“One of the strongest characteristics of the role of shuso is its innate awkwardness. One is always both junior and senior. This is a given to the path to those on the shuso path. This fact is confronted deeply. The faces of the junior and senior are constantly being switched, sometimes both worn at the same time.” —Domyo Burk
On the last full day of NYZC’s recent summer sesshin (Silent Retreat), Sensei Chodo delivers a multifaceted talk on appreciation for the mothers of the world, citing stories and poems from Oyama Sumita and Tony Hoagland. He then turns his focus to celebrating Deborah Jyoshin Stewart, the sangha’s first shuso, or senior student, as she prepares to lead the gathered practitioners in the center’s very first Shuso Hossen ceremony the next day, signifying the student’s promotion to the senior role.
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.
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UPCOMING PROGRAMS (as of August 27th, 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
In My Life — Renée Fleming
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
Preorder your copy of Untangled (Publishing Date: November 8th, 2022) here: https://bit.ly/untangled-book
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
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