Author: Genko Rainwater
A sigh of relief has been heard in the land. Snow and ice has melted, and snow boots have been put away to dry. Delayed shopping has been accomplished. Now… Read more »
One of the attachments that many of us work hard to satisfy is an aversion to failure. This is a particularly interesting attachment for several reasons. This Sunday, Kakumyo will… Read more »
The beauty of a rare winter snowstorm has been breathtaking. The weather has impacted our attendance, though we have continued our schedule of events. A few hardy souls trickle in… Read more »
On December 18, 2016, Kakumyo ended his kessei term with a Jodo ceremony. It began with a procession from Uji to the Sodo. Once at the Sodo, Kakumyo… Read more »
This Sunday marks the end of Kakumyo’s Kessei term, the year of “abbot-with-training-wheels.” As with the shuso term, it ends with a testing ceremony, like Ko’in did last week. He… Read more »
In spite of the weather, work has been continuing on the barn, which is now all enclosed and nearing lockability. That is, doors are in the process of being installed,… Read more »
Frog Song is on winter break until January. This term, the children and teachers established three agreements for the classroom, drawing pictures of them and referencing them in connection with… Read more »
From eastern Oregon, comes this news from Mugaku, who works with two prison groups there, Two Rivers Correctional Institution (TRCI) in Umatilla, and Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution (EOCI) in Pendleton.… Read more »
This Sunday, the current shuso, Nicole Ko’in Newsom, will take her “final exam,” presenting a verse and answering questions from teachers and sangha members. Come help “prod the loaf” to… Read more »
We are in the midst of Rohatsu Sesshin this week. There is work practice going on with the barn, with planting, painting, cooking, and sewing. Wednesday morning’s frost in the… Read more »
This Sunday, Genko explores bodhicitta, or Way-Seeking Mind. A few months ago, someone asked where it comes from, which brings to mind the old koan: “Which came first, the chicken… Read more »
Visible progress on the barn! Yesterday’s work party did a lot of good work, and the north wall of the barn/workshop is now up. Its shape is clear, showing where… Read more »
Now that our Sodo is completed, for the first time we are able to offer hospitality and have our annual joint New Year’s Eve celebration here this year. Join us… Read more »
This Sunday, Kakumyo will explore how we can look at the election in dharmic terms. Who are we now? Personally and collectively we are challenged to respond with clarity and… Read more »
“Dharma Rain has been a bright pathway for me in discovering the dharma and discovering how Zen practice is such a good thing for my life. The community is so… Read more »
On Wednesday, several people came out from Great Vow Zen Monastery to participate in our regular work practice day. Many got together to help move the tall pole sign from… Read more »