Saturday, December 19, 2015

Please note classes start On January 7, 2016

Nyogen Senzaki on Sufism & Zen



(Just shy of a decade ago I published this fascinating account. And it seemed time to repost it. This essay, “Sufism & Zen” is taken from a collection of Nyogen Senzaki Sensei’s lectures and writings which was published in Japan in 1936 as ON ZEN MEDITATION by the Rinzai priest Nanshin Okamoto. It describes the Zen teacher’s encounter with the Sufi master Inayat Khan. As both teachers inform my spirituality, I’m particularly taken that there was a direct connection between them at one point in their lives. It should be noted that a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since this essay was written. Both Zen Buddhism in its many varieties as well as many, many schools of Sufism have begun to take root in the West in the ensuing years. And, frankly, it is unlikely that all the assumptions of this essay would be endorsed by most advocates of either the Zen or the Sufi schools. In some ways this essay should be seen as an artifact of a particular moment in time. But, I really feel it also speaks to deeper truths that one may encounter as one walks a path of open heart and open mind. And it is in that spirit I post it here…


Sufism & Zen
by Nyogen Senzaki
When Inayat Khan, the Sufi teacher, came to America some ten years ago, I met him in San Francisco and wrote an account of our association for a Japanese daily paper of that city.
Inayat Khan succeeded in introducing Sufism into the Western World. Although he passed away several years ago, his books on Sufism as well as on other subjects have been well received in both America and Europe. The Sufi movement, therefore, still survives in the currents of thought to such an extent that it is now an important element in the world’s religion of the heart.
The other day I found a clipping of the article which I wrote, published in The Japanese American on May 11, 1923. Having been told by one of the disciples of Inayat Khan that certain Sufi friends in Europe are compiling a biography of their deceased leader, and that contributions of material are therefore desired, I am going to send the translation of this article to those Sufi friends through Mrs. Beth Rowland, an admirer and student of Inayat Khan. The following is the translation:
Mohammedan Zen – Sufism in America
Zen is not confined to Buddhism. In Christianity there is an element of Zen. It also appears in Taoism and in Confucianism, however colored by those respective schools of thought.
Mohammedanism is supposed to be monotheistic, but its offspring which calls itself “Sufism” encourages introspection among its students so as to realize Allah, or God, within one’s inner self. If the thoughts of St. Bernard and of Meister Eckhart can be called “Zen”, then the ideas of Jalal-uddin Rumi of Persia, as well as those of Kabir, the Indian poet, may also be called “Mohammedan Zen.”
I have been told that there is only one Sufi teacher in America, a woman residing in San Francisco, though there are several teachers of both sexes in Europe, mainly in England. The Sufi teachings, I understand, also have some influence in India. The teacher in San Francisco is Mrs. Martin, a Hebrew scholar, whom her students call “Murshida”, the Persian feminine form for the word “Murshid”, which means teacher.
Inayat Khan is known to his followers as “Pir-o-Murshid”, and they consider him to he the greatest teacher of this age. Since the latter part of March he has been at the Sufi Temple, 153 Kearny Street, of this city [San Francisco], engaged in lectures and the personal guidance of his students.



The Murshid was born in Baroda, India, having the well known musician, Maula Bakhsh, often termed the Beethoven of India, and also the saint, Jumma Shah, whom some Hindus even now worship, in his lineage.
Inayat Khan is now 41 years old. He is a man of commanding personality, being quite tall and stout, and wearing long hair and beard. His bright eyes lend an air of dignity to his dark-colored face. He is author of more than ten books, which range through such subjects as art, philosophy, and poetry. He is also a poet and a musician in addition to his other accomplishments, and he is now lecturing on Sufism under the auspices of Paul Elder, the book-dealer, while the intellectual groups of San Francisco crowd around him.
Mrs. Martin invited me to her home to meet her teacher, and as I had benefited very much by the use of her library over a period of several years, I did not hesitate in accepting her kind invitation. On my way there, I met Doctor Hayes, my old friend, the psychologist.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“I am going to meet Inayat Khan,” I replied.
“Oh, that Sufi teacher?” said the doctor. “I attended his lecture this morning at the Sufi Temple. It was such a tiresome ceremony – the lighting of candles, much bowing, and all that. The lecture bristled with too much about God and Love. There was nothing new in it, and I had to pay one dollar for admission. I believe I will go along with you to meet him.”
“If you do not feel like going,” I replied, “you need not come with me. I am not asking you to do so.”
“Well,” he said, “they may not charge anything for an interview. I will come with you.”
Thus it was that the two of us went to the home of Mrs. Martin, the only Murshida in America. When we arrived we were ushered into the meditation room. It was dimly lighted by a lamp covered with green silk cloth, while fragrant Persian incense filled the atmosphere.
After Mrs. Martin introduced us, and after shaking hands in the American custom with the Murshid, we were seated at a square table, Mrs. Martin facing Dr. Hayes, and the teacher facing me.
My friend the psychologist began talking to the teacher by asking him how he liked America and its people, meanwhile selecting a cigar from his pocket, which, however, he hesitated to light at such a meeting.
Inayat Khan smiled at me and asked, “Mr. Senzaki, will you tell me what the significance of Zen is?
I remained silent for a little while, and then smiled at him. He smiled back at me. Our dialogue was over.
The psychologist, not having recognized what had happened, said, “You see, Mr. Khan, Zen is Japanized from Sanskrit. Its original meaning was Dhyana, which means meditation, and-”
At that point, Inayat Khan waved his right hand gracefully, and stopped the psychologist’s conversation.
Mrs. Martin then interposed, “I will get a book which describes Zen very well. It is an English translation from Japanese of The Twelve Sects of Buddhism. I will get it for you.”
Before she could rise from her seat, Inayat Khan again waved-this time with his left hand-gracefully stopping the Murshida, then he glanced at me.
His eyes were full of water-not the tears of the world, but water from The Great Ocean-calm and transparent. I recited an old Zen poem-not with my mouth-not in thought, but with a blink, like a flash. It reads:
No living soul comes near that water–
A vast sheet of water as blue as indigo.
The abyss has a depth of ten-thousand feet.
When all is quiet and calm at midnight,
Only the moonlight penetrates through the waves,
Reaching the bottom easily and freely
.
“Murshid,” said I, “I see a Zen in you.”
“Mr. Senzaki, I see a Sufism in you,” he replied. Both of us then smiled at each other.
Mrs. Martin again interposed, “Mr. Senzaki, you should practice your English. Why don’t you talk more about Zen?”
At this both the Murshid and I laughed loudly, in which the Murshida and the psychologist both joined, without knowing why. The happy interview was over. I should have gone home at this time, but the psychologist seemed to wish to talk further with the Murshid and interpose his whys and becauses, while the Murshida, our Hebrew scholar, must show us her collection of books and documents. So we remained there the whole evening while we discussed Life, Death, Humanity, and the Universe.
I noticed that the Murshid uses the Nyaya system of logic in making affirmations, and this made me feel very much at home with him, as we Buddhists use the same system.
The Murshid told us his ideal of a universal brotherhood which he believes will be established, and which he thinks will transcend all racial considerations, as well as harmonize all religions to the extent that they will work together in harmony for the uplifting of humanity, and for the advancement of the spiritual world.
“I am sure that Sufism can commune harmoniously with both Bahai and Vedanta, but the question remains as to how it can associate harmoniously with Christianity and Buddhism, both of which have their own historical backgrounds. The Unitarians, the Christian Scientists, and the New Thought people may understand Sufism easily, but all strictly sectarian people will remain strangers to Sufism for many years to come. And as to the Buddhists, those in Japan alone cannot work together harmoniously, even within the same sects, so how Japan can ever see the dawn of unification, I do not know. It is true enough that Japan has the true teachings of the Buddha hidden away in the scriptures, but the old church systems there will prevent the opening up of those treasures, even for the benefit of the remainder of the world. Germany, though, has a new form of Buddhism which is related to that of Ceylon and Burma. There I can see a few hopeful lights.”
Inayat Khan now has adherents in London, Paris and Geneva. May his brotherhood become stronger, year after year-let us sincerely hope for it.
One day, Inayat Khan expressed the wish to attend a Japanese, concert. I could not find any that were billed for that week, so I went to Madam Nakamura, who teaches the koto in her home, and asked her to invite him to hear her play. She consented gladly, and I went to the Sufi Temple to tell Inayat Khan about this arrangement. It was about two o’clock in the afternoon, and the Murshid asked me to meditate with him in a secluded room where his pupils received personal guidance. We sat down to meditate together, but before even one stick of incense was consumed, both of us must have entered into Samadhi, for Mrs. Martin suddenly called us, stating that it was already dark, time for us to go home for our respective dinners. We looked at each other with surprise, but nodded a knowing assent to each other. The incense had been completely consumed so long that no fragrance remained in the room. Both Sufism and Zen had become, after all, only yesterday’s dream.
It was the evening of May 4, 1923, that we, Inayat Khan, accompanied by Mrs. Martin and me, went to Madam Nakamura’s studio. The simplicity of Inayat Khan’s manners and conduct on the way reminded me of the time when a certain Japanese high priest came to America, accompanied by a flock of attending priests, with a great show of pomp and ceremonials–he could not even move a hand without the assistance of his two chief attendants (the chief and his vice-chief). This high priest was the abbot of a certain Japanese sect, but with all his pomp and glory, his influence in America never reached an inch beyond the Japanese immigrants, and his appearances here went entirely unnoticed by Americans.
On the other hand, Inayat Khan’s influence was widely spread among intellectual groups, both in Europe and America. He could have put on a “big show” of himself alone, if he had wished to do so, but he was not that kind of teacher. Wearing a Turkish hat and a long black mantle and carrying a cane, the Murshid modestly rode in the street-cars, instead of in a flock of honking automobiles.
The concert at Madam Nakamura’s was a success. The first number on her program was Chidori (Plovers), played on the koto by herself, accompanied by another koto and a shakuhachi, played by one of her pupils and a Japanese youth respectively. The next and last number was The Three Intimates (the pine, the bamboo and the plum tree), which Mrs. Nakamura led on the koto, again accompanied by another koto and a shakuhachi. Although the shakuhachi was played by the same youth as before, the second koto was played by another of Mrs. Nakamura’s pupils.
That evening all the players wore American dress, as it was an informal recital, but they sat on the floor in the Japanese custom for such performances.
After definite expression, through keen attention and breathless silence, of his appreciation of the performance, Inayat Khan warmly praised Madam Nakamura, saying that she was music itself, not only with her koto but also even in drinking tea or in walking around the room. Madam Nakamura should appreciate this commendation very much, as the Murshid is a poet and a musician who is not given to flattery.
Having been served with tea and cakes, and having been presented with pictures of other performances given by Madam Nakamura, Inayat Khan left the studio, saying that he would tell European musicians about the deep impression this music had made upon him.
At the corner of the street where I was about to bid the Murshid goodbye, I remarked, “All sounds return to one, and where does that one go?”
Inayat Khan stopped walking and, shaking hands with me, responded, “Goodnight, Mr. Senzaki.”
Now, Bodhisattvas, I have translated my old clipping. What do you think of Inayat Khan? If you wish to meet him today, just open the door and face the lovely shrubbery in front of this Meditation Hall....entire text and pics taken from james ford. More info in "Eloquent Silemce by Nyogen Senzaki.

1.. MAIN WEBSITE: Cosmos Chan Zen Community at http://www.cosmoschan.org/

2. Master Cheng Yen in Facebook;
3. Listen to dharma talks with Gilbert Gutierrez http://dharmatalks.riversidechan.org/
4. Listen/download audio talks from the Tallahassee   Chan group at http://www.tallahasseechan.com/talks.html
5. the Western Chan Fellowship at  http://www.westernchanfellowship.org/
6. Questions?  Adrian at 250 650 9055; adrian2@shaw.ca and this blog http://comoxvalleyzenchan.blogspot.ca/



Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Fashion Master Karl Lagerfeld on his Zen practice



Thanks to Nowness internet magazine, we hear that Karl takes his Diamond Sutra learnings to heart, "Without abiding in anything, mind arises."   in https://www.nowness.com/story/karl-lagerfeld-zillions?utm_source=designboom&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=cp

We meet again this thursday evening 7 to 9 pm at Courtenay Elementary School 2nd floor.




1. MAIN WEBSITE: Cosmos Chan Zen Community at http://www.cosmoschan.org/
2. Master Cheng Yen in Facebook;
3. Listen to dharma talks with Gilbert Gutierrez http://dharmatalks.riversidechan.org/
4. Listen/download audio talks from the Tallahassee   Chan group at http://www.tallahasseechan.com/talks.html
5. the Western Chan Fellowship at  http://www.westernchanfellowship.org/
6. Questions?  Adrian at 250 650 9055; adrian2@shaw.ca and this blog http://comoxvalleyzenchan.blogspot.ca/

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Syrian refugees: chan buddhists....can you help?




Syrian refugees:

Comox Valley Zen Chan would like help sponsoring a family. I have a house with two extra bedrooms that would be amenable to a share-house situation. I could take in a family of three. There would be no charge for the space.

I would need financial help with food and anything extra associated with the family’s living expenses. 

As well as Chan, I have also studied Sufism for 15 years prior to my involvement with Chan, so I am quite familiar with Islamic practice, if indeed the three invitees would even practice. Religion is not ‘hot topic’ issue in my life. 

Do you have any  community members who would be interested in co-sponsoring  3 Syrian refugees, and willing to commit the time to organize this process. Can you forward this email to possible helpers?

Please contact me:

adrian symonds
1460 grieve ave.
courtenay, bc
v9n 2v9
250 650 9055


Thursday, September 3, 2015

Master Chi Chern: Self Nature is Immaculate and official start for Comox Valley meditation is Sept. 10



...."Buddha-Nature is a generality while self-nature is realized through individual practice. Thus in the Platform Sutra, he (Venerable Dao Sheng) talked especially about “self-nature” as immaculate, which is our Buddha-Nature. Many people think that this teaching of his belongs to the Tathagathagabha system. However, we find that when he talks about it, in addition to the fact that all Buddhist sects established in China emphasize this idea in Mahayana Buddhism, he also marvelously integrated the thoughts of both Mādhyamika School and Consciousness-Only School. When people study about Tathagathgarbha system, often there are discussions regarding the question, “The nature of all sentient beings is pure and immaculate, but why do we suffer and transmigrate?” The explanations are that “this Buddha-Nature is covered by defilements and therefore Buddha-Nature cannot manifest”. In traditional teachings, we often hear that our practice is to realize our original nature, or if we constantly clean our vexations, at the end, our Buddha-Nature will become apparent. Our understanding about Buddha-Nature has the two opposing aspects of pure and impure. But in the thoughts of the Sixth Patriarch, it is not that there is a “pure nature” being covered and unable to manifest. Rather, he said that the commonly believed “pure” or “impure” nature is only in a thought of clarity or delusion — When one is awakened and enlightened, one’s self-nature is pure; when one is deluded, it is impure. Thus, enlightenment and ignorance are the manifestation of pure or impure functions."...more from The Writings of Master Chi Chern at http://masterchichern.org/

Chan Meditations will continue at 1460 Grieve Ave 7 to 9pm Thursday evenings until the schools open. 
When the tomatoes are ripe, it's salsa time. When causes and conditions are ripe...

1. MAIN WEBSITE: Cosmos Chan Zen Community at http://www.cosmoschan.org/
2. Master Cheng Yen in Facebook;
3. Listen to dharma talks with Gilbert Gutierrez http://dharmatalks.riversidechan.org/
4. Listen/download audio talks from the Tallahassee   Chan group at http://www.tallahasseechan.com/talks.html
5. the Western Chan Fellowship at  http://www.westernchanfellowship.org/
6. Questions?  Adrian at 250 650 9055; adrian2@shaw.ca and this blog http://comoxvalleyzenchan.blogspot.ca/

Monday, April 20, 2015

July 18 Chan Bethlehem Retreat changed to Sunshine Coast

Very Important News:
The Bethlehem Retreat Centre in Nanaimo has changed ownership and the centre may not be able to guarantee our retreat date on the 18th of July. We have been very fortunate to find another centre, and at a third of the cost.

This retreat is a 7 day retreat. However, if that time period is unattainable, register instead for a 3 day retreat. It is suitable for both seasoned and beginners.
Place :
Sunshine Zen Centre 日光禪寺11148 Sunshine Coast Highway / HYW 101Halfmoon Bay, B.C.V0N 1Y2, Canada
* Time :      July 18 - 25* Fee :        C$ 250 (as donation for food & board)* Optional : 3-day (C$ 100)* Register : (1) Adrian : <adrian2@shaw.ca>                   (2) Lisa Su : <exedust@gmail.com>   Please Register ASAP 
1. MAIN WEBSITE: Cosmos Chan Zen Community at http://www.cosmoschan.org/
2. Master Cheng Yen in Facebook;
3. Listen to dharma talks with Gilbert Gutierrez http://dharmatalks.riversidechan.org/
4. Listen/download audio talks from the Tallahassee   Chan group at http://www.tallahasseechan.com/talks.html
5. the Western Chan Fellowship at  http://www.westernchanfellowship.org/
6. Questions?  Adrian at 250 650 9055; adrian2@shaw.ca and this blog http://comoxvalleyzenchan.blogspot.ca/








Sunday, April 19, 2015

A new Contemplation group in Courtenay

Please Note:  The CHAN Thursday evenings at Courtenay Elementary School will be changed to 1460 Grieve Ave, Courtenay starting the 23rd of April
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CONTEMPLATIVE SITTINGS WITH MARIE BROSE

1.  The Name of the Meditation Group: CONTEMPLATIVE SITTINGS
2.  Date of Meeting: On the last Sunday of the month, starting May 31st.
3.  Time: from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.
4.  Bring your mat & cushion - chairs will be provided
5.  Location: 2405 Back Road - someone will direct to parking & coffee till 8:45 am.
6.  RSVP : Before May 15. (To find new location if the group is too large)
7.  Format: Sittings (20 min.) slow walk (l0 min.) inside
8.  Break at 11:00 am: walk outside, weather permitting;11:30 am: short conference or individual interview. Meditation will continue with a volunteer TIME KEEPER during the interviews.

For me, meditation and contemplation are similar, at least in the first stage.. My practice is a Zen-style methodology (breathing in and out and counting from 1 to 10), but any other way is fine if it is helpful to you.  When thoughts and feelings come up, name them and start again. 

The conference or interviews may help you sort out problems in your practice or deep pains like recurring anguish.from the stories that the "monkey mind" spins in your head.  People meditate for a variety of reasons, from relaxation, to increase memory, to becoming more aware and stopping the monkey mind.  

Whereas Zen practice points to emptiness and eventually to Enlightenment, Contemplation seeks to find the deeper Self,  inner clarity, more authenticity, an ability to embrace a new way of "knowing" and a meaningful Truth that will lead to willing sacrifice and service for others.

A SHORT AUTOBIOGRAPHY

I have been meditating for more than 30 years and have trained with various masters of  SEVERAL traditions,  I have also trained in Clinical Pastoral Education in Ohio and am working as an on-call chaplain at St Joseph Hospital in Comox. I am  also a Certified Spiritual Director with a private practice in Courtenay.
      



1. MAIN WEBSITE: Cosmos Chan Zen Community at http://www.cosmoschan.org/
2. Master Cheng Yen in Facebook;
3. Listen to dharma talks with Gilbert Gutierrez http://dharmatalks.riversidechan.org/
4. Listen/download audio talks from the Tallahassee   Chan group at http://www.tallahasseechan.com/talks.html
5. the Western Chan Fellowship at  http://www.westernchanfellowship.org/
6. Questions?  Adrian at 250 650 9055; adrian2@shaw.ca and this blog http://comoxvalleyzenchan.blogspot.ca/






.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Chan meditation starts again this 16th of April

Time to start anew this spring...and from a Dzogchen Treasure Text of Nuden Dorje entitled The Mirror of Clear Meaning we gain some insight into the nature of Mind...
What is called 'mind' cannot be identified as this or that. It is not an entity and it has no defining characteristics. If you search for it, it cannot be found for it has baeen empty from the very beginning, without substantial essence. Empty is is beyond expression, untouched by birth, death, coming and going. It is not created by any cause nor destroyed by any condition. It remains untouched in emptiness, free of increase and decrease, development and decline, or any kind of change.....pg 74-75 translation/commentary by James Low.
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Peaceful Resolution

Local mediation project trains residents in war-torn Africa to solve conflicts in a non-violent way
“I saw that it was possible to survive, not just physically but also psychologically. I saw forgiveness. Seeing all that—you end up feeling awe,” says George Brose (left), of his time spent in Africa. Brose will be heading back to Rwanda with colleague Adrian Symonds this summer. Photo by Boomer Jerritt
We are looking for financial assistance fpr our trip to Rwanda this summer. You can receive a Canadian Charitable Receipt for your donation. Google http://www.infocusmagazine.ca/2015/peaceful-resolution/ for more information.

==========


1. MAIN WEBSITE: Cosmos Chan Zen Community at http://www.cosmoschan.org/
2. Master Cheng Yen in Facebook;
3. Listen to dharma talks with Gilbert Gutierrez http://dharmatalks.riversidechan.org/
4. Listen/download audio talks from the Tallahassee   Chan group at http://www.tallahasseechan.com/talks.html
5. the Western Chan Fellowship at  http://www.westernchanfellowship.org/
6. Questions?  Adrian at 250 650 9055; adrian2@shaw.ca and this blog http://comoxvalleyzenchan.blogspot.ca/