Buddhas and Buddhas-in-training

The first week of December is traditionally the time when Buddhists sit for seven days to commemorate Buddha’s enlightenment. This usually marks the end of the practice periods at each temple, though the Zen Center calendar has wobbled a bit over the years. Nevertheless, on Saturday I was at City Center for the first Shuso Ceremony of the month; today, all being well, I will get down to Tassajara for the one there, and also plan to go to Green Gulch next Monday.

I have often said, probably on here as well, that the Mahasangha never disappears. Andre is a case in point. We arrived at Tassajara around the same time in April 2002, and I think one of my first work assignments was alongside him creating a rock border by the bath-house – having strong opinions about rocks, the collaboration was challenging for me. We sat tangaryo together that September, and a year later worked on the kitchen crew together. The January following, there was a little tension as we were both vying for the last spot on the doanryo, which was offered to me, and I hope he doesn’t still harbour any lingering resentment. It would be very uncharacteristic of him…

I had gone down to listen to a couple of the talks he gave during the practice period, and of course wanted to support him at his ceremony. He was very assured in his answers, and didn’t seem at all ruffled no matter what was asked.

Catherine the jisha, Paul, Andre and the benji.

We also managed to wrangle a Practice Period photograph.

The courtyard maple catching the low winter sun.

Earlier in the day, I had gone down to the Asian Art Museum which was showing two outstanding calligraphies. There was a bit of a line to get in when the museum opened; I had just been wondering if I would see anyone I knew, when Fu appeared in front of me, which was very sweet. The two pieces were certainly worth the time in line, and the surrounding material about Ryokoin at Daitokuji and the particular style of the two pieces was also excellent.

Since I hadn’t been inside the museum for a few years, I took the opportunity to head upstairs to see the permanent collection; I was particularly drawn to the Gandhara Buddhas, of course. My only disappointment was the the gift shop did not have much of a collection of card suitable to congratulating the shusos.