Offering such beautiful tribute to David. Picture of saying words, maybe, and then words for us. But it's important for us to be able to offer our words to David and to Linda and to each other. I personally can say a lot. David and I We're all from the Dharma together, and the practice of Buddhism in some ways. We were sort of two peas at a time. We first started practicing sitting meditation at home with me, and we also traveled to California to meet with Zen teachers and practice together. And he was always full of energy. He even had an asthma attack in my presence, so he felt like a little brother.

[01:04]

Fortunately, he got his inhaler and he was okay for that round. But we had a kind of closeness that was simple and clear and kind and loving. I saw David's loving nature. I saw his lively and restful nature. And all of those, he shared freely and spontaneously, just like we saw in this video. If we could all be like that, the world would be better for us. I really want to just invite everyone to share your thoughts and part to Vega, if you wish to say something to him directly or with him. Please, I'd like to invite the cloud, Samba first, maybe a little awkward, but please feel welcome to share any of your part expressions with us.

[02:21]

Hello, everyone. I didn't know David very well. When I came to Ancient Dragon, you guys had already been in that space on Irving Park for a year. And it was around the time that I came in. when David was starting to his relocation to Colorado, but he was still around here and there, but he had a very much an effect on the following years of practice for me, because I knew that he played a very integral part in finding that space on Irving park road. And, uh, The space, I'm sorry. It's just, it's very obvious from the video that he had a very full life. It touched many people and animals in a very big way.

[03:37]

But anyway, the space had such a unique feel. because it was on such a busy street. And walking into that space, I was always impressed. I know it was a Sangha effort to create that space, but it was really extremely impressive what an oasis it was in the middle of such a busy area of the city. And I was always very impressed by the people that found that space and created it. And I know David had a very big role to play in that. along with other people. So his presence was felt very much in the perspective of my practice there at Ancient Dragon. The second thing was I was new to the practice and I'm also an extremely physical person. And coming into this practice where people are sitting still, it's very hard to understand

[04:43]

how one has anything to do with the other. And he was very encouraging to me. The only things I ever really talked about with David was how to bridge the extreme physicality that we both knew in different ways to the stillness of this practice. And at that time, it was a mystery to me. And he was so encouraging and kind and expansive in how to take those steps that it had a profound influence on everything I did moving forward. So I'm eternally grateful for what he gave our sangha. And even though I didn't know him better, I felt his presence constantly in my practice. Thank you very much. Brian. Thank you.

[05:44]

That video struck me powerfully, and I'll just say a few brief things that were very stark to me. The first thing that occurred to me very strongly is that it was an extreme object lesson in Buddha nature, in the idea that I never knew David at all, and yet, seeing that video, I realized I know him intimately. Because the things that he clearly loved are the things that I love. And I think all of us love. Some people talk about resume virtues versus eulogy virtues. And eulogy virtues, you find out that everyone you know and everyone you didn't know was a loving, kind, caring person in their own way, etc. And he obviously was. And so I know for in my heart that if I had had a chance to meet him personally, I would have felt a connection with him and I would have felt a friendship with him as I would with anyone who's possessed of Buddha nature, that potential to be a good human being and we all have that.

[07:08]

And my final comment, it occurred to me and I'm not being facetious, but it might strike that way. I'm going to go against Chow Choo, and I'm going to say that dogs absolutely have Buddha nature. So, thank you. I see Nathan. I was around for the first 10 years of Ancient Dragons, so I saw David a lot. And he had this amazing energy and sense of humor and kindness. Yeah, he just had a big effect on everyone. He was a huge support for our practice during those years. And I think that That support is going to continue endlessly through Ancient Dragon, I think. I think everyone online has spoken.

[08:35]

Welcome. I met David. In his college years, my best friend growing up was his roommate. And we met at Texas A&M and subsequently when he relocated to Chicago. Knowing through his life how passionate he was about his Buddhist practice, I've come to realize that I may have been personally responsible for that as... There were many, many times when he would call me at 5 p.m. to meet up at 7, check on me at 9, and see me at 11. So I think he was finally needing his life to be present at the moment while we were trying to plan.

[09:42]

But we had countless adventures together, many drinks, unbelievable laughs. He was a dear, dear friend that I was honored to share my life with. And we miss him terribly. But thankful to him in my life. I remember when he would tag me, talk to me. I don't remember exactly how you two connected, but I remember specifically me the conversations we had and how excited he was to connect with you and study with you. It was profound. So, almost immediately. Jay. Thank you. I've been very grateful for doing for a long time.

[10:52]

Very large influence on me. Looking for a place to practice, a new place to practice after moving to Chicago and visited a place with a beautiful, beautiful facility that I went to and just didn't know about. And I somehow found out that Ancient Dragon's Endgame was meeting at the Cynical Traffic Retreat Center in Regent Park, showed up there, and fell at home. A lot of that was a pleasant day, and very welcoming, very sincere, adaptive practitioner, but... And yoga is an important role in setting up my body. It really allows me to set my mind still, so.

[12:05]

I think also It's a process. There was an energy about them. And yeah, I'm very appreciative of what you did in finding the space under the earth. But we have this endless energy around us. So at times when I would be thinking, what am I doing? I'm here to talk to you about this study, and this is trying to interpret it, and it really is like somebody else is attempting to make sense of this. But also, David shared his energy. We have to go to school, I think.

[13:10]

Okay, you got a good one here. We knew that this was a special relationship for him and that it was a unique time. But I just, you know, he was part of the group. He was always encouraging, you know, using energy that helped us to get on with this. I'm incredibly grateful for David's presence. I was one of his first dot-running clients. And I was amazed at a few things. First of all, he's great to me. He sends a few more. He's one wish with the animals, especially with my dog, Louie.

[14:23]

I was so incredibly attached to. She was my life. David knew intuitively how to be with her, how to invest in her, and was concerned about her health and well-being in many conversations. I was also incredibly because you show up to run in the worst conditions. I wouldn't leave, you know, sit my nose out the door and something big sooner. I'd roll into a gaze. She walked in on me and, you know, shoots. And, you know, honestly, windbreaker. Zero degrees. And I was, you know, I was just, I couldn't believe it. So he helped me. my life and how to accept nature in a way that I had never been able to accept nature before.

[15:50]

He also brought me to the Zen Center. He used to come around to those places where he had been adopted. Maybe I wish you peace. I wish you peace. I wish you peace. Thank you.

[16:54]

Thank you. And it's not like it's a serious quality meeting. I'm not sure. The government wanted us on a trial run, and it won't be in the wintertime. So I knew it would happen. So throughout the conditions, that's what we're expecting. The path was very severe. go up and run through, you know, six inches of snow. Because I was running with a dog who was so worse than me.

[17:57]

That was my first introduction to the dog. It's a lot of care for the dogs, which It's like growing up, I had a fear for that. So you were a big part of it. But I don't think I've, you know, grown to love it. It's true that, you know, being in bed that long for the arrows and nature with me, it's just so good to share it with people. Well, you know, she medications like this and finds me about bombs. That's from the basis. Carry on running dogs on this. I'd like to share two memories in particular.

[19:15]

I think I met you 20 years ago in Egypt, as Gaby said. Kevin and Kathy and David and I all did our lay ordination together, and so I've gone through many, many hours of practice with David, and so she was where, you know, just sitting next to me to feel the support, but this is actually not what I want to share. I want to share two things. One is that I don't know why this was so. This was before David had I think he's first us, Lynn. Tomorrow, it's a little game day. leave Guinness. And I got to, he was going away for a week and I got to take care of Guinness for a week. And it was so wonderful because I had baby bits growing up and I just love them. And I thought, and I didn't know them well at this time, but I thought, what a wonderful person who, you know, has a baby that they love and care for.

[20:24]

And, um, I think that was just always part of David's big heart. It wasn't just dogs. He really loved creatures. But the other thing that I really want to share is I particularly remember a Dharma talk that David gave after he did, I think, his first 100-mile race, the Atling 100. And we... talking about what it was like. But the race was such that I think it took 24 hours to complete it. it's long. And he had, I think, arranged to have friends join him at different points. And there was one point in the middle of the night where I think he just kind of collapses on a sagebrush or something. So I can't, I can't do it. And his friend that he was running with that right then said, yeah, you can help them out.

[21:28]

And, you know, found something within himself and through help of his friend to keep going. And, um, And I think that I just was really touched by that, you know, nobody does something like that alone. We all don't do that. And it fits with, you know, our saga and our Buddhist values that we won't do anything alone. And so, you know, I think that I take some comfort in, you know, I'm not going to back, David wouldn't recognize the importance of that and would recognize the importance of continuing to, you know, run with us. So I trust that he has a presence here for this life. Asian stole my story. I've heard so many Dharma talks in my years as a Zen practitioner, hundreds of them, and almost none of them I remember at all.

[22:40]

But I remember that talk by David, which was, what, 15 years ago or something. It just stunned me that a person could do such a thing. And I have to say, it just blew my mind wide open to the possibilities of what human beings could do in 100 miles in the desert. And yes, it was a wonderful, memorable talk. And I think we should all go look for it and put it on our website and listen to it and get inspired by it. My other memory of David... is early in my participation at Ninja and Dragon, I helped to organize a picnic way on the southwest side in the Kalos Forest Preserves in Titan, California. nudged me to help raise a little money through the picnic.

[23:42]

And so we scratched our head and did it. Rounded up a lot of his friends and we had a, we had a no race, no race. And it's a little lucky by having all of this, but was anybody here part of that no race? Or he took dragon. And so it was really fun to watch him watch it. Thank you to whoever made the video. It was so beautiful. Those eyes. Nathan posted for some pictures of David running and just the joy that David expressed in many ways, in many contexts.

[24:50]

Certainly in his running, his love of dogs, but just his presence at Age of Dragon. You know, he asked good questions. He was... clearly a waking life. So, David, thank you so much. Please continue wherever you are. Good luck to you. I remember once, the only time I've ever been associated with such things. Well, I'm sorry. He asked a question of Rhett, and he gave Rhett a background of what he'd been doing, and said that he was doing a hundred mile runs. And I forget the entire description, but he said, is there any problem with this, that that's my goal?

[25:52]

You know, and is there some sort of... It's the word detachment. Detachment to this. And Rob thought about it. And the answer had to do with, you know, I mean, he discussed it quite a bit. But basically, if you can stop at 99 or 210. Okay. I don't mind. And not be attached to that one. I got to know David for, I guess, a year and a half, starting in 2020. I never met David in person, but every Thursday morning, we would sit on Zoom, and then Hogetsu would give a talk, and we would have a discussion.

[26:57]

And David and Linda were always there, and I always looked forward to Thursday morning, and I felt the friendship and the Strength and the world was falling apart and my life was falling apart. And I learned from David and I'm very grateful for that connection. Thank you all for being here.

[28:08]

I'm grateful. I hold you. Very good. Our full elite and people are on each of us in different ways. This passion for life, this sense of humor, this laugh, this enthusiasm, and this curiosity with the pages. I knew, sorry, me, and then you, to try things and accomplish things. And I believe so greatly in that. He bought the right mid-base from the daughter in the street, helping establish this wonderful school. And while he sold many trail races, he had been visiting his friends to join in on his many adventures.

[29:16]

So as his conscience, when he accumulated in the 17 years I knew him, I knew David in Chicago, of course. Those of you who saw his photos on Instagram saw his adventures in Colorado. I know that he lived his life to the absolute fullest. He lived on the edge of his limits, on his own burdens. Don't make me say that, I know I can't. I think he was so adventurous, and I can't think of anyone who would try a three-point turn. Camper on a truck, running down the road. He stung terribly off-key. Very loud. One of my favorite songs, hang on. One of his refrains, it flattens out right up there whenever we were out hiking.

[30:20]

Countless trails, even though I knew that that probably wasn't true. He smiled and laughed easily. I would like to thank David for a beautiful life together. for filling my life with adventure, laughter, and so much fun and love. I'd like to thank all of you for making me an incredible, inspiring, compassionate man. And we'll see this in our hearts forever. I'll always think of these blue eyes and the bright look of the blue sky, and I'll think of this generous heart when I look at the mountain peaks of Palo Alto. So let us remember the Anhui spirit, even though it's balanced. Let us remember this passion for adventure, for pushing boundaries, and for reminding us that there is beauty to be found.

[31:28]

Does anyone have a final word? This might be a really wonderful place for us just to take a few breaths, close our eyes, and bring David into our hearts and appreciate his kindness and care. and spontaneity and joy and laughter and how he inspired us all and still lives with us in that inspiration. Just before we move on, hold him close. So maybe we can have our closing part of our service.

[32:48]

And in our tradition, in this tradition, we recognize impermanence with life and with sadness. And we offer incense to honor those we've lost and honor the wicked natures. So what will happen is I will do three vows. And then we'll start a chant. And during that, we'll actually be chanting something called the Heart Sutra. So David's name, Empty Mountain, is honors, the boundlessness, also called emptiness, of our lives, which is encapsulated in the Heart Sutra, exasperated in the Heart Sutra, an ancient Buddhist text. And then we'll also worship at once. And so it's in your chant books, where the Heart Sutra is.

[33:52]

H1. H1, of course. Closer to the end, on some page, is another Japanese, some Japanese chant. 26. Page 26. That will follow the heart sutra. And just kind of chant along. And while that chanting is happening, after I make the initial incense offering, then everyone is invited just to come to the altar, take a step, give you a little bow. approach the altar and just offer some of this chipped incense by sprinkling it on the charcoal. Just a pinch. Then I'm going to go back to your seat. And we'll have sort of a little circular flow going. So just return to your seat and have a seat. And as one person is ending, another person will bow and approach the altar.

[34:53]

We'll just keep that circle going until we finish our chant. And then we'll do some closing bows to the altar. And then we have a reception in the garden. So that's that. If I may, this is tiny little logistics. After everything's done here, it would be lovely to have two or three people help me bring out food to the reception, and then to have a few people bring out the folding chairs that are in this room outside. That would be great. Thank you. And also, to just honor the cloud, you said, no, the Cloud Meditation Ball, it's online. If during the service, if at any time you wish to offer some incense or light at your altar at home or in your heart, please feel welcome to join us in that. So... Can you just add, we might use that section?

[35:57]

Okay. Okay. Here's another one. What was it? Question. All the bells will just be the bells for the chance, according to what's in the chant book. Not just me, because everybody's going to be going out making this. Right. Oh.

[37:19]

Oh. Heart of Great Perfect Wisdom Sutra When deeply practicing Prajnaparamita, fear leads to the path of life's scandalous guarantee, and thus really cause suffering. Empty dust.

[38:27]

Empty dust. Pulse. Pulse. Empty dust. [...] Oh, so like this, God bring true trouble. God, [...] God. No perception, no foundation, no consciousness, no God.

[39:33]

No brown blood spike, no brown blood, I thought just this day. Thank you. Don't have no knowledge and know the secrets with the things you've seen. The world is a far, [...] far. We're talking.

[40:49]

There's no fear. We're talking. [...] the past, present, and future, we are not, [...] Thank you for watching. Thank you.

[42:33]

Thank you. [...]

[43:57]

Thank you. Chant [...] In Buddha's diamond realm, the sun of wisdom shines without ceasing. The sweet sound of dharma soothes every troubled spirit. Like a draft of cooling water, like a mountain breeze, with full awareness, we have chanted the heart of great perfect wisdom.

[45:45]

May the Buddha with infinite compassion illuminate this endless field and embrace David's radiant heart. We offer the benefit of our chanting. For our great abiding friend and cherished Dharma brother, Katsurya Pusan, David Hill, who has passed beyond this life into the heart of Buddha. Together with all beings, realize release from suffering and complete unfolding of Buddha's way. Oh, Buddha. Thank you. Okay.

[47:17]

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