Today's spring program, under a bright blue sky with robins hopping over the last patches of snow, we gathered online on this Easter Sunday to acknowledge the returning of life and to share aspects of the season that have inspired our practice. Participants shared original poems (humorous or serious), read readings or simply held up a flower. As part of today's ceremony, we ceremonially burned the intention ribbons from the autumn Anniversary ceremony together with incense.
Part of Taihaku's closing dedication-poem:
May your every breath be a new beginning and like the season of spring, May each new breath bring with it a boundless hope and goodwill.
May we rejoice in the steady pulse of life; of the living earth; of our beautiful rose blushed mountains, and the dashing rush of snow melt rivers.
And with a heart full of joy, and with a heart full of hope As we step forth into our day, May our actions and decisions reflect this hope and goodwill and may they extend even beyond our blooming mountains and further still than our brimming streams to encompass all living beings on our gracious living earth.
