“A good teacher will take the mask off your face.”
In this recent drama talk, Koshin Sensei reflects on the first two chapters of the Lotus Sutra.
There is a crowd gathering to hear the Buddha teach, millions of beings of all kinds. One of the Buddha's disciples is repeatedly imploring the Buddha to speak and the Buddha finally agrees.
Just as he is about to address the crowd, five thousand monks stand up, bow, and leave.
Koshin reflects on why these monks left and what we can learn from mutinous groups among and within us. How are we practicing with the dissenters?
Are we really listening, carefully pondering or are we convinced we already know? The practice humbles our arrogance and sangha is often a 'messy middle' where everything is not so clear but all are welcome.
Together we can learn and practice and start again.
MUSIC
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.
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