Appamada

Gateway to the Temple:

Homage to Lahaina

~ Flint Sparks

At the entry gate of every temple, a great bell

waits.

When struck, a deep resonant call is sent

out,

A powerful sound, but something closer to

gravity,

Invisibly pulling us across the threshold into a

sacred space,

Toward the promise of the perfected love we

secretly long for;

A divine love which is equally terrifying

As it beautifully consumes and nourishes us.

On that Summer day in August there was no

bell.

No call was sent out;

No signal, no warning announcing the

impending destruction.

Only the savage wind,

Tearing down the dry, ragged slopes

Carrying one small spark

Which would destroy a town.

And now we gather in safety at the blackened

boundary,

Not able to enter, although we long to help,

Not able to turn away, even though the

bearing witness is awful.

Instead we find ourselves at this thin place

between life and death,

Called by the resonant silence of those who

are gone

And the compassionate cry arising from our

own hearts.

But isn’t it always like this for us?

Hesitating to enter the frightening places

which could save us.

Pausing, unable to move,

Knowing we have to go there, to do what we

have to do.

Crossing the turbulent threshold where love

and loss collide.

Like the powerful winter swells pounding the

shoreline,

Impossibly rearranging mountains of sand,

Over and over again.

Life heaves itself into being, in all of its wild

beauty,

And then inexorably sweeping it all away,

Only to offer it all back, again and again.

Maybe this is what the temple bell is

signaling:

The willingness to carry on, even knowing the

disturbing truth of impermanence and

uncertainty;

The faith to continue to care for each other,

even when we’ve been emptied and

discouraged;

And a boundless hope which holds firm, even

as everything changes without warning.

The temple gate is now in ashes,

The great bell is silent.

Can you hear it?

2024-03-03 | A reading written by Ed Browne ‘The Ten thousand Idiots’ | with Ann Lipscomb

00:00:27 - A reading from The Most Important Point: Zen Teachings of Edward Espe Brown ‘The Ten thousand Idiots’

00:12:28 - Reading ends

00:13:55 - Ann opens up the floor for Questions/comments

00:39:50 - Announcements

2024-0-27 I Inquiry I En-Couragement I Trudy Johnson by Appamada

2024-02-20 I Inquiry I The glass is already broken I Suzanne Kilkus by Appamada

2024-02-18 | Dharma Talk | 'Skillfull Means, Practice, and Mistakes | Ellen Hippard

00:00:20 - Dharma Talk

00:18:20 - Ellen Invites comments and reflections

2024-02-13 I Inquiry I I Took My Mind a Walk I Josh Gifford by Appamada

The Depth in Practice group discusses the following case: Fayan asked Xiushan, “A hairsbreadth's difference is as the distance between heaven and earth'-- how do you understand?” Xiushan said, “A hairsbreadth's difference is as the distance between heaven and earth.” Fayan said, “How can you get it that way?” Xiushan said, “I am just thus--what about you?” Fayan said, “A hairsbreadth's difference is as the distance between heaven and earth.” Xiushan thereupon bowed.

Depth in Practice meets virtually at Appamada every week. Anyone is welcome to join the group! If you are interested in joining, please go to the calendar at appamada.org to find the link for the group. If you would like to donate to Appamada, please go to appamada.org and click on the contribute button at the bottom of the page.

00:00:21 - Dharma Talk

00:28:25 - Meeting with Joel

2024-02-05 I Inquiry I Just Say Something! I Josh Gifford by Appamada

Depth in Practice discusses the following koan: Magu, ringed staff in hand, came to Zhangjing; he circled the meditation seat three times, shook his staff once, and stood there at attention. // Zhangjing said, Right, right.” // Magu also went to Nanquan, circled the meditation seat three times, shook his staff, and stood there at attention. // Nanquan said, “Wrong, wrong.” // Magu said, “Zhangjing said ‘right’ — why do you say ‘wrong’?” // Nanquan said, “Zhangjing is right—it’s you who’s wrong. This is something that can be blown by the power of the wind—it inevitably disintigrates.” //

Depth in Practice meets virtually at Appamada every week. Anyone is welcome to join the group! If you are interested in joining, please go to the calendar at appamada.org to find the link for the group. If you would like to donate to Appamada, please go to appamada.org and click on the contribute button at the bottom of the page.