“We are the like the apex of a pyramid – the levels of the pyramid ever widening toward its base represent past generations of our ancestors. Our present existence is the sum of all they did and we are the starting point for our descendants. All that our ancestors did reflect on us and all that we do reflects on both our ancestors and our descendants. Make a note of this.” —Shundo Aoyama
On the second day of the New York Zen Center’s Summer Sesshin (silent retreat) in Garrison, NY, Chodo Sensei offers a talk on the importance of appreciation for one’s ancestors. Drawing upon the story of Moggallāna, a disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha, who transferred his spiritual merits to save his mother from hell realms, Chodo shares his own journey of compassion towards his troubled family history. He reminds us that we should live each moment with care as a token of our gratitude to our predecessors and descendants.
ZENTALK NOTES
Sensei Chodo Robert Campbell is a co-founder of the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care and is part of the core faculty for the Buddhist Track in the Master in Pastoral Care and Counseling at Zen Center’s education partner, New York Theological Seminary.
CONNECT WITH US
UPCOMING PROGRAMS (as of August 19th, 2022)
—The Five Ranks of Tozan: An Online Zen Study Offering with Gerry Shishin Wick Rōshi—Chinese Zen Master Tozan (Tungshan) created two sets of five ranks that are honored and studied in both Soto and Rinzai schools of Zen. Tozan composed a verse for each of the ranks. In this course, we will examine and appreciate each of Tozan’s ranks, including the title and the verses. | Learn More >
—Catch Your Mind: Teachings for Awakening, Fearlessness, and Intimacy—How can you deepen your Zen practice path? Join us for ten months of study of the Way through zazen and learn together the teachings of Dōgen, the Founder of Soto Zen in Japan. | Learn More >
—Zen Precepts: Living an Ethical Life—Living the Zen Precepts is wisdom in action – the natural expression of a compassionate and awakened heart. The Precepts are studied, practiced and received to support the fullest expression of our lives. | Learn More >
MUSIC
Heart Sutra by Kanho Yakushiji – Buddhist priest and musician of the Rinzai sect and Imaji temple in Imabari, Japan. In 2003, he formed “KISSAQUO”, a songwriting duo based in Kyoto.
NYZC PUBLICATIONS
Get your copy of Wholehearted: Slow Down, Help Out, Wake Up here: https://amzn.to/2JTKF1t
Get your copy of Awake At The Bedside here: https://amzn.to/3aijXdL
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
One Response
Thank you from Napa.Valley. This reaches me deeply. Thank you for making this talk available. I will have it with me all day.