Blue Mountain Zendo Koryu-ji
Authentic Rinzai Zen Buddhism
Bethlehem, PA - Lehigh Valley
Hekiganroku, case 16: Kyôsei and "Picking and Pecking"
The way knows no side roads, the one who stands on it is alone and lofty. The dharma is beyond seeing and hearing, it transcends by far words and thoughts. If you pass the jungle of thorns, untie the bonds of buddhas and patriarchs and attain the region of secrecy, then heavenly deities find no way to offer flowers, nor will non-Buddhists see a gate to spy through. You act all day without ever acting, talk all day without ever talking. In complete freedom you will be able to develop the activities of picking and pecking and wield the sword that kills and gives life.
Even if you become like this, you must know that in guiding others you should raise up with one hand while pressing down with the other. Then you will fit the matter a bit. Yet, when it comes to the essential matter, that has nothing to do with these things. What is the essential matter? I will try to cite an example, look!
Case:
A monk asked Kyôsei, "I, your student, am picking from inside the shell. I beg you, Master, please peck from outside." Kyôsei said, "But will you be alive or not?" The monk said, "If I were not alive, people would all laugh." Kyôsei said, "You fool in the weeds!"
Verse:
The ancient buddha has his own family style;
The response led to a detraction.
Chick and hen never know each other;
Who picks and pecks at the same time?
Tap! Rap! Yet he is still inside the shell.
Once again he meets a blow.
All monks under heaven grope around in vain.
www.bluemountainzendo.org/private-zen-instuction/
www.bluemountainzendo.org
“Private Zen Session” is a unique opportunity to meet with Zen Monk Ryuun Joriki Baker, Osho. Joriki has practiced Zen Buddhism for over 30 years and is a recognized Zen Teacher (Osho) in the Rinz...It is always the dragon! There is a famous lore called the "Dragon's Gate" that is used in Zen. For those of you who are not familiar with the story, I will offer a quick explanation. The lore takes place in rural China upon the Yellow River; this is a real location. In this story there are countless carp which spawn every year. After swimming countless miles upstream, they gather at a deep pool at the foot of a waterfall called the "Dragon's Gate". The carp give pause, while building their fortitude for one last struggle to summit the Dragons Gate. It is all or nothing! It is said that late at night, in the midst of the bright summer moon, the carp unify, mounting for one last battle. Most will fail, even after weeks of struggle they will give up and swim back down to the mild valley waters. However, there are a few who remain poised for the final battle. These few build up so much energy that they begin to glow with a brilliant golden light. In a blinding flash, they travel up the falls with so much power that they breach the water's surface and sail into the heavens. They sail so high that they garner the attention of the gods. The gods are so moved by the golden carp's perseverance and unwavering faith that they strike the rare few with a lightning bolt, thus transforming them into dragons! As the radiant and powerful dragons begin their descent, they are once again transformed back into the bodies of an ordinary carp. It is always the powerful dragon that gets the awe! However, it is not the dragon who wields the true strength, it is the returning ordinary carp. Upon returning to the waters of the everyday, the carp are at peace with the changing currents that surround them. They look and act according to the necessity before them. They hide fang and fire and reflect the humble. Even so, there is something subtly apparent about them. I give you warning, take a second, third and fourth look! This ordinary fellow is quite extraordinary. It is the carp who harnesses and exudes true power, not the dragon!
Calendar
Zazenkai (meditation service) provides an opportunity for a student to intensify and deepen their practice through the experience of longer periods of uninterrupted zazen.
Throughout zazenkai we use the exact techniques that are followed in a Rinzai Zen Monastery. During zazenkai we practice zazen (seated meditation), chanting , walking meditation (kin-hin), silence, jihatsu (formal eating), dokusan (private meeting w/teacher) and to conclude, a Dharma Talk (sermon) is given by Ryuun Joriki Baker, Osho
After closing, tea and fellowship are offered in the lounge.
May Sesshin will be a beautiful time of year to enjoy the wild flowers and renewed life within the valley. Spring Sesshin will be held in Nazareth, Pennsylvania which is located 1.5 hours from New York City and 1 hour from Philadelphia. Bus routes are near-by and pickups can be arranged. 
Sesshin, literally “to collect the mind”, is the Zen Buddhist seclusion or intensive period, consisting of 3-14 days of silent meditative practice. Included in these periods are daily zazen (meditation), chanting, communal meals, Dharma Talks (sermons), samu (work) periods, and private interview twice daily with Ryuun Joriki Baker, Osho.
During Sesshin, the Zen Student concentrates fully on their practice by collecting and mending the unbalanced energies of mind. This balance of mind we so desperately seek feels hidden from us in our daily lives. We seek outwardly for that which we perceive we are lacking. It is only with a deep commitment, and a willingness to face ourselves honestly, that we are able to break through and realize the perfection that is Tathagata. This systemic realization stokes the flames of true wisdom which burns brighter and brighter as we continue to combust and burn away our delusions and attachments. The awakened mind is beyond concept, and the path of liberation is a backwards step. Sesshin is a time to dedicate ourselves to the exploration of this great matter, and a time to realize the vast love and wonder and beauty that surrounds us.
Zazenkai (meditation service) provides an opportunity for a student to intensify and deepen their practice through the experience of longer periods of uninterrupted zazen.
Throughout zazenkai we use the exact techniques that are followed in a Rinzai Zen Monastery. During zazenkai we practice zazen (seated meditation), chanting , walking meditation (kin-hin), silence, jihatsu (formal eating), dokusan (private meeting w/teacher) and to conclude, a Dharma Talk (sermon) is given by Ryuun Joriki Baker, Osho
After closing, tea and fellowship are offered in the lounge.
Zazenkai (meditation service) provides an opportunity for a student to intensify and deepen their practice through the experience of longer periods of uninterrupted zazen.
Throughout zazenkai we use the exact techniques that are followed in a Rinzai Zen Monastery. During zazenkai we practice zazen (seated meditation), chanting , walking meditation (kin-hin), silence, jihatsu (formal eating), dokusan (private meeting w/teacher) and to conclude, a Dharma Talk (sermon) is given by Ryuun Joriki Baker, Osho
After closing, tea and fellowship are offered in the lounge.
Zazenkai (meditation service) provides an opportunity for a student to intensify and deepen their practice through the experience of longer periods of uninterrupted zazen.
Throughout zazenkai we use the exact techniques that are followed in a Rinzai Zen Monastery. During zazenkai we practice zazen (seated meditation), chanting , walking meditation (kin-hin), silence, jihatsu (formal eating), dokusan (private meeting w/teacher) and to conclude, a Dharma Talk (sermon) is given by Ryuun Joriki Baker, Osho
After closing, tea and fellowship are offered in the lounge.
Zazenkai (meditation service) provides an opportunity for a student to intensify and deepen their practice through the experience of longer periods of uninterrupted zazen.
Throughout zazenkai we use the exact techniques that are followed in a Rinzai Zen Monastery. During zazenkai we practice zazen (seated meditation), chanting , walking meditation (kin-hin), silence, jihatsu (formal eating), dokusan (private meeting w/teacher) and to conclude, a Dharma Talk (sermon) is given by Ryuun Joriki Baker, Osho
After closing, tea and fellowship are offered in the lounge.
Zazenkai (meditation service) provides an opportunity for a student to intensify and deepen their practice through the experience of longer periods of uninterrupted zazen.
Throughout zazenkai we use the exact techniques that are followed in a Rinzai Zen Monastery. During zazenkai we practice zazen (seated meditation), chanting , walking meditation (kin-hin), silence, jihatsu (formal eating), dokusan (private meeting w/teacher) and to conclude, a Dharma Talk (sermon) is given by Ryuun Joriki Baker, Osho
After closing, tea and fellowship are offered in the lounge.
Zazenkai (meditation service) provides an opportunity for a student to intensify and deepen their practice through the experience of longer periods of uninterrupted zazen.
Throughout zazenkai we use the exact techniques that are followed in a Rinzai Zen Monastery. During zazenkai we practice zazen (seated meditation), chanting , walking meditation (kin-hin), silence, jihatsu (formal eating), dokusan (private meeting w/teacher) and to conclude, a Dharma Talk (sermon) is given by Ryuun Joriki Baker, Osho
After closing, tea and fellowship are offered in the lounge.
Zazenkai (meditation service) provides an opportunity for a student to intensify and deepen their practice through the experience of longer periods of uninterrupted zazen.
Throughout zazenkai we use the exact techniques that are followed in a Rinzai Zen Monastery. During zazenkai we practice zazen (seated meditation), chanting , walking meditation (kin-hin), silence, jihatsu (formal eating), dokusan (private meeting w/teacher) and to conclude, a Dharma Talk (sermon) is given by Ryuun Joriki Baker, Osho
After closing, tea and fellowship are offered in the lounge.
Zazenkai (meditation service) provides an opportunity for a student to intensify and deepen their practice through the experience of longer periods of uninterrupted zazen.
Throughout zazenkai we use the exact techniques that are followed in a Rinzai Zen Monastery. During zazenkai we practice zazen (seated meditation), chanting , walking meditation (kin-hin), silence, jihatsu (formal eating), dokusan (private meeting w/teacher) and to conclude, a Dharma Talk (sermon) is given by Ryuun Joriki Baker, Osho
After closing, tea and fellowship are offered in the lounge.
Zen Sesshin October 6-8 2013 (residential retreat)
