Spring 2026 Newsletter

"Although the realms of light and darkness contend with each other, the nature of the void is vast and unchanging.

The minds of the Buddha and of all living beings are also like this.

If one sees the Buddha and creates an image of pure, clear light, and observes sentient beings and creates an image of impurity, darkness, and birth-and-death, then one who sees in this way will not attain awakening even after passing through as many aeons as the sands of the Ganges."

— Master Obaku

From Shaku Daiko:
Although all manifestation appears as a play of light and dark, up and down, big and small, the True Nature of everything is not of the same opposition. The apparent oppositions and following frictions is the result of our own craving and subsequent attachment to forms.
We can see this happen in real time every day. The moment the senses make contact with form, whether something we see, hear, feel or know, there is a response. Sometimes that response can be termed "positive" or "negative" but in some way or another it often sinks its hooks into us.
Interestingly, whatever direction the experience might seem to move us, we can see ourselves that it actually effects not at all the one whom experiences it. Before there was the idea of *myself* as tall or short, male or female, there was simply a knowing. No "I" required. That knowing is the same everywhere. None of the various arising and passing-aways have effected it at all. The mirror does not hold the reflection but presents everything equally, without hesitation or judgement.
In this way we can verify for ourselves what Master Obaku is indicating.