SHAO SHAN TEMPLE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING
On Saturday, February 4, because of dangerously frigid weather, the Shao Shan Temple sangha gathered online to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting. Present were Board members Rev. Kenzan, Stella, Noah, and Max. Sixteen other sangha members were also present.
Stella opened the meeting and explained the format. After introductions, Rev. Kenzan presented highlights from the Sangha Report, Program Report, Buildings & Grounds Report, Cemetery Report, and Organizational Report which were distributed by email prior to the meeting. Max and Noah discussed the 2022 Financial Report.
Highlights from the Temple Reports
• Regular participants at the temple have remained relatively stable at 35.
• 352 people now receive the temple newsletter.
• There were three new preceptees and one new formal student in 2022.
• Six of Taihaku’s formal students have officially also become Rev. Kenzan’s students.
• New programs offered in 2022 included Bowing Week, Winter Practice Period in March, and “Zen Summer Camp” in August. These programs will continue in 2023.
• Both woodstoves and stovepipes in the temple were replaced to increase efficiency and safety, and lower emissions.
• The roof over the outside sink was replaced.
• The Board continues to meet monthly. Board minutes are available upon request.
• Taihaku Roshi’s estate is still in Probate Court.
• Taihaku Roshi’s remains were interred in the cemetery and a large quartz rock and granite marker were installed.
• The temple received $53,425 in donations for 2022 which covered temple expenses for the year.
• 17 people are now making regular donations either monthly or quarterly.
• $5,000 was transferred to the temple endowment fund.
• $13,756 was donated by 54 donors during the Annual Alms Round.
• Readers are directed to the 2022 Financial Update Report below for more detailed financial information and plans for 2023.
Rev. Kenzan thanked the Garden Team, the Buildings and Grounds Team, and the Newsletter Team for all of their efforts during the past year. Through their work the gardens and grounds of the temple were beautifully cared for, fresh vegetables were grown for Rev. Kenzan, sangha members, and local food shelves, the interior and exterior of the temple and outbuildings were meticulously cared for, and the sangha and friends of Shao Shan Temple were kept informed of temple activities.
Questions and comments from the sangha were then discussed.
Highlights of Meeting Questions and Discussion
Participants at the meeting were so pleased with how large the Shao Shan Community is. With over 350 people receiving the newsletter, 143 people getting the three-times-a-week temple email, and donations coming from a variety of sources in addition to active sangha members, some of those present were surprised to realize that the temple is not so small or isolated.
Because of the changing climate and more frequent drought conditions, the Board is monitoring whether it will be necessary to put in a well to serve the temple and the main house. A well was dug a couple years ago at the garden complex, so it currently has both a well and a spring box. The spring box for the temple and main house has been steady, but we should be prepared to add a well if circumstances change.
The Board is working on the details of building a bell pavilion near the front of the temple in Taihaku Roshi’s memory. The bell is being donated by Taihaku Roshi’s Dharma brother Rev. Shinjo Nohara, Abbot of Ryuunji Temple in Japan. Design work for the pavilion still needs to be done, so it is unlikely that construction will begin in 2023. There are still several logistical challenges involved with packing and shipping the bell to Shao Shan.
Given the number of electrical outages that the temple experiences during a year, it was suggested that the temple have a generator. Rev. Kenzan reported that there is a large generator at the house and a smaller one at the temple.
Regarding property taxes, until Taihaku Roshi’s estate is settled none of the temple property belongs to the Shao Shan Temple (SST) non-profit organization. Once the temple property is transferred to the SST non-profit organization it will be possible to investigate how and if we qualify for a property tax exemption and what portions of the land can be included.
Someone asked about the usage of the next-door house. Currently this is still part of the Taihaku Roshi’s estate, but is being used by Rev. Kenzan and the Temple Office is there. How exactly the house will be used when it becomes temple property remains to be determined. Taihaku Roshi’s intention was that the first floor be the abbot’s residence. Due to sound considerations, renting part of it to a tenant is not ideal.
Those in attendance revisited the issue of providing a stipend for Rev. Kenzan. He advised that the SST non-profit organization currently provides him with room, board, and gas for his car. He advised that an additional stipend is not necessary at this time.
In response to a question regarding installing solar panels, it was suggested that the Board could revisit this possibility once Taihaku Roshi’s estate is settled.
Looking Ahead to 2023
Rev. Kenzan has arranged for guest teachers to present a series of Dharma talks to the sangha in 2023. Rev. Ejo McMullen from Buddha Eye Temple in Eugene, Oregon will speak at the half-day Zazenkai on February 19. Rev Jisho Siebert of Zen Fields, Ames, Iowa, Rev. Gendo Alan Fields, Upper Valley Zen Center in White River Junction, Vermont, and Rev. Shinshu Roberts from the Ocean Gate Zen Center, Santa Cruz, California will speak during the March Practice Period.
The Temple Maintenance Week will be held July 3-11. Repairing the stucco on the temple’s exterior will be the major focus of the week’s activities. In addition to workers, Rev. Kenzan is looking for a few people to be cooks to help feed the volunteers during the work week.
Zen Summer Camp will be held August 3 - 6.
Noah mentioned that the Family Program has room for additional families to participate. Interested parents may contact the temple for more information.
The meeting concluded at 11:25 after chanting “Ji ho san shi.”
