From the "better late than never" file. One of my favorite web cartoons, Toothpaste For Dinner.

Vienna: Guest Photographers Jakub Brzezinski and Knud Rosenmayer

Here are some more photos from Vienna, shared by sangha member Jakub Brzezinski.

Check out Jakub's photos here.

Knud Rosenmayr also brought his camera. In addition to our walking tour, he managed a few shots of the 1-day YMJJ.

Click here to see Knud's pictures.

Brno: Basic Questions, Basic Zen

Checking out the fountain

In Brno, Czech Republic, we were treated to a garden party as the setting for ZMBH's public talk. The setting sun and the gorgeous landscaping (complete with fountain) created a unique and wonderful atmosphere. (In case you missed the Brno photos, you can see them HERE and HERE.)

The Dharma talk in the garden

In today's clip, we have just heard the introductory talk by Roman (seated to camera left), and Zen Master Bon Haeng has just led us in five minutes of meditation. As was often the case in Europe, it took a few minutes for people to overcome their natural shyness to ask a question. Fortunately, Roman himself broke the ice with the question, "What is the most important thing in a person's life?"

I think that's what is known as a "doosey." (Recorded June 14, 2011)

A bit of fluff for your weekend

These don't really have anything to do with the teaching tour, but they are cute and funny, and very sound advice for anyone traveling anywhere. Of course, ZMBH was never attacked by an aardvark or an orca, but if he had been--well, you get the idea.

(NOTE: If you get an error message when trying to play these, just double-click on the video frame itself to open it in YouTube. It should play just fine then.)

Grounded & Ungrounded: a Story About Zen Master Seung Sahn

During his Dharma talk in Vienna on June 13, 2011, Zen Master Bon Haeng told this story about Zen Master Seung Sahn and his ability to remain grounded regardless of the situation.

MY pictures from Brno

Sorry for posting these pictures out of order like this. Yesterday I showed you Roman's pix from Brno, Czech Republic. Today, here are mine. I have also rearranged some pictures in other albums, and tried to include a few captions. Unfortunately, my notes with people's names in them are MIA, so please forgive the lack of identification in some of the pictures.

I chose as the album cover this little Czech beauty who entertained us the whole time. As I mention elsewhere, I took way too many pictures of her, but you can see why. What a cutie!

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY PICTURES FROM BRNO

Photos from Brno

I haven't had the time to post my photos from Brno (Czech Republic) yet, but one of our Dharma brothers, Roman, has already put his on Picasa. In addition to their being really good pictures of our day touring the city, you actually get to see a shot or two of--me! Here I am talk to Andy on the train platform.

Roman smiles for his picture...

...and takes one himself.

And here is the photographer himself, caught in the act! Nice job with these pictures, Roman. My own will follow soon, but right now I need a shower and a coffee.

Best to everyone,

MarkO

CLICK HERE TO SEE ROMAN'S PICTURES FROM BRNO

Photo Album: Vienna

This is a quick partial upload from Vienna before I dash off to the next airplane. I haven't even had time to write captions yet.

Looking at these photos makes me realize it's very difficult to capture a place adequately in photos, and it's really not possible when you have such short time for visiting. Still, great fun. Your comments invited.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ALBUM

Video Repost: "Big Pregunta"

From the dharma talk in Mallorca, ZMBH talks about having a "Big Pregunta," a Big Question.

"Buddhism begins with pregunta. Practicing Buddhism--great pregunta. Enlightenment means become comfortable with pregunta."

With these words, ZMBH begins a story that may be familiar to some of his students, but told this time with a bit more emotion than we are used to.

Photo Album: ZMBH in Berlin

Berlin has been a funny stop for me. The plan called for ZMBH to lead a 3-day YMJJ, and originally I intended to sit with the sangha as well. But the technical snafus of the blog demanded my attention, so I elected not to sit the retreat, and decided to work through the weekend instead. So while I did manage to get some pictures of the center (one of the nicest we have seen), most of my photos are of Berlin itself. Just a couple of days is hardly enough to do justice to this (or any) city, but it is fascinating, and I plan to be back.

These shots may seem disjointed, even a little odd, but my thinking with travel photography is to take picture others do not--details, unusual items and views--and leave the "beauty" shots to the professionals who make postcards. A quick Google search will turn up dozens of beautiful pictures of the Brandenburg Gate, so why should an amateur take an inferior version of the same picture? (OK, I did take one of the gate, but you get the idea.)

So here is my Berlin album. I had fun. I hope you do too.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ALBUM

Photo Album: Warsaw & Krakow

We didn't get to spend enough time in Warsaw. That's my conclusion after looking through the photos. Why the heck didn't I take more? Anyway, the ones we have are really good, so enjoy. Also, Krakow--well, we knew going in that Krakow is very photogenic. Unlike Warsaw, which was nearly leveled in WWII, Krakow was mostly preserved. The photos here don't even begin to do either city justice, but they will give you a small taste.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ALBUM

HOORAY! VIDEO IS WORKING!

So far, so good! Please continue to report any video playback problems, and I'll do my best to fix them.

Buddha's Four Important Things: Excerpt From A Dharma Talk in Mallorca

Buddha said there are four things in life that are most important. A clip from Zen Master Bon Haeng's public Dharma talk in Palma de Mallorca.

Photo Album: Majorca

Is it "Majorca?" Or "Mallorca?"

Depends on who you ask. I have used both spellings in this blog, and I don't want to take sides. However you spell it, this is an old place. I mean OLD. Traces of habitation go back to 6,000 BCE.  The people here today are intensely proud of their island, and with good reason: it is stunningly beautiful. You have to really look if you want to find a view that is not appealing.

The sangha in Mallorca (there's the other spelling) is hospitable and eager to share the beauty of this place. The photos don't really capture the truth of it, but you'll get a hint.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ALBUM

Photo Album: Barcelona

Since the video issues continue here on the road, and since we have more still photos than we can hope to use in the blog itself, I thought I'd post some albums on Picasa for your viewing pleasure. Here is the group in Barcelona, a city I hope to return to very soon!
CLICK HERE.

Video Issues

Hello all, a big hapchang from Berlin!

Lodz Sangha

Many people have written to inform me of the video playback issues with the clip from the dharma talk. Abject apologies all around, and please rest assured that I am working hard to resolve the issue.

Garden Buddha, Falenica

Footbridge outside Krakow ZC

We flew into Berlin last night from Krakow. Poland was a great time with fantastic hospitality in Lodz (which sounds like "woodsz" when you pronounce it correctly, but ZMBH likes to say "whoosh"), Warsaw (actually Falenica, accent on the next-to-last syllable, and the "c" sounds like "ch" to render fah-luh-NEE-cheh) and Krakow. We stayed last night at the home of Jo Potter JDPS, which was a real treat. Jo cooked us dinner, put us up in luxurious surroundings and then woke us up this morning with a delicious breakfast.

Dharma talk, Krakow

ZM Bon Haeng is leading the retreat at Berlin ZC right now, and  am using the time to fix the technical problems with the video. Meanwhile, I wanted to drop you all a little note to let you know that (a) we still love and miss you all, and (b) we have a fantastic European sangha that you all should try to visit!

Great Boddhisatva, Falenica

Video Slideshow #1

A collection of Snapshots and short clips from Barcelona and Mallorca, with music by a busker we heard in one of the parks. The aspect ratio is a bit off, but you'll get a sense of the whirlwind this trip has been so far. Enjoy!

Day 1: Addendum

Jo Potter happened to walk into the room as I was editing photos. She was particularly taken by this one of Zen Master Bon Haeng at the fortress at Montjuic in Barcelona. We edited it together, my technical skills (meager) and her keen eye (invaluable). What do you think?

Hapchang,

Mark O'Leary

Day 1: Barcelona

Internet connectivity has been a challenge, but the theme of this trip is "No Problem," so here we are. Expect dispatches to be a day late, as it takes time to collect my thoughts after all we have seen.

We spent Friday touring Barcelona. We especially enjoyed exploring the winding narrow streets of the old part of the city. Here is our intrepid driver, Mauro, and his equally intrepid vehicle:

Mauro drove us all over the city, anywhere we needed to go, patiently explained the sights to us, and also informed us that he only acquired his driver's license the previous month! It was quite an adventure, and we will really miss this good friend.

Before the motor portion of our tour, we did a bit of walking around Barcelona. What an amazing city. Really beautiful, very historic. At left is our little group standing in front of a rather typical sight in this city: an ornately-carved medieval stone gate that looks like it belongs in a museum somewhere. This city is an architect's dream.


A wild ride through the  crazy Barcelona traffic too us to Montjuic, which affords a panoramic view of the city. At the top is the old fortress from which we took in the whole area: the port, the many churches, the wild modern architecture. The fortress was still in use in the 20th century. We literally climbed all over it.

Jeff checks out his new toy at the fortress

The walls may have been steep, but that didn't stop ZMBH from trying to get a better view

 

 

 

A safer way to see the sights

After sightseeing, we rested at Barbara Pardo's apartment, then headed off to the Zen Center for the evening dharma talk. The center is in the upper room of the bookstore pictured at right, the Libreria Santo Domingo. The Dharma talk was very well attended, approximately thirty people in the tiny room. Jo Potter gave a well-received talk in Spanish, after which ZMBH answered questions in an interesting combination of English and Spanish. 

I will post a clip or two from the talk as soon as I can. The trouble is an embarrassment of riches--there is so very much I could post that I would have no time to do anything. Thank you for your good wishes and strong energy, and for reading this fragmented report. We are all well and having a wonderful time.

Hapchang,

Mark O'Leary

Day Zero: No problem!

We’re sitting in Barbara Pardo’s apartment in Barcelona, eating churros and drinking chocolate. It’s  ten o’clock Thursday morning Barcelona time, and we almost didn’t make it.

First there was the snafu with American Airlines. An hour before we were due to head to the airport, the airline called each of us to say that due to an equipment problem (read, a plane did not show up due to inclement weather), our flight from Boston to New York was cancelled. They discussed various options ranging from putting us on a later flight (which would have caused us to miss our New York connection) to arranging ground transportation—a four-hour drive to Kennedy.

Barbara finally talked them into putting us on a Delta flight. No problem!

Ooops, there is one problem. The Delta flight gos earlier than our original one. Also, in order to get the Delta ticket, we must first go to American and check in. The two airlines are in different terminals, so that required some logistical fancy footwork, which Dan Sinnot pulled off masterfully. At last, we were on our way to New York!

But the plane was delayed at the gate to the point where our connection looked a little iffy. Could we make it from one end of JFK to another in 30 minutes? We scrambled around stragglers, hustled past a broken moving sidewalk, took a train and two escalators, and finally arrived at our departure gate just in time. The flight boarded, we settled in for the overnight flight and all seemed well until the next morning when we got to…

…Baggage claim! We might have made it to Barcelona, but our bags seemed to still be in New York. Or maybe in transit over the Atlantic on a later flight. Or maybe in Cleveland. Who knows? We hope to hear from the airline this afternoon, at which time we can all shower and change out of our grubby travel clothes. Until then, we’ll just have to enjoy this good Spanish chocolate and these fresh, hot churros.

No problem!

Ready To Go

At right is your humble scribe and all his gear. Note how light he travels. Counterclockwise from the bottom left are (1) the laptop bag, a traveling office with everything he needs to stay connected to blog readers and the folks at home; (2) the camera bag, containing both the DSLR with which most of the still photos will be shot, and the tiny video camera (not pictured) for dharma talks and such; finally, (3) the suitcase, which is crammed with Power Bars and clean underwear. (Just kidding about the Power Bars.)

VIDEO: With what mind will you travel to Europe?

This link comes from Barry Briggs' blog, Ox Herding (highly recommended). ZM Dae Kwang's comments are very appropriate to the upcoming trip, especially the statement, "Meditation is no different than your everyday life, moment to moment."

Keeping moment-to-moment mind is tricky in the midst of preparations for (and excitement about) the trip, which is now just four days away.

Itinerary

Here is a "bare bones" outline of ZMBH's itinerary. All dharmas are empty, so everything is subject to change.

Wed., June 1

Depart Boston for NYC
Depart NYC for Barcelona

Thurs., June 2

Arrive Barcelona, resting, sightseeing (optimistic!)
Evening practice at the ZC
Dinner with the sangha

 Fri., June 3

Sightseeing in Barcelona
Public Dharma talk 8:00 PM

Sat., June 4

Flight from Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca
Public Dharma talk 8:30 PM

Sun. June 5

Morning practice with Kong An Interviews
Sightseeing during the day
Sunset at Valdemossa (gorgeous--Google it!)

Mon. June 6

Depart Mallorca
Arrive Warsaw--lunch, sightseeing in Warsaw Old Town
Public Dharma talk 7 PM at Head Temple Do Am Sah

Tues., June 7

Morning practice at Do Am Sah
Departure in afternoon to Lodz
Mid-afternoon dinner with Lodz sangha, sightseeing to follow
Public Dharma talk 6 PM at Lodz ZC
Late supper with sangha at Lodz ZC

 Wed., June 8

Morning practice with Kong An interviews
Breakfast with sangha
Sitting practice
Departure to Krakow

Thurs., June 9

[Morning schedule in Krakow TBA]
Evening flight to Berlin

Fri., June 10-Sun., June 12

Yong Maeng Jong Jin
(will end in time to make evening flight to Vienna on Sunday)

Sun., June 12

Arrive Vienna 

Mon., June 13

1-day YMJJ

Tues., June 14

Morning together action & sightseeing
Afternoon departure from Vienna
Arrive in Brno (Czech Republic)
Evening Dharma talk 
Garden Party with Brno sangha!

 Wed., June 15

Morning together action & sightseeing
Afternoon train to Bratislava (Slovakia)
Public Dharma talk 7 PM

Thurs., June 16

Morning together action & sightseeing
Afternoon depart by train for Sturovo (Slovakia)
Evening--begin 3-day YMJJ at Won Kwang Sa temple

Fri. June 17-Sun., June 19

YMJJ

Mon., June 20

Drive to Budapest airport
Depart Budapest for Israel
Afternoon arrive Tel Aviv
Drive to Haifa
Practice & Dharma talk at Haifa Zen Group

Tues., June 21

Sightseeing
Evening practice and Dharma talk at Ramat Gan ZC

Wed., June 22-Thurs., June 23

[Schedule TBA]

Fri., June 24

PM departure from Tel Aviv
Arrive Boston sometime after that, exhausted but happy!

"Together Action In Today's World"

That is the official title of ZMBH's tour.

Title? Does a trip need a title?

Well, more like a theme. The three (or four, or five--not sure how many) of us who are coming along will travel together, practice together, stay together (more or less--accommodations are still in "don't know" mode). Jo Potter will join us in Barcelona on June 3.

We will be meeting literally hundreds of people, both new Zen students and seasoned practitioners. Many of them will not be able to speak our language, nor we theirs. Some of our ancestors actually fought wars against some of theirs.


From the official web site of the 2011 Whole World is a Single Flower Conference:

Two thousand five hundred years ago on Vulture Peak in India, the Buddha picked up a lotus flower and demonstrated universal truth. 

At the end of World War II, Zen Master Man Gong took a petal from the leaf of the Korean national flower, dipped it in ink, and wrote a rough calligraphy that read: "The Whole World is a Single Flower."

This means equality, harmony and peace. It means that you and I, the sun and moon, earth and sky, air and water, are fundamentally not separate or different. We each have the same root.

It was the great hope of Zen Master Man Gong that all human beings return to this common root, our original substance, and from the root, a single beautiful world flower of equality, harmony, and peace might again appear.

Zen Master Seung Sahn founded the Whole World is a Single Flower (WWSF) conference as a way to bring people from many different countries and traditions together in the spirit of unity and harmony.

How appropriate that this trip should take place in the months leading up to the 2008 WWSF conference (beginning October 16).

VIDEO: Getting Ready to Leave

Map of the cities on the tour

Here are the cities we will be visiting on the tour. Click where it says "ZMBH European Tour" in blue (below) to embiggenate!


View ZMBH European Tour in a larger map

The blog is now "Live!"

Hapchang to the worldwide sangha and all friends of the Kwan Um School of Zen.

As many of you already know, Zen Master Bon Haeng will travel to Europe in June of 2011 on a teaching tour of selected KUSZ-affiliated Zen centers. Here is a link to the European sangha's web page.

The itinerary includes Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Warsaw, Łódź and Kraków (Poland), Berlin (Germany), Vienna (Austria), Brno (Czech Republic), Bratislava (Slovakia), and Israel.

This blog will be an attempt to keep the sangha up to date on where ZMBH is traveling and what he does. We hope to bring you photos, videos and other materials, including maps of the journey, in an attempt to tell the "story behind the story" as he visits our dharma brothers and sisters overseas.

Please subscribe to the blog either via email or RSS feed (see links elsewhere on this page) so you don't miss a single entry. Your comments are invited, and your encouragement will be greatly appreciated.