October Meditation Retreat

October 18-20, 2024 was Shao Shan Temple's Autumn Sesshin(meditation retreat). The weekend sitting was accompanied by full moon nights and brilliant sunny days.

Garden Closing - Work, Ceremony & Potluck

 

 On a October 12th, we gathered to for a garden work day, season-closing ceremony and a harvest potluck.  We filled buckets with the harvest of carrots, beets and rutabagas.  Work time was followed by a Garden-Closing Ceremony - expressing gratitude for all that had made the garden possible and apologies to all beings harmed in the gardening process. This was followed by a delicious Harvest Potluck around the fire (with s'mores!).

Annual Remembrance Ceremony 2024

This year the Annual Remembrance Ceremony took place Saturday evening, October 5th.  The beautiful evening ceremony was surrounded by candles and firelight took place both in front of the Temple and in the cemetery. 

The Annual Remembrance Ceremony is a time to honor deceased loved ones, our spiritual lineage and those who are interred in the Shao Shan Temple Cemetery.

This ceremony also includes elements of the Japanese Obon Ceremony - a time to honor the ancestors and to invite them to be with us for a celebration.

Beginning Zen Class 2024

 For the first time, Shao Shan Temple offered a three week "Beginning Zen" class as a follow-up to the usual Temple Introduction program.  Classes  discussed basic Buddhist teachings and practiced fundamental Zen forms.  In the 3rd class Rev. Seiso Cooper joined as guest teacher and taught on Shikantaza - "just sitting".

24th Anniversary Celebration/Ceremony!

On Sunday, September 15th, we commemorated Shao Shan Temple's 24th Anniversary - 24 years since the Opening Ceremony in the year 2000.  

Prior to the Ceremony itself, there was the option of a time of meditation.An important aspect of Anniversary Ceremonies now is honoring Shao Shan Temple's founding abbot - Taihaku Nishiren Diaosho - who created, envisioned and manifested this beautiful place of practice.  There was the option of offering incense in her memory during the Heart Sutra chanting

The Shao Shan Anniversary has for many years included tying ribbons with our intentions onto the gold pole in front of the Temple while chanting "Namu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo" and that tradition was continued this year.  

The bright sunny day celebration was followed with refreshments and fiddle music!