Skip to content

Essays by Fashi Yao Xin Shakya

Ask a Master: What is a Zen Retreat?

Ask a Master: What is a Zen Retreat? If you are thinking about attending a Zen retreat, Fashi Yao XIn Shakya offers some advice on how to approach the retreat. It’s all about vow.

On Being a Master: Sinking into the Mud

When discussing what a “master” is or can be in our tradition with Yao Xiang Shakya, in preparation before her Master Transmission, she said “I feel being a master is sinking further into the mud so the lotus may rise higher”. 

When We First Begin

For the beginner on the Zen path…..Fa Shi Yao Xin Shakya captures the essence of how we take the first step on the path to liberation and to knowing our Buddha nature.

Dharma Up Close: An Approach to Study

As a Dharma heir to Ming Zhen Shakya I feel it is imperative of me to share her work with others. Since she is no longer with us in body and mind making her unavailable to speak with you I thought it might be helpful to offer some comments on how to read and listen and sit under the golden waterfall of her offerings. This essay is a brief, very brief approach on one way to soak in Ming Zhen’s Dharma offering. May the Dharma bless you as it has me and many, many others.