The AZTA (American Zen Teachers Association) conference last week brought together teachers from all over the country to share information and do a little business. The sessions were helpful and interesting, and the schmoozing in between times were also helpful. It was a remarkable conference for harmony. The photo shows everyone who attended except Gyokuko, who was working on a Dharma Talk when the photo was taken. Also not shown were residents and other volunteers who did a lot of work on cooking and other housekeeping during the conference to make sure everything went smoothly. Great Gratitude to these Bodhisattvas.

At the end of the conference, on Sunday morning, August 6, Kakumyo was installed as co-Abbot. A standing-room-only crowd, including several visiting teachers, witnessed and participated in the installation.

Kakumyo takes his seat beside Gyokuko as co-Abbot.

Excavators were back Wednesday and Thursday, digging trenches for utilities to go to the duplexes. They also laid pipe into those trenches and around the house for plumbing. Volunteers also worked underneath the houses.

Wednesday Work Parties

We have regular Wednesday work parties from around 9am to 3:30pm. We also have work parties on Thursdays and Fridays during the summer. There is plenty of work for people to do, inside and outside, light and heavy. Come for as much or little of the time as you wish. We have tools and gloves, but if you have your own, feel free to bring them. If you are around at 12:30pm, we feed you lunch.