Words of a bulletin board 115

lotus flower

This time, words of a bulletin board is

"Obon has arrived.

Welcome back,

ancestors."

It’s been a while since my last post.

The summer heat this year has been so intense that I had to put my evening walks on hold.

Both my mind and body grew sluggish.

Once I take a break, it becomes a hassle to get started again.

Yesterday, however, the heat had eased up a bit, so I went for a walk for the first time in about two weeks.

The dogs and the friends I usually chat with were all doing well.

The temple's notice board had been updated, so I’ve posted a picture of it here.

It really is important to keep both the body and mind active.

Words of a bulletin board 114

Chinese trumpet vine

This time, words of a bulletin board is

”I'm just right the way I am now.”

Words of a bulletin board 113

This time,

"Loss or gain? A person's measure

Lie or truth?

Buddha's measure"

This is a poem by Mitsuo Aida, a calligrapher and poet.

Words of a bulletin board 112

yellow iris

Words of a bulletin board was changed just a few days after the last post.

Perhaps the last post was a bit too difficult ?

This time, he explains "Way without action" from the previous post, "Ben-do-Mu-i" (Discipline of the Way, Non-Action).

"Non-action

unbiased

unattached

unbound mind

Broader and broader."

These words connect to the concept of "emptiness" in the Heart Sutra.

This one is easy to understand, isn't it?

Words of a bulletin board 111

German iris

This time,

"May you live your life in peace and tranquility

and practice the Way without action
" - Zen Master Dogen

This one is a bit difficult.

I looked it up with AI.

This quote is found in the Soto Zen scripture "Shobogenzo" and is said to be a teaching that shows the true way of practice.

A modern translation of this quote is:
"(Abandoning the desire for fame, profit, and enlightenment) Throughout your life, live in peace, simply and wholeheartedly practice zazen (bendo), and wish to be in a state of freedom without attachment (mui)."

Explanation and meaning of the words:

Lifetime of peace and tranquility (isshō annon):
To live peacefully in any circumstances, letting go of honor, profit, or even the desire to "want to be enlightened."

Practicing the Way (bendo): To cultivate the Buddhist path. In particular, "simply sitting in zazen (shikan taza)," which Zen Master Dogen valued most.

Mui (mui): Without artifice. A state of pure freedom from attachment, where practice is not merely a means to an end, but an end in itself.

You should aspire to this state.

A strong encouragement to deeply desire and practice such a state.

What he teaches
Dogen Zenji rejected the idea of considering practice as a "means to attain enlightenment." From the standpoint of "practice and enlightenment are one," where practice (bendo) itself is already a manifestation of "enlightenment (peace and non-action)," he taught that simply sitting and fully living each moment in daily life is the best way to live.

fresh greenery and flowers and・・・

Peony

Double-flowered cherry tree

Dogwood

Wisteria

Banksia rose

Satsuki azalea

In the season of fresh greenery, the flowers are in full bloom.

The cherry blossom season passed by in the blink of an eye, and now it's the beautiful season of fresh green leaves.

The trees on the surrounding mountains are budding, and their beauty increases day by day.

I was born in this season of budding.

Today is my birthday.

I am truly grateful for being able to live a long and healthy life.

I hope to continue to live a healthy life from now on.

Words of a bulletin board 110

Cherry blossoms in full bloom

This time, words of a bulletin board is

”If you walk slowly, you'll notice the flowers at your feet.”

Please rest in peace

My best friend has passed away.

It was only about six months since her sudden diagnosis of terminal cancer.

It was so soon.

She was incredibly strong and never complained during her battle with the disease.

She dedicated her life to helping others—working, family, and volunteering. The monk at her funeral praised her life, saying, "It was truly the life of a Bodhisattva."

I believe she had a very happy life, blessed with a wonderful husband, children, and adorable grandchildren.

It was a huge shock, as I never doubted that her comfortable life with her husband would continue.

Despite her seemingly perfect health management—annual checkups and regular visits to a trusted doctor—this happened...

It's very unfortunate, but there's nothing we can do about it.

May she rest in peace.

Bird that bring happiness

From the Internet

stork

The day before yesterday, I was taking a break from walking, as usual.

When I was sitting on a bench chatting with two acquaintances, a large beautiful bird passed our overhead.

"A heron? " I thought.

But it was even bigger and more beautiful than a heron.

I later looked it up information on the internet and it turned out to be a stork.

It rested on the top of a telephone pole for a while, then descended into a rice paddy to peck at insects.

It's a rare bird that's been designated a special natural monument by the national government and is apparently endangered.

It was a lucky day for me on the day of a total lunar eclipse.

It was my first encounter with the bird.