Peter Seishin Wohl

Art by Mark Morse Gateless Gate, Case 5 Kyogen said, “Its like a man up in a tree, hanging from a branch with his mouth; his hands can’t grasp a bough, his feet won’t reach one. Under the tree there is another man, who asks him the meaning of Bodhidharma’s coming from the west. If he…

Gateless Gate, Case 19 Joshu asked Nansen, “What is the Way?” “Ordinary mind is the Way,” Nansen replied. “Shall I try to seek after it?” Joshu asked. “If you try for it, you will become separated from it,” responded Nansen. How can I know the Way unless I try for it?” persisted Joshu. Nansen said,…

I wanted share something with a seasonal theme, given that spring is almost here. I realize that the spring equinox passed several weeks ago; a day on which the season undoubtedly arrived somewhere, perhaps in Maryland or New Jersey. However those of us who have endured the last few weeks punctuated with spells of cool,…

Blue Cliff Record, Case 89 Yunyan asked Daowu, “How does the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion use so many hands and eyes?” Daowu said, “It’s just like a person in the middle of the night reaching in search of a pillow.” Yunyan said, “I understand.” Daowu said, “How do you understand it? Yunyan said, “All over…

When the Master was about to die, the head monk asked him, “Your Reverence, a hundred years from now where will you be?” “I shall be a water buffalo at the foot of the hill,” said the Master. “Will it be alright for me to follow you?” asked the head monk. “If you follow me,…

Art by Margaret Loftin Whiting It was deep in the dark and quiet hours as the third watch of the night was approaching. The venerable monk Subhuti looked about the garden. All of the assemblage was asleep, except for the World Honored One who was in a deep state of communion, where he offered his teaching…

Oh the zazen of the Mahayana! To this the highest praise! Devotion, repentance, training, the many paramitas— all have their source in zazen. From “Song of Zazen,” by Hakuin Zenji Why is it that we practice zazen? I would like to begin to examine that question in a short series of talks. While this question…

Art by Pia Ravenari After each of the assembled bodhisattvas-mahasattvas had come forward to pay homage to the World Honored One, it was time for the animals who were also gathered there to do likewise. One by one they came forward, prostrating before the high seat of the Beloved Teacher and leaving the gifts they had…