The Poetry of Flowers

Took a walk through the Conservatory at The New York Botanical Garden this morning and was captivated by the exuberance of flowers in the Emily Dickinson's Garden show. Never knew she was an accomplished gardener as well as a poet. 

Han Shan

This is a bit different from what I usually post, but there are so many of my favorite writers, translators, poets, and Zen characters in this clip that I just had to share it. More about the life and poetry of Han Shan can be found here. [NOTE: I first watched this on Ox-Herding, a consistently fine blog about Zen practice and daily life (thx, Barry). I wonder if I'm changing a precedent on content by doing this?].

Bodhisattvas at Chua Tay Phuong (from the Archive)

The Tay Phuong Pagoda, first established in the 8th century it is said, is located about 30 kilometers west of Hanoi in Ha Tay province. The pagoda was completely rebuilt in 1632, and many of the structures on the site are from this period.  Lots of beautiful and meaningful things here. I was most taken by the incredibly realistic statues of bodhisattvas. I would love to have met these guys. [NOTE: More about the history of Buddhism in Vietnam can be found here].

Dharma Gates Are Boundless

The door latches on the guest rooms at the Garrison Institute are the original handcrafted pieces fitted in 1928 when the former Capuchin monastery was built. I reflected on this every morning as I opened the door and headed down to the meditation hall for morning zazen.  The Spring Sesshin at Garrison always seems to be followed by additional long hours of sitting for me - on an airplane (see Spring Sesshin).  Off to China on Thursday.

Chinese Visa

Spent yesterday getting my visa for China. Was there when the consulate opened at 9:00 AM.  Already a line outside, everyone with umbrellas because it was drizzing rain.  Took me about an hour and a half of inching forward in line to get up to Window 3 and turn in my papers.  Had indicated that I wanted "expedited" processing, so was told to come back at 2:00 PM to pick up my visa.

Walked down the street and got a cup of black tea at Starbucks.  And read my book [NOTE: Hakuin's Precious Mirror Cave, edited and translated by Norman Waddell]. And shot some video of the flow of humanity outside. Walked back to the consulate at 1:00, got back in line again for an hour, and now I have a new F Visa for China in my passport. Probably had the same look on my face when I came out as the women in the picture.  I leave next Thursday for Beijing. 

We Come In Peace

A group of kids at Kikori village in the Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea (see Palms of Kikori, PNG) waiting to catch a glimpse of Andrew and I on our way to the field to collect palms. I returned the peace sign...and the smiles. 

Temple of Literature

The beautiful Temple of Literature in Hanoi is a Confucian temple constructed in 1070. The temple functioned as Vietnam's first university, and it operated for more than 700 years (1076-1779) educating the royality and elite of Vietnamese society. [NOTE: The curriculum was apparently extremely difficult, and only 2,313 students are recorded to have passed the final exam and received their degree, i.e. about 3 students/year].

Life Slips Quickly By

The sound of the han opens the period of seated meditation, or zazen, in a zendo. The slow, methodical cadence gets progressively faster and faster and faster. And then stops. A forceful reminder that the clock is ticking and that there is work to be done. The inscription on the han reads:

Great is the matter of birth and death
Life slips quickly by
Time waits for no one
Wake up, wake up
Don't waste a moment 

[NOTE: The han shown in the clip is in the Empty Hand Zen Center (EHZC); the hand on the striker is that of Susan Jion Postal, main teacher and founder of the EHZC (gassho)].

Homemade Streamers

This scan from an old slide shows a family in Jenaro Herrera making faux crepe paper by sewing sheets of toilet paper together. You probably didn't know this trick. Streamers made from the paper are going to be hung in Hernan Peña's billiard hall as decoration for the reception following my wedding (thx, Elysa). [NOTE: They sewed 40 rolls of toilet paper for this event; it was really quite festive].

Pau Rosa

I can't remember where I took this photo, but I know that it's Aniba rosaeodora Ducke, the source of rosewood oil, and I know that this tree species is currently on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species because of over-exploitation and indiscriminate felling. So maybe it's just as well that I don't remember where I took the picture. [NOTE: Somewhere in the Brazilian Amazon in a botanical garden or zoo; Museu Goeldi in Belém?]