About (original)

Tō Kō Ji

Tō Kō Ji (Temple of the Eastern Light) is a small mountain temple in the Rinzai Zen tradition. The fundamental practice is zazen, a time-tested way of fostering spiritual development. Meditators of all schools are welcome, and instruction in meditation is available for beginners. You are invited to come and experience zazen for yourself.

Zendo Schedule

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday Mornings
Chanting Service (choka) 6:30 a.m.
Zazen 7:15 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.

Friday Evening
Zazen 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Dharma Talk 8:00 p.m.

Most months there is an all-day meditation program on the 3rd Saturday of the month. Part-time attendance is permitted.

Finally weaving a reed but, I can meditate in peace.

— Zenban of Ankoku

Kyonen Jim Gordon

Kyonen Jim Gordon has been a zen practitioner for over forty-five years. After seven years of study with Soen Nakagawa, Roshi at New York Zendo and Daibasatsu Zendo, he began study with Kyozan Joshu Sasaki, Roshi, a study that continued from 1977 until Roshi’s death at age 107 in 2014.

Kyonen was ordained as a zen monk in 2001, and having retired from the practice of psychiatry and psychotherapy, devotes himself full-time to zazen and to being the guiding teacher at Hardscrabble Zendo.

The practice at Hardscrabble Zendo is Tathagata Zen as taught by Joshu Sasaki, Roshi. This practice is designed to facilitate the actual experience of the Dharma Activity, the activity that brings for the the entire universe. It is through this experience that one comes to know one’s fundamental nature, thereby realizing Buddhahood. Longs study is usually required, and zazen and proper breathing are the major tools utilized.

Ekō/henshō — Turn the light (of mind) around and return to what shines within.

— Shitou Xiqian

Zen Buddhism

Although the Zen branch of the Buddhist tradition traces its origins back to India 2500 years ago at the time of the historical Buddha, the characteristics of the Zen School as it exists today began around 1500 years ago when the Indian monk Hodhidharma journeyed to China and, finding a successor, continued a line of transmission that has carried through to present-day America. The principle of the Zen School has often been described as:

A special transmission outside the scriptures;

No dependence upon words and letters;

Direct pointing at the mind of man;

Seeing into one’s nature and attaining Buddhahood.

HARDSCRABBLE ZENDO
126 Main Street
Sheffield, MA 02157
(413) 229-2458
evenmorezazen@gmail.com