“A True Heart Exists” offers a glimpse of how the living teaching can be passed on by example, in real life. This talk was prepared for the Wallowa Buddhist Temple congregation on the occasion of our yearly Festival Memorial for our spiritual Founder, also the 24th anniversary of Reverend Master Jiyu-Kennett’s death on November 6,…

In this season of Hungry Ghosts, Rev. Clairissa elucidates the compassionate Dharma of Segaki, which offers a gateway to peace for those who suffer from not letting go.  In “Release From Clinging” she looks particularly at the teaching of the Segaki Toro ceremony, in its expression of what Rev. Master Jiyu Kennett called “the immaculacy…

The flow of merit is boundless, and permeates the universe. In “Offer This Common Merit” Rev. Clairissa discusses our practice of the transfer of merit: what does it mean? how do I do it? how does it work? She shares some of Rev. Master Meidō’s teaching, as well, on the great compassion at the heart…

“Waking to the Truth” is a discussion of how waking to our True Nature is an ongoing process, both before and after our awakening to the Truth.  The talk opens with the words of Great Master Keizan, from Chapter 29 of the Denkōroku on the life and teaching of the Thirty-Eighth Ancestor, Great Master Tōzan…

Rev. Clairissa opens a discussion of what our human mind makes possible when we come to see the arising of delusion, in “The Power of the Mind.” Delusion is the more elusive of the three kleshas or “impediments” in Buddhist practice. Converted with the help of meditation and deeper knowing, delusion holds the potential for…

In “Facing a Wall” Rev. Clairissa reflects on the compassionate offering each of us makes, in our way, by sitting with our eyes open, facing a wall. At this time of his yearly festival, she offers glimpses into the teaching embodied in Great Master Engaku Bodhidharma, the Sōtō Zen Ancestor who brought with him the…

On the occasion of the Festival of Bhaisajyaguru Tathagata, together we look into the deep blue world of the Medicine Buddha, Bhaisajyaguru, known as “The Master of Healing.” Rev. Clairissa considers ways in which, when faced with sickness, each of us may find healing within the fathomless depths of our own Deeper Mind.

In “Kanzeon’s Gentle Arms” we follow Rev. Clairissa on a circumambulation through the Temple of the Heart of Compassion, on the occasion of the thrice-yearly Festival of Avalokiteshwara, the Bodhisattva whose name means “The One Who Hears the Cries of the World.”

“The Turning Wheel” is a look into the altruistic source of the Buddha’s Teaching of the Noble Eightfold Path, also called the Dharma Wheel.  Rev. Clairissa addresses practice in the areas of Right Thought, Right Speech, and Right Action, in particular, recalling that the Dharma Wheel is set in motion through its expression with all…

“Blessings” is a reflection on the recognition of Buddha Nature through the giving and receiving of blessings, in ceremonial and in daily life. Rev. Clairissa explores opening the heart to seek and to offer the beneficial within all situations and in all things.