Dear Friend

1)            July Sesshin:       07/11,  07/12.  07/13.  

2)             Wood splitting:          07/18.    9 am

                Chanting and Dharma Discussion:   07/19.   2 PM.    Guest Speaker.  Rev. Tenku Ruff  from Beacon Zen Temple in New York. 

                Sunday Zazenkai    07/20  8 am,           (Trail walk  1 pm,   voluntary)  

3)             Chanting and Dharma Discussion:   08/16.    1 pm.                               (No Sesshin in August) 

4)  I have been reading Yuikyogyo Sutra, which recorded what was happening when Shakyamuni Buddha was about to die. It was in the midnight with no noise nor sound. Everyone knew Buddha would die soon.   All were sad.  

 Shakyamuni did last ordination rite for his last student. Then he  gave all  his students last Buddhist teachings, which was Four Noble Truths.  The Four Noble Truths was the core teaching for Buddhists.  

“Life  is painful, aging and death is painful.”　said in the first truth. Reasons of pain are explained through Twelve Links of Cause and Effects in the second truth. Pain could be overcome by Buddhas’ wisdom in the third truth. There are Eight Fold Paths which lead to pain free life in the fourth truth. 

I looked for a pain free life. at the same time, I could not think aging and death would go away. Death is pain and fear for all. Scholars say that death is the mystery, the last frontier to solve for human beings. 

Just after Shakyamuni concluded the last teaching (his job), he passed like he entered into sleep without pain. It was like light was dimming quietly. He did not die but entered into nirvana.

 As I am aging, I lose weight day by day. As the aging continues, I do not see any cause of pain so far. We may be possible to enter into nirvana.  In reality we may die with little pain and little fear. 

If we are possible to die with little pain, we could live with little pain for a brief time. That brief time could become longer. Healthy person with a right mind may enjoy pain free life for a long time. Nirvana not only indicates death but also pain free human life. Buddhism says that we can have a nice life.    

A pain free life cannot be given without responsibility. We need right efforts, right views, and right practices for achieving a life of nirvana. Shakyamuni found these secrets 2700 years ago, and we are practicing the same teaching now. 

Regards.

Eishin Ikeda

Valley Zendo