PZI Teacher Archives

Great Fire at Engakuji (BCR 29)

KOAN:

A monk asked Dasui, “The conflagration at the end of the eon
sweeps through and the universe is totally destroyed. I wonder,
is this one destroyed or not?”
Sui said, “It is destroyed.”
The monk said, “If so, then this goes along with it.”
Sui said, “It goes along with it.”

—Blue Cliff Record, Case 29

Video January 11, 2020

Leaning Into the Ancestors

John Tarrant

John’s SRCZC talk on impermanence and rawness of feeling after the great fires in CA and Queensland. He reflects on the importance of internalizing the teachings and the nourishment of our ancestors within us- outside of our normal paths. Teachings after the great Engakuji fire in Chan koan history. The practice of talking to the ancestors – human or otherwise a source of great knowledge.

47' 10"