Sanshin Zen Community is an international Buddhist sangha founded in 1996 by Shohaku Okumura, a Soto Zen priest and respected translator of the thirteenth-century Japanese Zen master, Eihei Dogen Zenji. Based at Sanshin-ji, in Bloomington, Indiana, Sanshin exists to provide intensive practice of zazen in the style of Kosho Uchiyama-roshi, informed by thorough study of Dogen's teachings and communal work. Sanshin offers opportunities for daily practice, weekly Dharma talks, monthly retreats, and a three-month ango (intensive practice period). Activities are open to all Buddhist practitioners, as well as anyone with a sincere interest in the practice of Zen.
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Sanshin Zen Community is an international Buddhist sangha founded in 1996 by Shohaku Okumura, a Soto Zen priest and respected translator of the thirteenth-century Japanese Zen master, Eihei Dogen Zenji. Based at Sanshin-ji, in Bloomington, Indiana, Sanshin exists to provide intensive practice of zazen in the style of Kosho Uchiyama-roshi, informed by thorough study of Dogen's teachings and communal work. Sanshin offers opportunities for daily practice, weekly Dharma talks, monthly retreats, and a three-month ango (intensive practice period). Activities are open to all Buddhist practitioners, as well as anyone with a sincere interest in the practice of Zen.
This talk continues Shohaku Okumura Roshi’s commentary on Dogen Zenji’s Tenzo Kyokun – Instructions for the Zen Cook. (Covering the second paragraph on page 37).
Beginning with the passage studied in this podcast, Dōgen describes the most important point in the attitude of the tenzo. The meaning of Dōgen’s admonition is very clear: don’t complain. The tenzo receives food ingredients from storage, and whatever the tenzo receives, they don’t complain, they just accept things as they are and work together with those things to make them into the best food or dish possible.
But if we carefully read the expressions and sentences, what Dōgen is saying is not so simple. Of course, the meaning is to avoid “like and dislike.” But the reason for that attitude is very deep and important within the essence of Buddhist teaching. In the English translation alone, we cannot see that connection.
Listen to the podcast for more.
This talk was originally given at Sanshinji in Bloomington, IN on September 12, 2007.
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Sanshin Zen Community's Podcast
Sanshin Zen Community is an international Buddhist sangha founded in 1996 by Shohaku Okumura, a Soto Zen priest and respected translator of the thirteenth-century Japanese Zen master, Eihei Dogen Zenji. Based at Sanshin-ji, in Bloomington, Indiana, Sanshin exists to provide intensive practice of zazen in the style of Kosho Uchiyama-roshi, informed by thorough study of Dogen's teachings and communal work. Sanshin offers opportunities for daily practice, weekly Dharma talks, monthly retreats, and a three-month ango (intensive practice period). Activities are open to all Buddhist practitioners, as well as anyone with a sincere interest in the practice of Zen.