Winter Mini Practice Period 2026

Winter Practice Period Opening Ceremony

The Winter Mini Practice Period is designed to provide an opportunity for Temple participants to make a individual commitment to intensive practice during these several weeks of ongoing extended practice schedule.  We began a little earlier this year - starting on February 21st and concluded with a weekend Sesshin (Meditation Retreat) on March 7th & 8th.  This is our fifth annual Winter Practice Period. 

Sesshin altar

Sesshin Opening- Ryakufusatsu ceremony

Sesshin- walking meditation

The theme of this year's practice period was the "Self Receiving and Employing Samadhi" (an excerpt from Dogen Zenji's Bendowa). We chanted the text daily and had Dharma Talks on the topic - several of the talks were offered by visiting teachers.

Rev. Seiso Cooper - in-person Dharma Talk

Rev. Jisho Sieber - online Dharma Talk

With deep gratitude to all the visiting teachers and to all who participated in this year's Winter Practice Period - may it be of benefit.

This year also included a MOVIE NIGHT- showing Zen: the life of Zen Master Dogen.

This is not only practice while sitting, it is like a hammer striking emptiness; before and after, its exquisite peal permeates everywhere.  How can it be limited to this moment?  Hundreds of things all manifest original practice from the original face; it is impossible to measure.  Know that even if all buddhas of the ten directions, as innumerable as the sands of the Ganges, exert their strength and with the Buddha’s wisdom try to measure the merit of one person’s zazen, they will not be able to fully comprehend it.  - Dogen Zenji Self Receiving & Employing Samadhi from Bendowa

Lovingkindness - February Family Program

For February's Family Program we explored the theme of lovingkindness as we celebrated Valentine's Day. We also experimented with our first hybrid Family Program, beginning the program with both online and in-person participants. We started by introducing ourselves and sharing something we had been noticing in nature, including the swirls of snow on the road, changing bird calls, snow curling as it slid off the roof, and no snow at all (from our friends in Iowa!). 

We then read the book All the Places We Love by Patricia MacLaughlin, with paintings by Mike Wimmer, in which a child is born and grows to learn to love and cherish all of the people and places around him, eventually passing on what he discovered to his new baby sister.

 Kenzan then led us in a lovingkindness meditation, as we shared love and appreciation for those we care about in our lives, and then expanded lovingkindness outward towards people we don't know, as well as the animals, plants and natural world of which we are a part. 

The in-person group then created Valentine's Day crafts, including pearler beads, origami, and tissue paper art. 

We snacked on delicious heart-shaped snacks and then made pine cone peanut butter bird feeders as a lovingkindness gift for the birds and squirrels.

Rev. Koun Franz, Guiding Kyoshi, Virtual Visit

 

Shao Shan Temple was honored by a virtual visit of Rev. Koun Franz on Tuesday evening, Feb. 10th.  Rev. Koun Franz is the abbot of Thousand Harbor Zen in Halifax, Nova Scotia and joined us in his capacity as Guiding Kyoshi of the newly forming denomination, Soto Zen North America.  In an engaging online talk, he wove together teachings and a vision of connection between Temples and sanghas.  With deep gratitude.

ANNUAL MEETING 2026

 

Shao Shan Temple's 2026 Annual Meeting took place on Saturday, February 7th.  

While most of our programs are focused on matters of spiritual practice; this program is different in that it focuses on the administrative and functional aspects of Shao Shan Temple - the ground of how the Temple functions and moves forward.   

The Annual Meeting participants had the opportunity to review the Temple Reports (Sangha Report, Program Report, Cemetery Report and the Financial Report) and ask questions.  The Annual Meeting this year was primarily in-person (with refreshments!) plus a limited online option.  

Bodhisattva Precept Ceremony 2026

In January, Shao Shan Temple has a ceremony for formally receiving the first five Bodhisattva precepts and making a commitment to a Buddhist way of life.  This is also an occasion for Sangha members and the families and friends of those receiving the precepts to join together in support of the commitment being entered.   

This year, on Sunday, January 25th, 2026, on the edge of an impending snowstorm, Elizabeth (Libby) Case and Daniel Marcus participated in this ceremony, receiving the five precepts.  Thanks to all who joined in a spirit of renewal and intentions which support a life beneficial for all. The ceremony was followed by an intimate time of refreshments and social connection.