Nature Spirit Pilgrimage 2023

 On a perfect-weather late-summer day, we gathered at Shao Shan Temple to acknowledge and pay respect to the greater nature that supports our practice.  This included a modified version of a ceremony done in Japan for blessings in gratitude to the protecting Spirits of the Land.

We offered flowers, incense and chanting at multiple sites on the Temple land acknowledging the myriad ways - known and unknown that they support our practice.

Little woodland frogs, toads and newts greeted our path and bird songs accompanied our meditations.

The program included several short blocks of outside meditation and a snack of vegetables fresh from the Temple Garden that was then also shared with the fishes in Connie's Pond!

Open House - August 19

  Shao Shan Temple hosted its 6th annual Open House on Sunday August 19th. 

This was an opportunity for people who practice here at Shao Shan Temple to invite family and friends to experience the temple on a more informal occasion.  

The Open House included an introduction to the Temple and Zen Buddhism, a time for questions, an introduction to meditation, a tour of buildings& grounds, and light refreshments.  Sangha representatives Donna, Julie, and Max assisted and shared their experience of being part of Shao Shan Temple.

A warm welcome to all who came to visit the Temple for the first time on Sunday!

"Zen Summer Camp" 2023

This year was our second Family-friendly Summer Practice Days (aka: "Zen Summer Camp") and it was again a fun and inspirational time of practice for participants of all ages.  This year was the added honor of having the family of Rev. Jisho Siebert, Rev. Dashin McCabe and their 6 year old son Malcolm be an integral part of the program

Most of our programs are either oriented towards families or towards adults.  This several day period, August 3-6, of Temple Practice allowed all of the community to come together.  We began and ended each day with a Dharma song (from the Thich Nhat Hanh tradition).  The program included a combination of activities for adults and children separately, and activities for the whole Temple Community together. 

Adults had time for meditation, discussions on bringing practice into daily life and calligraphy.

The children's activities were varied including a brief time each day inside the Temple, making a wooden spatula, art activities, mindfulness games outside in nature and harvesting in the garden.

Daily lunchtime was followed by a food offering to Connie's Pond fishes!