"FDR", number 133 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.
We have entered the last section of the book . So far this section seems to be more ordinary and this miniature seems autobiographical and a bit odd.
FDR was a president that lead the US out of the depression of the early 1930's. Aitken has fond memories of FDR. I wonder what this has to do with "Miniatures of a Zen Master"?
The ordinariness of life is Zen. Feed the dog, go to work and smile. This is Zen. Not everything can be like Health Care Reform (HCR). Big, important and contentious. Yet even the challenges of HCR are made up of 'feeding the dog, going to work and smiling'.
For some reason I sense that in FDR's time there was a lot more unity in the country. Maybe this is just nature human mind, wishing things were different, recasting the past in a positive light. I feel torn apart by all the greed, fear, anger surrounding HCR.
Will a leader emerge to unite the country before implosion?
Optimum Hole Sizes (Inches) for Common Birdhouse Nesting Species
| American Kestrel | 3 |
| Ash-Throated Flycatcher | 1 1/2 |
| Barn Owl | 6 |
| Black-Capped Chickadee | 1 1/8 |
| Carolina Wren | 1 1/2 |
| Downy Woodpecker | 1 1/4 |
| Eastern Bluebird | 1 1/2 |
| House Finch | 2 |
| House Wren | 1 1/4 |
| Northern Flicker | 2 1/2 |
| Prothonotary Warbler | 1 1/8 |
| Purple Martin | 2 1/2 |
| Tufted Titmouse | 1 1/4 |
| Violet-Green Swallow | 1 1/2 |
| White-Breasted Nuthatch | 1 1/4 |
Miniatures of a Zen Master
is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.
Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of
Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to
all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.