Dear zen friend

1)        February Sesshin         from  02/08  to  02/12

           March Sesshin             from  03/08  to  03/12

2)  Mr. Yuichiro Miura is a professional skier and a climber. He was known to have acted on an adventurous challenge on high mountains. He skied down from Everest, crossed glaciers in Alps valleys, won many Nordic and Alpine ski competitions.

He retired around 60 years of age. Since then he enjoyed gourmet foods, drinking, and night lives for a few years. At around 65 year old, he was fat, had been in cardiovascular disorder and diabetes. He lost youth and health. A doctor told him he would have lived for less than 2 years.

Having faced his own annihilation, Mr. Miura thought about present, future, and a meaning of life. He desired to survive and bring normal life back. He set a goal to climb Mt. Everest at 70.

He started training himself by hiking a 500 meter high hills, which was hard due to decreased physical strength. He continued training and gradually restored health. He climbed Mt. Everest as planned in 2003. He was the oldest person who stood on top of the highest place on earth. His adventure was filmed and televised.

5 years later Mr. Miura climbed Mt. Everest again for the second time successfully. And he was on the same spot at 80 years of age for the third time in spring of 2013. He became again the oldest person who climbed Mt. Everest.

Now there is news saying Mr. Miura is aiming at standing the same place at 90 years of age in 2023. His father was a pro skier and famous for his adventurous spirit, who died at 104. So the attempt of Mr. Miura to conquer the highest point for the 4th time is not necessarily fake news.

What is buddha dharma in this story?

One of The Eight Fold Paths, which was taught by Shakyamuni Buddha is the path of The Right Resolve.

Regards.

Eishin Ikeda

Valley Zendo