Feature Article: 2023 Family-Friendly
Summer Program
by Noah Weinstein
(with additional material
from Heather Kralik and Donna O'Malley)
Shao Shan Temple’s Family-Friendly Summer Program, also
known as "Zen Summer Camp," enjoyed a successful and playful second
season this year. While most programs at Shao Shan Temple are geared either
towards adults or children and families, this program is unique in that the
entire sangha, of all ages and stages of life, are invited to participate and
practice together. This year we were honored to host two visiting Soto Zen
priests, Rev. Jisho Siebert and Rev. Daishin McCabe from Zen Fields in Ames,
Iowa, along with their six-year-old son, for the four-day program.
Each day at Zen Summer Camp began slightly before 10:30 am
when one of the children rang the outside bell to summon all participants into
the zendo (main temple room). The themes of “taking care” and “paying
attention” were presented as practice invitations throughout the program,
starting with the children taking turns caring for the small altar by lighting
a candle and incense and ringing the big bell. Rev. Daishin then led the entire
group in a song/meditation borrowed from the Plum Village tradition and based
on the meditations of the Anapanasati Sutra. After singing and taking a moment
to sit quietly together while listening to the bell, the children departed the
zendo with several adult volunteers to take part in a variety of activities.
On
Friday, while the children finished their work on the spatulas, Rev. Daishin
introduced the adults to Japanese Calligraphy. In the screen room brushes,
paper, and ink were brought out for the eight participants. Rev. Daishin told
the group that he was introduced to calligraphy about 30 years ago and found it
to be a meditative and calming companion over the years. The group was
instructed on how to hold the brush, ink dipping, and flourish. The group then
practiced creating the Japanese character "Mu" (nothing). Daishin
made it look so easy over and over again but the connection to head, heart, and
hand revealed a challenge as well as the need and desire for more practice.
On Saturday the children were transformed into woodland beings, thanks to formal student and artist, Susan Calza, who painted some of the children’s faces into the likenesses of bears, bunnies, mushrooms, trees, and rainbows. The children then romped through the woods near Connie’s pond, building shelters for creatures large and small and acquainting themselves with the other creatures of the forest. Meanwhile, Rev. Daishin and adults talked about practicing with family. His shared personal extended family experiences, and his work with trauma, addiction, and trauma-informed yoga opened the door for us to investigate the challenges with our own families. 
Sunday was “garden and art day” for the children during which they trekked over to the temple’s vegetable garden, where they snacked on fresh carrots, traced and colored various depictions of Buddhas and bodhisattvas with Rev. Daihsin, and harvested vegetables to share for the community potluck. Rev. Jisho stayed with the adults and together the group explored and shared those precepts that showed up most as practice in our lives. She invited us to share not only from our wisest self, but also the more vulnerable “still working on” selves. Rev. Jisho encouraged us to hear the voice of what is, be with that, and from there discern what is required.
Each day after the morning’s activities, the children and
adults reconvened for a delicious lunch, followed by a food offering walk to
Connie’s Pond to feed the expectant fish and other pond beings. We concluded
each day by returning to the front of the temple for a closing circle, song,
and group bow.
Thank you to all who made the Zen Summer Camp possible.
Special thanks to Rev. Jisho and Rev. Daishin for their valuable contributions
to the program, to Rev. Kenzan for his leadership and organizational prowess,
to volunteers Noah Weinstein, Vanessa Weinstein, Randy Henson, Susan Calza,
Taylore Grymonnt, Ann Peltz, and Stella Marrie, as well as to all the
enthusiastic participants.
Here's
what participants said about Zen Summer Camp:
The Zen Summer Camp was wonderful! There was something very
unique and "X" about it. I can't figure out the word for the
"X" exactly - something about feeling embraced while embracing.
Uninterrupted zazen and being in that beautiful forest on that land. Getting to
see Taihaku's grave. Hearing kids' voices and seeing kids cared for by multiple
members of an awakening community. It was gorgeous. There is something so
beautiful about being able to sit zazen while hearing the voices of children in
a temple space. Sharing honestly about caregiving and our practice. We are so
grateful to the temple community for hosting and participating. --
Rev. Jisho
To me, camp was about allowing the kids to explore what they
are interested in without interfering in the process. I enjoyed getting to know and working with
all the children, parents, and the habitat of Shao Shan, embraced by solidarity
around the teachings of Buddha. -- Rev.
Daishin
Being bathed in Shao Shan’s summer fullness, abundant Buddha
and bodhisattva immersions, living Dharma and deeper-than-usual sangha
connection, I felt at ease, at home and totally happy. What fun it was to take in the delightful
sounds and activity of the children, to watch them with parents and teachers,
and feel full-on benefit from the experiences and wisdom shared by our visiting
teachers, Rev. Jisho and Rev. Daishin.
Ever so grateful for our amazing planning duo, Rev. Kenzan and Noah, for
putting so many pieces together. It
seemed like everyone felt supported in their practice with family, in their
personal inquiry, and in what it is to have a sangha where it’s safe to be
ourselves and we’re free to have fun. -- Donna O'Malley
The Zen Summer Camp was a totally delightful surprise. I
thought we would meditate together a little bit with the children, and then the
kids would be whisked away to the natural world, and we adults would meditate
and listen to a dharma talk. This was not the case! There
was some meditation and Dharma words, but then we joined the children on the
screened porch who were busy making wooden spatulas while we practiced
calligraphy. The kids had so much pride in using real tools and making a
kitchen implement they would use at home. -- Heather Kralik
It was interesting learning about and doing calligraphy for
the first time. Rev. Daishin was a good teacher. -- Priscilla Fox
I really liked making the wooden spatulas because it was fun
to use the tools. -- Izzy Weinstein
It was wonderful to witness the level of persistence,
dedication, and care each child brought to the process of making spatulas. The
finished products ended up being both beautiful and highly functional. Izzy has
already used her spatula multiple times and takes such good care of it because
she made it. -- Noah Weinstein
Well after camp ended, our whole family is still
singing the song that Daishin sang with us each morning at Zen Summer Camp. And
I just sang it for a client who loved it. So, thank you - the way I practiced
how to care for myself and others at camp is still rippling out in a wonderful
way. -- Ann Peltz
.jpg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)