Thoughts from our retreat with Ajari Tanaka (v.2)

Not quite everybody that attended this years retreat as our part-time participants came and went before this picture was snapped. But as always, that's Ajari Tanaka in the center.

During each of his visits to Vermont since the year 2000, Ajari Tanaka has always conducted a retreat.  This year, our retreat was the two and a half days right at the end of his visit. During those days Ajari lead us in meditation and recitation, gave wonderful talks, conducted two fantastic Shomyo lessons and had his tuna sandwiches in the shade with us during lunch breaks.  There were never more that fifteen people in the room at any given time, so this event had a very intimate feel and that closeness with him, we cherish. In an attempt to capture this event we asked our sangha folks to write up something, anything about the retreat that struck them, anything that stuck with them.  The following are excerpts from their ruminations...

"Each yearly retreat is a mixture of Vajrayana meditation and chant, a gently delivered emphasis on sustained daily practice, and informal talks on virtually any aspect of Buddhism.  Stories from his exemplary personal life round out the message.  Yet, this teacher is approachable and down-to-earth.  Every participant has opportunity to talk one on one with him."  

This first passage is a really concise encapsulation of our retreat and how Ajari Tanaka conducts them from a long-time local student. 

Another student who comes to Shingon with a long history in the Tibetan tradition, had this thought:

"The Dharma. Very similar to my Drikung Kagyu Tibetan Vajrayana experience. A bit less formal. Not sure if it is naturally. Sometimes teachers alter the appearance, like Trungpa Rinpoche did, to reduce the attachments of our American minds."

Next are the first impressions of a relatively new student of Shingon who came to the training with a long history and deep experience in other forms of Japanese Dharma, Yoga as well as having recently become a first time father.

"This was the first retreat for me with Ajari Tanaka. I've heard a lot about him from the beginning of my study at Mandala Vermont, and I was excited to actually meet him and learn from him. To me, he is very approachable and took interest in my life. We had a common bond of living in NYC. We weren't there at the same time, but we shared similar stomping grounds. I felt like I could be myself with him. He brought clarity, instruction, support, encouragement, and newness to my study and practice."

Similarly, another student writes:

"Ajari Tanaka. Warm, wise, insightful. Approachable and interested in knowing us personally."

From our NYC student, here is a compelling description of a very personal experience that arose in meditation:

"During one of the meditations, I had a thought, a vision, a question. Why am I doing this? What came to me is that I have a desire to learn, a desire to learn about myself, a desire to better my relationships. When that thought came and went, in came I'm doing this for my partner and son. I'm doing this for them because I want to be a better partner and a better father. I want to be a better person. I want to wake up and realize and actualize me. I went out of the picture for a moment during that meditation and my partner and son came in, and it was beautiful. I was so thankful for my health and for having them as my family in my life. I learned something about myself at the retreat. I have Ajari Tanaka and the sangha to thank for that."

Wow. That might be as good as it get...

"When we practiced together, the chanting sounded smooth and beautiful, and the meditations were quiet and powerful. Ajari conducted his teaching in a structured way – we went through our basic text, he would lead us in a practice, and then he would offer explanations of the practice. I really enjoyed this format of teaching, and it left me with a much deeper understanding of things I’d been doing for years." 

That is from another local student, who has been training for a good, long time. Elaborating below, this same student adds some really interesting specifics about Ajari's teaching style: 

"First, he would explain the core mechanics of a meditation or a recitation – in a simple, accessible way. His instructions powerfully illuminated how we should work with body, speech, and mind to help the practice have maximum impact. I had heard some of the technical details before, but the repetition deepened my understanding immensely. Many other pieces of information were entirely new to me. I found it especially helpful when he talked about how a technique might apply to navigating the realms of work, home, and relationship. Because Shingon can be so opaque, his pragmatism was extremely refreshing."

Here are some interesting remarks on the experience of practicing with Ajari Tanaka:

"I also had a distinct experience of Ajari transmitting essential wisdom about the practice in a non-conceptual way. It seemed like simply meditating with him allowed us to connect with the tranquility and strength of his mind..." 

Another student had this response to practice with Ajari:

"A mystical transformation happens every time one practices Dharma. It always feels amplified when practicing with an accomplished teacher. My experience with Ajari was no exception."

And some insight into a really unique aspect of Ajari's interaction with our sangha... 

"...many people in the room lit up when he shared these stories about his adventures, his friendships, and practicing dharma in ordinary life. His stories continued throughout our time together, and the line between formal teaching and informal conversation vanished as the weekend came to its fruition..."

Here are some thoughts on how our retreats linger even after they are over...

"I come out of each retreat feeling renewed in my practice, and overflowing with compassion, regardless of whether I go in with my practice in good shape or in a shambles.  I skipped a few years, and I'm now looking at that choice and wondering what I was thinking, or more precisely why I was thinking it.  I feel improbably fortunate to live here at the epicenter of Ajari's western experiment."

And finally, here's a couple of students already looking forward to next time...

"His instructions and example are inspiring. I look forward to his visit next year."

"I'm definitely coming back next year for the next retreat with Ajari Tanaka..." 

And so is Ajari Tanaka.  During our retreat Ajari reiterated his commitment to return to Vermont in September of 2018.  So mark you calendar so you can be part of it too...jim

Ajari Tanaka's Calligraphy Demonstration at Middlebury College

Almost every year since the mid-1990's Ajari Tanaka has visited Middlebury College to conduct a Shodo (traditional Japanese calligraphy) demonstration for and Asain Art class.  Here is a collection of photos that tell the story of this year's visit.

This year's audience was a little smaller than usual, but it made the even all the more accessible and relaxed.

Ajari Tanaka explaining his personal daily practice of Oshakyo, sutra copying.  Ajari's usual choice for this practice is the Heart Sutra.

Ajari's opening remarks about the significance of the paper, brush, ink and ink stone.

The first piece was a large "enso" or circle, and very ghosty example of the character "ku" or emptiness.

This is a classic piece that Ajari Tanaka has done many times, "peaceful face, lovely speaking"

Here he is brushing out Master Bassho's famous haiku about the old pond, the frog and the infamous jump.

Ajari beginning a piece that read "Hei Jo Shin".

"Hei Jo Shin" literally means "flat, always, heart".  But a translation that more closely mirrors its true meaning is "always maintain equanimity" of "keep an even mind". 

Ajari Tanaka patiently waiting for his assistant to ready the next piece of rice paper. 

Ajari Tanaka using some small media, for single characters.

Here Ajari Tanaka is explaining the meaning of these characters.  In his left hand is "Ku" or emptiness and in his right hand is "Ai" or love.

I know this shot is a little blurry but I bet you get the idea...

First Day of Teaching & Study

Today we had our first full day of teachings and study. 

We started the day with an hour and a half session of Kongo-kai Gyo (Vajradhatu Mandala Sadhana) instruction.  This instruction was for a local Shido Kegyo student. But this teaching was also attended by two senior students who completed their Kongo-kai practice years ago and wanted to renew their command of the practice as well as a more junior Shido Kegyo student (who with Ajari Tanaka's permission) participated as an observer.

After a nice break and some delicious Japanese green tea, we tackled our translation project of the Gumonji-ho.  We didn't get as far as we hoped but more progress happened.  Our vision that this practice, the sadhana that Master Kukai used to achieve his enlightenment, will soon be part of our curriculum, seemed more real than ever before.  But more work is still ahead of us.

We then headed to lunch at a local natural foods store that has a fantastic cafe.  The break from the work and the sustenance was much needed and felt so very good.

But then we headed back to our home base to gear up for the final teaching of the day.

Now it was 3:00 PM and we greeted a long time student from Croatia. He came from so very far away to receive instruction on our fire ceremony, the Goma. So we got right to work.  First a few details about our practice text - Ajari's recent additions, visual guides to the Goma-dan and the first edition of our study guide to the practice.  Next we tackled the Goma-dan set-up - making sure the various offerings and ritual implements were in their proper placement.  And finally we reviewed the opening and the first section of the practice.  

It was so wonderful to go through this practice and these teachings again.  The student who received them is only the sixth member of our sangha to do so.  It was a very happy occasion.

But the work is only just started. Tomorrow and Tuesday we repeat the same schedule to complete all this work.

We are so happy to be part of Ajari Tanaka's effort to make Shingon available in the western world and hope that because of our good fortune we can help others enter the practice. 

Quick visit with Ajari today...

Got a chance to visit Ajari Tanaka mid-day today.  Mostly business - visit planning about all our upcoming events, especially the next three days.  But talk always seems to stray to his work in Japan and his many travels.  Just last week he lead a Kannon temple pilgrimage in Taiwan for his Japanese students and in the last year he lectured on the Sutta Nipata, the Dhammapada, the history of Japanese Buddhism and the teachings of Kukai at Waseda University.  He also showed us a great photo of a trip he took with over twenty people to a Yamabushi mountain temple in the north of Honshu, the main island of Japan.

Wow...  He never ceases to amaze.  And this morning, jet lag and all, he brushed two copies of the Heart Sutra.  Take a look...

But tomorrow the real work starts...

Ajari Tanaka's tireless effort and generosity in making these rare teaching available to committed lay students in the west is unmatched.  We're so, so very lucky.

 

Ajari Tanaka Arrives in Vermont

Ajari Tanaka likes to practice Oshakyo (sutra copying) in the morning so one of the final things to do before his arrival was to set up our dojo for that practice.  

He will often produce three or four elegantly brushed copies of the Heart Sutra during these morning practices.  We also got him some Shikishi of various sizes in case he was inspired to do some other pieces.

But once this last detail was set we were off to the airport. It was pouring rain one minute and dry the next as a small group of us gathered at the airport. Despite the weather Ajari's plane arrive a few minutes early and we got a chance to welcome him back to Vermont after a two year absence. Some of you may remember that last year, just before his planned trip to Vermont, Ajari had a health scare and had to suddenly cancel as he was hospitalized for a short time.  So we were very glad to see him again. We were especially happy he looked very healthy and very much his normal self - smiling and warmly greeting us all.

But Ajari was tired after his long trip, so we quickly took him to the lovely home of two long-time students where he will be staying while he is in Vermont.  It didn't take long to get his settled into a comfy chair.

So he's here and the visit is finally underway.  Soon we will be conducting special teaching events for senior students, finishing a multi-year translation project, visiting Middlebury College for Ajari's annual calligraphy demonstration, practice meditation with local sangha groups and finally gathering for our retreat.  

We wish you all could join us for Ajari's visit....

  

Ajari Tanaka's 2017 Visit

Ajari Tanaka and his wife Yukiko-san are due to arrive at the Burlington Vermont Airport tomorrow around 7:00 PM.  After Ajari's health scare last year that disrupted his 2016 trip to Vermont, we couldn't be any more happy about his immanent arrival.  Additionally, we haven't enjoyed Yukiko's company for many, many years and look forward to not only reacquainting ourselves with her, but also having all the new Mandala students get to know this special member of our sangha.

Ajari Tanaka has a very ambitious schedule this year.  In the early days of his visit he will oversee instruction for his qualified students in both the Kongo-kai Gyo (the sadhana of the Vajradhatu Mandala) and the Goma, Shingon's profound fire ceremony.  He will also guide to completion our multi-year translation effort to render the Gumonji-ho Sadhana into a workable English language text.

And that all happens in the just first four days...

We wish you all could be part of this and please stay tuned for what happens next...