灯明寺

Tōmyō-ji

Tōmyō-ji means Temple of Light.

What is this Temple? It is your practice in this moment.

What is this Light? It is your own pure selfless awareness.

Atta Dipa

Final words of the Buddha

You are the light! Dwell.
You are the refuge.
Have no other as your refuge.
Light of the Dharma.
Refuge of the Dharma.
Have no other as your refuge.

This light is your original mind, prior to the arising of any thoughts, feelings, or beliefs. To directly realize this mind, what we call "Kenshō," is to see through all of one’s beginningless confusion and suffering, arriving at self-understanding.

It is the final resolution of the existential question “Who am I?” This light is in you, waiting only to be revealed and directly experienced. Realization - awakening - is possible for all. The only gate is one’s self. Be a light unto yourself.

Community

All Are Welcome

Tōmyō-ji is a Rinzai Zen Temple in the line of Omori Sogen Roshi. We are a supportive and inviting community coming together to deepen in meditative practice and personal cultivation. All are welcome to come and explore this zen path with us.

We offer clear meditation instruction and methods, defined purpose and intention, the space to ask (and have answered) pressing questions, and the opportunity to work with a teacher.

Our core values are honesty, transparency, integrity, and inspiration. Our methodology includes Zazen seated meditation, proper breath and Hara (abdominal) development, integrated body usage, Kōan introspection method, and chanting practices.

Teacher

Daiho Wagner Roshi

Daiho began his practice as a teenager in 1996. In 1998, he took Jukai (lay ordination), followed by monastic ordination in 2003. He trained from 2003 - 2007 as a monk in both Rinzai and Soto monasteries, as well as travelled nationally and internationally to help lead sesshin for extended communities. This has afforded him the opportunity to work with many different teachers, in many different places. These include: Green Tara Sangha, Hollow Bones, Zen-Dojo Freiburg, Zen Buddhistische Zentrum Schwarzwald, Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji, Yokoji Zen Mountain Center, The Zen Center of Los Angeles, and Korinji. Daiho was recognized as Jushoku (fully trained Zen priest) in 2022 and finally, in 2023, he received Inka - dharma transmission - from Meido Moore Roshi and was recognized as a fully empowered teacher, able to train students.

Daiho’s diverse background has given him the experience to see what common elements, teaching styles and approaches work best. It has also made him aware of many common pitfalls that teachers and centers face. He is deeply attuned to the needs of a Western sangha, and the delicate situation of translating Zen into American society in a way that inspires the student in self-discovery and clarifies the essentials of this profound, non-dual teaching and practice method.

When he is not formally teaching, he works as an Acupuncturist and Classical Chinese Herbalist at Zen Root Healing Arts in Madison, Wisconsin. This background in East Asian Health has given him a deep understanding of human energetic and functional systems, especially as they relate to internal cultivation, particularly, concepts of “Qi.” This is quite useful for two reasons:

Firstly, it allows deeper understanding of Zen (and Zen-adjacent) texts on energetic cultivation, as these are firmly rooted in Classical Chinese Medical Theory, and are often replete with obscure references to seminal texts of Classical Chinese philosophy, including the I Ching, Huang Di Nei Jing, Zhuang Zi, Dao De Jing, Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, etc. (See Hakuin’s Yassenkanna, Orategama, and Dongshan’s Hōkyo Zanmai, etc.)

More importantly, however, it provides a clear framework to understand whether energetic practices are working correctly, or whether they are working against the practitioner. Daiho’s Classical Herbal training is in a decidedly Buddhist lineage. Furthermore, his understanding of the energetics of the seasons, food, emotions and illness gives him the ability to teach in a wholistic way, adjusting teachings to reflect our ever-changing world.

Daiho's Zen teachings and writings can be found on Patreon and Facebook.  

Schedule

Practice Together

When

Sundays
10:30 am ~ 12:00 pm

Wednesdays
7:00 pm ~ 8:15 pm

Where

Quarry Arts Building

715 Hill St Ste 170, Madison, WI 53705

Wednesdays and Sundays provide opportunity to work with the guiding teacher, Daiho Wagner Roshi.

Please wear dark-toned clothing that is loose-fitting and comfortable. Please note there are no shorts or midriff shirts allowed in the meditation hall. Cushions are provided, however, you may bring your own if you would like to.

First time and drop-in is $15. If you would like to come regularly, our membership ($40/month) is through our associated page on Patreon.

Membership

Join & Support

First time and drop-in is $15. If you would like to come regularly, our membership ($40/month) is through our associated page on Patreon.

Your membership gives you access to: regular, weekly, in-person Zen meditations on Wednesdays and Sundays; personal instruction; the chance to work one-on-one with a guiding teacher; and access to a growing library of written, audio and video teaching content.