be joyous and live in safety.

    All living beings, whether weak or strong,

    In high or middle or low realms of existence,

    Small or great, visible or invisible, 

    Near or far, born or to be born,

    May all beings be happy.

    Let no one deceive another, nor despise any being in any state;

    Let none by anger or hatred wish harm to another.

    Even as a mother at the risk of her life

    Watches over and protects her only child,

    So with a boundless mind should one cherish all living things,

    Suffusing love over the entire world,

    Above, below and all around without limit; 

    So let one cultivate an infinite good will toward the whole world.

    Standing or walking, sitting or lying down,

    During all one’s waking hours

    Let one practice the way with gratitude.

    Not holding to fixed views,

    Endowed with insight, 

    Freed from sense appetites,

    One who achieves the way

    Will be freed from the duality of birth and death.

    Refuges in Pali (Call and Response)

    Accapella, inflections as follows:

    ➞Buddham Saranam Ga➚cha➘mi➞iii

    BUDDHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

    DHAMMAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

    SANGHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

    DUTIYAMPI BUDDHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

    DUTIYAMPI DHAMMAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

    DUTIYAMPI SANGHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

    TATIYAMPI BUDDHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

    TATIYAMPI DHAMMAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

    TATIYAMPI SANGHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

  • Evening Practice for August 10, 2023 7pm Eastern

    Here is the Zoom link to join in the cloud zendo, password if needed: 041285

    Tonight we will have a short service followed by two periods of Zazen with an interval of Kinhin (5 minutes of slow walking in between). We will conclude by chanting the refuges in Pali. Please feel welcome to stay on zoom if you are able to share greetings with the sangha.

    Please put your zoom in gallery mode, and keep your video link on while muting your mic until the end of the service – Feel welcome to face away from your device camera while keeping your presence visible in the frame for others in attendance to see and know you are there. Please refrain from moving your device around while others are sitting zazen with you.

    Please put your zoom in gallery mode, and keep your video link on while muting your mic until the end of the service – Feel welcome to face away from your device camera while keeping your presence visible in the frame for others in attendance to see and know you are there. Please refrain from moving your device around while others are sitting zazen with you.

    Order of Service (text available at highlighted links)

    Greeting by the Kokyo

    Enmei Jukko Kannon Gyo

    Heart Sutra in English

    25 Minute Zazen Period

    5 minutes of Kinhin (slow walking)

    25 Minute Zazen Period

    Four Great Vows

    Refuges in Pali

    Brief Check in and announcements

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 15894387_10211911018119706_6430856835607845771_n.jpeg

    

  • Dharma Tea on Tuesday for August 8, 2023 2-2:45pm. What is a healing circle?

    Today – Tuesday Dharma Tea at 2PM for August 8, 2023 led by Inryū Sensei.   What to expect from a “ABZS Healing Circle”.   Inryū Sensei will provide the essential outline for how the weekly “Healing Circle” is conducted on Sundays.  Curious about what a “Healing Circle” is and how it can be a useful component a Zen Practice?  

    What you can expect.  Our usual 5 minutes of silent tea drinking.  Information and Poetry to discuss and 5 minutes of silence at the end of the online gathering.   Online only.  The Dharma Tea concludes at 2:45pm Eastern.

    Join with this link.  If asked for a password use   842721

  • Dharma Tea on Tuesday 2-2:45pm Eastern

    Tuesday Dharma Tea at 2PM for August 1, 2023 led by Zen’etsu Clay Crowell. The focus will be one of our daily chants the “Enmei”.  This second tea on the subject will look at the final 5 lines of the chant.

      Online only Use this link to join. If asked for a password use 842721

  • Call for artists for 2024 All Beings Zen Sangha Calendar

    All Beings Zen Sangha is announcing a call to artists for the 2024 Sangha calendar project.

    Submissions are now being accepted for drawings, paintings, photography, poetry, brief writings, and other forms in digital format.

    Please submit up to three works for consideration via e-mail to Rev. Inryū Sensei at inryu@allbeingszen.com and to John Flanagan at emailjohnf@gmail.com