All Sans
Entering the stream is said to give us four characteristics: conviction, virtue, generosity, and discernment, “four qualities that lead to a lay person’s happiness and well-being in lives to come.” Conviction undoes our uncertainty and doubt. In this case, it’s not so much about trusting the Three Treasures but understanding and accepting the workings of karma, or cause and effect. There is a cause of suffering, and without that cause, suffering ceases to arise and liberation is possible. Virtue is the sympathy and compassion for all beings that arises from understanding karma. Generosity needs to be present before initiation, but afterward, it’s turned in particular toward the Three Treasures and particular attention is paid to how our own conceit and greed get in the way. Discernment has to do with cultivating right view, particularly in relation to letting go of self-clinging.
https://dogeninstitute.wordpress.com/news
Tuesday night July 28, 2025, we will review the status of FSZS’s transitional plan as I step back from many of my current responsibilities. I repeat what I said two years ago when we began this process. I am stepping back, not stepping away. In fact as you can see below and we’ll discuss on the 28th, the Sangha is meeting more needs of the people in our area- robust may be a useful term.
The quote above is by Hoko Karnegis, Senior Dharma Teacher at Sanshinji, in Bloomington, Indiana. She has been taking over more of the work of Shōhaku Okumura (奥村 正博, born June 22, 1948) is a Japanese Sōtō Zen priest and the founder and abbot of the Sanshin Zen Community located in Bloomington, Indiana. Roshi Okurmua was the preceptor for my teacher and the founder of The Silent Thunder Order, Taiun Elliston-roshi of the Atlanta Soto Zen center in Atlanta, Georgia.
Note how her commentary brings relief, and I have highlighted what she and we are under-going in our respective Sanghas.
Change is fluid, and there is much afoot for us for 2005 and into 2026. I hope each of you can attend our service this Tuesday as Mokuo and I bring you up-to-date.
Here are two documents we’ll be looking into. The first is an organization chart of our mission, service areas, and projects. The second is our status report, our third this year, on changes that are going into place now and through February, 2026.
Heedful at administering
or working at one’s occupation,
maintaining one’s life in tune,
one protects one’s store of wealth.
A person of conviction,
consummate in virtue,
magnanimous, free of selfishness,
constantly clears the path
to security in the lives to come.
Thus for one who seeks the household life,
these eight qualities, leading to welfare & happiness
both in this life & in lives to come,
have been declared by the one
whose name
is truth.
And this is how, for householders,
generosity & merit increase.
https://accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an08/an08.054.than.html
Bowing,
Sangaku