silent water [buddhism and haiku]

dailyzen.com: Five Points in Buddhist practice

2008-05-25T14:36:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to checkout the latest entry in dailyzen's monthly journal, "Five Points in Buddhist practice" by Suzuki Shosan (1579 –1655)

Haiku: Link Collection

2008-04-22T04:20:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my favorite internet resources on haiku.

Haiku Resources and Techniques. Yeah, right, techniques. Yup, for Haiku. I know what you think, but even the shomon guys including Basho used lots of techniques.
HAIKU TECHNIQUES Jane Reichhold is one of the great articles on the resources site.
6000 Haiku of Issa. He really was a workaholic.
MSN-Mainichi Daily News: Haiku. Selected new Haiku from around the world.
The Five Hundred Essential Japanese Season Words. Because imho three lines with no kigo are no haiku.

Haiku: Shomon I and II. Bashos Disciples.

2008-04-17T02:38:00.000-07:00

Here in germany we've got two incredible books about Bashos ten great disciples, including Kikaku, Kyorai und Ransetsu. They are compiled and commented by Prof. Dr. Ekkehard May. I've read a lot about Haiku over the last two years, but i've never seen such a remarkable understanding about the edo period and haiku. May critizises lots of other translators and commentators, even the old japanese ones. If you do understand the german language, you'll really enjoy those two books.

buddhism | zen | daoism | taoism

at the brooks

2008-04-16T07:28:00.000-07:00

the look
beneath the stone -
life

Audio: San Francisco Zen Center Dharma Talks

2008-04-15T15:32:00.000-07:00

Just found out that the San Francisco Zen Center has lots of its Dharma Talks online.

buddhism | zen

Personal: Meditation with timers

2008-04-14T02:16:00.000-07:00

Last Week i started using meditation timers on my mp3 player at zazen. and i must say it kind of improves my practice. By setting a goal for the duration of the meditation time its more likely that i'm sitting the whole period i wanted to. in the first week i jumped between 30 and 40 minutes per day. hope i can continue at this pace. on days where i'm not home before midnight i've got some doubts...

btw you'll find meditation timers here.

happy practicing

buddhism | zen

Historical Buddha, Misogynist?

2008-04-13T11:20:00.000-07:00

An article about the controversial view of the shakyamuni on the role of women in the sangha at buddhism.about.com. Thats one of the points that always bothered me the most. But maybe it just shows that even the buddha at this time had some more steps to take.

buddhism | zen

Audio: Recommended Talks at audiodharma.org

2008-04-12T14:51:00.000-07:00

The Recommended Talks at audiodharma.org cover Meditation Fundamentals and the Four Noble Truths & the Eightfold Path. All talks were held by Gil Fronsdal. There is also a list of all audio files. Quite an impressive collection.

buddhism | zen

Haiku: abandoned rail (March 2007)

2008-04-11T02:44:00.000-07:00

abandoned rail -
a fresh breeze carries
dandelion seed

Audio: Jack Kornfield Talks at diydharma.org

2008-04-11T01:43:00.000-07:00

The guys at diydharma.org have some interesting talks online, including some by Jack Kornfield
diydharma sangha describes itself as "a community of freaks, geeks, queers, rebels, outcasts, stream-enterers and their friends, who meditate together in the Buddhist tradition."

buddhism | zen

Dharma: News from the Soto Zen Text Project

2008-04-10T02:55:00.000-07:00

There are two new translated chapters from the Shobogenzo available:

The Cypress Tree (Shōbōgenzō hakujushi)
Bringing Forth the Mind of Bodhi (Shōbōgenzō hotsu bodai shin)

buddhism | zen

Audio: Mindfulness Meditation Course with Gil Fronsdal

2008-04-09T01:14:00.000-07:00

Funny thing that i recommend a podcast that was my last recommendation before the one-an-a-half-year hiatus of this blog.
But over at Zencast theres a nice 6 Part Mindfulness Meditation Course with Gil Fronsdal that you shouldn't miss.

Here it is

technorati: buddhism | zen | podcast

Audio: Dharma Seed now as Podcast

2008-04-08T02:29:00.000-07:00

The huge collection of dharma and retreat talks at Dharma Seed is now available as a podcast. This is great news. The collection over there is very impressive.

technorati: buddhism | zen | podcast

Personal: Blogging Again

2008-04-07T13:32:00.000-07:00

Well its been a long long time since the last post here. After a very unfrequent schedule of meditation in the last one or two years i finally went to a sesshin earlier this year. two days full of zazen and kinhin. It was great.

So now im trying to sit more regular and it looks like its working. I don't have much time early in the day. in the morning i often meditate for just 10 minutes or don't sit at all. Usually i sit late in the evening between nine and eleven a little longer. I've got a long way to my workplace so there is time for audiobooks and traditional ones. i'm still reading the excellent german translation of the Shobogenzo by Gudo Wafu Nishiyima.

Btw: I enjoyed reading Brad Warners second book. its even about the Shobogenzo! Cool stuff.

Thats it for now. ill post as often as i can.

Audio: Zen Podcast

2006-08-17T02:28:00.000-07:00

This ones an interesting Podcast with lots of audio files for your pleasure.

amberstar.libsyn.com

buddhism | zen | daoism | taoism

Book: Diamond Sutra online

2006-05-05T02:44:00.000-07:00

One of the oldest known printed texts of mankind is viewable online! You can read and watch it in the original form an view comments or listen to audio comments.
Very interesting.

to the sutra

full text in english with comments @ buddhanet.net

buddhism | zen

Personal: Ten ways for a better New Year

2006-01-01T09:46:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all of you!

Always good to remember, compiled at buddishm.about.com
to the article

buddhism | zen

Personal: Awareness

2005-12-27T00:48:00.000-08:00

If somebody asks me what buddhism is, i think i would say: awareness and insight. Insight of the true nature of being and awareness of whats around you and, maybe the most interesting point, whats inside you.
By practicing meditation, one can teach himself to watch his/her feelings, thoughts, the whole monkey thats jumping from tree to tree. By practicing to look deeper, your thoughts into the future or the past will be good friends. From time to time they will lose there power, cause you know them and are aware of them and, even just for the glimpse of an eye, you can be truly aware of the present.

happy practicing :-)
Dan

buddhism | zen | daoism | taoism

Dharma: The Three Marks Of Existence

2005-11-09T01:42:00.000-08:00

Gautama named three marks, that are with everything that exists:

impermanence (anityata)
Nothing exists eternally, everything changes all the time. Even people. Whatever one is sticking to, it will change and vanish some time.

suffering(duhkha)
Everythin that exists ist not perfect, to live is to suffer. The possibility of the end of suffering is shown by Gautama in his Four Noble Truths.

not-self (anatman)
There is no seperated I, Soul or Existence.

the three marks of existence@buddhism.about.com

buddhism | zen

On The Way Journal 10/05 Dailyzen.com

2005-10-26T04:04:00.000-07:00

The new Journal from DailyZen.com is here. Great as always.

Journal october@dailyzen.com

zen

buddhism | zen | daoism | taoism

Website: buddhism.about.com

2005-10-17T04:36:00.000-07:00

Great Website regarding Buddhism, especially but not only for beginners is buddhism.about.com. Check it out, its really interesting.

buddhism | zen

The Soto Zen Texts Project

2005-10-06T00:29:00.000-07:00

A great webproject, where classic Soto Zen Texts will be translated to english. The contents include the Shobogenzo (in progress) and the diffucult to get "Transmission of the Lamp" (in preparation).

Soto Zen Texts Project Homepage
zen | soto | buddhism | dogen | shobogenzo

Zen-Buddhist-Joke

2005-09-27T00:12:00.000-07:00

found at paperfrog.com:

A young businessman became disillusioned with his materialistic life, sold all his belongings, and retired to a nearby Zen monastery.

After being shown to his cell, he was summoned to an interview with the abbot.

“Tell me,” said the wise old man, “Why is it that you have sought refuge with our community?”

“I have become frustrated with the distractions of the world, Master,” replied the new monk. “Will I find Truth here?”

“Oh, certainly,” nodded the Abbot. “But there’s one catch: our primary rule of practice here is absolute silence. From this moment forward, you are forbidden from uttering a single word. Go and seek enlightenment in perfect peace. If you endure, I will recall you for an interview in ten years. At that time, you will be allowed to speak three words. Do you understand?”

The young monk nodded and withdrew to begin his practice.

A decade passed. The monk struggled through the rigors of monastic life, but remained true to his vow. As promised, the Abbot summoned him for a visit.

“I see you’re still with us,” smiled the Abbot. “You have maintained your vow of silence with great perfection. You may now speak three words — I hope you have chosen them carefully.”

The novice grimaced as he attempted the unfamiliar effort of speech.

“Bed too hard,” he croaked.

“I see,” said the Abbot. “Return to your cell and maintain your silence. If you endure, I will allow you another three words ten years from this day.”

Another decade passed. The novice amazed those around him with his monastic vigor. Through cold and heat, through times of plenty and want, no matter what the circumstance, the novice remained completely mute. At the appointed time, he appeared again before the Abbot.

“You have done well, young novice,” said the Abbot. “It has been twenty years, and from this day forth you will be known as a full member of the monastic brotherhood. You may also speak your three words.”

“Food no good,” stammered the newly received monk.

“Very well,” answered the Abbot. “You are free to go back to your practice. Once again, I require you to maintain the rule of silence. You will be recalled for an interview in another ten years, at which time you’ll be allowed another three words.”

The seasons came and went. In time, another ten years had passed. The young monk had become an older man, his long hair streaked with grey. In all things, he’d endured. He had achieved the highest ideals of monastic discipline. Finally, he was brought into the Abbot’s presence.

“Another decade — gone,” noted the Abbot, who was now well advanced in years. “I see that you have again maintained your vow of silence. The time has come. You may now speak your three words.”

“Forget that,” retorted the monk. “I hate it here. I’m leaving.”

“I am not surprised, said the Abbot. “It’s been thirty years, and all I’ve ever heard you do is complain!”

buddhism | zen | joke

dailyzen.com: On The Way Journal September 2005

2005-09-24T14:08:00.000-07:00

And here it is, check it out:

on the way, sep. 05

buddhism | zen | daoism | taoism

Quotation Albert Einstein

2005-09-23T05:59:00.000-07:00

The religion of the future will be a cosmic religion. It should transcend a personal God and avoid dogmas and theology. Covering both the natural and the spiritual, it should be based on a religious sense arising from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual as a meaningful unity. If there is any religion that would cope with modern scientific needs, it would be Buddhism.

Albert Einstein

(found at thebigview.com)

Meaning of the Dharma?

2005-08-28T14:08:00.000-07:00

Emperor Wu-Di: "What is the meaning of the highest truth?"
Bodhidharma: "Open range - nothing sacred!"

Not attached we watch the monkey jumping from tree to tree...

buddhism | zen | daoism | taoism

Zen Comic

2005-07-22T06:56:00.000-07:00

Something new: Classic Zen-stories as Flash-Comic-Animation. Very good, check it out!

the comic@buddhanet.net

belief-o-mat

2005-07-20T04:10:00.000-07:00

An interessting multiple-choice test regarding the question "which is my religion"?

belief-o-mat

But better don't take it to serious :-)

Live Webcam at Soto Zen Temple

2005-07-20T00:28:00.000-07:00

A great webcam from the Teishoin Temple where you can go up/down/right/left. Because the webcam is in Japan you need to check the difference in daytime at your side to see something else than just the black of the night :-)

->Webcam

Emptiness

2005-07-19T06:51:00.000-07:00

Winding way
Originally uploaded by capturedbythelight.

Small steps along the way,
awareness now.
The emptiness touches the mind.

Translated from the original german version. Breaking nearly all rules, it might not be a haiku, but an expression.
Whoever finds dualism in the last line can keep it :-)

Thank you.

dailyzen.com: On the Way Journal July 05

2005-07-18T06:46:00.000-07:00

On of the greatest internet-refuges from the day-to-day chaos in our everyday lives releases its July Journal.
This time its written by an unknown daoist master from the 18th century.

link to the journal@dailyzen.com

Welcome to the Silent Water Blog

2005-07-17T05:47:00.000-07:00

This Blog is the english spoken version of our german blog "Stilles Wasser". We'd like to make our posts available to people from other countries, so here it is.

Thank you very much.