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.

June at-home retreat: ​Hosshin and Hoko were in the zendo for the three days of the retreat, with about a dozen 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​.  The next at-home retreat is set for July.

July at-home retreat:  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 attend that talk if you choose.  Visit this page for complete information and to register.

Belgian sangha offers meditation for adults with autism:  Mokusho DePreay reports that Centre Shikantaza will offer twice-monthly online meditation sessions for autistic adults.  More information about the genesis of the project and the links between autism and meditation are on the sangha's website.

Antaiji-style sesshin in Minnesota:  Shodo Spring notes, "We'll be sitting in silence here beginning Thursday evening June 17 and ending Tuesday afternoon.  If there are people who would like to join us for partial sitting, we invite them to online orientation. The sesshin as a whole will not be online.  The plan is for a small group (up to 5). The zendo is cool and the sleeping rooms are cool. We'll ask people to be vaccinated or have a recent covid test; it's a conversation with each person individually."  For more information and to register, visit the Mountains and Waters Alliance website.  

Jukai in Colombia:  Remaining mindful of public health protocols, Densho Quintero gave the precepts to 11 recipients at the Soto Zen Community of Colombia.  A videorecording of the ceremony is available here.​

Gifts of financial support
Whether as a practitioner, a financial supporter, a listener/reader or simply as an interested friend, Sanshin welcomes you to our international sangha.  Like all nonprofit organizations, Sanshin depends on the generous offerings of those whose lives are helped by the work it does.  Visit this page to set up a monthly donation or make a one-time gift online, or download a form to use when giving by check. 

Community give-back programs
Designating Sanshin Zen Community as the recipient of give-back programs is a painless way to provide funding support simply by making your usual purchases!  

Amazon Smile: Instead of going to Amazon's regular homepage, go to Amazon Smile and sign into your Amazon account.  Choose Sanshin Zen Community as your charity, and .05% of what you spend will come to us.  Remember, only purchases at smile.amazon.com (not www.amazon.com or the mobile app) support Sanshin.

Kroger:  If you shop at Kroger with a Plus card, your regular purchases of groceries and household goods can provide financial support for Sanshin.  Create or sign in to your Kroger account, enroll in Kroger Community Rewards® with your card, and choose Sanshin as your organization.  Every time you shop and swipe your card, a percentage of what you spend will come to us.  Fifteen households are already participating on Sanshin's behalf.

Employer giving programs
Friends of Sanshin who work at companies like Google and Adobe are providing regular financial support through payroll deduction and employer gift-matching programs.  Check with your employer's human resources or community relations department to see whether giving opportunities like these are available at your workplace. ​

At-home retreat, June 10 - 13:  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.  Learn more here.

Shodo Spring of Mountains and Waters Alliance was one of the presenters in a two-part panel discussion for Community Resilience Live Talks.  The topic was dismantling conquest and recordings of her discussions are here and here.

Densho Quintero of the Soto Zen Community of Colombia offered an online lecture in cooperation with the Soto Zen South American mission.  His talk on the importance of expressing our understanding of Zen practice in our relationships with other beings, with nature, and with the everyday things we encounter is available here (in Spanish).  He's also serving as moderator for this year's Latin American Zen Encounter, with the theme of Opening Windows to a New Consciousness in Times of Pandemic.

Daijihi Soto Zen Sangha in Vienna held its first sesshin, with five practitioners attending.  Daijihi was founded by Shinko Hagn, who received novice ordination from Hoko in 2019.

French-speaking dharma teacher needed in Belgium:  Mokusho DePreay of the Centre Shinaktaza in Mons sends the following request:

I am a Belgian disciple of Shohaku Okumura Roshi (Sanshinji, Bloomington, IN). I would normally have received dharma  transmission in the fall of 2020, but the coronavirus crisis decided otherwise. If the health situation allows, I hope to travel to the United States next fall.

In September 2018, Okumura Roshi came to Belgium to inaugurate the temple I had built in Mons (50 km from Brussels, 250 km from Paris, 275 km from Amsterdam and 360 km from London). The Mons sangha has existed for 25 years. I myself am 70 years old and my wish is that the practice of Soto Zen and the teaching of Okumura Roshi can continue after my death.

After my demise, the temple will be bequeathed to the association. That is the plan. No one in our group seems to be able to take on such a responsibility. For this project to be realized, we would need a competent, experienced person who speaks a minimum of French and is willing to improve his or her skills. I have the necessary skills to give intensive French courses.

The person who would take over the management of Daishinji Temple for at least a few years should be a practitioner in the lineage of Okumura Roshi, Uchiyama Roshi or Sawaki Roshi.  If anyone is interested in this project, I suggest that we have a Skype conversation. If you are interested in this project, you can first contact me at this email address or this one.

April 18 work day:  While some practitioners will gather at Sanshin itself on Sunday for the work day, there will also be a virtual option.  Zazen will happen as usual at 9:10 am both in person outside on the lawn and virtually before work on the grounds gets underway.  Outdoor lunch will be served and work will resume for the afternoon.  Virtual workers will join the initial zazen period and then work on their own at home until lunch, when they'll be bringing their food to their computers and chatting together.  Following lunch they'll work again on their own.  The in-person work day has no organized ending or checkout, but virtual participants can decide at lunchtime whether they'd like to come together one more time to end the day.  No registration is required for in-person participation; if you've not participated in virtual practice before at Sanshin, please email here to receive link information.

Gifts of financial support
Whether as a practitioner, a financial supporter, a listener/reader or simply as an interested friend, Sanshin welcomes you to our international sangha.  Like all nonprofit organizations, Sanshin depends on the generous offerings of those whose lives are helped by the work it does.  Visit this page to set up a monthly donation or make a one-time gift online, or download a form to use when giving by check. 

Community give-back programs
Designating Sanshin Zen Community as the recipient of give-back programs is a painless way to provide funding support simply by making your usual purchases!  

Amazon Smile: Instead of going to Amazon's regular homepage, go to Amazon Smile and sign into your Amazon account.  Choose Sanshin Zen Community as your charity, and .05% of what you spend will come to us.  Remember, only purchases at smile.amazon.com (not www.amazon.com or the mobile app) support Sanshin.

Kroger:  If you shop at Kroger with a Plus card, your regular purchases of groceries and household goods can provide financial support for Sanshin.  Create or sign in to your Kroger account, enroll in Kroger Community Rewards® with your card, and choose Sanshin as your organization.  Every time you shop and swipe your card, a percentage of what you spend will come to us.  Fifteen households are already participating on Sanshin's behalf.

Employer giving programs
Friends of Sanshin who work at companies like Google and Adobe are providing regular financial support through payroll deduction and employer gift-matching programs.  Check with your employer's human resources or community relations department to see whether giving opportunities like these are available at your workplace. 

Hoko led the second sesshin held at Great Wind Zendo, a lay Zen sangha in Danville, IN.  Mark Hotoku Howell, who received the precepts from Okumura Roshi, and Michael Komyo Melfi, who received them from Hoko, sat the entire three-day sesshin and were joined by members of the sangha as their lives permitted.  The sesshin ended with a memorial service in honor of the 23rd anniversary of the passing of Kosho Uchiyama, Okumura Roshi's teacher.

Gifts of financial support
Whether as a practitioner, a financial supporter, a listener/reader or simply as an interested friend, Sanshin welcomes you to our international sangha.  Like all nonprofit organizations, Sanshin depends on the generous offerings of those whose lives are helped by the work it does.  Visit this page to set up a monthly donation or make a one-time gift online, or download a form to use when giving by check. 

Community give-back programs
Designating Sanshin Zen Community as the recipient of give-back programs is a painless way to provide funding support simply by making your usual purchases!  

Amazon Smile: Instead of going to Amazon's regular homepage, go to Amazon Smile and sign into your Amazon account.  Choose Sanshin Zen Community as your charity, and .05% of what you spend will come to us.  Remember, only purchases at smile.amazon.com (not www.amazon.com or the mobile app) support Sanshin.

Kroger:  If you shop at Kroger with a Plus card, your regular purchases of groceries and household goods can provide financial support for Sanshin.  Create or sign in to your Kroger account, enroll in Kroger Community Rewards® with your card, and choose Sanshin as your organization.  Every time you shop and swipe your card, a percentage of what you spend will come to us.  Fifteen households are already participating on Sanshin's behalf.

Employer giving programs
Friends of Sanshin who work at companies like Google and Adobe are providing regular financial support through payroll deduction and employer gift-matching programs.  Check with your employer's human resources or community relations department to see whether giving opportunities like these are available at your workplace.