Our annual Segaki ceremony, presided over by Jyoshin, was a huge success. Here the daimosho offering at the Segaki altar shows Gemmon, Jyoshin, and Renso, with Shin’yu, Annen, and Kaishin in the background. During the procession as we chanted the “Universal Gateway Chapter,” the sacristan read the list of names of those who have died during the past year. The adult ceremony was, as always, followed by the children’s ceremony, with much interest in an altar loaded with junk food and the presence of real live gakis (hungry ghosts). There were plenty of treats for all, and afterwards those on the Segaki retreat went back into silence until the ceremony in the evening.

At Segaki Toro outdoors, Jyoshin burned all the merit cards and lists from the previous year, and then individuals burned karma slips for those things we had an intention to let go of. More chanting finished off the evening and the retreat, with some staying to watch the fire and drink spiced apple cider.

Wednesday Work Parties

Dharma Rain hosts regular Wednesday work parties from around 9am to 3:30pm. There is plenty of work for people to do, inside and outside, light and heavy. Come for as much or as little of the time as you wish. We have tools and gloves, but if you have your own, feel free to bring them. There is an open sitting meditation period from 11:30am to 12:30pm in the zendo. If you are around at 12:30pm, we feed you lunch.