Peacemakers Zen
The Three Tenets
Not-Knowing: letting go of fixed ideas about yourself, others, and the universe.
Bearing Witness: to the joy and suffering of the world
Taking Action: that arises from Not-Knowing and Bearing Witness
- Zen Peacemakers
I am pleased to share that the board of directors at Shining Bright Lotus Meditation Society approved our joining the community of Zen Peacemakers International(ZPI). We will be an affiliate sangha, which means that we are in alignment with the mission with of ZPI and that we conduct activities in the spirit of the Three Tenants - Not-Knowing, Bearing Witness, and Taking Action. Many of you have a sense of Not-Knowing, since Jun Po Roshi’s Third and Fourth Koan of Mondo Zen Facilitation emphasized this aspect of the dharma. Bearing Witness and Taking Action, however are less present in the Hollow Bones Zen dharma transmission. Lets take a deeper look at these two tenants.
Bearing Witness: to the joy and suffering of the world
Seeing all aspects of circumstances including our own likes and dislikes, shadows and projects is at the heart of Bearing Witness. Each moments arising flash is met just as it is. Staying present includes both listening to others views as well as paying attention to internal contractions. One’s capacity to take action skillfully is strengthened by our ability to not turn away.
Taking Action: that arises from Not-Knowing and Bearing Witness
Action centered in caring serves everyone and everything. Not-knowing and bearing witness allows for spontaneous responses, acting wisely and compassionately. The ongoing commitment to practice by discerning and acknowledging what is happening, both internally and in the world, brings about resiliency and a faith in the ever present truth of the present moment - this living divine mystery.
As an affiliate, I hope our community will continue to deepen our commitment to actively honor the Three Tenants while continuing to embody the dharma teachings of Jun Po Roshi. I believe that a 21st Century Buddhist community attention to the broader collective of Buddhist sanghas. This is demonstrated by my willingness to introduce teachings from a variety of contemporary lineages. Those who join our weekly practice periods are familiar with my habit of bringing in different dharma teachings. Recently, our Compassion and Daily Living training worked with Sustainable Compassion Training by Lama John Makransky. Last weekend we hosted a two day online retreat with One Wisdom Zen teacher Emyo Darlene Tataryn who blends Zen with Vajrayana and Dzogchen.
Since “What is most essential is the practice of pure selfless awareness, wisdom, compassion and skillful means.” We practice not only through concentration and meditation, but throughout the day with our actions in the world. Compassion practice embodying a ‘field of care’ both receiving and giving informs our ability to take action in the world. Through our meditation practice, we are more able to bear witness to the challenges as they arise. This is most often in our interpersonal interactions. Again, our practice deepens off the cushion. We continue to bear witness and take action, allowing the recognition of Not-Knowing to deepen through Clear Deep Heart/Mind.
I look forward to continuing to practice together.
Ekai Joel Kreisberg
“acting wisely and compassionately is this practice.”
-Jun Po Roshi