Blog

  • Dharma Tea on Tuesday for February 28, 2023 2-2:45pm Eastern

    Tuesday: Dharma Tea at 2:00 pm  /2:00pm-2:45pm:  Led by Shōryū Chris Leader.  Shōryū will speak on the topic “Physical activity as meditation.  Online only in our cloud zendo.     Use this link to join.  If asked for a password use 629543.

  • Dharma Book Study “Dogen’s Instructions to the Cook” 2-3pm Eastern

    Saturday February 25th, 2023 – 2 PM Dharma book discussion “Dogen’s Instructions to the Cook”

    Cloud Zendo only. To Join use this link. If asked for a password use 043968

    Instructions for the Cook (Tenzo kyôkun) . Don’t have the book? No problem you can find a pdf of the main text by clicking here or here.

    By the monk Dôgen

    of the Kannon Dôri Kôshô Hôrin Zen Monastery
    Cf. Nothing is Hidden: Essays on Zen Master Dogen’s Instructions for the CookTr. Griffith Foulk, Edited by Jisho Warner, Shohaku Okumura, John McRae and Taigen Dan Leighton. Weatherhill Inc., 2001

  • Evening Practice for February 23, 2023 7pm.

    Tonight we will have a short service that includes chanting the Heart Sutra in Chinese. Following by one period of Zazen and a Dharma Talk by our Abiding Teacher Inryū Sensei.. Will we close with chanting the refuges. You are welcome to stay online following the chanting of the refuges to share greetings with the sangha.


    Here is the link to join us via the cloud zendo at 7PM for the All Beings Zen Sangha evening program.

    If you are asked for a password please use this   794038

    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 Chinese

    All Buddhas Chant

    25 Minute Zazen Period

    5 minutes of Kinhin (slow walking)

    Dharma Talk

    Four Great Vows

    Refuges in Pali

    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.

    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 of Great Perfect Wisdom Sutra in Chinese

    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。

    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

  • Healing Circle for February 19, 2023 5pm. Eastern

    Ongoing healing circle meets tonight at 5pm. Eishin Mike And Shinren Mark are host and guardian tonight. Hope you can join in.

    Use this link to join. If asked for a password use 119019

  • February 18, 2023 Guest Speaker Gesshin Claire Greenwood 2pm Eastern

    Saturday February 18th, 2023 – 2PM Guest Speaker Rev. Gesshin Claire Greenwood on being Tenzo at Zen Niso-do Temple, Nagoya.

    Gesshin Greenwood is a Soto Zen priest living in Oakland, California. She trained in Japan at Toshoji and Aichi Senmon Nisodo, and is the author of Bow First, Ask Questions Later, and Just Enough: Vegan Recipes from Japan’s Buddhist Temples. Currently, she lives a happily mostly lay person life with her spouse and two dogs, working as an administrator at the Institute of Buddhist Studies as well as a psychotherapist in private practice.  Use this link to join.  If asked for a password use 495944

    Rev. Greewood is the author of three books: Bow First, Ask Questions Later: Ordination, Love and Monastic Zen in Japan and Just Enough; Vegan Recipes and Stories from Japan’s Buddhist Temples

    Praise for “Just Enough”

    “With rigor, honesty, hilarity and joy, Gesshin shows us how to grapple with the great matter of life and death–as well as with lesser matters, like capitalism, sexism, religious dogma, sex, love, fashion and Kyoto nightclubs. The result is an inspiring book that I couldn’t put down, even when I’d finished reading it.” Ruth Ozeki

    “A witty, wise, engaging story about a young woman’s experience of Zen practice in Japan.” Grace Schireson

  • Evening Practice for February 16. 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 followed by one period of Zazen and a Way Seeking Mind talk by Shuso Kōryū Naomi Knoble.   We will close by chanting the Refuges in Pali.

    If you are asked for a password please use this  794038

    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

    25 Minute Zazen Period

    Four Great Vows

    Way Seeking Mind Talk

    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 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.”

    All Buddhas

    All Buddhas, ten directions, Three times

    All Honored Ones, Bodhisattvas-Mahasattvas

    Wisdom beyond wisdom

    Maha Prajna Paramita

    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.

    Refuges in Pali

    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

  • Dharma Tea at Two for February 14, 2023 2pm-2:45pm Eastern


    Tuesday: Dharma Tea at 2:00 pm  /2:00pm-2:45pm:  – Tuesday February 14th, 2023 – 2PM Led by Shoku Cristina Benavides about buddhist themes in the film    “Everything Everywhere All At Once”.  online only  Use this link to join.  If asked for a password use 629543

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  • Zazenkai for Sunday February 12, 2023 9am-4:30pm

    Join us via Zoom at 9 am for the Zazenkai. Use this link to join. If asked for a password use  047316

    All Beings Zen Sangha Zen Meditation Retreat Schedule    9am-4:30pm 

    9:00am Practice Period Leader does the Jundo (opening of the zendo for practicer) 

    Robe Chant (lead by Kokyo)

    9:05am 40 minute period of Zazen

    9:45am Kinhin (slow walking meditation)

    9:55am 30 minute period of Zazen

    10:25am Kinhin (slow walking meditation)

    10:35am 30 minutes period of Zazen

    11:05am Inryū Sensei offers meditation instructions/ Oryoki instruction

    12:00pm Lunch Break – Self Serve Oryoki from Zendo Kitchen

    1:00pm Work Practice /Zen Sewing

    2:00pm Tea and Cookies/Dharma Discussion

    3:10pm Kinhin (slow walking meditation)

    3:20pm 40 minute period of Zazen/Zen Sewing

    4:00pm 30 minute period of Zazen

    4:30pm Refuges in Pali/Closing of retreat

  • Evening Practice for February 9th, 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 in Spanish followed by one period of Zazen and a Way Seeking Mind talk by Tekiku Naomi Ayala.   We will close by chanting the Refuges in Pali.

    If you are asked for a password please use this  794038

    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 Spanish

    25 Minute Zazen Period

    Cuatro Votos Four Great Vows

    5 Minutes Kinhin

    Way Seeking Mind Talk

    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

    Sutra del Corazón de la Perfecta Sabiduríaaaāāā

    ⨀ Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva

    a través de la práctica profunda de Prajna Paramita ⨀

    Claramente vio que los cinco agregados son vacío y gracias a esta comprensión liberó todo el sufrimiento.

    Sariputra la forma no es diferente del vacío,

    vacío no es diferente de la forma.

    La forma en sí misma es vacío,

    vacío en sí mismo es forma.

    Las sensaciones, percepciones, formaciones mentales

    y la conciencia son igualmente vacío.

    Sariputra todos los fenómenos son vacío.

    No aparecen ni desaparecen,

    no son puros ni impuros,

    no crecen ni disminuyen.

    Debido al vacío no hay forma ni sensación,

    ni percepción, ni formación mental, ni conciencia;

    Ni ojos, ni oídos, ni nariz, ni lengua, ni cuerpo, ni mente;

    Ni vista, ni sonido, ni olor, ni gusto, ni tacto, ni objetos mentales;

    ni ámbitos sensoriales ni ámbito de la conciencia.

    No hay ignorancia ni extinción de la ignorancia

    ni vejez y muerte ni extinción de la vejez y de la muerte

    ni sufrimiento ni causa ni liberación

    ni vía que conduzca a la liberación del sufrimiento

    ni conocimiento ni obtención.

    Sin nada que obtener, el bodhisattva confía en

    Prajna Paramita ⨀ y así la mente está libre de obstáculos.

    Sin obstáculos no hay miedo.

    Alejado de las visiones erróneas se realiza el Nirvana.

    Todos los budas del pasado, presente y futuro confían

    en Prajna Paramita ⨀ por lo cual obtienen el perfecto, completo, insuperable despertar.

    Por lo tanto, Prajna Paramita ⨀ es el mantra resplandeciente,

    el mantra milagroso, el supremo mantra, el mantra incomparable, aquel que extingue todo sufrimiento y es verdadero, no falso.

    Proclamamos el mantra Prajna Paramita que dice:

    GATE GATE ⨀ PARAGATE ⨀ PARASAMGATE, BODHI SVAHA ∅

    El cuerpo de Buddha impregna todos los mundos del Dharma, se manifiesta en todas partes ante todos los seres. Ya hemos recitado el Enmei Jukko Kannon Gyo y El Sutra del Corazón de la Perfecta Sabiduría, con reverencia ofrecemos los méritos generados por esta practica a: ✪

    Nuestro Gran Maestro Original de la Enseñanza, el Buda Shakyamuni ✪

    Nuestro primer ancestro en China, Gran Maestro Bodhidharma; ✪

    Nuestro primer ancestro en Japón, Gran Maestro Eihei Dogen; ✪

    Nuestro primer ancestro en las Americas, Shogaku Shunryu Suzuki ✪

    Nuestro primer Maestro Guia, Dairyu Michael Wenger ✪

    Y todos los ancestros femeninos a travesa de la historia cuyos nombres se se han olvidado o dejados sin decir. ✪

    Ofrecemos el merito de nuestra practica a George Floyd, Gianna Floyd, Philonise Floyd y a toda la familia Floyd y todos aquellos que sufren a diario por los efectos del racismo sistemico y la violencia en nuestra sociedad. ✪

    Tambien ofrecemos el merito de nuestra practica a todos aquellos sufriendo por los efectos de la pandemia del Coronavirus ✪

    Que con todos los seres nos libremos del sufrimiento y disfrutemos de la felicidad.

    Que nuestros votos sinceros para lograr el Camino del Buda se realicen plenamente juntos. ➚➘➞ ✪

    Todos los Budas, diez direcciones, tres tiempos ✪

    Honrados, Bodhisattvas Mahasattvas ✪

    Sabiduría tras el saber ✪.. …

    Maha Prajna Paramita ✪ ✪ ✪

    Cuatro Votos (Four Great Vows)

    Los seres son innumerables,

    hago el voto de liberarlos a todos.

    Las obstrucciones mentales son inagotables,

    hago el voto de acabarlas todas.

    Las puertas del Dharma son ilimitadas,

    hago el voto de entrar por todas.

    La Vía del Buddha es insuperable,

    hago el voto de realizarla.

    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

  • Feb 7th 2pm Dharma Tea at Two

    Tuesday: Dharma Tea at 2:00 pm  /2:00pm-2:45pm:  – Tuesday February 7th, 2023 – 2PM Led by Zen’etsu Clay Crowell on the topic of “Bardos”.  online only  Use this link to join.  If asked for a password use 417388