Year: 2014

We are seeing the first signs of the savanna planting sprouting. During the coming week we will be digging more drainage trenches – getting the site ready so that we can start moving dirt around as soon as there’s a stretch of dry weather.

Sunday, April 20, the Dharma Council and Board of Directors presented reports about what is happening and the latest plans for this year with the transition to the new property. Listen to the forum. Dharma Council Programming Handouts. Board Handout. Photos Jason Lee front. Jason Lee front door. Entry. One view of cafeteria. Another view of… Read more »

Sallie Jiko Tisdale – from April 1997 Keep your eye on the fierce lion up on the altar. Today I’m going to talk about what it means to study the self. I’ll begin with two quotes to bear in mind. The first is from William Wordsworth in 1807, a poem: “The world is too much… Read more »

On April 6, 2014, Gyokuko spoke about prayer and devotion in Zen Buddhism. On April 13, Kyogen continued that theme with more on prayer, and also on faith, trust, belief, and other elements of spiritual life. He drew on his conversation with Evangelicals and other Christians about what non-theistic religion can look like. Listen to… Read more »

March 2014   This summary describing the work of the temple’s three major decision-making bodies is published regularly. Each of the three major bodies of the temple mandala – the Board of Directors, the Dharma Council and the Mandala Council – meets monthly and provides notes to be consolidated for a report to the sangha.… Read more »

Linda Hoka Bebernes, Still Point, 2012 What do we each bring to expressing the Dharma? This was the theme for the 2012 spring term student program. Through exploring this question, I came to a clearer understanding of how I uniquely express the Dharma, while learning how essential it is to exclude nothing from my practice.… Read more »

On April 6, 2014, co-abbot Gyokuko Carlson took a Dharmic look at the subject of prayer and how Zen Buddhists work with it. Listen to this talk.

Saturday’s work party will feature a variety of tasks. Mulching looms large so that we can take good care of all the plants that are now in the ground, and ensure that they don’t dry out over the summer. Come see the new leaves and buds on everything that has been planted. Recent work has… Read more »

Many of us carry burdens of regret, guilt or shame about past events. When we recite the confession verse, what does it mean to acknowledge “All my past and harmful karma”? How can we take responsibility for all of it? What is mine? This talk explored the different ways we experience repentance and atonement in… Read more »

Nine New Buddhist Take the Precepts at Jukai After six weeks of classes and special practices, and one week of sesshin (intensive retreat), the sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts were given to nine new Buddhists on Sunday March 23rd in the ceremony of Jukai. Friends, family, and sangha members attended, with a buffet lunch and special “Jukai… Read more »

by Annen Moyer Every year for the past several years, Dharma Rain has had a spring fundraiser to raise money for our operating costs. While we are largely supported by member donations, the annual event has been a big help in meeting the costs of utilities, insurance, food, and many other expenses that are part… Read more »

As we headed into our week-long retreat, DaiJukai, or “Great Jukai” (Giving and Receiving of the Buddhist Precepts), Seido talked about how we understand the study and practice of ethical action in Zen. She particularly focused on one of the ten grave precepts – Do Not Speak Dishonestly – Communicate Truthfully – and its commentary:… Read more »

Suddenly summer seems like tomorrow. Things are starting to move very fast behind the scenes in preparation for the summer’s construction activities. Lots of details coordinating with the city, engineers, insurers, contractors, suppliers, DEQ, and various partners so that as dry weather arrives we are ready to take advantage of it. We have heavy equipment… Read more »

When we announced the Dharma Talk for Sunday March 2nd, Co-abbot Kyogen Carlson was pondering several topics. One was, literally “Who Knows?” After some deliberation, he stuck with that subject, using the koan, “Dizang’s Not Knowing is Most Intimate” and other stories from The Book of Serenity.” To listen to this Dharma Talk, click here.

February 2014 This summary describing the work of the temple’s three major decision-making bodies is published regularly. Each of the three major bodies of the temple mandala – the Board of Directors, the Dharma Council and the Mandala Council – meets monthly and provides notes to be consolidated for a report to the sangha. A… Read more »

Bukkai finds that in every season of precept practice there is something new and vital to be found, like the first slightly surprising appearance of spring growth. She talked about two gifts of this season. This talk was given Sunday, March 9. Listen to this talk.

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