Month: November 2017
Bukkai plans to take another look at a poem by Dainin Katagiri that she first presented a long time ago and is still considering. The last section reads: If I were not to agree with your teaching, Believe it or not, My life would be drifting in space, Like an astronaut separate from her ship… Read more »
We continue with getting ready for bathrooms and showers in the duplexes. There’s a lovely claw-foot tub (it’s in a living room now, but eventually …) The showers will have pocket doors, which are now framed in. We are hoping to have these ready by Rohatsu. Wednesday Work Parties We have regular Wednesday and Thursday… Read more »
The Buddha, in the first sermon following his enlightenment, instructed us to practice Right Speech as part of the Eightfold Path. One version of the criteria he used for determining if speech is right is: Is is factual? is it true? Is it helpful? Is it endearing? Is it timely? Right Speech can be a… Read more »
With the exterior mostly done, we turn our efforts to interior work on the duplexes – preparation and support for utilities, patching and walls. Also spreading dirt in the back in order to seed grass to create a bit of lawn back there. Some of the interior work is to frame in where the extra… Read more »
Gratitude for the past. Generosity to the future. After the all-night vigil beginning Saturday evening, November 4, at 7pm, Gyokuko puts this celebration into context. This talk was given Sunday, November 5.
The roofs are about 3/4 painted – all of the north duplex and the back half of the south one, next to the Sodo. The color of the houses now blends with the Sodo. The painters were halted by the rain, and hope to get it finished in a break in the weather next week.… Read more »
On September 5, 2017, three new lay disciples were ordained. Jiko took Renso as a disciple, and Genko took her first two disciples, Kakuon and Ko’e. From left, Jyoshin (jisha), Jean Renso Bond, Jiko, J Kakuon Christian, Genko, Ruben Ko’e Rivera, and Gemmon (jikko).
Many Zen sanghas in the West, including Dharma Rain, have grappled with issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion for decades. At the same time, our country, state, and city have been becoming increasingly diverse and multicultural. Taken together, these trends pose both opportunities and challenges in our effort to ensure that the dharma is available… Read more »
This year’s Founders Vigil begins Saturday, November 4, at 7pm and goes to Sunday morning at 6:45am. This date is close to the anniversaries of the deaths of both of our founders, Keido Chisan Koho Zenji (d. November 1, 1969) and Roshi Jiyu Kennett (d. November 6, 1996). There is no leader for this vigil,… Read more »