What is Zen?

The word “zen” has been used so extensively to market goods and services, that its true meaning and relevance for our time has been often ignored.  Throughout the ages, seekers have wrestled with such questions as “Who am I?” and “What is the meaning of life?”  Throughout its 2500 year old history, Zen has offered a path to explore such questions.

If you are seeking meaning in your life, please join us for a lecture and orientation to Zen meditation by Sensei Janet Jiryu Abels, a teacher who understands the needs of Americans coming to Zen for the first time as well as those of more experienced practitioners.

Sensei Janet is the guiding teacher of Plum Blossom Zendo and co-teacher in residence at Still Mind Zendo in New York City.

Thursday, March 25, 2010
Chatham Village Clubhouse
655 Pennridge, Pittsburgh, PA 15211 (Mt. Washington)
$5.00 suggested donation
Refreshments will be served.

For more information, directions, and to register, please contact Beverly Griebling at 412-431-8016 or bgriebling@comcast.net.

Plum Blossom Zendo
A Pittsburgh Zen Meditation Center
5228 Beeler Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412.687.7128

Plum Blossom Zendo, a Zen meditation center in Pittsburgh formed in 2005, is in the Soto-Rinzai lineage of Zen Master Taizan Maezumi Roshi and the White Plum Asanga.  Our founder and resident teacher, Sensei Janet Jiryu Abels, is dharma successor to Roshi Robert Jinsen Kennedy in this Zen lineage as is Sensei Gregory Hosho Abels, the other resident Zen teacher at Still Mind Zendo in New York.  Plum Blossom Zendo is an affiliate of Still Mind Zendo.  Local experienced and new Zen practitioners are welcome, as are visitors to Pittsburgh who practice Zen.

Cover Photo copywrited by Andrew Gray - http://www.japanwindow.com

When the old plum tree suddenly opens,

the world of blossoming flowers arises.

At the moment when the world of blossoming flowers arises,

spring arrives.

- Dogen, Japenese Soto Zen Master

The understanding of what you are, whatever it be-ugly or beautiful, wicked or mischievous–the understanding of what you are, without distortion, is the beginning of virtue.  Virtue is essential, for it gives freedom.  It is only in virtue that you can discover, that you can live.

KRISHNAMURTI

Nothing whatever is hidden; From of old, all is clear as daylight.

ZEN SAYING

The mystery of life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced.

ART VAN DER LEEUW

This old monk meditates and rests in the empty mountains
In loneliness and stillness through the days and nights.
When I leave the pure clliffs, I am distracted by callers–
the world of men is first and always the world of men.

FUGAI

When a Zen monk writes the word “dew,” it is not to the natural phenomenon that he refers, but to direct revelation.  Nothing concealed anywhere.  Truth, revealed in all things.  Buddha revealed in all things.  Dharma revealed in all things.  If you all just let the scales drop from your eyes, you realize that everything everywhere is filled with truth; everthing everywhere is filled with buddha; everything everywhere is to be appreciated!  That is what the scroll of “dew” is hanging there to say.

SOKO MORINAGA

I look upon it that he who does not mind his belly will hardly mind anything else.

SAMUEL JOHNSON

Modesty is the foundation of all the virtues.  Let your neighbors find you before you make yourself known to them.

SENZAKI SENAI

The Buddha-nature knows neither decrease or increase, whether it is in the Buddha or common mortals.  When it is within the passions, it is not defiled; when it is meditated upon, it does not thereby become purer.  It is neither annihilated nor abiding; it neither comes nor departs; it is neither in the middle nor at the end; it neither dies nor is born…

HUI-NENG