Winter Solstice Ceremony

At this time of the longest night, we gathered together at Shao Shan Temple for a Winter Solstice Ceremony.  With times of silence and chanting, candlelight and darkness, we touched the depths of connection and blessing in this transitioning time of dark and light.

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

High School Class visit

A World Religions class from Montpelier High School came to visit Shao Shan Temple on Thursday, Dec. 19th.  The group of 30+ students crowded into the Zendo for an introduction to Buddhism and a guided meditation experience.  We were happy to welcome this group of respectful, curious and intelligent young people.

2020 New Year's Greetings are coming!

Shao Shan Temple's 

2020 New Year's Greetings 

are in the mail!  

Below is the message on the back of each.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2020

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

INSIGHT-

OPEN

( KI-KAI )

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

Each card is hand-stamped

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, Rohatsu Sesshin was from November 29th to December 6th, with each day focused on sitting and walking meditation.  In addition, there were delicious garden vegetable meals and Oryoki breakfast.  Each afternoon included a dharma talk -- this year the series of talks was based on the 

Seven Factors of Awakening.

Shao Shan's Homemade Items for the Holidays

The temple’s bountiful abundance has produced a profusion of crabapples and blueberries, among many other items. 

Shao Shan Temple is sharing the overflowing blessings of the land.  Temple-prepared jelly, jam, teas, honey, pickles, gomashio, and comfrey salve are available for a suggested donation.

The Holiday Fair at the Temple ends Nov. 26th,

but items will also be available at the Annual Holiday Craft Fair

at the Maple Corners  Community Center in Calais, VT

on December 7th, 9:30am - 3:00pm

Introduction to Zen- Sat. Nov 23

On Saturday, Nov. 23rd was Shao Shan Temple's "Introduction to Zen" program. This program is an opportunity for people new to Shao Shan Temple to get an overview of Shao Shan Temple, the programs, the practice here and an opportunity to ask questions.  The time also included meditation instruction and a brief "tour" of the grounds. 

Beginning in January 2020, we will be offering an "Introduction" program the last Friday of every month, to give more opportunities for people to learn about Shao Shan Temple.

Shinzanshiki Stupa Pole (newsletter article)

Shao Shan Temple Shinzanshiki Stupa-Pole

by Rev. Kenzan Seidenberg

One of the striking features of the Shao Shan Temple grounds is the tall stupa-pole with Japanese calligraphy on it.  It is Soto Zen tradition to erect a stupa-pole when a priest is formally “seated” as abbot.  This banner pole indicates “the dharma is being preached here!”  Accordingly, Shao Shan Temple’s pole was erected in 2013 as part of Rev. Taihaku’s Mountain Seat Ceremony (Shinzanshiki).  The pole was consciously erected at the spot that Rev. Taihaku has selected for the Buddha’s seat in the future Zendo expansion. 

The calligraphy on this hemlock post was done by Zoshin, a monk that Rev. Shinjo Norara (a brother monk of Rev. Taihaku’s) recommended for his exceptional calligraphy skills.  Rev. Shinjo is depicted at left with the Stupa-Pole during its installation in 2013.  Zoshin came for several weeks before the Shinzanskiki ceremony to do this and other calligraphy.  

What is written on the pole is a poem specifically composed for Rev. Taihaku and Shao Shan Temple on the occasion of her Mountain Seat Ceremony.  The poem was composed by the abbot of Kannonji Temple with whom both Taihaku and Shinjo have a close connection.  Rev. Eitoku Kato, on his recent visit, gave us an approximate translation.   

1. South side (facing the driveway temple entrance)

This ceremony we receive from Buddha and conduct with devotion.  In this original place from which teachings go forth, we erect this stupa-pole.

2. West side (facing the gas tank)  

Dogen Zenji says:

Buddha’s teaching is in the heart-mind.  It is naturally manifest in our body, therefore aspiration will arise through practice.  Practice! Reach enlightenment and go beyond to relieve the suffering of all.

Buddha manifests now just as in the past (in India/China).  Radiate the Buddha and teachings in heart/body/mind to all beings.  Practice hard now – you are originally Buddha – spread Dharma.

3. North side (facing the screen house)

Today’s Shinzanshiki is years since Buddha has passed away.  On this day we have entered summer ango (practice period).  Shao Shan Temple’s priest, Taihaku, has the leader position.   We have placed this stupa-pole.

4. East side (facing the temple)

A bright morning star transmitted the Satori experience.  We and all creation are naturally Satori.

May our aspiration to awakening continue beyond death, manifesting the Dharma without end.

May the presence of this stupa-pole be an ongoing reminder of our intention.

Red Pine Muse (Newsletter Dharma Talk)

DHARMA TALK:  RED PINE MUSE

By Rev. Taihaku Priest

When I first arrived on this land the red pines were just a little bit taller than me.  Tomorrow we are scheduled to remove all those that threaten the temple and the buildings.  Because of the danger, it seems the only responsible action was to have them cut down.

I never saw them grow.  Some things you notice one day and wonder when did it happen?  They got so big.  Many things are like this.

We hear the teachings that the tree was the rain and earth and will become paper, lumber, and fuel, and that its shape changes.  But there is something else, which is the life process. The trees are living and breathing out there all around us. There is a level of responsiveness to the wind and temperature. There is some level of feeling.  It is not only wood. 

The activities of our life surround us with teachings, if we take the time to consider and appreciate and really look at what is around us.  We pause when a big change takes place. The trees coming down.  We might wonder how much time has passed. Like a dream, we might remember all that has taken place together with the trees growing and my/your life, and the temple; happenings, happenings.  The transient nature of time becomes evident.  It takes a big change usually to have us stop and take stock. 

There seem to be eras that begin and end in our lives.  A certain energetic whirl-force which begins, people come together, things happen.  When you look back at your life, do you see this?

So these trees coming down feels like a significant change.  We have put this off for years.  It is not a change that was easy to accept.  But now we are committed and have all the right reasons.  And what about the people that we have become so accustomed to having in our lives day to day?  And what about the children that have grown up and have families of their own?  And what about our aging bodies?  Look around.  This moment now, appreciate it, remember it.  Absorb the whole wonder of what is right now, very specifically here together, living and breathing together.  Look around.  You are here.  The trees are here, the temple is here, our friends are here.  It is very specific.  The trees surround us today.  They will be gone tomorrow.  What does it take to have us really appreciate? 

Right now it is trees, but in your life is it your children who are growing up so fast?  Is it your old parent who teeter totters in end of life? Is it a precarious job?  What is your life teaching you?  What have you not given enough time to appreciate, what is the whirl of your life now? 

I have previously thought gratitude is important but I have recently come to see that appreciation may be more to the point.  Appreciation is more specific than gratitude – it includes careful consideration and an attention to detail. 

The shock of change gives us pause for a moment and a chance to appreciate.  Timber!

Gratitude & Work Practice Family Program

For this November's Children's Program we explored the theme of gratitude. We practiced "hot chocolate meditation," pretending to smell delicious hot chocolate (or another warm beverage of choice) on the breath in through the nose, then imagining cooling the drink down with the out breath. We then read a story about things that make us happy and created our own gratitude journals to bring home. After enjoying a scrumptious snack, we joined the adults in wood-stacking work practice, as a way to express our gratitude to the temple by participating in its care.

Red Pine Removal

The red pines which threatened the Temple buildings were removed the week of October 28th, 2019.  The project was carried out by a professional team which had a level of precision and safety combined with respect for the Temple.  This phase of the project has been completed successfully and we look forward to cleaning up, removing stumps and settling it in.  

Autumn Leaves Family Program

For the October Family Program we celebrated autumn while exploring the life cycles of trees and leaves. We practiced meditating as trees, dug into the layers of earth to find decomposing leaves from various autumns past, made leaf rubbings, attempted to catch leaves as they fell from trees, raked leaves to care for the Pet Cemetery, and made a big leaf pile to jump in. 
Inside the temple we listened to the bell with our whole being and several children tried ringing the bell themselves.

Annual Remembrance Ceremony

The Annual Remembrance Ceremony took place Friday evening October 4th.  The dark evening was magically lit with candles and firelight.

There was time to honor deceased loved ones, the spiritual lineage and those who are interred in the Shao Shan Temple Cemetery.

The evening included a candlelight procession up to the cemetery and chanting. 

Rev. Eitoku's visit - Sept 28&29

Shao Shan Temple was honored to host visiting teacher: Rev. Eitoku Kato this past weekend, September 28 & 29.   Rev. Eitoku is the Abbot of Ryougonji Temple in Japan and a dharma brother of Rev. Taihaku.  They spent several years practicing together at Hokyoji Monastery in Japan.

On Saturday, he and his wife joined the study group and then gave a demonstration of Baika - a type of melodic Buddhist hymns. On Sunday, Rev. Eitoku gave an inspiring Dharma talk on compassion and answered questions over tea.

Thanks to both Rev. Eitoku and his wife for making the long trip to be part of Soto Zen Buddhism in America.

Sunday teaching - group photo

Peace Day/ Autumn Equinox

On Friday evening, September 20th, an intimate group gathered to commemorate Peace Day and the Autumn Equinox.  With a ceremonial fire, incense purification, chanting and dedications, we marked the occasion together.

May Peace Prevail on Earth!

Anniversary Celebration/Ceremony - Sept. 15

On Sunday, September 15th Shao Shan Temple celebrated its 19th Anniversary.  This year's ceremony included meditation, chanting, formal question and answer time (Mondo), the opportunity to tie a ribbon symbolizing our highest intention and refreshments.  Thanks to all who joined in this celebration of re-dedication.

Ceremony opening

Mondo

Refreshments!