Rev. Shinshu Roberts joins online study group

 This week was the conclusion of our study group on Being-Time: A Practitioner's Guide to Dogen's Shobogenzo Uji.  For the final class, we were honored to have the author, Rev. Shinshu Roberts of Ocean Gate Zen Center in Santa Cruz join us online to answer questions.  Thank you to Rev. Shinshu and to all who participated in this study group embracing this important and challenging topic - time.

“Experiencing our interconnection and interpenetrating relationship with all beings is the genesis of our happiness. Even the most mundane task becomes meaningful and fulfilling when we feel a universal connection with the totality of being.”
― Shinshu Roberts, Being-Time: A Practitioner's Guide to Dogen's Shobogenzo Uji

Strawberries & Difficulties - June Family Program

For June's Children's Program, we gathered virtually and celebrated the sweetness of early summer! We began by introducing ourselves and sharing something we've been noticing about the natural world, including the purple irises, deep pink peonies, variable temperatures, and the arrival of the wild strawberries at Shao Shan Temple! 

We then read and acted out the Zen story, "A Man, Two Tigers, and a Strawberry," as told in the book Kindness by Sarah Conover. In the story a monk is gathering firewood in the forest, when all of a sudden he comes face to face with a ferocious tiger. The man flees the tiger as fast as he can, dodging obstacles along the way, until he comes to a cliff. He lowers himself onto a vine overhanging the cliff, and then realizes that there is another tiger at the base of the cliff, as well as a squirrel eating away at the vine that is supporting him. As the monk contemplates his predicament, he notices a small strawberry growing out of the side of the cliff, plucks it, and eats it with great gusto and appreciation. 

We discussed how when there are difficult things that happen to us (though hopefully not that difficult!), and it can sometimes be helpful to also notice the things in the present moment that we appreciate or are going well, not as a way to ignore the difficult things, but rather to put them in a broader perspective. We then practiced mindful eating meditation and closed with a ringing of the temple bell and a group OM.

Tiny Shao Shan Wild Strawberries

Taihaku Roshi - 4 Year Memorial

 

May 24th, 2025 marked the 4th year since Taihaku Roshi's sudden passing.  We had a special ceremony honored Shao Shan Temple's beloved founding abbot on this day directly after the Saturday morning program.  We offered incense and chanting in the small room at the Taihaku Altar and then processed up to the cemetery chanting the ancestor lineage with each step.  After offering incense at Taihaku Roshi's memorial stone we processed in silence back to the Temple and joined in a time of refreshments.  The tender time of rememberance and connection was joined by all of nature with the calls of ravens and the fragrance of flowering trees.

Buddha's Birthday Celebration 2025

 On a perfect weather spring day, Sunday, May 11th, Shao Shan Temple celebrated Buddha’s birthday!

Although we celebrate Buddha's Birthday every year, it is a new-born occasion every year - unique causes & conditions bringing forth a time that is fresh and new.   There were several unique aspects of this year's ceremony.  It was on Mother's Day - appropriate - as this is an occasion where we also honor and acknowledge Shakyamuni Buddha's mother.  Also everyone was invited to bring their home altar buddha to sit on the main Temple altar for this occasion - it was a  wonderous gathering of buddhas!

A festive celebration on a perfect spring day - with the new leaves bursting light green and the sky a brilliant blue.  An enthusiastic group gathered and nature joined in with the calling of the baby ravens in their nearby nest. 

Participants were invited to join in a noble procession carrying parasols, walking sticks decorated with colored streamers, bubble wands and little bells. The procession was accompanied by bells, drums, and conch. 

There was the telling of the story of Buddha's birth.

Everyone had the opportunity to ladle pure water over a statue of the baby Buddha accompanied by Shakuhachi flute music. 

The ceremony was followed by a delicious potluck, fiddle playing and gifts from Shao Shan for people's home altars! 

April Garden Opening Ceremony & Work Day

 
 Thank you to everyone who joined in the opening of the Temple garden on Saturday, April 19th!

There was a Temple "Garden Opening Ceremony" to begin the garden growing season.  The ceremony included walking in procession around the garden chanting the "Disaster Preventing Dharani", ceremonially planting the first seeds, and chanting our "Garden Chant". We also read a Thich Nhat Hanh quote about being aware of what kinds of thoughts we "water" within ourselves - whether wholesome or unwholesome.

We worked tilling the soil and shaping the garden beds - finishing just as the pouring rain started!