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50/50
I (Gary Dai Chi
Robinson) founded Southampton City Dojo, the forerunner of Taichido, on
Valentines Day, the 14th of February 1996 as: "A place set aside for
training and practice in the ways of generosity, discipline, patience,
diligence, meditation and wisdom". In these early days, this place was the
smallest room in a city canter community hall that I managed and lived
above. This first Dojo provided me with the space to teach and practice a
spiritual and meditative form of Tai Chi Chuan. When not used for this
purpose, the Dojo was offered as weekly meeting place for one or two other
self help 'fellowship' (not "membership") type organization.
My serious interest in
the philosophy of 'no-mind' martial arts led in turn to a personal
interest in Buddhism and naturally the Dojo was also used for meditation
(at that time "just sitting/no-mind" Zazen) and general Buddhist study and
practice sessions. When several friends (some not necessarily interested
in Tai Chi) joined with me in these 'serious' pursuits, a very small
Buddhist Sangha Community was born.
The first website in
the name of "Southampton City Dojo" was launched in 1998. Its purpose at
first was to simply record and share the activities and study of a core
group of advanced students, a perhaps start a Tai Chi E-zene. This site
was renamed and re-launched in 1999 as www.taichido.com.
In its first
incarnation the site was 50/50 Tai Chi and Buddhism. In the form that it
is now it is most predominantly Tai Chi. Under the mastery of Mark Allen
www.taichido.com has come to be a substantial and respected 'virtual dojo'
and its instructional pages are viewed regularly everyday by a
significantly large number of visitors.
My theme, anthem or slogan
for that site is "Tai Chi is where you are, not where I am".
Professional
I left the halls, that
job and home, in June 2001. With friend and Tai Chi student Richard as
co-tenant I rented a house (in the same road as the halls) and then,
through necessity and imperative as much as choice or ambition, and with
Richard's generous assistance, I took then the adventurous step of
attempting to become a professional Tai Chi Instructor.
With
Richard's still generous and ongoing agreement, the largest room in this
house remains 'set aside' as a 'home dojo' and is used to accommodate
Personal Tai Chi Instruction Sessions - for individuals and pairs/partners
only. As soon as the weather (and the students’ ego - some remain 'self
conscious') is up to it, many of these sessions will take place in the
local park. To the anthem of "Tai Chi is where you are, not where I am"
above is now added a chorus of: "Nothing Added, Nothing Taken Away",
believing as I now do, that as far as Tai Chi is concerned, even a Dojo of
bricks and mortar is not an essential and that enthusiasts can (if they
cannot meet in a local park) 'meet' in the spirit of Tai Chi anytime
anywhere. The success of this Newsletter confirms this!
It is a clear and
practical imperative of my job that it earns me the funds to pay the rent!
For the first year of occupation of this house my priority simply had to
be that sufficient time was put aside for Tai Chi sessions - for which I
am 'paid'. (I make no charge for any specific Buddhist meetings.
www.taichido is also 'free to view' and not for profit.) Whilst a long way
from 100% secure, these earnings and generous support from elsewhere are
for now at an adequate level, therefore I take this opportunity to
reinstate Buddhist study and practice sessions to the list of 'events' on
offer here at my home dojo. I do so to coincide with another significant
development - as documented below.
Pure Land Notes -
Journal of the Pure Land Buddhist Fellowship
Towards the end of
last year (2002) an old an old friend of mine, Jim Pym, made the decision
that his time as Editor of a quarterly published Buddhist Journal that he
began himself over twenty years ago, had come, to a natural end.
Accordingly, a due perhaps to my sincere support of the Three Wheels Shin
(Pure Land) Temple in Acton, London W3, it has been agreed that henceforth
I take on the role of editor of "Pure Land Notes - Journal of the Pure
Land Buddhist Fellowship".
This small and friendly publication (that
often has content relating to Taoism), is founded entirely upon the
principles of "Fellowship" and distributed (snail mail) worldwide. It is
my promise that I shall continue it in the same style and with the same
intentions as Jim Pym; adhering to the principles that he stated so
eloquently seventeen years ago.
Extract from a statement
first published by Jim Pym in Leaflet form in 1987:
"The PLBF is not an
organization but rather an organism characterized by its functioning. As
well as no constituted structure it has no leaders and no led, no
officials and no 'second-class citizens'. We value the freedom of all to
explore the life of the spirit and to accept or reject what is helpful or
unhelpful to them.
The PLBF is entered by communicating and left by
ceasing to communicate. We do not see to set up a platform, preach. teach,
proselytise or indulge in propaganda. We have nothing to do with the
missionary spirit which, unless we are enlightened, is at best an excuse
for well-intentioned self- assertion. Nevertheless, we hope to be
outward-looking and to share our joy with all."
It is going to be a
challenge to continue to fill the pages of PLN with the broad spread of
articles that Jim consistently presented, not to mention his equally
stimulating editorials and book reviews. I am very pleased to say that as
far as the latter is concerned, Jim will continue his book reviews for the
journal and likewise continue to be relied upon as assistant editor and
friend.
The 1st Eza of the
Southampton Shin Sangha 15th February 2003
By luck or by design,
fate or fake I have managed to attach the celebration of the most
important Dojo occasions, developments or events to the first full moon of
the new lunar year. This also often falls as it does this year, around
Valentines Day. The celebration of this phase in natures cycles has been
central to many cultures for many many centuries, with variations on the
theme of 'new beginnings' and 'light into the darkness'. The 14th of
February is also traditionally the date used to mark the death of Buddha
and as such we are reminded that (notwithstanding various theological and
religious propositions) death is as inevitable as birth; that change is
inevitable and that nothing is permanent.
Welcoming the
unwanted
To conclude this
months Newsletter and to illustrate the 'crossover' and meeting place of
point Pure Land (Shin) Buddhism and Tai Chi (or Taoist philosophy at
least) that my home now has become, I quote (and sub quote) from my
inaugural piece as editor of Pure Land Notes:
".... I return
again to Taietsu Unno's "River of Fire River of Water" and quote an
extract from chapter three in which the author describes a valley in which
life and creativity flourish; a Pure Land for those who 'do not fit in'."
Unno quotes the Tao-te-ching:
The Valley Spirit
never dies.
It is named the Mysterious Female.
And the Doorway of
the mysterious female
Is the base from which Heaven and Earth sprang.
It is within us all the while;
Draw upon it as you will, it never
runs dry.
(the author Taietsu
Unno continues)
"In the valley fecundity is nourished and dynamic
creativity is born. From its depths comes the life force that creates
Heaven and Earth. Immortalized as the Spirit of the Valley and identified
with the feminine principle, its procreative vitality is inexhaustible.
Hence, the name of this Taoist classic, the Way (tao) and its Power (te).
The valley ultimately is the resting place for everything that is
washed down from the mountaintop, collecting all kinds of refuge and
garbage of society and welcoming the unwanted, the disappointed, and the
broken."
The 1st Eza of the
Southampton Shin Sangha 15th February 2003
Again, by luck,
design, fate or fake it has become so that the on the 15th of this month
we recommence regular weekly Buddha Dharma Sangha Study and Practice
meetings here at Gary's Home Dojo. I coincidence with this I announce the
official launch of Pure Land Notes Online and portal website
www.wheelswithinwheels.net.
To you, the
subscribers to this Newsletter, the development of various other websites
(as announced above) and my personal involvement in certain other projects
is not 'new news', for I have spoken of all of this many times in these
monthly communications.
I does not bother me that you, the reader,
remains as a mystery to me, as I can imagine that I am speaking now to
just one anonymous friend. With your forbearance I shall carry on
communicating ... regardless, trusting you as a friend in fellowship, not
even needing to know the name of that fellowship. Thus I continue to
communicate as I do and on the subjects that I do, if only to bring you
news of the personal development of a friend in the fellowship of Tai Chi,
for is this not exactly the type of development that Tai Chi is supposed
to encourage?
Your Way is Your
Way
The only reason that I
call myself a Teacher is because some people call themselves Students. If
it is so that I am now apparently regarded as a Tai Chi Instructor or
Teacher (there is a difference. Instructor: "This goes here, that goes
there". Teacher: "This goes here, that goes there ... because ...".) I
regard it as a responsibility to inform you that to reap the benefits of
Tai Chi and realise the internal or spiritual development that is premised
it is necessary that you become willing to put in more to your practice
than you will ever take out. This you MUST do. There is then (I promise) a
good chance that the benefits and development received will be enormous of
life-changing.
Most of us require some guidance from time to time and
we come to rely upon our friends, family and teachers for this guidance.
Choose your friends carefully, they will influence you. Respect you
family; they may criticize but in most cases their love for you is
unconditional. There is a Chinese blessing - which at first sounds like a
curse! May you Grandmother and Grandfather die, may your Father and Mother
die, and then, may you die". If events unfold in this order you are
blessed! You forebear's clear a way for you and you have inherited life
itself from them. What a Blessing!
You may not be able to choose your
family, but you can choose your teachers. Choose your subject and choose
your teacher carefully - remembering the adage "If whilst on your travels
you do not meet a wise man, better perhaps to travel alone". Take this daring step and you
will find out soon enough that there are many like you who, regardless of
race, creed or religion will be there waiting to traveling alone with
you.
Our Eza on the 15th is
going to be some event. Reverend Sato of the Three Wheels Temple is making
the 80 miles journey to attend. A good friend and Tendai Priest named
Ganshin Rock is traveling from the nearby Town of Romsey. Jim is coming
across a couple of Counties to get here! These 'religious' people will be
equalized in number by 'Tai Chi People'. So that you might also 'in
spirit' be here with us at this time - or any other - I would ask you to
meditate upon world peace and reconciliation - and the transcendence of
'fellowship'.
"Introducing myself as
incoming editor (2003) for Pure Land Notes"
http://www.wheelswithinwheels.net/purelandnotes/pln1.htm
"An
Ant in the Sand and Shingle"
http://www.wheelswithinwheels.net/purelandnotes/pln2ANT.htm
"River of Fire, River
of Water". Taitetsu Unno, PhD. Doubleday ISBN 0-385-48511-5
"You Don't Have to Sit on
the Floor. Jim Pym. Rider ISBN 0-7126-4472
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