Sangha News for May 2023

Thunderbolts that help lotuses open

Shohaku Okumura

Dōgen’s Chinese Poems (65)
298. Dharma Hall Discourse in Appreciation of the Previous Inō
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​An iron hammerhead without a hole is always like a thunderbolt,
Immediately dispersing wild-fox Zen.
This morning, would you like to know the ultimate summit?
On top of Dayu Peak there is a lotus flower on the twelfth month.

​This poem is presented on the occasion of the stepping-down of the person who had been the inō. Inō (維那, Ch. weinuo) is a translation of the Sanskrit word karma-dāna (the Chinese transliteration is 羯磨陀那, the Japanese pronunciation is katsuma-dana). Another Chinese translation is 綱維 (kōi, disciplinarian). The Japanese word inō (Ch. 維那, weinuo) is formed by combining the second character of the Chinese translation i (維, wei) and the last part of the transliteration na (那, nuo).[2] This word can be translated into English as “rector.” This position is also called 悦衆（esshu, giving joy to the sangha).
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According to a Vinaya text, the origin of this position in Indian Buddhist monasteries is explained as follows. When the Buddha was staying at the Jetavana-vihara in Sravasti, the capital of Kosala, there was no monk in the monastery who was in charge of announcing time, who used the mallet to make announcements to the sangha, who kept the lecture hall and eating place clean, who set the seats neatly, who washed fruits and vegetables to eat, who checked vinegar to see if there were insects in it, who served water for monks when they had meals, and who snapped their fingers to make a sound and warn monks when they talked noisily and chaotically. When the monks reported this condition to the Buddha, he said, “We should choose a monk as karma-dāna.”     READ MORE

In This Issue:

• Okumura Roshi: Thunderbolts that help lotuses open
• News: Anniversary event includes art drawing and sangha messages
• Practice recap: May genzo-e, ango continues
• Coming up: June sesshin, precepts retreat
• Sanshin Network: Newsletters; news from Italy and Colombia

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News

New opportunities have been added to Sanshin's 20th anniversary events, set for June 24 and 25.  The community is invited to sponsor a message of congratulations, remembrance or support that will appear in the souvenir program being designed for the events.  Those participating in person will receive a printed copy of the program, while those joining virtually can download and view or print the file.  The program will include the daily schedules, background information on speakers and presentations, and other important information.

The celebration will also include a drawing for a signed and numbered print by zazen practitioner and celebrated artist Mayumi Oda.  From 1969 to the present, Mayumi has presented in multitudinous solo and group shows internationally and her work is in numerous private and permanent collections such as the Museum of Modern Art, New York, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the U.S. Library of Congress and many more.  She has donated the 13.5" by 38.5" piece, part of her series on the Heart Sutra, to Sanshin, and values it at $2000.  Tickets for the drawing are available for $25 apiece, and participants may buy as many as they like.  The drawing will be held at the conclusion of the anniversary celebration on Sunday afternoon.  

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Both of these opportunities are available to all those with PayPal accounts, whether or not they practice at Sanshin or will be attending the anniversary events in person.  Visit the Platinum Celebration page to make payments for entries to the drawing and for message sponsorship.

In addition, the venues have now been finalized.  Friday evening's concert conversation and Saturday's presentations and discussions will happen at the First Christian Church, built in 1919,  Sunday's events will take place at the Far Gallery, in its theatre space.  While in-person registration has closed, virtual participation remains available to everyone.

Practice recap

The final genzo-e:  Okumura Roshi completed his final genzo-e, covering part 3 of Shobogenzo Bussho.  The retreat was mostly virtual, with only residents, tech support volunteers and a few other operations workers carrying out practice in person.  About 60 people attended online.  Okumura Roshi steps back from day to day leadership at Sanshin next month.

Ango continues: Sanshin's shuso, Shinko Hagn from Vienna, continues his series of Sunday talks, using Dogen's Bodaisatta Shishobo as a jumping-off point.  His talks continue through the end of June and transcripts are posted as they become available.  Additional ango activities include daily work periods, a weekly discussion of the Eihei Shingi, and Friday morning breakfasts using oryoki.

Coming up

June sesshin (May 30 - June 4): Sesshin at Sanshin is an opportunity to practice without distraction.  We set aside the usual activities -- or entertainments -- of temple life, like work periods, meetings with teachers and dharma talks, and focus completely on zazen.  We practice in complete silence following a 4 am to 9 pm daily schedule that consists simply of fourteen 50-minute periods of zazen with one-hour periods for meals and a bit of personal time.  This sesshin-without-toys style of practice was created by our founder's teacher, Kosho Uchiyama Roshi, and practiced at Antaiji in Kyoto, Japan.  We carry on and offer this tradition of   our lineage here at Sanshin. Learn more here. ​

Precepts retreat with Hoko (July 4 - 9):  This retreat focuses on the study of the sixteen bodhisattva precepts that Buddhists receive as guidelines for living a life of practice.  The daily schedule includes zazen, lectures, work practice and silent meals, and a precepts ceremony (jukai-e) is held during the last day of the retreat, during which those receiving the precepts will make their vows and receive a dharma name and a rakusu, or small robe, which they have sewn beforehand.  Learn more here.

Sanshin Network

New issues of newsletters are available from a number of Sanshin Network sanghas, including Gyobutsuji (AR), Mountains and Waters Alliance (MN), Centre Shikantaza (Belgium).  Contact your favorite network sanghas to subscribe to their updates and announcements and participate in practice opportunities.

Gyoetsu Epifania from Centro Zen Anshin in Rome participated in a Women and Spirituality conference, promoted by the Italian Buddhist Union and Sarzana city.

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Densho Quintero from Soto Zen Colombia attended the Preliminary Memorial Ceremony for the 700th Year Passing of Taiso Keizan Zenji, Founder of Daihonzan Sojiji.  Ceremonies were held at Busshinji in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

For complete information about Sanshin and our style of practice, visit our homepage.