red spider lily
This time, words of a bulletin board is
"A smile is a way to give something back—in just a second."
princess flower
This time, words of a bulletin board is
”Always together
Namu Kie-butsu”
"Namu Kie-butsu" means "I place my faith in the Buddha as my spiritual refuge and entrust everything to him."
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.
Chinese trumpet vine
This time, words of a bulletin board is
”I'm just right the way I am now.”
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.”
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.