Author: Genko Rainwater
Jyoshin and Shin’yu attended the biannual conference for the Soto Zen Buddhist Association (SZBA) at Zen Mountain Monastery September 19-23 in New York. The theme of the conference was Interconnecting:… Read more »
Every year toward the end of September we celebrate the contribution of Eihei Dogen and Keizan Jokin to the establishment of Soto Zen. Dogen is considered the founder of Soto… Read more »
This week’s Wednesday work practice focused on the garden. On a stunningly beautiful day, Zonnyo and Phyllis, along with Gemmon and Nelly, all worked outside to beautify the garden. Here,… Read more »
Genko continues to examine the six Perfections (Paramitas) and this month looks at Kshanti, translated variously as patience, tolerance, and forebearance. Patience has gotten a lot of press in Buddhist… Read more »
This week we are on Heart of Work retreat. This means that it has been very quiet around here during the day while people are working elsewhere. There are retreatants… Read more »
Zen master Bankei said, “Rather than trying to become a buddha, nothing could be simpler than taking the shortcut of remaining a buddha!” We are that which we long for.… Read more »
At last the rain, accompanied by cooler, cloudy weather, has returned to relieve the dry ground. Yesterday’s thunderstorms produced some spectacular drenching rainfalls, and this beautiful double rainbow over the… Read more »
Fall term is in effect and practice is flowing. This Sunday Kakumyo will talk about one way we may notice the effects of contemplative practice, and how to make good… Read more »
Students of Frog Song Montessori Preschool started their school year this Tuesday, putting lunch boxes and rain boots in their cubbies, and exploring their new classroom in duplex unit D2… Read more »
With the shift towards cooler weather and the return of rain, the mind naturally turns towards fall practice. The beginning of Ango, with a Term Opening Ceremony and the Daoren… Read more »
Last week five Dharma Rain members joined 15 other people in the 18th annual Cultivating the Way Retreat at Empty Field Zendo west of Eugene. Led by Dharma Teachers Seido… Read more »
Kakumyo speaks about Dharma Rain’s path as a sangha and institution. What does our trajectory look like, and what are the values and context that are shaping it? This talk… Read more »
There are many stories of awakened life as that of the “everyday,” when our ordinary experiences and the objects we meet take on a luminous quality. But what happens when… Read more »
Genko continues to look at the Six Perfections, with the second of the Perfections: sila, usually translated “morality” or “ethics.” The problem with focusing on morality is that we sometimes… Read more »
A wonderful time was had by all at our summer party on August 4. Croquet, cornhole, competitive oryoki, and a bounce house were some of the entertainment that kept everyone… Read more »
The teachings of Zen tell us that all living beings have Buddha Nature. We do our practices to uncover that which always there. Gyokuko explores some of what we experience… Read more »