Category: Blog
The plumbers have been working extra time and extra hard, and so has Kakumyo. We’ve passed one plumbing inspection, which allows sheetrock and texturing to finish in the north building, and have one more to proceed with the south building. Residents are planning to move in the first week of April. We’re on track to… Read more »
What is the role of study in Zen? We have inherited a tradition “without dependence on words and letters,” and yet books and stories are key parts of our life of practice. How do we balance intellectual work and learning with a focus on meditation and daily activity? This talk was given Sunday, March 11.
Spring is coming in fits and starts, as is usual with March, one day sunny, the next stormy, windy, and rainy. Several flowering plants are blooming – here are rosemary, forsythia, and plum trees. Frogs and birds are singing, geese are flying, and ducks are on the ponds. It will be a while before we… Read more »
Stepping up wholeheartedly. Jumping in with both feet. Being ordained into your life. We have many ways to talk about authenticity, transparency, and integrity in practice. This Sunday, Jyoshin will talk about putting our whole lives on the altar and practicing under the Buddha’s gaze. This talk was given on Sunday, March 4. Unfortunately, the… Read more »
Lots of Jukai Ceremonies: In addition to the 14 people who took the Precepts here at DRZC almost two weeks ago, several people have taken or will soon take the Precepts in our various prison sanghas. Genko gave Precepts to 6 women at Coffee Creek; Gyoshi gave Precepts to 5 men at Oregon State Penitentiary;… Read more »
The introduction to the Safe Environment Policy says that “Dharma Rain Zen Center (DRZC) affirms that all children, youth and vulnerable adults have the right to pursue spiritual practice in a safe environment. Therefore, DRZC is committed to providing an environment in which these individuals are safe from abuse and neglect, and can receive support… Read more »
On Saturday, February 24, Friends of Trees did a morning work project to plant native trees and shrubs in several places on the property. Most obvious and notable were plantings around the duplexes, which are coming closer to being ready to move in to. These plantings really add to the sense of houses that would… Read more »
A family enjoys the snow on Wednesday. Many people from the surrounding neighborhood regularly enjoy the property with children, dogs, cameras, etc. Thursday morning icicles dangle from the snow packed on top of the Sodo. The man in the red shirt was doing plumbing inside of the duplexes. A snow-flocked Rocky Butte is visible above… Read more »
Western psychology tells us that our personal needs for safety must be met before we can do much with our instinct towards spiritual transformation. This seems to be true, but that ‘seems’ encompasses a lot of territory that’s worth exploring: What is the source of the sense of danger that often arises as we push… Read more »
On Sunday, February 18, 14 people took the Precepts at Dharma Rain, the largest cohort in several years. Now that we are settling into our new space, we are moving forward as a Sangha into new growth. Shown from left to right (all rows) are Renso (Jisha), Wayne Elowyn Lowe, Anne Harper, Donna McGeein, Rachael… Read more »
This Sunday culminates several weeks of study and one week of retreat for those taking the Precepts in our annual Jukai Ceremony. The retreat is in full swing, leading up to the ceremony on Sunday, when individuals receive the Bodhisattva Precepts and formally become Buddhists. Please come to witness this important event in the growth… Read more »
We are in the middle of Jukai Sesshin, and you are welcome to join in for any part of it except meals. See the schedule to find out when you can slip in and partake of this container of practice. (The Sunday early morning schedule may change.) During February we have seen some beautiful sunsets… Read more »
As the stream of life flows through awareness, some moments stand out as being more meaningful, impactful, or important. We may assume that it’s because of the content of what we’re aware of, but usually, it’s not. How do we cultivate experiences of awe, insight and immediacy in our daily life? This talk was given… Read more »
The successful Feldenkrais workshop attracted a mix of people, members and non-members of Dharma Rain, who found it valuable for increasing range of motion and overall physical health. It was gentle enough that everyone was able to work to their own capacity. If there is interest, we may offer the workshop again. The photo shows… Read more »
Thank you to the 88 members who completed our recent diversity, equity, and inclusion survey. Now we turn our attention to surveying Dharma Garden families (Dharma School, Dharma Camp, and Frog Song Preschool), and members of our Prison Sangha in seven correctional facilities across the state. Findings from all three surveys will be included in… Read more »
On Sunday, February 4, we celebrated our annual Nehan ceremony, commemorating the Buddha’s passing into parinirvana. Jyoshin’s talk reflected on the teachings of the death of the Buddha and explored its significance for those of us practicing the Buddha’s path 2600 years later. How do we relate to these teachings? What is applicable for modern… Read more »