Rev. Gyokei July 29,30, 2023

 Shao Shan Temple was honored to host Rev. Gyokei Yokoyama this past weekend.  Rev. Gyokei visited Shao Shan Temple as a representative of the Soto Zen Order (he is Secretary of the Soto Zen Buddhism North America Office) as part of his tour of a number of Soto Temples in the Northeast.

On Saturday Rev. Gyokei gave Saturday's Dharma Talk which was followed by the monthly social time and on Sunday there was a special session (also available online) of meditation, Dharma Talk, and potluck lunch.  In his Dharma Talks he spoke about Keizan Zenji in light of this coming year's 700th anniversary of Keizan's passing and also about the recent 100th anniversary of Soto Zen in North America.  One sangha member commented that after Rev. Gyokei's talks, "Japan no longer seems so far away."

Storms - July Children's Program

For July, we had an online "Children's Program"  - we were grateful to have the option of gathering virtually due to the recent flooding in Vermont. We began by sharing things that we had been noticing about the natural world, including the rain, sunshine, heat, and beavers rebuilding their dams. We then read and acted out the book When the Storm Comes, written by Linda Ashman and illustrated by Tae-eun Yoo, which depicts how humans and animals prepare and take shelter during a storm, and how they regroup and rebuild afterwards. We talked about how we can often feel multiple emotions at the same time, such as feeling scared and excited about a big storm, or sad and grateful about its aftermath. We also discussed how practicing gratitude can sometimes help remind us of things we can appreciate, even in the midst of a difficult situation. Each of us shared something that we were feeling grateful for, including shelter, safety, food, power and ice cream shops. We ended by listening to the ringing of the temple bell and sharing a group OM.

Maintanence Week - July 2023

 This year is 25 years since the construction of the Temple building (constructed in 1997, Opening Ceremony in 2000), and we took a week for concentrated Work Practice maintaining the Temple buildings and grounds.  With attention to the land and structures which support our practice, the Temple and surrounding grounds now sparkle with the care they have received.  The Sangha (Temple community) enjoyed time working together and daily lunches in the screen house.

Jukai - Bodhisattva Vows - July 2, 2023

Shao Shan Temple

Sunday, July 2, 2023

The ancient formal ceremony of Jukai was held on Sunday.  This year Randy Henson and Susan Stitely made the commitment to become formal students of Shao Shan Temple.  They received the 16 precepts, a Buddhist name and have become Kenzan’s students  

Randy's Dharma Name is ZEN-KAI meaning "Ocean of Goodness".  

Susan's Dharma Name is JUN-RYU meaning "Pure Stream".

This ceremony was an occasion for the families and friends of those receiving the precepts and Sangha members to join together in support of the commitment that Susan and Randy are entering.  It was followed by light refreshments.

Thanks to all who joined in a spirit of renewal and intentions which support a life beneficial for all. 

June 1/2 day Zazenkai

Within moist soft air laden with the scent of lilacs, practioners gathered on Sunday, June 18th at Shao Shan Temple for a full morning of intensive practice.

The Zazenkai program included opening and closing ceremonies, zazen (sitting meditation), kinhin (walking meditation), and dokusan(individual meetings) and a Dharma reading/talk. 

The theme for this weekend (both Saturday's and Sunday's Dharma Talk) was Hakuin Zenji's "Song of Zazen".

All beings by nature are Buddha,

As ice by nature is water.

Apart from water there is no ice;

Apart from beings, no Buddha.

...

...

This very place is the Lotus Land,

This very body, the Buddha

- Zen Master Hakuin