“The Dharma is rarely encountered, even in hundreds of millions of ages. Now we see it, hear it, receive and maintain it. May we fully realize the Tathagata’s true meaning.”        Gatha On Opening the Dharma Description: There is a second birth that occurs, says Henry; a waking from a cocoon of dreams. […]

“If we could all just reside in our real self, we would be infinite.” “They are so imponderable, that you cannot ponder them. So what do you do? You sit, and you swallow the koan, and you wait. All things come to those who wait“ ~ Henry Shukman Description: Henry delivers this talk on Rohatsu, […]

“It’s a series of graces falling like blows on the crown of the head.” “… the inevitability of failure in Zen practice—error and mistake are the mulch which allows our humanity to grow …” ~ Henry Shukman Description: This final teisho of the Rohatsu sesshin follows an early morning ceremony that commemorates  Shakymuni’s awakening.  Henry notes […]

“Avoid seeking elsewhere, for that is far from yourself. Now I travel alone, everywhere I meet it. Now it is me, now I am not it. It must be thus understood to merge with thusness.” ~ Tozan “… There is no other other essential reality, there is “just this,” beyond any description …” ~ Henry Shukman […]

Then Manjusri asked Vimalakirti, “All of us have finished giving our explanations. Now you should give your explanation. What does it mean that the Bodhisattva enters the Dharma-gate of Not-Two?” Vimalakirti remained silent. ~ from Case 48 “…  what is that roar of silence? …” ~ Henry Shukman Description: Henry uses a computer software metaphor for […]