
The teacher gives the student a koan as a question and expects a lively response in dokusan (private interview). In actual practice they are used as meditation devices. These are recorded dialogues between masters and students of old that express the teaching in a nutshell. Koans have proven to be very helpful in this respect. This wonderful ability can be experienced on many different levels, and is for most people hard to appreciate fully without actively questioning conditioned patterns of thoughts and feelings. By turning our own light inward we find more space for people and situations to speak to us directly, so that our responses become more natural and fitting. In its simplicity it is the most natural and at the same time the most difficult practice. In shikantaza one learns to stop interfering with the natural functioning of the mind and to become aware of the basic goodness inherent in all of us. This combination has the advantage of providing a broad range of methods so that the needs of individual students can be met. That means that besides shikantaza, koans are practiced extensively. The lineage that Tenkei Roshi and Myoho Sensei represent belongs to the Soto school of Zen, but is also influenced by the training methods of other schools. Most obviously they stand for the face-to-face relationship between teacher and student (Buddha), the actual training that is required (Dharma), and a close association with other practitioners (Sangha).Īt Zen River the Three Treasures are articulated in Four Elements of Training:ġ) Meditation, 2) Ritual, 3) Study and 4) Bodhisattva Activity.ġ) Meditation is the main focus of Zen River and serves as a base for all other elements. They are intricately interwoven and can be appreciated on many different levels. Most effective when addressed together, these Treasures are reliable buoys in the sea of confusion. In order to follow through on this grand vision, Buddhist practitioners take refuge in the Three Treasures - the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

The joy and happiness found within can naturally bring about an unconditional love for all life and inspire us to contribute to the welfare of others. Book 4: this is the definitive book and with the adventures lived, it will be possible to master the air, but also the rest of the elements thanks to a secret female avatar coming from the South Pole.In Zen training we learn to recognize our Buddha nature and to allow it to manifest freely in everyday-life situations.Depending on your answers and how you decide to act, it will be easier or more complicated for you to master earth, with the help (or not) of Joo Dee, Jin, and other characters. Book 3: decision making is very important here.Book 2: the goal is to learn to master fire and survive the temper of Azula, one of Avatar's main and strongest characters.

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