The “mirror-like wisdom” of the mind

Speaker: Rev. Kōtoku (Koutoku), formerly known as Rev. Ryotoku) (Online, Joining from Japan, hailing from the UK).

Mon 30 March | 7.00-8.30pm AEST

Location: Online (Zoom link below)

Cost: Free

In Buddhism and especially in Zen, the enlightened mind is often described as a precious jewel or a bright mirror, obscured by dust but never harmed nor tainted by it.

The mirror was often used as an analogy for the enlightened mind, since it reveals forms without bias, judgment, distortions and attachments.

Using this analogy, we learn that in order to see the images of the mirror of the mind as “not the self”, we must first build the courage to look into the mirror and “face ourself”.

At the same time learning to see others and the world with the clarity of a mirror we can learn to hold the space of compassion for others and begin to see ourselves in others and others within ourself.

About the Speaker: Rev. Kōtoku (Koutoku), formerly known as Rev. Ryotoku) After spending time studying Buddhism himself, Kōtoku's introduction to Buddhist meditation was through a beginners course with the West London Buddhist Centre in 2011. In 2013, Ryōtoku began studying Rinzai Zen, practicing kōan and zazen meditations where he undertook jukkai (receiving the precepts ceremony) that same year and later began a Zen junior teacher programme, which provided training in mindfulness and meditation.
In 2015, Kōtoku began studying Tendai Buddhism, where he also received jukkai and joined a two year lay leader programme. In 2020 Kōtoku began a Master in Buddhist Studies with the University of South Wales and after graduating in 2023 Ryōtoku traveled to Japan and received tokudo ordination on Mt. Hiei with the Tendai tradition. In 2025 Kōtoku began his Phd in Esoteric Buddhism and that same year travelled to Japan to study Shingon Buddhism. In February of 2026 Kōtoku received tokudo ordination in the Shingon school and is currently based at Mount Koya.

Online event: Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in an interactive session online by clicking on this link to access the session: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83506489824?pwd=cmpNQ1ljSmFVYURLWVN1dWllYUN1dz09

Meeting ID: 835 0648 9824| Passcode: 718905

Alternatively, you can dial in from your telephone (call charges apply): +61 2 8015 6011