Meditation, Teaching, Conversation.
Relevant to your life, right now.
Meditation, Teaching, Conversation.
Relevant to your life, right now.
This Month's Koan
Awakening of the Dragon Girl
The Awakening of the Dragon Girl (from the Lotus Sutra chapter 12)
The Bodhisattva of wisdom, Manjushri, whose name means “Gentle Glory,” was speaking to a multitude of bodhisattvas who were assembled. He was telling them the story of teaching the Lotus Sutra at the bottom of the ocean. When asked whether any person there was able to understand and awaken quickly, he said there was one being: the 8 year old daughter of the Dragon King. He described her as subtle, wonderful, eloquent and benevolent, and that she attained understanding in an instant.
The Bodhisattva called “Wisdom Accumulated” expressed disbelief, telling of the eons it took for the Buddha to attain enlightenment, and his doubt that a girl, and a dragon at that, could possibly ...
Before he could finish speaking the Dragon Girl appeared. She spoke a verse of praise and took a precious gem she had brought, worth more than the whole world, and handed it to the Buddha, who accepted it immediately. She said, “was that not quickly done?” Then she said, "employ your supernatural powers and watch me attain Buddhahood. It shall be even quicker than that!"
At that time the bodhisattvas, voice-hearers, gods, dragons, human and non-human beings all from a distance saw the dragon girl become a Buddha and carry out the practices and expound the Lotus Sutra for all living beings everywhere in the ten directions. The hearts of the guardians, and the human and non-human beings everywhere were filled with great joy. The Spotless World quaked and trembled in six different ways. Wisdom Accumulated and all the other members of the assembly silently believed and accepted these things.
During the month of July we'll be meeting on Wednesdays only, from 12-1pm. Practice Group led by Amy Robinson on Zoom. For directions go to the "Find Us" tab. This link has changed so make sure to get the new link.
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Teacher
Rachel Boughton
Rachel Boughton is a Zen Roshi. She's a feminist, artist, writer, and meditation and koan teacher. She is also a Jungian Analyst in training.
Meditation and Retreats in 2020
Due to covid-19, meetings will be held by video conferencing (Zoom) and at our flowermountainzen Facebook page. Be well!
Online Meeting Instructions HERE
For the month of July we will be having a low-key practice period with meetings for meditation and check-in on Wednesdays only. In August we will start again with Sunday meditations.
6/28 , then on hiatus in June, back in August!
6/28 , then on hiatus in June, back in August!
sunday Meditation
10:30am - noon
Video Meeting on Zoom and on our flowermountainzen Facebook page.
Event Details
6/28 , then on hiatus in June, back in August!
6/28 , then on hiatus in June, back in August!
sunday Meditation
Sitting meditation with a talk and conversation, with Rachel Boughton.
10:30am - noon
Video Meeting on Zoom and on our flowermountainzen Facebook page.
weekly in July
weekly in July
Wednesday Lunch Meditation
noon - 1pm pacific time
Video Meeting on Zoom and on our flowermountainzen Facebook page.
Event Details
weekly in July
weekly in July
Wednesday Lunch Meditation
Sitting meditation and check in with a koan and conversation, with Amy Robinson.
noon - 1pm pacific time
Video Meeting on Zoom and on our flowermountainzen Facebook page.
every two weeks in July andAugust
every two weeks in July andAugust
Anti-Racist reading Group
10am - noon pacific time
Video Meeting on Zoom
Event Details
every two weeks in July andAugust
every two weeks in July andAugust
Anti-Racist reading Group
For more information and a Zoom link, join our flower mountain conversations group, or contact Amy Robinson amy@turningplanet.org
10am - noon pacific time
Video Meeting on Zoom
Rachel Boughton's Zennotes
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Our Practice: Koan Zen Meditation
Zen Koans are Everywhere.
Meditation is for you, as you are.
Meditation is for you, as you are.
A koan is a saying or story or a line of poetry, often from long ago, but appearing all the time. A koan makes meditation come alive. At our sessions there will be sitting meditation as well as time for tea, a zen talk, and conversation. Our practice thrives on diverse perspectives and shared experiences as well as quiet and introspection.
Koan: Step by step in the dark, if my foot's not wet, I've found the stone.
Meditation is for you, as you are.
Meditation is for you, as you are.
Meditation is for you, as you are.
Meditation is simply a practice of noticing, without judging or editing. Your meditation can allow space for everything that appears to glow and surprise you. You don't need to clear your mind, or be anything other than yourself. It's not about endurance or renunciation. It's about curiosity.
It may be easier than you thought.
Koan: Who am I?
So you can live your REal life
Meditation is for you, as you are.
So you can live your REal life
Meditation is a place to discover who you truly are, right now, and that you're not separate, not alone. You begin to see the world with new eyes, more freely, with creativity and affection. You can feel the way your life carries you and reality is with you not against you. This is true in all conditions, the current pandemic included.
Koan: As I walk I ride the water buffalo.
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