Summary: Episode Description: In a well-rounded talk, Kaz contemplates the circle as a symbol of enlightenment. He traces its history from India to Japan -- the full moon; the not-quite-round enso, which expresses a painter's state of being honestly and completely instead of in a rigid perfection. He recalls his friendship with Suzuki Roshi, who drew a circle in the air when Baker Roshi asked him, on his deathbed: "where do we meet?" He admires how uniquely Zen's concrete language for philosophical points strikes consciousness. He asks whether perfection, a perfect life, is a good goal, or whether a complete circle must countenance everything, as it is, wholeheartedly. Bio: Sensei Kazuaki Tanahashi, born and trained in Japan and active in the United States since 1977, has had solo exhibitions of his calligraphic paintings internationally. He has taught East Asian calligraphy at eight international conferences of calligraphy and lettering arts. Also a peace and environmental worker for decades, he is a Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science. He is world-renowned for his translations into English of Zen Master Dogen’s writings. For the series description, please visit Part 1. To access the entire series, please click on the link below: Circle of the Way Sesshin Series: All 4 Parts
