Author: Genko Rainwater
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… 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… 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… 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),… Read more »
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… 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… Read more »
Twice a year, the sangha has an opportunity to hear from our governing bodies and to ask questions and give feedback. The fall forum is primarily sponsored by the Board… Read more »
On Sunday, October 29, celebrated our annual Segaki Festival. This festival invites the hungry ghosts in and offers them the kindness of food that may appeal to them – sweets,… Read more »
Both painters and roofers showed up Wednesday. The duplexes got painted, and the roofers made a start at repairing the roof. Volunteers also worked to dig French drains to prevent… Read more »
The Four Noble Truths, one of Buddhism’s basic foundational teachings, is all about suffering. This can sound dreary, even grim, not very inviting. It’s important to focus on suffering, but… Read more »
Work continues on the duplexes. Featured this week are the doors: putting locks on them and painting them to match the Sodo doors. Eventually, the outside of the duplexes will… Read more »
As we struggle to get by and overcome obstacles, we can get confused, angry, and sad. As we develop our practice and self-awareness, subtle changes in outlook have the capacity… Read more »
A new practice this year is having Dharma School children, teachers and parents come into the zendo at the end of Dharma Talk. They practice putting their shoes straight on… Read more »
We often put karmic themes and their resolution in a vague category that adds lots of extra noise and opinion and dilutes the teaching about how to affect change. This… Read more »
Taking advantage of the warm sunny weather and a lot of enthusiastic volunteers, we have finished the siding on the duplexes. Here, Kakumyo explains a procedure to Zonnyo, with Natalie… Read more »