Other news
Soto Zen North America gets underway: Hoko has been asked to serve on the board of directors for the newly-forming Soto Zen North America, an organization of Sotoshu-recognized clergy that will very gradually take over some of the functions of the existing denomination on this continent. As Soto Zen N. A.'s communications officer, she's put together a website, and an initial newsletter went out this month. There is still much to organize and build and many structures to put in place, but the actual beginning of operations is the fruition of many years of work and planning. New translations: Chapters Six and Seven of Great Robe of Liberation: A Study of the Kesa (Kesa no Kenkyu) by Echu Kyuma have now been translated and are available online. Chapter Six covers classification of different categories of kesa, and Chapter Seven discusses teachings on the virtue or merits of practicing with the kesa. The book has served as an indispensable resource for anyone wanting to study, sew, or wear robes in the Soto Zen Buddhist tradition. Kyuma Roshi, a longtime student of both Kodo Sawaki and Kosho Uchiyama, generously shares his research and personal experience, presenting a kind of technical manual with in-depth explanations of everything from the proper color, size, and materials of a robe, to the actual sewing, to how to wear it and care for it. Practice recap
Coming upRyaku fusatsu: Our monthly ryaku fusatsu ceremony will be carried out tonight, Monday, June 17th, at 7 pm EDT, and Hosshin Shoaf will officiate as a recently transmitted teacher. Ryaku fusatsu is our monthly ceremony of renewing our aspiration to practice with the sixteen bodhisattva precepts. All are welcome, in-person and virtually, whether or not you've formally received precepts.
Precepts retreat with Hoko (July 2 - 7): Registration is now open for practitioners who wish to participate in this year's precepts retreat without formally receiving precepts. 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, group discussions on the precepts led by Hoko, work practice and silent meals. A public precepts ceremony (jukai-e) is held on 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. Registration for in-person participation will remain open through Tuesday, June 25th; virtual participation without registration is also welcome. Learn more and register here. Myogen Ahlstrom ordination (July 7, 2 pm): Following the jukai-e potluck lunch, the sangha will return to the zendo to lend its support as Mark Myogen Ahlstrom takes ordination as a novice. He was a leader of the Bloomington-Normal (IL) Zen Group and a student of Zuiko Redding of the Cedar Rapids (IA) Zen Center for many years before moving to Indiana and establishing his practice at Sanshin. Virtual as well as in-person attendance is welcome. American religious landscapeMost religious groups show declines in attendance over the past two decades: According to a new Gallup study, majorities of Jewish, Orthodox, Buddhist and Hindu Americans say they seldom or never attend religious services. Twenty-six percent of Orthodox adults, 22% of Jewish adults, 14% of Buddhist adults and 13% of Hindu adults attend services regularly. Although Buddhist and Hindu adults have similar levels of regular attendance, Buddhist adults are much more likely to say they seldom or never attend (75%) than Hindu adults (51%). The largest segment of Hindu Americans, 36%, say they attend about once a month. READ MORE Sanshin Network
In general, I think it is difficult to appreciate the value of a way of life whose heart is the intensive practice of zazen. During the week we sit for five periods of zazen a day, and monthly, with the exception of February and August, the intensive sesshin of fourteen periods each day is held for five days. Furthermore, as it is a practice that is carried out in the mountains, daily activities are carried out in solitude, silence, without any type of toys, distractions or promises. This creates the conditions so that the individual cannot escape from himself, and is forced to accept and let go of the flow of thoughts and emotions. It is a practice that, in my limited experience, is quite confronting, and, at the same time, illuminating and peaceful. When I began my practice approximately 9 years ago in Bogotá, Colombia, under the guidance of Densho Sensei, I remember that sitting through a forty-minute session was a great achievement that I celebrated for the simple fact of not having moved despite the anxiety and physical pain. Likewise, I keep in mind that the first day in my first sesshin, which was not so intensive, I wanted to run away. My whole body hurt, the silence at meals tormented me. I can't imagine how physically I could have endured just one day of 14 50-minute sittings. As a student of Densho Sensei, I not only worked on my physical posture, but I had the valuable opportunity to study fundamental texts, such as the Bendowa and GenjoKoan, which helped me in my quest to understand the type of attitude to have during practice. For this reason, from my experience, the possibility of appreciating and being grateful for the type of practice that Shoryu Sensei offers, depends on having had previous experience in the lineage of Okumura Roshi under the guidance of Densho Sensei, to whom I am extremely grateful. This short memory exercise on the history of my practice has made me consider the value of having a family called the Sanshinji network. A project that I still do not fully understand, but I believe, from the bottom of my heart, that it is essential to preserve and share the teachings and practice of Okumura Roshi. There need to be temples in the city as well as in remote areas, free from the hustle and bustle of society, for the movement of the wheel of dharma to remain alive. I believe that, among the many factors that allow the expression of personal vow, community is one of the most important. As final words, I also appreciate Hoko's practice and efforts to nurture this family, and I hope that these words and my daily practice can collaborate to strengthen the ties of the Sanshinji Network. Updates: Support for Soto Zen temples affected by the Noto earthquake in January For several months, Jisho Takahashi, a dharma heir of Okumura Roshi, has been leading an effort to collect donations for two temples in the Noto area of Japan which were damaged by an earthquake in January, and which have connections to Sanshin: Ryushoji and Eifukuji. Visit Jisho's fundraising page for more background on Sanshin's connections and to donate. Below, Jisho offers a few updates on the situation, as well as photos of the rebuilding process:
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November 2024
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