{"id":391,"date":"2013-10-13T22:23:43","date_gmt":"2013-10-14T02:23:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/biran.birankai.org\/?p=391"},"modified":"2013-10-13T22:23:43","modified_gmt":"2013-10-14T02:23:43","slug":"sitting-with-a-great-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biran.birankai.org\/?p=391","title":{"rendered":"Sitting with a great loss"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Life, death and the role of teachers were among the topics tackled by a group of 32 Birankai aikidoka this weekend at Bucks County Aikido\u2019s 10th<\/sup> annual sesshin with Genjo Marinello Osho.<\/p>\n

Practitioners from as far as New Mexico, North Carolina and Michigan gathered at the farm of George and Patti Lyons to train in Rinzai Zen and Aikido weapons as they enjoyed the mostly mild weather.<\/p>\n

Everyone survived, and sat strong. For the first time, sesshin participants also harvested lavender as part of the samu \u2013 or mindful work \u2013 period at the conclusion of the retreat.<\/p>\n

In the early hours of the final day, members learned of the death of Mark Murashige Sensei, a treasured Aikido teacher in San Diego. A sizable group of us at sesshin had lived in San Diego and benefited from Murashige Sensei\u2019s generosity, good humor and infectious enthusiasm for Aikido practice and life. We sat with our grief and concern for his family and friends.<\/p>\n

In the final hours of the event, Genjo Osho led us in Dai Segaki chanting for the deceased and intoned the following dedication:<\/p>\n

One stream of a valley<\/em><\/p>\n

pours the ambrosial nectar,<\/em><\/p>\n

Ten thousand peaks of pine wind<\/em><\/p>\n

strike the Dharma drum.<\/em><\/p>\n

On this 13th<\/sup> day of October 2013,<\/em><\/p>\n

offering incense and pure water<\/em><\/p>\n

with Dai Segaki chanting<\/em><\/p>\n

let us dedicate to Mark Murashige Sensei and<\/em><\/p>\n

all known and unknown deceased Dharma<\/em><\/p>\n

brothers and sisters.<\/em><\/p>\n

May the sun of wisdom shine<\/em><\/p>\n

brighter and brighter,<\/em><\/p>\n

And may we all cease wandering<\/em><\/p>\n

in the darkness of ignorance.<\/em><\/p>\n

L. Klein<\/p>\n

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