Our beloved abbot: Rev. Taihaku Nishiren Priest

 Dear Sangha and Friends,

It is with great sadness that I report that our dearly beloved teacher and abbot, Rev. Taihaku, passed away early in the morning, May 24th, unexpectedly in the night of a heart attack. 

She often said that death is like “jumping into a ginger ale pool” – her joyful effervescence extending even beyond this life.  

Final arrangements are being determined in conjunction with her family and the Soto Zen Order. 

May we together support her vision for Shao Shan Temple to be a flowering of the Dharma for the next 700 years.

With immense gratitude for her life, teachings, and founding of Shao Shan Temple,

In the Dharma,

Kenzan

Buddha's Birthday Celebration - May 16, 2021

 Sunday, May 16th, Shao Shan Temple celebrated Buddha's Birthday with an online celebration! 

The beginning of the celebration was heralded by a resounding conch...

Noah read a book of the life story of Shakyamuni Buddha (Buddha by Susan Roth) ...

There was a formal offering of tea, cakes and sweet water, after which, Julie offered incense, Max tea, and Donna sweets.  Each offered with a dedication which all participants were invited to join in ...

Sweet tea was offered over the baby Buddha with chanting...

Glenda offered a poem written for the occasion of Buddha's Birthday...

And a closing celebratory "Happy Birthday!"

Introduction and Question/Response programs

 This weekend there were several special programs at Shao Shan Temple.  

On Saturday, May 1st, we had the Introduction program, welcoming several new people to Temple programs.  The Introduction program is a 1 hour program, offered every 6-8 weeks, introducing the Temple, outlining current programs with a chance to ask questions.

Sunday was our first "Question-Response Program".  This program gave the opportunity for participants to ask questions about practice, about the Zen tradition, about the Temple or about applying teachings to a particular life situation.