Monday, April 27, 2009

The Meaning of Jukai

"The Meaning of Jukai" number 30 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Some synergy around jukai is happening. We were asked to explain the meaning of the precepts in our book discussion group yesterday, I turned six rakusu rings in the shop yesterday and today Aitken explores jukai.

To be human, to be humane, to observe the precepts, this is what it means to practice Zen. Our rakusu are meant to remind us of our grounding in the humane, our connection with all that is human, our commitment to live the precepts. To remind us of those who have practiced in the past and will practice in the future, that the practice of Zen extends through out all of space and time.

Fun stuff. Really, sounds serious but I hold all this lightly and it helps.



Taken after jukai at the 2007 Golden Wind Sesshin.
Jack Kenzan Duffy Roshi, Pat Hine, me, Sicco Rood





The two top ones are Walnut.
The two on the lower left are Lacewood
and the last one is Madrone Burl .




This set of rakusu ring I turned yesterday. The Walnut came from a urban tree harvest and has been air drying for about 10 years. The Lacewood comes from Australia and I can not attest to the harvest practices used. The Madrone Burl is from a off cut shared to me from Dale Larson, a Portland Oregon woodturner.


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