Author: Genko Rainwater
A sizable portion of our Sangha could be described as ‘growing old’. For those of us in that demographic, is this just the bad news of deteriorating body and diminishing… Read more »
Work continues, slowly, on the barn interior framing, as well as finishing tasks inside the Sodo. The tomato plants are all done and black, but a solitary pumpkin is still… Read more »
Buddhist history is filled with stories of mystical and supernatural power. Dogen said mystical power “is the tea and meals of Buddhists.” What can this mean for our practice today?… Read more »
Sherman and Gary work on painting benches while Gemmon continues work in the Japanese style garden in front of the Sodo. The benches have been a great addition to the… Read more »
“When I joined Dharma Rain it immediately felt like home. Homitsu was precentor in those days, and I knew I wanted to learn to do that. As my practice in… Read more »
I’ve been asked many times in the last couple of days how Buddhists (should, could, and do) respond to political and social traumas. I’d like to respond while this issue… Read more »
When we were children we made wishes on the first star, on a few lighted candles on a birthday cake, and on the “wish-bone” of the Thanksgiving turkey. There is… Read more »
Overnight November 5-6, we will hold our annual Founders Vigil in the Sodo, beginning Saturday night at 8pm and ending at 6:45am Sunday morning. This date is close to the… Read more »
Yoan paints the characters that Kakumyo carved into the new sign in a large piece of wood. The characters say Ho-U-Ji, which means “Dharma Rain Temple.” The footing got poured… Read more »
Three new community workshops begin in November, one each month. They are each two hours long, free, and don’t require any Buddhist background or interest. A mix of explanation, meditation,… Read more »
On October 28-30 we hold our annual weekend Segaki retreat, focused on cleansing karma and releasing attachments to the past, including those who have died. The retreat is vigil-style, which… Read more »
Yesterday’s regular Wednesday work party did a lot of things undaunted by intermittent rain. Gemmon continues to work on the Japanese-style garden in front of the Sodo. She fills a… Read more »
Anthony Fujaku Stevens was ordained as a Soto Zen priest on Friday, October 21. A nice crowd of more than 50 people came to witness and celebrate this fine event.
At last weeks Sangha Forum, members requested an opportunity to talk more about succession, the abbot’s role, how this might look and why it matters. This week, Kakumyo will speak… Read more »
The Oregon Tradeswomen continue to work Thursdays on the barn. Framing up the inside will allow it to be available to us as a workshop and storage. Yesterday’s work party… Read more »
“It’s only natural to support the organization that supports my practice and development. There can’t be one without the other.” Membership is the steady foundation that allows Dharma Rain Zen… Read more »