Irish gal motivated to move to Japan, becomes Zen bodhisattva: Maura Soshin O'Halloran |
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Irish centre dedicated to Zen Buddhism opens
Zen Buddhism is a Japanese school of Buddhism with an emphasis on Shikantaza or "just sitting" meditation. It can be challenging for newer members because it involves sitting in silence for what may seem like a lengthy period [almost an hour, but often an eternity of 20 minutes]. Head monk at the Dublin Zen Centre Hōdo Gomoku said the practice grounds him, enabling him to "stay awake" in the world and sit in the moment.
There's a time and place for joyful exertion. |
What happened, DG?Pure Heart, Enlightened Mind - "Uh, I guess it's harder than it looks. Punching something is easy, benching your body weight is easy, screaming [and grunting] is easy. But relaxing, no, softening, no, staying quiet, no."
She was dissatisfied living in and around Boston. She was meant to do something in this life. So she traveled to Japan to go Zen. There she became "Soshin" and so impressed the Sensei (Zen teacher) that she was dubbed a Western bodhisattva.
How to Sit Zen, One: The Body
Zen Buddhism Ireland (zenbuddhism.ie) |
"Lisa, can you teach me Japanese. I said, 'Hai, hai'!"
- American Zen: What happened to Doggone?
- Rev. Myozan Kodo, YouTube, Oct. 21, 2016; Doggone, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Pat Macpherson, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
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