Saturday, December 29, 2018

The Altar's Gold Heart

During Shao Shan Temple's holiday break, work has been happening in the Temple.  
The golden lotus that is at the heart of the altar has been regilded.  
Thanks to Susan Calza's craftsmanship and several days of dedicated work, 
the altar is shining warmly and brightly.  
This is the first time it has been done since the Temple's official opening in the year 2000.

 

Thank you, Susan!

Friday, December 21, 2018

Winter Solstice by candlelight


On this day of the longest night, we celebrated at Shao Shan Temple with a magical Winter Solstice Ceremony.  With times of silence and chanting, candlelight and darkness, we wove together a warm nest of sacred energy and found the possibility of blessing in the midst of darkness.



"Tonight, you can trust that any direction you go, you will be walking toward the emerging light."



Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Generosity, Pinecones and OM








This month for the Children's Program we explored the themes of generosity and reciprocity. 

We felt our breathing and reflected on how each in breath is a practice of receiving, as we breathe in oxygen from trees and other plants, and how each out breath is an act of generosity, as we offer carbon dioxide to the plant community in turn. 

Some families brought nonperishable food items to donate to the Worcester Food Shelf, and the children made decorations in the form of paper snowflakes, drawings, and other creations to be hung at the Worcester Community Supper's holiday celebration. 

We also made pine cone peanut butter bird feeders to offer to the birds (and squirrels!) to help them through the cold winter season.   And we had a snack ourselves.



In the end we went into the zendo and practiced combining our voices as one resonant bell.
............OMMMMMM...................


Saturday, December 15, 2018

Ceremony for the Red Pines



In the pre-dawn light, we had a ceremony this morning (Saturday, Dec. 15) to honor and thank the Red Pine trees for their years of providing beauty, shade and wildlife habitats.  Chanting the safety chant (Sho sai myo kichijo dharani) and the Heart Sutra (Maka Hannya Haramita Shingyo),  we walked amidst these stately trees
For safety reasons, the Red Pine trees within falling distance of the Temple buildings will all be taken down in the very near future.  




Wednesday, December 12, 2018

2019 New Year's Greetings are coming!

Shao Shan Temple's 


2019 New Year's Greetings 
are in the mail!  

Below is the message on the back of each.


HAPPY NEW YEAR
2019

This prayer tablet is an expression of Shao Shan Temple’s deep wishes and dedication to the welfare of the community.  It is a bridge between the temple and your everyday practice

This has been placed on the temple’s altar - it has been charged with the great energy of faith and courage. 

This prayer tablet is designed to be displayed in your home to bring peace and protection for the upcoming year.

This year’s message is
RADIANT-BLESSING
( SHO-FUKU )

May peace and blessings extend from your home to the wider world in the upcoming year.










After the red poster board is cut,
the front calligraphy and back description are glued on. 

When the red star has been stamped on,
they are spread out for the ink to dry.

Each card is then stamped with a gold circle.

Friday, December 7, 2018

Rohatsu Sesshin - Buddha's Enlightenment Meditation Retreat


The Rohatsu Sesshin is a meditation retreat held annually at Shao Shan Temple the first week in December.  This is a time of concentrated practice to commemorate
Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment upon seeing the morning star.
This year our Rohatsu Sesshin was shortened due to the snow, power outages and falling trees.   A dedicated group gathered for an intensive practice December 3rd - 7th.

Meditation
(Red Pine branches in the altar arrangements are from the tree that fell on the Temple)

Daily Dharma Talks on Shakyamuni Buddha's life

Daily oryoki breakfast

Closing Ceremony with fresh snow in the altar offering bowl


Celebratory ending breakfast with cake!