September 2019, Issue 77

Editorial

When we make this place our own, our practice becomes the actualization of reality. When we make this path our own, our activity naturally becomes actualized reality.

—Zen Master Dogen, Genjokoan, Shobogenzo

Welcome to the spring issue of Myoju, in which we continue to explore our theme of Impermanence, in this issue, Impermanence and Actualisation. It could be said that impermanence is the great koan at the heart of our lives - the Great Life Matter. How do we actualise - endlessly express - that which we cannot grasp? What is it that we hold on to? How do we let go? I once asked Ekai Osho if he had ever undertaken koan practice. ‘Every day,’ he replied, ‘Genjokoan’. These words have often returned to me, reminding me that going forward on this path is an ‘everyday affair’ to use Zen Master Dogen’s phrase, and that our search (and actualisation) takes place in the moment to moment experience of our daily lives – that there is no other than ‘this path, this place’.

In his dharma talk in this issue Ekai Osho teaches that within our meditation practice, from that sphere of body and mind, we are able to experience the truth of our existence, the truth of impermanence. We also bring you a dharma talk on the topic of Impermanence by Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan, President of the Buddhist Council of Victoria, presented as a guest lecture during the 20th anniversary events. Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan also teaches that it is in our meditation practice, through careful observation and a nonjudgmental and patient attitude, that we can develop a relationship with impermanence, which in turn

can support our lives.

This is my final issue of Myoju in the role of coordinator, it has been a great privilege to make it my own and find my place in it - thank you to Ekai Osho and to all I have shared this practice with. I leave it in the hands of long-term Jikishoan member Margaret Kokyo Lynch and look forward to seeing Myoju flourish in her care.

Jessica Zuiho Cummins, Coordinator

On behalf of Ekai Korematsu Osho—Editor

and the Jikishoan Publications Committee

Read this Myoju (file on Google Drive)