““A painting of a rice-cake does not satisfy hunger.” To think this statement means that expedient teachings are useless is a great mistake. ”
Please note: In person attendance on Sunday morning is limited to those who have registered.
Please scroll down for the Zoom link. Sunday morning online drop-ins are welcome, but if you would like to participate in the retreat please register below.
Dogen Zenji brought Soto Zen practice from China to Japan in the thirteenth century. His writings have come to be known world-wide for their poetic and paradoxical language, and penetrating depth. Studying Dogen together we can widen and deepen our perspectives on practice.
The Zen saying, “A painting of a rice-cake does not satisfy hunger,” is commonly understood to be dismissive of written teachings. In this fascicle of the Shobogenzo (Treasury of the True Dharma Eye), Dogen, in his inimitable way, deconstructs that understanding, and blows it wide open, helping us to approach both texts and visual art as direct experience, and gates to awakening.
A study retreat is an opportunity to focus on a Zen text intensively—in community, and to apply Dogen’s words to our zazen practice and everyday lives. The retreat will include periods of zazen (sitting meditation), kinhin (walking meditation), two dharma talks each day, small and large group discussion, and reflective writing or art.
Everyone welcome, whether you are new to Zen practice or experienced.
The text will be provided to registrants in advance.
About the Teacher: Myoshin Kate McCandless is a Zen Buddhist priest and co-guiding teacher of Mountain Rain Zen Community. She first encountered Dogen’s teachings when practicing with Shohaku Okumura Roshi in Kyoto, Japan in the mid-1980s and has continued to find them wonderfully inexhaustible.
Schedule: Saturday 9:00 AM - 4:00 Sunday: 9:00 - 4:00
This retreat is offered on a sliding scale, depending on your participation and means.
Teacher Dana (donations)
Retreat fees only cover expenses. Dana to the teacher can be given by e-transfer, Paypal or cheque.
Downloadable retreat materials:
Please print out the two Dogen texts below, if you are able, and bring a pen and notebook to the retreat.
PDF of Ungraspable Mind (for Saturday morning)
PDF of Painting of a Rice Cake
To add names to the Well-being and Memorial service dedication (Sunday) CLICK HERE.
ZOOM LINK: CLICK HERE
Questions?
If you have questions or concerns, please contact the registrar at registrar@mountainrainzen.org.
