Rohatsu Sesshin - Dec. 1-8

The Rohatsu Sesshin, a meditation retreat from Dec. 1-8 was a time of concentrated practice to commemorate Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment upon seeing the morning star.

This year we had strong participation for the entire sesshin, with a core group that stayed at Shao Shan Temple.  

The sesshin included sitting and walking meditation from 5:30am until 8:30pm, with breaks after meals.  There were daily Dharma Talks by Taihaku & Kenzan on Shakyamuni Buddha's life from the time of his birth through his enlightenment.  Delicious garden-produce meals were served 3 times a day including Oryoki breakfasts (using the formal monk's eating bowls).

Thank you to everyone who participated in this time of intensive practice!

Below is the dedication that was read every morning:

 Peace Dedication

May the penetrating light of wisdom dispel the darkness of illusion.

May all harmful karma be dissolved and the mind flower bloom in eternal spring.

May our sangha and communities be peaceful and harmonious.

May the citizens of our land be safe and content.

May our nation’s leaders be filled with goodness, wisdom and courage.

May peace prevail in our communities.

May peace prevail in the nation.

May peace prevail on earth.

May our joyful practice radiate a vast and compassionate mind for all beings.

Peanut Butter Pinecones & Holiday Items

The children in the family program on November 12th focused on the themes of kindness and gratitude. They shared aspects of our lives that they were feeling thankful for, as well as ways to do kind things for others. They then practiced loving-kindness meditation and made peanut butter pine cone bird feeders to share that kindness with the animals of the forest..












Also Saturday November 12th was the first day that the Shao Shan Temple Homemade Holiday Items became available. Sangha and Family members came together in festive appreciation of the bounty of Shao Shan Temple's gardens and orchards.

Young Adult Program - communication

An enthusiastic group of adults in their 20's and 30's came together for a day-long program on communication. They experimented with communication skills using principles from Insight Dialogue, a practice of mindful communication developed by Gregory Kramer, as well as how to have more challenging conversations using principles from Verbal Aikido. The day also included meditation, a vegetarian lunch, and work practice.

Work Practice & Holiday items!

An enthusiastic group stayed today after the usual Saturday morning program to participate in work practice.  

This work practice was focused on the Holiday Items from 

Shao Shan Temple's abundant harvests - 

labels were put on Crabapple Jelly, Blueberry Jam, Honey , Teas, ... Abundance!

Thanks to all who participated, also in cleaning and in planting seeds and other tasks around the temple.

Meditation Retreat - first snow

With the change of seasons -the weather becomes colder and our focus becomes more interior.  This was    reflected in the well-attended sesshin (meditation retreat) this past weekend. Beginning with the powerful, ancient purification and confession ceremony: Ryakufusatsu, the weekend included sitting and walking meditation, delicious meals with garden vegetables, a Dharma Talk by Kenzan on the Lotus Sutra, the first snow of the season and a celebratory closing tea with treats at the end.  Thanks to all who particiated.