Kansho Shonin: Recent Episodes
Kansho Shonin (Ryusho 龍昇)
This recording is of the ji ga ge portion Chapter XVI of the Lotus Sutra. Ichi Ichi Mon Mon is a practice for learning the correct pronunciation of passages of the Sutra for recitation. This is a one on one practice with an instructor and a student. The recitation is done line by line with the instructor reciting solo and the student following along by pointing to each character or syllable (character in Japanese and syllable in English or other language). Then the instructor continues beating the mokusho, wooden drum, while the student recites the characters in the same melodic manner as the instructor. The goal is to as closely as possible imitate the instructor. If the student or instructor makes a mistake the instructor simply repeats the section until the student gets it correctly. Since you are doing this alone it isn't possible to hear your response so it is up to you to as closely as possible imitate what you hear. Before you begin ensure that you have rinsed your mouth and washed your hands. Make sure your attire is neat and squared away. Remember you are sitting in front of the Buddha and so you should be dressed appropriately. Also use a pointer to follow along not your finger. Allow yourself ample time to complete the entire recitation. Normally for priests the entire Yohon is done at one time and the practice can last several hours. For the purpose of these presentations I have broken it into smaller segments.
This recording is of the Hoben Pon Chapter II of the Lotus Sutra. Ichi Ichi Mon Mon is a practice for learning the correct pronunciation of passages of the Sutra for recitation. This is a one on one practice with an instructor and a student. The recitation is done line by line with the instructor reciting solo and the student following along by pointing to each character or syllable (character in Japanese and syllable in English or other language). Then the instructor continues beating the mokusho, wooden drum, while the student recites the characters in the same melodic manner as the instructor. The goal is to as closely as possible imitate the instructor. If the student or instructor makes a mistake the instructor simply repeats the section until the student gets it correctly. Since you are doing this alone it isn't possible to hear your response so it is up to you to as closely as possible imitate what you hear. Before you begin ensure that you have rinsed your mouth and washed your hands. Make sure your attire is neat and squared away. Remember you are sitting in front of the Buddha and so you should be dressed appropriately. Also use a pointer to follow along not your finger. Allow yourself ample time to complete the entire recitation. Normally for priests the entire Yohon is done at one time and the practice can last several hours. For the purpose of these presentations I have broken it into smaller segments.
Tonight's Dharma talk is on Namu, your relationship with Namu, your lived expression of Namu, your manifestation of Namu, the results of Namu; the oneness of subject and object. Audio of the recorded video found on YouTube
https://youtu.be/AMTTcIijfAw
This is the audio recording of the Dharma talk I gave to temple members on the morning of June 2, 2019 on "Thus have I heard" which is the opening phrase of the Lotus Sutra. The material come from the book Important Matters.
Recording from a series of lectures given on the Lotus Sutra, this recording covers chapters XXI and XXII.
This is a recording of one of a series of lectures on the Lotus Sutra covering chapters II and XVI.
This is a recording of a private lecture I gave to a woman who was dying of ovarian cancer and who died shortly after I gave this lecture. She had asked me to teach her about the Dharanis I would chant for her every time I visited her in the hospital. I first was introduced to her while working as a chaplain at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. Upon her death she donated many items to Myosho-ji Temple including the large wooden carved Buddha statue which sits on our main altar.
Dharma talk recorded on the anniversary of the atomic bomb being dropped on Hiroshima. In all countries it is a crime to commit murder, why then is war possible?
The process of attaining enlightenment. Five Skillful Means for attaining enlightenment as taught by Chih-i.
This is an older podcast previously found on iTunes. In this talk I speak about what we believe and the actions we manifest as a result of our beliefs. I compare the actions resulting from a purely scientific belief and belief in other non-scientific phenomena. This podcast was originally recorded in 2008
This is a rather long podcast, at over one hour. The actual lecture is about 30 minutes with the remainder being questions and answers. I hope you will carefully listen to this podcast, maybe even twice if necessary. The subject is complex and I have tried to present it in as straightforward a manner as possible without making it too simple and avoiding the complexity.
Give comfort without lying, smile without hesitation, give without expectation, and guide without misleading.
Be curious about your practice, your life. Question the why, how, what of your spiritual practice.