Shohaku Okumura

A pink rose after the rain.

Morning meditation — Again Questioning.

By Buddhism Now on 8 September 2022 • ( 0 )

‘Dogen is again questioning: What is moving and not-moving?’

Shohaku Okumura

Buddha Maravijaya (Buddha Calling the Earth to Witness), Thailand, Late 15th - early 16th century. © State Hermitage Museum

Dogen is again questioning: What is moving and not-moving? By Shohaku Okumura

By Buddhism Now on 5 October 2018 • ( 0 )

That is a problem in Buddhism — that ‘something’ that does not change even though our body and mind have been changing, what is it?

Sadaksari-Lokeshvara Surrounded by Manifestations and Monks (Avalokiteshvara) C15th, Tibet. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Part 7 Zazenshin: Acupuncture Needle of Zazen, by Shohaku Okumura

By Buddhism Now on 27 February 2016 • ( 3 )

Our practice is not so simple that when we sit in zazen, we automatically have fantastic experiences.

Part 6 Zazenshin: Acupuncture Needle of Zazen, by Shohaku Okumura

By Buddhism Now on 21 December 2015 • ( 5 )

‘Is there a way we should aim at beyond the framework of zazen that has not yet been accomplished?’

Case (Inrō) with Portrait of Daruma (obverse); Large Lotus Leaf and Stalk with Seed Pod (reverse) C19th, Japan © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Part 5 Zazenshin: Acupuncture Needle of Zazen, by Shohaku Okumura

By Buddhism Now on 23 October 2015 • ( 3 )

If buddha-dharma is the self, why do we have to study from others? Why do we have to practise in order to change the self? Why do we have to practise? We already have buddha-nature. We can do whatever we want. What is wrong with this kind of view? That is the question. Dogen’s reply is as follows:…

The real part 5 of Zazenshin. Sorry for the slip up last time.

牧牛図 Oxherding Artist: Sekkyakushi (Japanese, active first half of the 15th century

Part 4 Zazenshin: Acupuncture Needle of Zazen, by Shohaku Okumura

By Buddhism Now on 2 June 2015 • ( 1 )

We often attach to that person. We might ask who the person is…

Part 3 Zazenshin: Acupuncture Needle of Zazen, by Shohaku Okumura

By Buddhism Now on 6 March 2015 • ( 0 )

Baso came to a realisation and his mind was transcendent. After this encounter, he became Nangaku’s student and practised with him for ten years.

Part 2 Zazenshin: Acupuncture Needle of Zazen, by Shohaku Okumura

By Buddhism Now on 5 December 2014 • ( 2 )

In our zazen we have to let go of any kind of thinking, even thinking about dharma.