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Ekyo's Blog Sharing form the heart
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Celebrations |
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January 13, 2008 After Golden Wind sesshin I planned to write about celebrations of Eido Roshi’s 75th Birthday. The day was wonderful and I think Roshi really appreciated what was prepared for him. The celebrations had three parts, but for me there was extra one unplanned finale… After sesshin closing ceremony, cleaning of Monastery and rooms, zendo was rearranged for concert, while guests were coming. I was very tired after sesshin and a bit worry how can I face up the guests bringing all the excitement and New York City energy. Tea ceremony was held in Dharma hall, which was decorated for the occasion. Tea Masters had chosen a very appropriate theme… hanging a special scroll and choosing cups and tea. The theme was exile… as Roshi was talking in one of his teishos how he felt leaving his own country and culture and coming here to something so different. Of course this was self-imposed exile. Special cup with tea offered to Roshi had a picture of a sail ship and calligraphy. This was not the first time I participated in formal Tea Ceremony. But it was first time that six Tea Ceremony Masters served tea to such a big group. They also explained the origin of Cha-do, and the meaning of all elements. The feeling was very profound and taste of tea exquisite…
After tea Trio of very famous musicians offered a concert for Roshi. Two of them came from abroad especially for this occasion, from Germany and Isreal. Harpsichord master is and old Zen practitioner and Roshi’s student. The music was magic and powerful… I sat on the chair sore in every cell. At one moment I look trough the zendo window toward the lake… The forest, and threes and sky looked very alive, much more so than what was happening inside. I had a need to live immediately; I had to go outside… Quietly I left zendo and went to the front of Monastery. Nobody was there… everyone was completely engaged in listening to music. Lying down on the bench and stretching the body was liberating… the sky opened… clouds moving majestically, colorful leaves, all almost unreal, but how real… the sounds of music coming from afar… the universe was celebrating its own birthday. I could not stop laughing, universe was laughing… This moment I will never forget…
But later there was a dinner, good food and noisy crowd, Roshi admiring gifts and being amazed by Kannon figure with three heads. I had to leave before conclusion of the party… missing Roshi’s singing of his favor song: “The Impossible Dream.” There is no such thing! Impossible dream is not only possible but inevitable… Congratulation Roshi! Your 75 years of inspiration and teaching are not in vain.
Receiving a stuff Roshi said: This is me in 10 years!
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