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Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi: a dharma seminar


  • Mountain Rain Zendo 2016 Wall Street Vancouver, BC, V5L 1J5 Canada (map)
It is like facing a jewel mirror;
form and image behold each other –
You are not it,
in truth it is you.
— Dongshan Liangjie (807-869 CE)

Note: This dharma seminar series will be held at both the Mountain Rain Zendo (2016 Wall St.) and the Mountain Rain Practice House (5505 Sherbrooke St.) Please feel free to attend whichever location you wish.

Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi is an important Zen teaching poem in our liturgy, chanted in Soto Zen monasteries throughout the world. This classical poem, attributed to one of the founders of the Soto branch of the Zen school, Dongshan Liangjie, celebrates the inherently enlightened nature of all sentient beings and the “suchness” or ultimate reality of all things. Through many intriguing and beautiful images this poem encourages us to plumb the depths of our true nature. Over four weeks we will unpack some of the imagery and listen to what Dongshan tells us about living in this world with all its joys and sorrows.

For a PDF of Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi click Here.

Myoshin Kate McCandless is co-guiding teacher of Mountain Rain Zen Community.

Dharma seminar sessions consist of two zazen periods, an informal talk, sometimes writing reflections (bring a notebook), small/large group talking circles. Part of our regular Wednesday evening practice schedule. Everyone welcome!  By donation.

To join on Zoom please click here. Meeting ID: Meeting ID: 813 0611 6370 Passcode: 772765

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