The Buddha of our time, Sakyamuni Buddha, lived 2,500 years ago, and his life and teachings have been an inspiration for countless people all over the world. What made this man so special? Many ancient texts about his teachings have been handed down to us, but facts about his early life are scarce. However, there are delightful stories which give us an idea how he might have grown into the liberated being who we emulate.
How do we actualize this fundamental point of our life and practice? The Genjo Koan, originally a letter from Dogen Zenji to a lay student, is perhaps the most highly valued writing in the whole of Dogen’s masterwork, Shobogenzo. Appreciated for its literary style, the Genjo Koan unfolds the foundational philosophy that supports the many concrete instructions Dogen Zenji gave to his students and is a poetic expression of Dogen's teaching of practice-realization.
Nyoho-e means Buddha’s robe and can be translated as As-it-is (Nyo) Dharma (Ho) garment (e). In this series of classes we will delve into the history and meaning of making, receiving, wearing (and repairing) Buddha’s robe within our tradition. We will study the teachings of Suzuki Roshi and other masters on wearing the robe and maintaining the Bodhisattva precepts.