Taihaku Roshi's 5-year Memorial Ceremony

This past Sunday, May 24th, 2026 was the 5th year anniversary of the passing of our beloved founding abbot, Taihaku Nishiren Diaosho.  

We honored her this year with a full day combination of meditation retreat (1/2 day Zazenkai), ceremony of chanting and offering incense, a procession up to the cemetery with flower offerings, followed by an abundant potluck.  

The cool rainy day was black-fly-free(!) and was made brighter and warmer by our coming together with deep reverence and affection.

Buddha's Birthday - 2026

 

On an unusually chilly May Sunday (were there a few snowflakes?), we joined together for a warm-hearted celebration of the Buddha's Birth.

An enthusiastic group gathered to celebrate Buddha's Birthday at Shao Shan Temple and nature joined in with the calling of the baby ravens in their nearby nest. 

Participants were invited to join in a noble procession carrying parasols, walking sticks decorated with colored streamers, bubble wands and little bells. The procession was accompanied by bells, drums, and conch. 

There was the telling of the story of Buddha's birth.

Everyone had the opportunity to ladle pure water over a statue of the baby Buddha accompanied by Shakuhachi flute music. 

The ceremony was followed by a delicious abundant potluck, and gifts from Shao Shan for people's home altars! 

April Garden Opening Ceremony & Work Day

 

This past Saturday was a Temple "Garden Opening Ceremony" to begin the garden growing season.  The ceremony included walking in procession around the garden chanting the "Marvelously Beneficial Disaster Preventing Dharani", ceremonially planting the first seeds, and chanting our "Garden Chant". We also read a Thich Nhat Hanh quote about being aware of what kinds of thoughts we "water" within ourselves - whether wholesome or unwholesome.

planting the first pea seeds

We worked pulling out last year's plants, tilling the soil and shaping the garden beds.

Garden altar foreground with many folks working

snacks were also available for work breaks!

Wow!  The Leafye Garden is transformed and ready for this year's season!  

Thank you to the many who helped! (just in time before another snow)

Monthly "Temple Day" programs continue!

 

Every first Friday is the possibility of participating in the flexible "Temple Day" program at Shao Shan.  "Temple Day" was designed to offer the opportunity to immerse in Temple life for the day.  The program begins with meditation followed by a chanting service.  After that is work practice - various indoor and outdoor tasks that are both helpful for Temple upkeep and also provide the opportunity to practice being present while active.  There is the option to stay for lunch - abundant with organically grown vegetables from the Temple vegetable garden.

This past Temple Day (4/3/2026) also included a brief ceremony of chanting while removing and burning last year's Anniversary ribbons.

Ben Connelly - Online Visiting Teacher

We were honored to have Soto Zen teacher and author, Ben Connelly of Minnesota Zen Meditation Center join the Shao Shan sangha online. This week was the conclusion of our study group on his latest book: Inside the Flower Garland Sutra: Huayan Buddhism and the Modern World.  He spoke with us joyfully about the essense of Huayan Buddhism as Interdependence, Social Engagement and Abundance.  Thank you to Ben for bringing alive this topic and thank you to all who participated.