“What helps to enrich us and make us strong is not favorable circumstances, but failure, misfortune, or illness. What matters most is how we take misfortune. The saying ‘A branch of plum blossoms harmonizes fragrantly with snow’ teaches us how to deal with difficult circumstances.” —Shundo Aoyama Rōshi

As part of our third annual Sit for Scholarship event held in July, our Guiding Teachers Koshin Sensei and Chodo Sensei gave talks on the importance of generosity and embracing the aspects of our lives that are undesirable, which the Zen poet Hakuin calls the ‘bodhisattva of Hell’. Koshin also discusses the challenges of living by our values. Chodo, in the second talk, shares about the difficulties and joys of the past year while dedicating the dharma talk to a recently passed community member who exemplified generosity through her warm smile and humor, even during her greatest pain.

ZENTALK NOTES

Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison, MFA, LMSW, DMIN, is an author, Zen teacher, Jungian psychotherapist, and Certified Chaplaincy Educator. Koshin co-founded the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care.

Sensei Chodo Robert Campbell is a co-founder of the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care and is part of the core faculty for the Buddhist Track in the Master in Pastoral Care and Counseling at Zen Center’s education partner, New York Theological Seminary.

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UPCOMING PROGRAMS (as of July 28th, 2022)

—Foundations in Contemplative Care is accepting applications: Since 2007, the Foundations in Contemplative Care training has transformed the lives of individuals from across the country and around the world by supporting the integration of spiritual practice and care. This program is open to anyone who feels called upon to respond to the suffering in the world. | Learn more >

—The Five Ranks of Tozan: An Online Zen Study Offering with Gerry Shishin Wick Rōshi—Chinese Zen Master Tozan (Tungshan) created two sets of five ranks that are honored and studied in both Soto and Rinzai schools of Zen. Tozan composed a verse for each of the ranks. In this course, we will examine and appreciate each of Tozan’s ranks, including the title and the verses. | Learn More >

—Catch Your Mind: Teachings for Awakening, Fearlessness, and Intimacy—How can you deepen your Zen practice path? Join us for ten months of study of the Way through zazen and learn together the teachings of Dōgen, the Founder of Soto Zen in Japan. | Learn More >

—Zen Precepts: Living an Ethical Life—Living the Zen Precepts is wisdom in action – the natural expression of a compassionate and awakened heart. The Precepts are studied, practiced and received to support the fullest expression of our lives. | Learn More >

MUSIC

Heart Sutra by Kanho Yakushiji –  Buddhist priest and musician of the Rinzai sect and Imaji temple in Imabari, Japan. In 2003, he formed “KISSAQUO”, a songwriting duo based in Kyoto.

NYZC PUBLICATIONS

Get your copy of Wholehearted: Slow Down, Help Out, Wake Up here: https://amzn.to/2JTKF1t

Get your copy of Awake At The Bedside here: https://amzn.to/3aijXdL

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