I was asked once when giving a Dharma talk if one can be too giving as in it becoming an addiction.

My answer was no. Hence Hyakujo and the Wild Fox. In Shobogenzo, Master Dogen recounts the tale of a fox, once an Abbot transformed so, because he said cause and affect did not exist for those who are enlightened.

So am I a Fox?

Read my plea. My answer to the question was "... heartfelt giving cannot be exhausted." Having to give because thinking we must do so is is not heartfelt, nor is it necessarily wrong and could be called not good. This is a dilemma. How could it be all of the above? It IS but the answer given may not be a turning word. The insight or clarity of the words comes not from the outside but the inside.

Our getting it, as it were, seems to be the point we wish to reach, as in once and for all is forever.

Dr. Charles Winchester III, he of the M.A.S.H. TV show, had a family tradition in Boston of secretly giving the best and very expensive chocolate to poor children on Christmas. He did so in Korea at an orphanage and asked the monk to keep it a secret. Later at a diner given for the children, there was no chocolate being enjoyed.

Irate he asked why the children did not have their chocolate? The monk answered... the chocolate has become the warm clothes the children now enjoy.

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Dharma Talk for Tuesday September 19, 2017 is "HEARTFELT "

As continued outreach in the Falmouth community, I will be working on a "Connectivity and Relationships" as a central feature of a group discussion fellowship on remaining sober and not using, as a path to address alcohol and drug abuse. More about this as it unfolds...

Please Add to your Calendar:

On Sunday October 29, we will discuss the first twelve chapters of our Buddhism Book Bunch selection: Sit Down and Shut Up. Contact Koin Sue Eliason for details- susan.eliason@comcast.net for details.

On Saturday November 4, 2017 will:

• Have a Zazenkai from 6:30 AM until 11:00PM

• 11:00-11:45 we will prepare for three FSZS members to take Jukai or Precepts

• 12:00 Jukai conducted by Taiun-Roshi, via Skype from Atlanta

• 12:45 Lunch and Celebration of the 7th anniversary of the founding of FSZS

DATES SENSEI IS AWAY: Sangha Services will be lead by different members who have taken Jukai.

In November I will be away on a 30 day Priest's Ango or teaching sesshin, but will Skype in Dharma Talks...

November 7, 14, 21 and 28

December 5

Our Beach sitting on the Bike-Path at Oyster Pond and Surf Drive has begun, from 6:30AM until 7:00AM then we all go to PIE-IN-THE SKY in Woods Hole for coffee.

1. Like String for Beads, is a compilation of my Dharma talks, notes, poems and Facebook comments I have produced over the last five years. Special thanks to Enjitsu-san Chris Charyk for pulling the pieces together in this book! There will be copies available every Tuesday night, or let me know if you want me to mail you a copy. The book is $15 per copy.

2. Visit our new library named for Diane “Yugen” Tucker. The cart was a donation to the Sangha by Kyoshin Elin Kinney as Dana for her Jukai on November 5, 2016…many bows! The books will be added over the next few weeks and Kyoshin-ni has agreed to be our Librarian. A donation of $1 is recommend to check out books and magazines for up to three weeks. It really is a cute cart drop-by and see it soon. Oh, we wheel it out each Tuesdays and for zazenkai and sesshin, or if you would like to see if we have a book you want, get in touch with Elin <elinkinney@gmail.com>.

3. Meditation is also held each TUESDAY at 10:00AM at the Falmouth Senior Center.

4. We are now using two months to read more deeply our BBB selections please keep this in mind: Our next Book is Sit-down and Shut-up, by Brad Warner: The book received mixed reviews. MetroActive stated "At times Warner comes off as pandering, with his cutesy pop-culture tangents and I-know-what-you're-thinking-right-now comments" while Buddhadharma ultimately summed the book up with "Too much of an adolescent rant for most Zen readers and too much of a middle-aged strut down memory lane for most punk readers, Sit Down and Shut Up will likely get an enthusiastic reception only from the small group of readers who already identify as Zen punks." Razorcake, however, stated "Irreverent, cocksure, glib, and wise, this is one damn good book."

5. Our Zendo is open at 6:30PM (good time for newcomers to get aquatinted) at the UUFF, 840 Sandwich Road, for our weekly service which starts at 7:00PM. Also feel free to stay afterwards to chat and or ask questions...