To study the Precepts is therefore to step fully into the Sangha — to take responsibility not only for our personal conduct, but for the well-being of all beings with whom we practice.

An Interview with Kogen Keith Martin-Smith

It doesn't matter how deep your spiritual insight is. You can transform shadows when they arise. I think that is absolutely true, but you're not going to be able to understand what's actually driving the shadows themselves, unless you do relative ego shadow work.

Hakuin was a genius in the conventional sense of the word.  His command of textual Zen was outstanding.  He was a committed dharma patriarch, who lived and breath dharma truth, and he shared this with his students and with his audience.  In this way, Hakuin brought Zen back into fashion in the early 18th Century.

Koans and Post-Enlightenment Training

We’ve been examining the origins of the Rinzai lineage of my teacher Jun Po Roshi. Our first blog started with Jun Po Roshi and we worked our way backwards to Hakuin. The second installment started with Nampo Shomyo, who traveled to China to receive the transmission from Xutang Zhiyi, a direct lineage holder of Linji Yixuan, or Master Rinzai. We skipped Hakuin Ekaku, who so deservedly requires several blogs devoted to his teachings.

Nampo Shomyo to Hakuin Ekaku

Hukuins Rinzai Zen is brought from China through Xutang Zhiyi’s direct transmission to Nampo Jomyo. This was not the first time Rinzai was transmitted to a Japanese monk. This time, Rinzai would continue.

It's like opening up the shell, peering out the shell, and then casting off the shell and allowing a new outer appearance.

Jun Po Roshi to Hakuin Ekaku

Zen lore includes a belief that a direct person to person transmission has occurred all the way back to Shakyamuni Buddha himself. Let’s start by tracing back our lineage from Jun Po Roshi to Hakuin Zenji.

I have a group that I feed every night. I sit on a bench, and some will sit on my lap and I'll meditate out there. They have full bellies. They'll come hang out with me, thank me and meditate with me. It's a connection to pure spirit, pure source.

And that's my prayer, may I truly be of benefit. May these words be aligned in such a way that I can really transmit.

With Jun Po Roshi and Karla McLaren’s true teachings in hand, we are developing a tailored approach to emotional self-inquiry and koan work. This broader approach aligns with modern psychological insights and traditional Zen teachings, ensuring a more comprehensive integration of emotional wisdom into spiritual practice.

One of the things I love about Hollow Bones is the Mondo Zen process, which has brought the practice of koans in a way that the Western mind can understand.

Hosho Don Koehler

It's the sitting practice that becomes more and more important. The psychedelic experiences become less and less significant because you're already experiencing that expanded consciousness and altered states from the practice itself.

Our Rohatsu practice offers the opportunity to celebrate the simplicity of practicing together. As a sangha, we sit together as the Buddha yet to come, awakening our connections with all beings.
Join Us December 7th at 4:30 pm - 4:30 am

Come for any portion of the evening!

Nanda Nina Lynch

If you look at it historically, it’s not proselytizing. It’s saying the Dharma has to spread. Nature has to move the seeds, either through the wind or through a bird, picking it up and dropping it somewhere else. The Dharma spreads. So part of getting the robe or the rakasu is to say I'm part of the spreading. So I bring it somewhere else.

Kenshin Cian Whalley

II found out how magic works, manifestation works and how changing the mind and the field around us works. And then looking back at tantric Buddhist tradition, I recognized that the initiatory practices are the path. If you break down all of the facets of the prostration, it really is a magical practice meant to transform your mind into the mind of a Buddha

Fugen Tom Pitner Roshi

All 11 Roshis are of the eighty-fourth generation. That's how you spread the Dharma. Each of us takes a branch, accepts responsibility and does our best to make sure that Dharma continues.

Engo Dohi Michael Jackson

But really, you don't need to be a priest or anyone to teach you. You just have to have the knowledge. I think everybody brings gifts. We take in what we can learn from each other.

Koto Washi Dallas Chief Eagle

We want to be invited into sacred space and not step on it or provide the answers.

Ekai Joel Kreisberg

My belief is that Jun Po Roshi’s teachings offer a unique perspective on dealing with emotions in a Zen setting. By articulating a clear standard, and training competent practitioners, we created a more consistent cadre of facilitators who can effectively reach a broader audience

Ming Po Larry Matthews - Shuso

With Mondo I can directly see when I make a difference.