Zen words given to me by Zenshoji Temple

Hello.

Today I would like to write about my encounter with Rinzai Zen Buddhism.

 

 This square drawing paper was given to me by the head priest of a Zen temple called Zenjoji located a little north of the hot spring resort when I visited the temple on a trip to Gero Hot Springs. It was almost 20 years ago.

 

 The large Chinese character “露” means “revealed”.

 

 The words below it are as follows;

"Nothing to be said. Nothing to be explaned. Nothing to be indicated. Noting to be recognized"

 

 While I was praying in the main hall of Zensyou-ji, the abbot asked me what I had been praying for, though I had been holding my hands together for a long time.

I replied that I was facing a difficult phase in my life and was simply chanting the Heart Sutra in my mind to find inner peace.

 

 Then the abbot invited me into his private room and gave me this square drawing paper.

 

 He told me many stories, but I don't remember if I was nervous or not. However, I do remember that the abbot criticized the University of Tokyo, so I should not mention that I am a graduate of the University of Tokyo.

 

 

Then the abbot invited me into his private room and gave me this square drawing paper.

He told me many stories, but I don't remember if I was nervous or not. However, I do remember that the abbot criticized the University of Tokyo, so I should not mention that I am a graduate of the University of Tokyo.  Anyway, this paper is one koan. I will face it for the rest of my life.

 

 This is my encounter with Rinzai Zen Buddhism.
 This connection led to a chance encounter with Myokanji Temple and its former abbot, Kanai Gumdo osho. Furthermore, under the guidance of the Kanai Gumdo osho,  I was able to learn about some of his teachings through the valuable recordings of Sasaki Joshu roushi.

 

 I believe that it is with the guidance of Mimyo-taishi and the other masters that I am now crowdfunding for Myokan-ji Temple.