August Online Zazenkai

 Yesterday, August 23, 2020, was Shao Shan Temple's second online 1/2 day Zazenkai (meditation retreat).   A full morning of sitting and walking meditation also included opening and closing services, a dharma talk and discussion time.   Participants were encouraged to prepare a home practice space beforehand - creating their own piece of Shao Shan Temple.  Several sangha members came together in small groups at their own homes to join the online practice.  

May this time of intensive practice be of benefit to all beings.

Kenzan giving the Dharma Talk on "Life Lessons Learned from Lawn Mowing".

On Greener Pastures and Charming Mango Groves

Dharma Talk by Rev. Kenzan Seidenberg

In the Meghiya sutra*, Meghiya was an attendant for Shakyamuni Buddha.  

One day when Meghiya was out on alms round, he noticed a charming mango grove by a river and thought how wonderful it would be to practice meditation in this mango grove.  So, when he got back to the Buddha, he asked the Buddha if he could go practice meditation in the mango grove.  Imagine that: Meghiya had the opportunity to be in person with Shakyamuni Buddha, but he wanted to go sit in a “pleasing, charming mango grove” instead.  The Buddha replied that Meghiya should stay with him for a while longer.  Meghiya asked a second time if he could go practice in the mango grove instead.  Again, the Buddha replied to stay with him for a while.  A third time, Meghiya asked if he could go to the mango grove and finally the Buddha relented, saying, “Do what you think it is now time to do.”  Meghiya left and went to “the pleasing, charming mango grove” and sat at the base of an appealing tree for meditation. The sutra then relates that Meghiya was “assailed by three kinds of unskillful thoughts: thoughts of sensuality, thoughts of ill will, and thoughts of doing harm.”  And before the afternoon was even over, he returned back to the Buddha, bewildered. What could have gone wrong?

So, far from the charming mango grove being the perfect practice place he had imagined, Meghiya found there in that charming place his own unskillful thoughts.  How striking that Meghiya, when in person with Shakyamuni Buddha, wanted to go off somewhere else -- somewhere “better” to practice --  and how human!  Probably we all know this tendency to think: “If I went to that retreat in the Caribbean, I’d be calm and happy,” or “If I had that kind of meditation cushion, my meditation would improve,” or “If I join that online seminar with the famous teacher, I’ll get enlightened,” or perhaps “If the coronavirus were over, then my practice would be better.” 

What if right where we are, right now, the people we are with and the community who supports us are exactly the perfect conditions for practice?  What if, right now, we are with Buddha and trying to go off somewhere else? 

The Meghiya Sutta concludes with the following verse:

Little thoughts, subtle thoughts,

when followed, stir up the heart.

Not comprehending the thoughts of the heart,

one runs here & there,

the mind out of control.

But comprehending the thoughts of the heart,

one who is ardent, mindful,

restrains them.

When, followed, they stir up the heart,

one awakened

lets them go without trace.

* You can read the full Meghiya Sutta, including the Buddha's response, here: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/ud/ud.4.01.than.html

Heart of the Way - AnTei (newsletter article)

 

Heart of the Way

-- by Julie Hand

 

Sometime in the mid-90’s, I had the good fortune to work with a therapist who had a solid background in Buddhism. My life had been feeling empty and full of angst. The therapist’s gentle way of being and relationship with the Dharma turned my life around. He loaned me books and tapes on Buddhism, taught me meditation, and sometimes held discussion groups. I absorbed it all like a sponge. This did much to fill that chasm inside, kindling a flame for Buddhism that has never died.

After leaving the therapist I kept up a practice and read on my own, but the desire for a teacher and a Sangha began to grow on me. What was it about the Dharma that tugged at my being? Whenever sad or confused, I would turn to readings by Pema Chodron, Thich Nhat Hanh, Shunryu Suzuki, and poets like Hafiz, Rumi, or Gary Snyder. Perusing their words and meditating soothed and centered me. But I longed for more structure and the support of a group, for spiritual friends.

Eventually I explored Karme Choling, a Shambala Meditation Center in Barnet, Vermont. Though I enjoyed these programs, I never felt at home there, which greatly disappointed me. Moreover, the size of the community and the elaborate scope and setting were not to my liking.

One day, Donna invited me to visit Shao Shan for the Jukai ceremony.  I was a little intimidated by the ceremony’s formality, in particular reciting the lineage. Despite this, I felt very welcomed there and was thrilled to discover they had a study group. I began to attend Tuesday evenings, full of questions.  Over time my hesitation eased, and I came to love the rhythm of reciting the Daioshos as well as rituals.

In 2010 I sewed my Rakusu and gave my vows for the 16 precepts, becoming Taihaku's student.  In hindsight, being entrusted with full commitment was a little abrupt. I now see the wisdom of two ceremonies; sewing the Wagesa and receiving the first five precepts, and then (if desired), sewing the Rakusu and becoming a formal student. My understanding and pledge to uphold the precepts have deepened over time and have become the heart of my practice.

I deeply appreciate the warmth, receptiveness, and intimacy I receive from Taihaku, Kenzan and the Sangha. Being part of the Shao Shan community is deeply satisfying to me. It is my home away from home.

Sangha responses regarding the pandemic & practice

 

The Pandemic and Our Practice

We thought it would be useful to see how members of the sangha were responding to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic.  Many of our sangha members have used the pandemic to actually deepen their practice.  Here is what a sample of sangha members had to say about various aspects of the pandemic and their practice.

 

Softening with sitting practice

When the pandemic began, I found myself feeling quite restless during my meditation practice. I couldn't sit still or stop the thoughts from flooding my mind. My practice reflected back to me a sense of anxiety that I had been trying to avoid. It woke me up to what I was truly feeling inside and then I used my practice to cultivate a sense of ease. My sitting practice allowed me to become emotionally aware and then use this awareness to soften; to sit in stillness, breathe, and trust that everything is going to be okay.

-- Alexandra Sredni

Musings on the Pandemic

I’m grateful to be alive during this pandemic. At times it is profoundly sad and I am happy to know the depths and connection within that sadness.  It has stretched me. I want to help. That, in itself, is a gift.

-- Susan Calza

Helpful things that have supported my practice during the pandemic

Book group and discussions keep me focused and connected. It seems more than a Zoom connection with our discussions. Plus, I love seeing everyone's faces.  Work sessions at the temple were also helpful. I have helped three times at Shao Shan from picking up sticks to cloistering temple apple trees with straw. I feel I am connected to soul and place for the present and future. Recently, I met up with four sangha members to Zoom the Zazenkai. Ahhh, so good to sit with the presence of others.

-- Heather Kralik

What sustains me during the pandemic

Stop, look, listen, and smell.  The weekly Independent Practice Project sustains me.

-- Susan Stitely

Suggestions for surviving the pandemic

Breathe deeply, often. Fully appreciate, LOVE the breath. Every so often, pause and focus on a couple of breaths.  Limit the news feed, don’t fall into a rabbit hole of horror.  Keep opening to others’ suffering, practice Tonglen. Wide-open empathy. Then let it go. The belief that we are separate is false. We are all struggling with many similar issues.  Stay with the present moment, as opposed to falling into fear of what might happen in the future. Sit on the fine line between hope and hopelessness. 

-- Julie Hand

 

Lessons from the pandemic

I truly believe that COVID has come to us as a message from the spiritual realm. I would not claim to know what it’s supposed to teach us exactly, but I have an inkling that it has to do with slowing down and paying attention to the here and now. As we had fewer options to go shopping and getting our hair done, there was perhaps the lesson that I need less stuff than I think I do. Perhaps I learned that if I consume less and give away more, I can pay attention to the here and now. We were reminded to be grateful to our essential workers. Before the crisis most people wouldn’t have thought of being grateful for these types of services. Expressions of gratitude are something we practice as Sangha members. The current crisis encourages more kindness in our society at large.

-- Clara Bruns

Help from the Independent Practice Project and daily meditation

I found Shao Shan’s independent practice projects helpful, even though I did not ever join in the discussions because the times were not good for me.  But I often thought about the projects during the week and tried to be mindful of what they were asking us to do.  I also found it helpful to meditate  online with a group from the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies.  Every morning, including weekends, from 10:30 until about 11:15 they have a guided meditation with teachers Bill and Susan Morgan called Bridging the Physical Distancing Divide.

-- Priscilla Fox

Taking Refuge

The daily regular messages from Shao Shan Temple that include short suggestions for practice as well as information about activities to join.  Phone contacts with sangha friends, sharing practice experiences, including stuck places, and humor.   Readings from Buddhist sources and of course, daily sittings.  Early morning walking/running/swimming, usually accompanied by silent and short mantra - Namu Kie Butsu.

-- Judy Harden

Nature knows no pandemic

Bee-balm for bees, zazen for do-nothings: never forget.

-- Scott Fields

Online programming at the temple

My experience of turning back in to my home life during the pandemic months helped me make some major changes that will benefit me in years to come. The pandemic helped me realign with my practice at home and at the temple.  The programs, especially the independent study option, were invaluable, and life changing during this time. They played an important role in my spiritual groundedness during a time when it feels like a rug is being pulled out from under us.

-- Donna O’Malley

 

May all beings be happy

Because of the restrictions placed on our social behavior as a result of the pandemic, I found that I was unable to assist others in the usual ways that friends and neighbors typically do during difficult times.  This was frustrating for me.  At Taihaku’s suggestion, I filled that gap by intensifying my mediation practice focusing on the intention that all beings be happy.  Doing lovingkindness and Tonglen meditation practices helped me feel both a connection to others and a sense of service.

                                                                                                                    -- Max Schlueter

Right Speech Mini-Seminar

 

Recognizing how critical and important communication is at the current time, Shao Shan Temple hosted an online mini-seminar on Right Speech on Sunday, August 9th.  Co-facilitated by Stella, this seminar looked at Shakyamuni Buddha's teachings on Right Speech and how that applies to our lives now.  The program also included brief meditations and engaged discussions. (See also Right Speech quotes from the Pali Canon)

May our communications be of benefit.

Individual Work Practice Opportunities

Betsy shining candlesticks

Now, in the height of summer, a variety of work practice opportunities abound at the Temple.  

From weeding moss gardens to picking up sticks in the woods, individual sangha members engage in mindfully caring for Shao Shan Temple.   

This is an opportunity to enjoy the peaceful Temple grounds and be of service. 

Contact us if you would like to schedule a time of individual work practice.  Thank you!

                          

Peter cleaning the cemetery

Monica preparing kale & collards

Heather spreading straw in the orchard

One Step at a Time - Childrens Program

For this month's Children's Program (Aug. 1st) we read the story of Little One Step - a scared little duckling who was able to move forward by focusing on each individual step.  

We talked about when things are difficult, it can be helpful to just take one step at a time - just do what is right in front of us to do.  We practiced walking meditation together - feeling the soles of our feet while taking one step and then another step.  

We also each shared something we noticed in nature this week and ended with a group OM.