Enkyo O'Hara: The Gate of Sweet Nectar (Spring Practice Period 2022)

Anyone who has participated in or even just witnessed The Gate of Sweet Nectar knows that it’s not a typical liturgy. Upaya’s version includes incantations, transfigurations, wild drumming, and even dancing. Roshi Enkyo O’Hara of The Village Zendo in New York City gives a characteristically poetic talk on The Gate of Sweet Nectar liturgy, which Upaya celebrates on each new moon. Enkyo reveals how and why her teacher, Bernie Glassman, brought the liturgy to the United States. She also tells two origin stories of the Gate liturgy, both of which involve Shakyamuni Buddha and the practice of generosity; and one of which involves a good monk saving his mother from Hell. An excellent episode if you’re interested in learning more about Zen rituals, especially this wildly meaningful liturgy. To access the resources page for this program, please sign up by clicking here. For Program/Series description and to access the entire series, please click on the link below: Upaya Podcast Series: SPRING PRACTICE PERIOD 2022: Making Visible the Invisible – An Exploration of Zen Liturgy