Buddhists around the world traditionally celebrate the birth of the Buddha in the spring. Our celebration here at Dharma Rain this year is this coming Sunday. The children’s sangha decorates a bower for the baby Buddha to stand in, and then during morning service we all process together and pour sweet tea over the Buddha’s… Read more »
Last Saturday, teens connected with the Blueprint Foundation spent time on the land, learning how to use the tractor and mower, and helping with various gardening tasks. They seemed to have fun with this, and it was a big help in the garden. This Saturday morning, from 9-noon, we will have a garden work party… Read more »
Why do we feel different when we are alone? The self alone changes when it meets others. Is one self more authentic than the other? How do we resolve the tension between solitude and relationship? We will consider the ways that we protect ourselves around other people as well as the ways we fall into… Read more »
Gardens and trees are waking up to spring, with that particular green only found in April. During Wednesday’s work party, Phyllis mows in an effort to tame a “sea of grass” while Sarah cleans grass out of a garden bed along with overwintered plants, some of which went into a salad for dinner. Wednesday Work… Read more »
This week we have been on Denkoe Sesshin, with up to 25 people practicing in the zendo in the evenings. Kakumyo explores the value of this in his talk on Sunday. This talk was given Sunday, April 22.
Spring Sangha Forum will be this Sunday, in place of the dharma talk. The forum includes about 30 minutes of presentations by the Dharma Council, Board, Mandala Council, and Dharma Garden council. These will be followed by a 30-minute discussion period so the councils can hear what curiosities, concerns, questions, and suggestions you have. Listen… Read more »
We sometimes get requests for an audio recording of our Sunday morning service. Good news! We now have this recording, which you are welcome to listen to and/or download. This can be helpful when traveling, for those who are home-bound, or for those just wanting help memorizing the chants. Sarah weeds in the rain, wearing… Read more »
At this week’s Dharma Talk, we played a recording of a talk given by Kyogen. He discussed our liturgical calendar, and the seasons and teachings associated with each part of it. He then focused specifically on the upcoming Denkoe retreat, and the study of the Denkoroku. This very special Dharma Talk allowed us to hear… Read more »
On a rainy Thursday, this view from the densho bell shows Rocky Butte wreathed in mist, and trees and shrubs in their new green colors. This week’s work has focused on moving out of the 85th house, taking most of the furniture, temple things, and residents’ stuff to be stored temporarily in the barn, pending… Read more »
April 16-22 marks our annual Denkoe Sesshin, where we study a fascicle from the Denkoroku, Keizan’s study of transmission stories of ancestors from the time of Shakyamuni Buddha to Koun Ejo. This is a way of honoring and learning from our ancestors. Registration is required by April 12 for meals and overnights, though zazen and… Read more »
We all have high expectations. In the workplace, in our social lives, in our Zen practice. The idea that we ourselves or others in whom we are invested can meet those expectations often creates anxiety when the idea comes up against reality. Come share your thoughts as Gyokuko shares some of hers. This talk was… Read more »
Come help paint trim tomorrow! We are inviting everyone to come to a trim-painting party tomorrow from 9am to 3pm. Kakumyo has been working with plumbers, electricians and handymen to get the duplexes up to speed. Two units now have electricity hooked up, with lights and heat that works. The unit shown (with the front… Read more »
Genko looks at how the Three Refuges (also called the Three Jewels or Three Treasures) can provide a place of safety and support for us in our practice. What is refuge? What is safety? How do we work with these in our lives? This talk was given Sunday, March 25.
The push is on to get the duplexes ready. Here, Pacific Power hooks up electricity (though it’s still not on inside the buildings) in preparation for the electricians to come in next week to finish the inside. A plumbing inspection yesterday allows us to begin covering walls in the south building. The north building is… Read more »
On Saturday, March 17, lots of people turned out to work on the duplexes, on landscaping, and gardening. We got a lot done in the way of preparation for painting, some painting in the afternoon, texturing the first unit, spreading gravel and dirt outside, weeding, and other tasks. In addition, this was the day that… Read more »
Kakumyo looks at how we work with well-established karma and confusion. He consults the Samanaphala Sutra for help. This talk was given Sunday, March 18.