Dharma Rain - Dharma School Manual

Dharma School Manual

History and Development

Making Dharma School a Priority

The DRZC dharma school program is in no sense a day-care setting for kids whose parents want time to practice. While the dharma school may indeed give parents some valuable time to practice with adults, it exists for the sake of the children and youth who are considered just as much a part of the sangha as their parents.

Since its beginning, the dharma school has been given a high priority when considering how to use sangha resources. A significant number of adult volunteers are absent from the adult program on dharma school days. Schedules and temple responsibilities have to be rearranged to accommodate dharma school activities. During one ceremony in December, the kids get use of the “big zendo” where adults would usually be attending dharma talk; the adults have to use the classroom downstairs.

Once a year, during dharma camp, the Zen Center is left with a skeleton crew while most of the monks and residents help staff the camp, which is held out of town.
Also significant is the Center’s financial commitment to supporting the dharma school program. In 2000, the sangha purchased a second house (our third building), largely because we needed more space for dharma school. Recently, we sold that house and bought one that is closer and larger — at least in part because it would serve dharma school needs better. Whenever we envision the long-term future of the Zen Center, dharma school figures prominently. After all, it is one of our most popular programs: in 2004-05, there were 60 kids involved in the dharma school, ages 3 to 18.

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