Begin Again: Preparing for the Monk's Arrival

Fresh candles, water, cantaloupes, oranges, apples, grapes, cherries, sweets, ... This is all part of a truly wonderful offering found in the temple this evening. How auspicious that these should all be discovered at the altar before our evening class!

In Zen, Aikido, and other martial arts practiced here, we work with what is offered, each within his or her own circumstances. This is so natural; how could we do otherwise?

Still, we question and confuse ourselves. Where did this offering come from? Why was it offered? Was it a special occasion? A Buddhist holiday? A plea? A thanksgiving? What does it mean to find this here? Then we ask, what should we do with it? How should we honor the gift, the gift giver, and the intention? How can we do this if we do not know what it is?

Perfect giving and perfect receiving. We do these every moment of our life without knowing. When we inhale, do we consider where it came from? When we exhale, do we wonder how it will be used? Would we hold our breath at either end if we new another's purpose for it? Watch as the question arises how your breathing becomes uncertain. Where did the perfection go?

Zen Master Pohwa Sunim will be returning to the States for a short visit over the next few weeks, some of which will be here with us at the Baltimore Zen Center. A few of us will be working this weekend to prepare the center for his stay. If you are in the area, please join us for a light dose of hard work! We'll serve the fruits from the offering as we clear a path to his high seat.

When we make such an effort for a reason, we give it a name such as "dana" or simply "practice." Sometimes it is during this practice of generosity that we find the perfection of giving, the effortless way to do hard work. Perhaps if we make the effort to make the Monk comfortable, perhaps he will try to show us the meaning of "Bird flies; feather falls."

If you'd like to lend a hand and share a meal, please leave a post here or send a note to Joe!