Standard morning schedule reinstated:  With the start of the ango (practice period) on April 4 we returned to the pre-pandemic morning schedule, which begins at 5 am and includes two periods of zazen, liturgy, a reading from the Shobogenzo Zuimonki and soji (cleanup).  We've also retired the Enmei Jukku Kannongyo and pandemic eko from the morning service.

Spring opens with work day:  Following a few dharma words from Hosshin, practitioners went to work to cut bamboo, clean up the moss garden, thoroughly clean the zendo and kitchen and modify kitchen shelves.

Pilot residential program underway: Three residential practitioners are now in place and will engage in a full-day schedule for the duration of the ango.  The rented building next to Sanshin, formerly used for short term guest accommodations, is now devoted to residential practice.  Sawyer from Bloomington and Kikuko and Issan from New York have two areas of activity during this pilot; in addition to participating in all of the practice activities happening at Sanshin and undertaking their own projects, they're helping to create and develop the residential practice program by actually living that life on a trial basis, building systems and making suggestions for the future.  Issan is serving as shuso for the ango, Kikuko is training with Yuko as a dharma sewing teacher, and Sawyer is coordinating the residential practice committee of Sanshin's board that's determining policy and procedures for the program.  Sanshin is not yet taking applications for future residents and hasn't determined a timeline for establishing an intake process; that information will be posted as it becomes available.

Opportunity for board service:  Board president Mark Fraley is interested in talking with those considering becoming directors for the upcoming three-year term.  "Sanshin's board of directors continues to collaborate with clergy, staff, and practice leaders to make practice opportunities available to more and more people while doing our best to ensure the health and safety of our sangha.  With residents on site and more activity in our zendo, we're making steady progress in meeting our key strategic priorities.  However, we do need more people to be part of our efforts!  This July, we will be holding our annual board retreat in Bloomington where we welcome new directors.  If you have skills in outreach, communication, development, or management and want to offer your abilities in the service of the dharma, please email me."

March sesshin in honor of Uchiyama Roshi:  Eight practitioners participated in person and several more joined the sesshin virtually.  Sesshin ended on Uchiyama Roshi's memorial day with a dharma talk from Okumura Roshi and a brief chanting service.  Uchiyama Roshi is one of the most important influences on Sanshin's practice today.  For links to works by and about him, go to this page. 

June sesshin with Shodo Spring:  ​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 8 pm daily schedule that consists simply of thirteen 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 Antaji in Kyoto, Japan.  We carry on and offer this tradition of our lineage here at Sanshin. 

Shodo Spring is a dharma heir of Shohaku Okumura and is a member of Sanshin's board of directors.  She sits monthly Antaiji-style sesshins in the tradition of her lineage, leads an informal study group, and occasionally gives talks and retreats at other temples. She founded Mountains and Waters Alliance in Minnesota, a part of the Sanshin Network, to work together with all beings for the welfare of the whole earth. She lives on a farm, apprenticing herself to the plants, waters, animals and earth, learning to be human, and she spends time with her children and grandchildren.  Read more and register here.

Introduction to Dogen retreat:  A winter storm covered Bloomington in dangerous ice and then topped it off with a layer of snow just as the retreat was set to begin, and those who had been planning to participate in person were told to stay home, stay safe and join the virtual participants online.  On that basis, the retreat went on as planned and Hoko gave four of her five talks from home, awaiting safer road conditions before returning to Sanshin for the final day.  More than two dozen practitioners heard the talks and a smaller number participated in zazen.  It was the first time the retreat had been given since the pandemic shutdown two years ago, and the first time it was led by Hoko, with the support of Hosshin and Doju.

Nirvana Day observed:  The sangha honored Shakyamuni's passage into Nirvana on a Sunday morning with zazen, a talk by Okumura Roshi, a chanting service that included the Heart Sutra and the Verse of Homage to Buddha's Relics, and a potluck lunch, the first since the pandemic shutdown.  Okumura Roshi's talk will shortly be available on our YouTube channel.

from the Dogen Institute:
Digital Archive Initiative announced
David Thompson, Director
 
How many of us have happily clicked on a link to one of Hojo-san’s or Hoko’s Sunday talks on YouTube, or clicked on a link to the DI website to read a poem and its commentary, or picked up one of Hojo-san’s many books that delve into Dōgen? I think the answer is – probably – all of us.

All of these works of practice, study, and scholarship have digital lives, and the files themselves, or their progenitors, reside on a number of different platforms within the digital universe. Dōgen Institute takes primary responsibility for these digital repositories, helping directly or indirectly with the upload, maintenance, and documentation of thousands of files.

We are acutely aware of the value of these files. They represent decades of concerted effort by Hojo-san, Hoko, and their dharma heirs.  As Hojo-san nears his transition to the Founding Teacher role, it is more than appropriate to spend time and effort to assure that these files can continue to be accessed on into the future.

To that end, we are forming a group to address the long-term challenges and opportunities of the digital archive. We are looking for a group of people who have skills and experience with digital archives, libraries, digital interfaces, technology, and library-like distribution systems. The group we gather will be taking a look at the following topics:

• Determine how the archive will be preserved into the foreseeable future.
• Determine how to preserve and protect digital rights for the archive.
• Determine how and by whom the archive will be administered.
• Determine how the archive will be accessed.
• Determine needs and procure funding for the chosen solution.

During this engagement, we expect to be exploring possibilities such as partnering with a university, partnering with a company (either profit or not-for-profit), or continuing to tend to the archive ourselves.  While a physical archive is not yet included in scope for this initiative, the group will examine issues that may be in common with the digital archive. The possibility of a physical archive will be addressed in conjunction with our facilities and our development committees.  If you have experience in these areas as a librarian, an archivist, or as a technologist, I urge you to reach out to me.  These files represent a precious legacy to which Sanshin holds a digital key. If you have the skills, please consider offering them toward this wonderful initiative.

Interview for website project:  Okumura Roshi was interviewed for the final segments of a project produced by Interior Mythos Journeys.  He was previously interviewed several years ago about a variety of topics related to practice and spiritual life.  Videographer Maryellen May explained, "The cinematic art forms of Interior Mythos Journeys express the converging deep currents of East and West. Interior Mythos Journeys delivers timeless, universal, and changeless depth messages to inform contemporary personal practice. The Life Journeys series of Interior Mythos Journeys, in which segments from Abbot Okumura's interviews appear, is designed to support solitary depth inquiry and substantive group discussion using universal language and a quantum scientific worldview. Please access this material here or here."  We'll spread the word when the newest interview becomes available.   

Gyobutsuji looks back on 10 years
Shoryu Bradley
​
The other day as Monty, Gyobutsuji’s longtime canine resident, and I were taking our daily morning walk during a cold, snowy, cloudless morning, I thought of how our long, occasionally steep driveway, winding through the remote Ozark mountain woods of Northwest Arkansas, probably didn’t look much different than it had in on a similar icy morning back in in January 2012, soon after I had moved to my then new home. I’m pretty sure at that time I admired the sun as it sparkled through the ice-laden branches and glistened up from the fresh, pristine blanket of snow on the ground, just as I did as I walked on this January morning of 2022.

It almost seems like yesterday that I was struggling with a friend to unload, from my poor 1980 VW Rabbit, the 200 lb portable generator I had brought up from Texas to charge our solar electric system. This was during the winter previous to the one in which three different snowstorms left me stranded, since I didn’t yet have a four wheel drive vehicle to navigate the snow and ice on our steep drive. Needless to say, I was probably less able to enjoy the wintery beauty of our driveway that particular January, but I was so appreciative when my neighbors (who live several miles down the nearest county road) offered to take me along on a grocery run into town.

Event coordinator hired:  Doju Layton has become Sanshin's event coordinator, with responsibilities for providing logistical support for genzo-e and other practice events.  He will also be taking on some of the administrative work previously carried out by Hoko; she'll be redirecting that time to teaching and writing.  In addition to his new staff responsibilities, Doju will continue to carry out his activities related to groundskeeping and environmental sustainability, welcoming and orienting new practitioners, and his own training as a novice.  This spring he will also being teaching Sanshin's Experiencing Zen course within Ivy Tech Community College's continuous learning program.  Learn more about Doju here and here.

Secure storage space needed for valuable tapes:  One of the primary activities of the Dōgen Institute is looking after Sanshin's digital and physical archives.  Our digital archives are stored away safely on the cloud, but we're now looking for storage space for our physical archives.  These physical archives include one-of-a-kind recordings of lectures by Okumura Roshi on cassette tape as well as recordings of his teacher, Uchiyama Roshi.  Over the years, the Dōgen Institute has worked to raise money and convert these recordings from cassette to digital files in order to preserve them safely, but even after the conversion the original tapes still need to be stored somewhere.

Those who have visited Sanshin in person will already be aware that space is at a premium on the campus.  We're looking for a sangha member who would be willing to store these tapes in a safe, dry, controlled environment until such time as Sanshin Zen Community has a larger library and/or an agreement with a larger institution for their storage.  If you are willing to consider storing these 6 to 8 banker's boxes full of tapes, please contact David Thompson.

Introduction to Dogen retreat with Hoko:  Dogen's writings are a lifetime study, and one introductory weekend isn't nearly enough to prepare participants to study the Shobogenzo on their own.  However, this retreat introduces basic elements of Dogen's teaching and provides some grounding in the major themes, the structure of his writing and awareness of the texts he found influential.  While this retreat is not a prerequisite for genzo-e participation, those aspiring to participate in such study may find it helpful.  More information about in-personal participation for local practitioners and virtual participation for others is here.

Technology and facilities committees seeking members:  Sanshin needs your skills to help us spread the dharma.  We are in particular need of people with technological understanding to help  1) assess hardware and software needs 2) develop new technological tools and leverage existing ones to enhance our infrastructure and 3) store, archive, and maintain works created by Okumura Roshi.  If this meets your skillset, we encourage you to inquire about participating on our technology committee.
 
We also need people to help the sangha make best possible use of its facilities and assess possibilities for expanding our Bloomington campus.  If you have knowledge of architecture, construction, building trades or space planning, we encourage you to enquire about our facilities committee.  

All interested parties are encouraged to reach out to board chair Mark Fraley to find out more information.

Gifts of calligraphy:  Bloomington resident Woody McGee has given several pieces of calligraphy to Sanshin, items he acquired in Japan many years ago.  A large framed copy of the Hannya Shingyo now hangs in the stairway on the way to the zendo.  Additional pieces of cursive calligraphy have also been added to Sanshin's collection.

Okumura Roshi podcast available:  Sanshin's founder talked informally with David Chadwick on this podcast in late November.

January sesshin (6 - 9):  ​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 8 pm daily schedule that consists simply of thirteen 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 Antaji in Kyoto, Japan.  We carry on and offer this tradition of our lineage here at Sanshin.  More information about in-personal participation for local practitioners and virtual participation for others is here.

Austria COVID update:  Shinko Hagn from Daijihi sends this report of life and practice in Vienna during a time of repeated lockdowns.

We are in the middle of the 5th full lockdown in Vienna for three weeks now, all shops are closed, with the exception of pharmacies and supermarkets. Hotels and restaurants are closed, too. There is a 24/7 curfew, leaving the apartment is allowed only for working, walking, and taking care of relatives. There are a lot of police patrols and high fines.  In addition, compulsory vaccination has been announced for everyone over the age of 14 from February on, the law has already been sent out for assessment.  There will be high fines and prison sentences for those who are not willing to vaccinate.  This 5th lockdown was decided practically overnight and is a real shock for many.   In addition, we have had the 3rd Chancellor (the highest political position) within two months and none of the last two were elected.

This harshness of the measures and the way all of this is communicated is difficult to understand for anybody who does not live in Austria.  This enormous pressure that is built up here does something to everyone, people feel more and more paralyzed, it’s a burden many cannot carry much longer.  I don't know how people can live their lives under these circumstances without practice.  We keep our zendo open, religious practice is allowed and a few courageous people come, too.  Our prison chaplaincy currently consists of phone calls and letter writing.  In addition, we support a constantly growing group of people with guided meditations, which is very helpful for many in this situation.  We try to help wherever we can.

 A time of great challenge, a tremendous practice. 

Virtual genzo-e:  More than fifty participants from around the world attended the virtual genzo-e held during the first week of this month.  Okumura Roshi gave nine lectures on Shobogenzo Baika over the course of five days.  The support team included David Thompson, Nate and Iris Cushman, Misaki Kido, Hoko Karnegis, Issan Koyama and Seigen Hartkemeyer.

Rohatsu sesshin, November 30 - December 8​

Rohatsu is one of the three important Buddha days in the annual calendar.  With this sesshin we honor Buddha's awakening under the bodhi tree.  Sesshin at Sanshin is an opportunity to practice without distraction.  We practice in complete silence following a 5 am to 8 pm daily schedule that consists simply of twelve 50-minute periods of zazen with one-hour breaks for meals.  This sesshin-without-toys style of practice was created by our dharma grandfather, Kosho Uchiyama Roshi and practiced at Antaji in Kyoto, Japan, and we carry on and offer this tradition of our lineage here at Sanshin.  Practitioners who live in Bloomington and have been fully vaccinated may register for full days with communal meals, or may drop in for one or more periods of zazen as they wish (no registration or fee).  A virtual look-in option is also available.  Complete information and registration is here. 

Colombia:  Densho Quintero reports that he's just ordained five new novices at La Comunidad Soto Zen de Colombia in Bogota.  Sanshin welcomes the newest additions to the Network.

Getting Started:  Our free introductory session, Getting Started in Zen Practice, has resumed.  Doju Layton and Mark Myogen Ahlstrom offer it in person on the first Tuesday evening of the month and virtually on the third.  The session covers the basics of zazen, some core teachings of Soto Zen, and the elements of Sanshin style.  ​

Joint practice with Minnesota Zen Center (Sep 19): Zazen (10:10 am) and dharma talk (11 am) by Okumura Roshi on Ryokan and his poems.  Note one-time-only change to Sunday schedule and link.  

European conference postponed:  The weekend conference set for early October in Belgium that would have brought together the European members of the Sanshin Network, the European Sokan and Okumura Roshi and Hoko has been postponed until travel conditions and public health considerations make that a safer and more manageable event.  Eighteen people from six countries had been set to attend.

Work day (Oct 10):  Following zazen and some brief dharma remarks, we'll spend the entire day working together to take care of our buildings and grounds.  Lunch will be provided.  Work is one of the key activities of our practice, the other two being zazen and dharma study.  Work takes our practice off the cushion and into the world.

​Ryaku Fusatsu: (Oct 18, 7 pm):  Everyone is welcome to participate in our ceremony of renewing our aspiration to follow the precepts, whether or not you've formally made vows.

From the President: Mark Fraley notes that diversity and inclusion are among the topics receiving the attention of Sanshin's board of directors, as well as the activation of a variety of committees dedicated to carrying out elements of the emerging strategic plan.

At Sanshin Zen Community, we remain committed to nurturing zazen, work, and study as the foundational elements of our practice.  Doing so requires careful collaboration on the part of practitioners, clergy, and sangha leadership.  Sanshin’s board of directors and practice leaders have initiated a coordinated effort to ensure that we carry out our mission in an inclusive and sustainable manner. 

A central aspect of our ongoing partnership is a meaningful reflection on the diversity of our sangha and a renewed commitment to break down any barriers to inclusion that affect our dharma community. We will continue to engage sangha friends on these important matters and welcome your input as we deepen our discernment.

We are also working to sustain our sangha over the long-term.  To do this, we are activating several working committees that will carry out different aspects of Sanshin’s strategic aims.  These committees include a Development Committee, Facilities Committee, Residential Program Committee, Technology Committee, and an Ethics and Reconciliation Committee.  We need as much help as we can get to strengthen our commitment to zazen, work, and study in a rapidly changing environment.  If you are interested in serving on any of these committees, please send me an email.

Seeking the next treasurer:  Current treasurer Gene Elias has agreed to remain in office until his successor can be found, but that can't go on indefinitely.  If you or someone you know has business experience, can read basic financial documents and would be willing to join our board of directors to offer your services, please contact Mark Fraley  The treasurer is not responsible for day-to-day bookkeeping but does supervise the administrative assistant who carries out these functions.  The board meets virtually on the evening of the fourth Sunday of the month.

Sanshin is open for regular local practice.  Folks who live in town and have been fully vaccinated are welcome to attend morning zazen and service and Sunday zazen and dharma talk.  Masks are required in accordance with Monroe County public health policy; if you don't have a mask we can provide one for you.  Evening zazen and the Wednesday evening book group will remain virtual for now.

Those planning to attend Sunday practice in person are asked to register each week using the form on our homepage so we can monitor the number of people expected in the zendo.  If it seems we are reaching the limit of the number of people we can safely accommodate, we may close registration or create an overflow space somewhere on our campus.  The county's mask mandate is expected to last through the end of September, and after that time registration and capacity considerations may not be necessary.

We will not be offering guest practice for some time yet.  That includes sesshin, retreats, weekend workshops, etc. as well as individual practice visits.  Accommodations next door to Sanshin at 1708 are not available.  There are logistics unrelated to COVID that need to be worked out, and as of now we can't house you, feed you or provide you personal guidance and direction.  If you're outside of the Bloomington area, please continue to join us virtually.

Virtual practice continues.  Everything Sanshin offered virtually during the shutdown will continue to be available, though you may notice changes in these events as the focus returns to in-person practice.

At-home retreat, September 2 - 5:  Join us virtually for three days of practice in the style of our sesshin, a retreat devoted simply to sitting zazen.  Sanshin leaders will be in the zendo maintaining the schedule and carrying out the activities of a standard sesshin day at Sanshin.  You are welcome to connect via Zoom and follow along at home for as much of the day as you like.  The sangha will arrive for the final zazen period and the retreat will officially end just prior to the regular Sunday dharma talk; you are welcome to stay for that talk if you choose.  READ MORE

Financial position remains strong for now:  Treasurer Gene Elias provides these key points about Sanshin's financial resources.

•  In both 2019 and 2020, Sanshin generated positive cash flows, in 2019 more than $5,000 and in 2020 slightly less than $5,000. As a result of these surpluses, the board directed that $7,000 in 2019 and $10,000 in 2020 be invested in the Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan established for Okumura Roshi. This fund is basically a trust for his use when he leaves the employment of Sanshin. This is not a bank account, per se, but a restricted liability on our balance sheet; it currently stands at $41,000.

•  Year end cash positions for Sanshin between 2018 and the end of the 2nd Quarter of 2021 are as follows:
2018: $163,895
2019: $257,450
2020: $224,680
2021Q2:  $210,277

•  During the first two quarters of 2021, we have been running an operational deficit of about $14,000. This is mostly due to the loss of programs like sesshin, retreats and various other events due to the pandemic. This does not take into account our mid-year fund raising campaign or the proposed genzo-e in November.

•  Lodging revenue was nil in 2021 and for a good portion of 2020. Even without programming, the board elected to keep the lease at 1708 due to its proximity to the zendo. Historically, the “dorm” has operated at a loss, but with no revenues the loss was greater than normal. In 2021 through Q2 this loss was slightly more than $7,200.

•  Our balance sheet is healthy, but we don’t have the resources to support strategic plans and programs currently being contemplated.

Over the last three years, gifts have accounted for an average of 67% of Sanshin’s total revenue.  Donors now have the option to make one-time gifts, to become monthly autopay donors, to contribute to Okumura Roshi’s retirement fund mentioned above, and to contribute to Hojo-san directly (funds do not go through Sanshin).  Information and donation links are on our Giving page.

Doju Layton completed his hossenshiki as part of an official ango spent at Ryumonji in Dorchester, IA during which he served as shuso.  The hossenshiki is a demonstration of the shuso's ability to lead the sangha and teach the dharma, and is a milestone in the training of novices as they progress toward being fully authorized clergy.  Several members of the Sanshin family participated in the events, including Hoko, Shodo Spring, Shoryu Bradley,  Mark Myogen Ahlstrom, Allisyn Gillet and Doju's parents.  

Okumura Roshi gave a virtual talk from Sanshin's zendo as part of a three-day retreat organized in part by Doryu Cappelli and Gyoetsu Epifania with the Dharma Academy in Italy.  The retreat focused on zazen and included work, study and fellowship.

He also gave a series of five virtual talks for a retreat at Zen Mountain Monastery in New York as well as a Sunday public talk that introduced themes from the recent children's book Squabbling Squashes (see more below).  The recording of that talk is available here.

Squabbling Squashes is a story for children of all ages about interconnection and learning to live with both harmony amid differences.  It's based on a parable from Kosho Uchiyama’s Opening the Hand of Thought and was written by sangha member Carol Lingman, with illustrations by Minette Mangahas.  Carol agreed to answer some questions about the book for this issue of our newsletter.

How is this book like and unlike other children’s books? What gap might it fill in the children’s literature now available?

The story of the Squabbling Squashes is a Zen teaching story that has been told by Zen masters since the Tokugawa era in Japan. It describes a key Buddhist idea of interconnectedness of all beings but does so in the simplest possible way—by showing how squashes in a garden discover that they are all connected by a vine.

It is part of a genre of children’s books that presents a serious message in a simple but meaningful way. As with most picture books for young children, the colorful and relatable illustrations embody the message in a way that supports the simple narrative and makes it possible for children to then repeat the story to themselves as if reading it. By repeating the simple story, the child begins “owning” the message and even telling the story in his or her own words.

What were the most important considerations in telling and showing this story?

Squabbling Squashes is kind of a unique story in that it has a message that is clearly conveyed to a young audience through the squash imagery, but the story also points to an important Buddhist idea that can be further explored by adults.

As Okumura Roshi said, ”We think we are independent and we compete with others and we argue. So there are many squabbling squashes in this world.”

The idea of squashes growing together in a garden offers many possibilities for presenting familiar and relatable images for young children to follow.  We tried to literally “put them in the picture” through our words and illustrations—for example when the squashes say that “the monks (or parents) like me better than you.”

What conversations could this story open up between children and their grownups?

There are three messages in the story that can be the basis for conversations between children and adults: (1) living together peacefully on the planet; (2) being interconnected with all beings; (3) learning a way to become quiet and calm in ordinary life.

As Okumura Roshi said, “We have so many squabbling squashes in this world today, so this teaching of finding something strange that connects ourselves with others, of finding that we are living together with all beings, is really a meaningful teaching.”

Grownups can use this story to discuss the idea of how we are all connected and living together. They can also talk about finding a way to calm down by sitting quietly. This is not an unfamiliar strategy for parents and children who often find the need for a “time out” for restoring calm. But this book is particularly useful as it offers specific steps (with pictures) that both adults and children can follow.

What responses to the illustrations and text have you received from children and adults?

There has been an immediate positive response to the colorful illustrations from both children and adults---before they even know what the story is about. Children are particularly attracted to the illustrations of the squashes in the garden

Adults who have children or grandchildren or who work with children know about the importance of finding a way for kids to be calm in a stressful situation, and they appreciate the descriptions and illustrations for learning how to sit quietly. One adult said she immediately sat with her granddaughter in this way, following the illustrations in the book. Others said it was helpful to have validation for their own messages about the importance of finding calm.

Parents and grandparents are also pleased to have a story with a message about being connected and living peacefully with others, particularly in this time of divisiveness. I heard, “It’s a good story for right now” many times.

The book has been very well-received by grandparents who really appreciate a story with a message that they can relate to and talk about with their grandchildren—about a healthy way to live peacefully in the world.

The garden setting and imagery seem to be something that audiences across generations can relate to.

How might this book be of interest to adults as well as to kids?

Squabbling Squashes presents a big idea at a basic level. The idea of interconnectedness can be studied in deeper ways and in many contexts, such social or environmental. Okumura Roshi described the book as “a kind of Zen version of Indra’s net.”

Squabbling Squashes is now available for purchase online.

July at-home retreat: ​Hosshin and Hoko were in the zendo for the three days of the retreat, with a few other practitioners participating from home over the course of the event.  Okumura Roshi gave the Sunday dharma talk at the end of the retreat; that recording is available here​. 

 Local reopening to begin August 8:  Sanshin will reopen for local practice concurrent with the annual meeting that will be held the weekend of August 6 - 8.  The board of directors will be meeting all weekend, as it does annually, to review the status of Sanshin's operations, make longer-term plans, and choose new directors and officers for the subsequent year. 

Regular in-person Sunday practice will happen on the 8th and Okumura Roshi will be giving the dharma talk.  Following the talk the board will host lunch for local sangha members, give an update on its weekend of work and take questions from the sangha.  There will be plenty of time for socializing and getting reacquainted after the year-and-a-half shutdown. 

Some important things to know about this reopening:
- Sanshin will be holding local regular practice only for now.  Folks who live in town and have been fully vaccinated will be welcome to attend morning zazen and service, evening zazen and Sunday zazen and dharma talk.  The Wednesday evening book group will remain virtual for the moment, until we can determine the best way to make that a hybrid activity.

- We will not be offering guest practice for some time yet.  That includes sesshin, retreats, weekend workshops, etc.  There are logistics unrelated to COVID that need to be worked out, and as of now we can't provide meals, housing or guidance and direction.  If you're outside of the Bloomington area, please continue to join us virtually.

- Virtual practice will continue after the local reopening.  However, the priority is likely to be on restarting local in-person practice rather than on developing specifically virtual activities and events.