An online community sharing the study and practice of Chan Buddhism

 

Swallows

Across the threshold of a late afternoon
autumn light, a serpentine river of swallows,
suspended by angels, swims over our heads,
inviting us to cross the veil of our
fearful lives -- reaching through horizon's home,
to find the eyes that rest beside us.

 


Courage

Bloodied walls, echoes of gallant exploits;
uniforms, flesh, all torn in
pride's pleading service.

Courage finds its face in other fields.
Timid whisper secreted in trusted ear,
battered heart offered to solitary soul.
Together in this vale of
nakedness, fingers find their touch,
eyes and breath melt into each.
Mark the battle won
when tears cleanse faces,
when bended knees serve loving gazes.

 


 

Los Traduzidos por Chuan Yuan Shakya
(Portuguese translations by Chuan Yuan Shakya of Brazil)

 

Andorinhas

Pelo limiar da luz de um final de tarde de outono,
um rio serpentino de andorinhas,
suspensas por anjos, nada sobre nossas cabeças,
nos convidando a cruzar o véu de nossas
temorosas vidas -- alcançando o lar do horizonte,
para encontrar os olhos que descansam ao nosso lado.

 


Coragem

Paredes ensanguentadas, ecos de galantes bravuras;
uniformes, carne, todos rasgados no
serviço das demandas do orgulho.

A coragem encontra sua face em outros campos.
Sussurro tímido em ouvido confiado,
coração surrado oferecido a alma solitária.
Juntos neste vale de
nudez, dedos encontram seu toque,
olhos e fôlego se fundem.
Note a batalha vencida
quando lágrimas limpam as faces,
quando joelhos dobrados servem olhares de amor.


 

Los Traducidos por Fa Hui
(Spanish translations by Fa Hui of Spain)

 

 

Golondrinas

Através del umbral de una tardía luz de otoño,
un río serpenteante de golondrinas,
suspendido por ángeles,
da vueltas sobre nuestras cabezas,
invitándonos a atravesar el velo de nuestras
temerosas vidas - extendiéndose desde el hogar del horizonte,
para encontrar aquellos ojos que descansan junto a nosotros.

 

Coraje

Paredes pintadas de sangre,
ecos de valientes proezas; uniformes, cuerpos,
todo arrancado al servicio suplicante del orgullo.
El coraje descubre su rostro en otros campos.
Un tímido susurro oculto en un oído confiado,
un corazón magullado ofrecido a un alma solitaria.
Juntos en este valle de desnudez,
los dedos hallan su tacto,
ojos y aliento fundidos el uno en el otro.
Considera la batalla ganada
cuando las lágrimas purifiquen las caras,
cuando las rodillas dobladas se entreguen a las miradas cariñosas.

Notices

By Fa Lohng Shakya

Fundamental to the philosophy of Boundless Mind Zen is the recognition that teachers themselves are also students of Zen and that the nature and quality of their teaching is derived from their own understanding and practice. As continuing students, they are committed to an openness and fluidity of teaching and practice, and may develop and apply diverse approaches to their methods of teaching. ...

By Administrator

There is a common myth that it's necessary to have a teacher/guru to make any kind of progress with Zen. What everyone DOES need is inspiration to do this work, because it's not easy, and there are lots of doubts we have along the way (doubt in the sense of questioning the validity/efficaciousness of our efforts). There are also times we can get pretty scared (from what we uncover in our psyches) ...

By Fa Tian Shakya

Le chant de la vallé is a heritage in Quebec, Canada founded by Fa Tian (Philippe Duchesne). The philosophy is, in his words, that "anybody can awaken here and now to the True Nature with the hearing of only one word. After that, it takes the rest of one's life to deepen and integrate it into daily practice of Dhyana. Even if some support and common practice can be useful, it is an individual ...

By Stuart Lachs

Stuart Lachs was born in 1940 and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He attended Brooklyn College, part of the NYC college system, where he received a B.A. and M.S., majoring in mathematics. He worked at Bell Labs in the mathematical physics department for a year and afterward, in the ship design industry for a few years. He started Zen practice in 1967 in NYC. That Spring he went to San Francisco because ...

Fa Xing Shakya recently gave a talk on Zen Buddhism at Stafford Creek Correction Center in Aberdeen, Washington, USA.  In late May, he was invited to the prison’s annual Asian-Pacific Islander cultural event to give an opening blessing and say a few words about Buddhism to the inmate population.  Fa Xing has been volunteering at Stafford Creek for several years now, ...

By Fa Xing Shakya
As Zen grows in popularity in the United States and other occidental countries, there are growing demands for its representatives to provide for the needs of those Zen enthusiasts incarcerated in prisons.  Only a couple of decades ago it was virtually unheard of for Zen clergy to minister to inmates in prisons, yet today it is a very much growing and needed service.  While the Order of Hsu Yun ...

Grand Master Ben Huan, one of the most respected of China's Chan masters, passed away this past Monday, April 2, 2012, at the age of 105. He was the Honorary Chairman of the Chinese Buddhist Association and had resided at Hongfa Temple in Shenzhen, near Hong Kong. Grandmaster Ben Huan was one of the ten masters presiding over the first-ever full ordination ceremony to be held at Hong Fa temple in ...

By Fa Xing Shakya


Mountain Way Zendo is a practice center for wayfarers from various faiths and walks of life whose spiritual explorations have led them to the practices and teachings of Zen Buddhism. Located in Grays Harbor County of Washington State, USA, and led by resident teacher Fa Xing, the Zendo is a place for sangha members to come together as their schedules allow, to practice various meditative ...

Fa Lohng Shakya (Koro Kaisan Miles) began his term as president of the Northwest Dharma Association this last June. He has been on the board of the Association since 2006, serving most recently as vice president.

The Northwest Dharma Association (NWDA) is a regional network of Buddhist groups and practice centers in the Western United States and Canada. It includes group members in the states of ...

Updated May, 2022
 
The Zen Buddhist Order of Hsu Yun (ZBOHY, 虛 雲 禪 苑) was founded by the monk, Jy Din Shakya, Abbot of the Hsu Yun temple in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1997.  He affectionately named the Order after his master, Hsu Yun.  His purpose for the Order was to provide a monastically-sanctioned online repository of information about Chan Buddhism.  Chuan Zhi, who ...
By Chuan Zhi

Exploring Chán covers a broad spectrum of topics, from the origins of meditation to modern day practices, from Indian expressions of Buddhism, to Chinese, Korean, Tibetan, Japanese, and Western expressions. It delves into psychology, philosophy, ontology, psychology, and yes, physics (my formal educational background). It also presents practical approaches for practicing Chan. To read a review ...