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".
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!
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| Painting the Temple stucco |
This year, August was a "Summer Schedule" with special events on the weekends and without the usual weekday programs. This allowed for several major maintanence projects to support and care for the Temple as it also supports and cares for us.
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| staining the siding |
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| painting the altar |
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| polyurathaning the altar |
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| processing garlic |
The first major project was a complete refinishing of the Temple altar - fresh polyurathane and paint - with the red & gold paint carefully matched to the original colors.
The second major project was caring for the Temple building exterior - the stucco cracks were filled and all stucco painted, the wood siding stained and cracks around doors and windows were chalked.
Other work projects included processing garden harvest, touching up the Temple Sign, new shelves for meditation cushions, staining all the building decks, planting grass, and so on.
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| cleaning under the altar |
A big thank you to all the Temple community members who helped with these and other projects over the past month.
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| touching up the Temple sign |
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| Temple cleaning after construction |
THANK YOU!
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| Rev. Jisho Dharma Talk |
The program was preceded by a Dharma Talk by Rev. Jisho on Thursday on "Buddha's Instructions for Working with Anger."
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| Children making bread knives |
Adults had time for meditation, discussions and an activity (Japanese calligraphy, sewing practice stretching exercises for meditation).
The children's activities were varied including a brief time each day inside the Temple, making a wooden breadknife, mindfulness games in nature and harvesting in the garden.
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| Children bringing back buckets of harvest from the garden |
Daily lunchtime was followed by a food offering walk and closing circle.
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| Adults making small altar cloths |
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| lunch! |