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.

Living the Essential Buddhist Teachings Retreat 2026

January 17th &18th was a retreat on the core Buddhist teachings and precepts.  This was the fourth year of this popular program where Shao Shan Temple Formal Students spoke on a topic that has been important in their life and present their experience working with a Precept or part of the 4 Noble Truths or 8-fold noble path.  This emphasized that these teachings are not abstract concepts but ways of being that we can all bring into our lives.

The weekend included several periods of meditation each day in addition to times of sharing and discussion, lunch and informal social time.  

Hearing Snow - January Children's Program

 
January's Children's Program was offered virtually, which allowed some friends to join from afar. We first introduced ourselves and shared what we had been noticing about the natural world, including lots of changes in weather (rain, snow, sleet and sun!), and ravens and other birds. We then read the story Ten Ways to Hear Snow, written by Cathy Camper and illustrated by Kenard Pak. In the story a child explores a snowy day on the way to visit her grandmother, and experiences many different ways of hearing snow along the way, from the scraping of snow shovels to the thumping of snowballs. When she finally arrives at her grandmother's apartment, she experiences a tenth way to hear snow - quiet. After the story we experimented with mimicking the sounds of a rainstorm together by making different noises with our hands, which ended in the quiet of rain turning to snowfall. Finally, we played a game called "Change One Thing," in which one person changed an aspect of their appearance and others guessed what was changed. We closed with a group 

OM, followed by a hearty song of Happy Birthday for one of the participants.

Bowing Week 2026

 

We again began the new year, at Shao Shan Temple, with "Bowing Week".  Every day the first week of programs beginning the day with 108 prostrations before our usual online morning program.  People joined either in-person at the Temple or online from their own homes. 

Each day's bowing session began with this chant:

The one who bows and the one who is bowed to are both, by nature, empty.

Therefore the communication between them is inexpressibly perfect.

Our practice is within the Net of Indra reflecting all Buddhas everywhere.

And my own person reflects in all Buddhas, to whom with my whole life I go for refuge. 

(from Plum Village, "Touching the Earth gatha")

New Year's Eve of 2026

 

Shao Shan Temple observed the New Year's Eve of 2026 with a full evening of meditation, ceremony, outside fire, refreshments and ringing of bells.  Excitingly, this year marked the first Family-Friendly New Year's Eve Program at Shao Shan Temple. 

For the adults, the  New Year's Eve began with meditation, followed by a time for a "personal year review" - reflecting on the past year and what we wish to continue and what we wish to refrain from.  A vigorous Heart Sutra with drum accompanied people offering incense.

The kids had a parallel program:  They read The Three Questions by Jon Muth, which explores what we find to be important in our lives. They each then made drawings about things they found important about 2025 and intentions of things they wanted to prioritize in 2026.  They then practiced a shorter version of the 108 bells before midnight, during which each person rings a bell in succession to mark the passing of each minute. (four minutes instead of 108!)

Kids and adults then came together around the outside fire circle and each person individually offered their paper into the purifying fire accompanied by chanting, sparklers and incense.

Everyone then enjoyed abundant celebratory refreshments and social time in the Sangha Hall and was invited to ring the new large outside bell!

Ending the year of the Snake and entering the year of the Fire Horse.

Happy New Year 2026!