November 2021 Gassho Newsletter
Questions and Answers with Taiun Michael Elliston Roshi
Q: A question I have that you might be able to shed some light on for me is:
Why do I deal with such anger, and negative energy inside my core, towards others that have hurt me in the recent and long past, when I live with the view forgiveness is the key to the positive life path and true focus, of such? It’s really a struggle for me, as there are only very few, who I hold such feelings towards, and have yet found a way to let it go, and move forward with giving my life journey, of doing good for others through kindness? I hope you can help with this?
A: Matsuoka Roshi had a poetic and practical expression regarding anger. He said feeling anger or thinking an angry thought is like cutting water with a knife — the water closes behind the blade and leaves no trace. Speaking out of anger is like cutting sand — it takes a long time for the wind to smooth over the groove. But acting out of anger is like cutting stone — it takes forever for the scar to wear away.
Anger is not always ego. It is often based on an altruistic impulse to protect something precious. Zen does not teach us to avoid feeling anger, nor to avoid suffering in all its many forms. We have to surrender to reality, including “negative” emotions, in order to penetrate to their deeper meaning. If you become patient with yourself by sitting in meditation, it will become natural for you to be more patient with others. If you are not patient with yourself, you cannot be truly patient with others, no matter how hard you try. Gassho, Sensei Taiun
Who We Are & What We Do: Fall 2021
We are a group of lay volunteers, and here are the ways we can assist in your practice:
1. Answer your practice questions. We have included a Q&A in this issue and any questions we publish will be answered by our founding teacher, Taiun (Great Cloud) Elliston Roshi (venerated teacher), as well as other Zen teachers. Please note we cannot answer all questions or any letters individually.
2. Provide resources within the newsletter. While we cannot mail money, books, or anything to an individual, we are able to provide a resource section in each issue that can help assist in furthering your practice. This issue provides the information necessary to participate in a mail-order Buddhist correspondence course.
3. Images of forms. We can offer images such as the one featured in this issue of Avalokiteshvara for cut out/display. We may offer other images, and suggestions are welcome. Unfortunately, we are not currently able to publish any artwork or poetry from inmates.
4. We are looking for ways to distribute this list in electronic form, via email, or sending it to prison chaplains, in order to cut down labor and printing costs. If you have the ability to receive this newsletter via email, or have a contact in your prison we can send this to, please send us your email or other information to help assist in future issues.
Thank you for your persistence and patience. We look forward to your comments.
Deep gassho, Publishing Committee of the Gassho Newsletter Silent Thunder Order and Atlanta Soto Zen Center Resources
1. For a free subscription to Lion’s Roar (Buddhist) Magazine, please write to: c/o Lions Roar Foundation, 548 Market St, Box 17113, San Fransisco, CA 94104
2. For a free “Introduction to Buddhism” 12 lesson correspondence course, hosted by Susan Shannon, M.Div. of Buddhist Prison Ministries, please write to: Buddhist Prison Ministry, PO Box 426, Orcas, WA 98280
Please send your questions and requests for adding or removing from our mailing list to: Atlanta Soto Zen Center c/o Gassho newsletter 1167 Zonolite PL NE Suite C Atlanta GA 30306