Category: Blog
Kate Wolf sang, “Give yourself to love, if love is what you’re after.” Why is it so hard to give ourselves to each other? What holds us back from real intimacy? As individuals and as a community, we carry many patterns of fear and withdrawal, but we also have the opportunity to see and be… Read more »
The plastic cover was laid out to cover the planter box just inside the gate on NE 85th. Then concrete was poured into the bottom of it. Storm water from the oak savannah and from the roadway will be directed into this concrete catchment. From the planter box, storm water will be allowed to settle… Read more »
This is a summary describing the month’s work of the temple’s three major decision-making bodies. A governance notebook with approved minutes is filed in the temple office. A list of current Council members and areas of concern, individual charges to leadership and temple job positions are listed on the temple website. The Intercouncil Mandala Review… Read more »
From Saturday, November 1 at 3pm, to Sunday, November 2 at 6:30 am we will hold a Founders Vigil at the Siskiyou House, 3105 NE 84th Avenue. This date is close to the anniversaries of the deaths of both of our founders, Keido Chisan Koho Zenji (d. November 1, 1969) and Roshi Jiyu Kennett (d.… Read more »
If you watch your mind with any regularity, you’ve noticed that awareness is heightened when we realize that things are not as we expect, and is lowered when we perceive things as routine. But, like all generalizations, there are exceptions. Understanding these provides some useful handholds for practice. This talk was given on Sunday, November… Read more »
On Thursday, November 6, at 7pm, we will do the 49-Day Memorial Service for Abbot Kyogen Carlson. This will be at the First Unitarian Church downtown at 1211 SW Main St. There is limited street parking, but there are pay lots across the street and nearby. We encourage carpools and alternative transportation when possible. Many… Read more »
Our first ceremony in the new Sodo was a wet one. On Friday, in anticipation of Sunday ceremonies, they tarped the roof, which was sheathed with plywood, but still had gaps that let the rain in. The tarp was supposed to keep the rain out. However, Saturday we had high winds most of the day.… Read more »
The Segaki Festival is for “feeding the hungry ghosts,” all those beings desperate for the truth but unable to accept the teaching they need. We set up an altar for their benefit, laden with food but with no Buddha or Bodhisattva images nearby, representing the compassionate giving of truth without doctrine. We focus on cleansing… Read more »
On October 16, almost 20 people showed up to do priming and taping of the outside walls. The reason for doing this is to cut down on drafts and to make the walls as tight as possible. As you can see (above), the wheelchair ramp has been started, and the roof is largely sheathed (that… Read more »
Twice a year, the sangha has an opportunity to hear from our governing bodies and to ask questions and give feedback. This forum is primarily sponsored by the Board of Directors, giving updates on where we are with the multiple transitions we are going through. The Dharma Council also gave a brief report. Listen to… Read more »
The roof sheathing is well underway as of this morning. Soon the inside of the Sodo will be protected from the rain. The last of the below-ground pipe systems has been completed. The sewer line is installed and has been buried. It runs from the Sodo to the pump station and on to a connection… Read more »
On October 12, Abbot Gyokuko Carlson took on a Zen koan that goes like this: Dogo and Zen-gen went to a house to show sympathy. Zen-gen hit the coffin and asked, “Alive or dead?” Dogo replied, “I won’t say alive, I won’t say dead.” Zen-gen demanded, “Why won’t you say?” Dogo repeated, “I won’t say.”… Read more »
Bukkai will speak on one of the Jataka Tales. In our culture, the full moon brings up images of a “Man in the Moon,” but in the East, particularly in Korea, you can’t talk about the full moon without thinking about the rabbit in the moon. She read and commented on the story and everyone… Read more »
On Sunday, September 28, we did our annual Two Ancestors memorial service to honor Eihei Dogen and Keizan Jokin. Genko talked about honoring our ancestors, and of course this included some talk of Kyogen as he takes his place in the ancestral line. Who are our ancestors? How do we honor them? Why do we… Read more »
On Sunday, September 21, morning service attracted well over 100 people (we usually have about 40-50). Kyogen did his last Shosan ceremony, with the answers in silence. For the afternoon Memorial Ceremony, the guest book recorded more than 150 names, and best estimates were that 200 people came. The ceremony, even though none of us… Read more »
Our beloved Abbot Kyogen Carlson passed away about 9am Thursday, September 18 from a massive heart attack. Several teachers, disciples, and members held vigil at the hospital most of yesterday. People are welcome to come by the 85th St house (3155 NE 85th Avenue) to share stories, food, or just sit as needed. This Sunday,… Read more »