One of my all-time favourite books on Buddhism, is "TO MEET THE REAL DRAGON" by Gudo Wafu Nishijima (with Jeffrey Bailey). So, when i was reading this book, some 20 years, or so, ago, and was experiencing a lot of difficulty with sitting, and also a lot of difficulty in my life - how could the two be different? - i decided to write to the Roshi, for his advice. Most health professionals were advising me to sit more - not so Nishijima Roshi, as you will see in this letter from him.(i hope i come across the other letters i received from him. People can be so kind.)
Lately i have been rooting around thru boxes and files of papers that need sorting : too many possessions/too much junk. i also have to decide which souvenirs to keep and which to discard : hard choices need to be made. Ah, Guy Fawlkes night approaches!!!... i'll be ready for a bonfire !!! i'm ALWAYS ready for a bonfire! But i will not be like the zen monk who, on being given a "secret" book of writings by his Abbot, in the process of Dharma Transmmission, simply tossed it into a nearby brazier. What are you doing, shouted the Abbot...What are you saying, the monk replied.
i am more than happy, at this moment in time, to keep such souvenirs, as i root thru the rooms of this place. But as BODHIDHARMA said = NOTHING HOLY.
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bernard hemensley
GOLDY HERMITAGE
1 / NOVEMBER / 2015
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