Welcome
Every Wednesday
Weekly Meditation Services (WMS) are on Wednesday evenings. They begin at 6 PM with a discussion or talk (see below for this month's discussion topics). At about 7 PM there is a meditation service followed at 8 PM by a potluck dinner. All of Wednesday evening's events are open to the public. There is no fee and reservations are not required.
July Wednesday Meditations and Discussions
5 Shinto: The Way of the Kami- For all practical purposes Shinto and Buddhism are, with a few exceptions, what amounts to a single faith in Japan, a complex syncretism that meets the religious needs of most Japanese. We will examine this little understood aspect of Japanese Buddhism.
12 Hongaku Shiso (original enlightenment) – Jacqueline Stone writes, "In the medieval Tendai context, "original enlightenment" [Hongaku Shiso] thought denotes an array of doctrines and concepts associated with the proposition that all beings are enlightened inherently. What does this mean in the larger context of Buddhism today?
19 Lotus Sutra as Integral to Tien Tai Philosophy – This discussion is taken from chapter Five of Brook Ziporyn's book, Emptiness and Omnipresence: An Essential Introduction to Tiantai Buddhism. Indiana University Press (2016).
26 Stump the Sensei – – What have you been meaning to ask but always forget when the time comes. Now is the time to write down your questions and bring them to the this free ranging session of questions and answers.
Other Events in July:
8 Sutra Class and Morning Service, 8:30 – 10:30 AM – The Maha Prajna Paramita Hridaya Sutra (Heart Sutra) is the most often chanted, cited and best known sutras in the Mahayana canon. We will read and discuss two different translations and commentaries (Mu Soeng's and Red Pine's) as a set throughout the classes.
Notes and Upcoming Events:
The Diamond Path is Calling! – The sangha's annual trek to Troy to see our local minor league baseball team the Valley Cats is being planned for a weekend night late in August. This has become an opportunity to join with our neighboring sanghas in joyful fellowship no matter what the score. So watch the bulletin board for details. As well, outings are also being planned for trips to Tanglewood and the Berkshire Theater Group.
Food Pantry at Jiunzan Tendai-ji – The need is ongoing and does not diminish in the summer. Please bring non-perishable food items to the Tendai Buddhist Institute on Wednesday's. We contribute these items to the Chatham Silent Food Pantry.
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Jushokus’ Thoughts
We have just completed the 20th Tendai-shu New York Betsuin Gyo at Tendai Buddhist Institute. During the Gyo a question from the Wednesday night service indicated that many people are unaware of what goes on during gyo. First is a very brief explanation of the Gyo, followed by a larger context into which we place this activity within Buddhism.
The Gyo is a training period for Tendai soryo (monks - our American usage has adopted monk for both males and females). It is not a seminary process, rather it is part of something referred to as Shugyo. The term shugyo in Japanese refers to a set of practices derived from the notion of mind-body as one entity. This set of practices requires the practitioner to undergo a physical practice in order to learn how to form it in the future in the context of Tendai Buddhism, Shugyo accomplishes spiritual training through the training of the body. The shugyo is seen as teaching the skills necessary to be a soryo, through methods which build character. It is therefore very physical.
From beginning to end the process typically takes up to six years, broken into two segments. The first segment, Zengyo, teaches the soryo, chanting, deportment, meditation, Sutra, performance of exoteric rituals, Kokorodo (a very quick walking meditation of approximately 17.5 miles) , Sanzen-Butsudo (recitation of 3,000 Buddhas and accompanying full prostrations ), daily purification's, shomyo, etc. necessary to be a monk. Upon completion of the first half, here at Tendai Buddhist Institute the person takes Doshu Tokudo (ordination) which permits the person to study mikkyo (esoteric practices). The days begin at 3 AM and bed time is listed as 9 PM, with a half hour of free time a day, that is when bathing, washing clothes, etc., is accomplished, though many people will use the time after 9 PM for study. Every minute is engaged in an activity. The second section, Shidokegyo, is esoteric (Jpn. Mikkyo), learning the various mudras mantras and visualizations that ultimately lead to the Goma (Fire Ceremony - the fire symbolizes wisdom, which burns away defilements). From a Tendai Buddhist perspective completing this process is not an accomplishment in and of itself, but only beginning from which one can then build a monks practice, to better serve the dharma
This year we had five new people attending; three people from Puerto Rico, one from Ottawa, Canada, and one from the state of Washington, three men and two women. Additionally, two people, one from New Jersey, and one from Washington, DC, completed the Zengyo portion, and took Doshu Tokudo. An additional two Doshu attended to assist as leaders, and one of them, from Colorado, took Soryo Tokudo. Two men from Japan, Rev. Ito Kenei (he conducted the Goma on June 24 this year) and our former temple assistant, Rev. Hibara Gyosho, came to instruct and act as senior leadership.
While we certainly appreciate the dedication and perseverance that is necessary for people to choose to train and become soryo there is a broader context within Mahayana Buddhism. It is taught that one need not be a Buddhist to be a Buddha, and one need not become a soryo to be awakened. In fact it may be easier for one to be awakened as a layperson than as a soryo. The reason is that a soryo must sacrifice oneself for the benefit of others, and therefore knowingly delay one's awakening, due to the responsibilities of soryo in order to assist others. While a layperson has not taken the same vows they may still develop their practice with devotion and focus. The Vimalakirti Sutra provides evidence for this case. Additionally, by supporting those who have chosen to become soryo one is also attaining merit, and contributing further to the spreading of the Dharma.
Tendai-shu New York Betsuin, Tendai Buddhist Institute, is privileged to be able to offer these gyo. We are creating a talented and diverse group of leaders to serve Tendai outside of Japan. Everyone who is part of Tendai Buddhist Institute should feel a sense of fulfillment in contributing to spreading the Dharma. It is through your contributions of time, effort, encouragement, and resources, that this is possible. Thank you.
Love and Gassho... Monshin
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