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About 80 people from both the DRZC and ZCO sanghas attended the July 4th celebratory picnic at Great Vow Zen Monastery in Clatskanie. An early light rain cleared up for a beautiful afternoon. Some people came early and camped and then joined monastery residents in early morning zazen before the July 4th festivities began. The day was full of activities, including basketball games in the gym, croquet, walks in the woods, and tours of the monastery offered by its residents. Kyogen was in charge of grilling, but it was not necessary to call the Clatskanie volunteer fire department.
Photo Left: Fred and Jiko play a serious game of croquet. For more action pictures, including Evolution and the moving of the stone Buddha, click on this link.
One of DRZC's biggest fundraisers for the year, Kanzeon in the Kitchen, was held on a beautiful summer evening, June 15, in a transformed zendo. The event is usually held in February but was held later this year because of Daijukai in early March. Participants were treated to excellent food, live music and great company. The raffle was also quite successful, with fierce competition for some items - okay, fierce in a Buddhist kind of way.
Given entrée choices of tamales, fritatta, or BBQ tofu, guests enjoyed their meal while listening to the vocal group "Bridges," which includes sangha member Sylvan Rainwater.
A very big gassho to the many volunteers who made the delicious evening such a success, both culinarily and monetarily.
For more pictures of Kanzeon in the Kitchen click on this link.
A small but spirited band of members attended the annual Sangha picnic on July 27th. After an exhausting and competitive round of softball (five people trying to hit and catch a small white ball), more exhausting and competitive games were played, including eat-all-the-cookies; croquet (won with grim expertise by resident Knock-'Em-Dead Fred); Evolution, wherein most (but not all!) of the players were able to evolve above amoeba and primate; charades (no kidding), and more. A friendly visit by several uniformed officers of what appeared to be the Office of Homeland Security made the day complete.
This summer is less ambitious than the last few; we are doing more catch-up work rather than taking on big projects. Even so, landscaping and a kitchen remodel at the Sangha House, repairs and exterior finish work at the Buddha House, and some interior painting at all three locations have all made the summer project list. If you are interested in helping with such projects, please call the Center and let us know.
A reminder that the Center went on Summer schedule starting June 9.
There is a place open in the residency program. Both lay and monastic students live at the center; you can work part- or full-time while in residence. If you have questions about the program, contact a current resident. To apply, speak with Gyokuko or call the Dharma House.
On July 20th, student and resident David Kakumyo Lowe was ordained by his teacher, Gyokuko Carlson, as a novice monk. This means he has completed his postulancy, and is now training in the priesthood. Kakumyo's parents traveled from California to attend the formal ceremony. Kakumyo's ordination is an important step for the entire Sangha, as it helps secure the future of Dharma Rain Zen Center. Attending as ordained witnesses were Eric Marcoux, Gilda Paldron Taylor, Getsushin Brox, Kyogen Carlson, and Domyo Sater.
Photo Left: Kyogen gives the kesa to Kakumyo.
For a more complete description and graphics (including video clips) of Kakumyo's ordination click here.
Sometimes we have questions about practice we don't want to take to formal sanzen on Sundays. Two other options are available: speaking with a practice advisor and informal sanzen. Practice advisors are lay disciples who meet with people in an advisory capacity informally, getting together over coffee or by phone. Contact Jill Bukkai Washburn through the Center 503-239-4846 for more information. All advising is kept confidential.
Kathy Smith and Suzanne Lady solemnized their commitment to each other in a traditional Buddhist wedding ceremony in the Hoyt Arboretum in July. Jiko officiated. *** Fumyo and his family took a trip to the distant Galapagos islands in June. *** Domyo stayed at Great Vow monastery for several weeks, helping to prepare for an ordination ceremony for two ZCO students. She returned to Dharma Rain in August. *** Raccoons have been regularly visiting the backyard pond and helping themselves to our newly introduced goldfish. Sharing can be difficult at times.
Please consider having your monthly pledges to DRZC automatically withdrawn from your personal checking account. DRZC has entered into an agreement with an accounting service to process the monthly withdrawals from the checking accounts of participating members and deposit them in our account for a monthly maintenance fee charged to DRZC. In additional to saving everyone paper, this process will save time for our treasurer and will conveniently reduce each participating members' monthly "To Do" list by one item.
Sign-up forms are available at the Center; just ask one of the priests or Board members, or call or drop us a line. When you complete the form, just return it to the Center with a voided personal check and sit back and relax; we'll take it from there.
Thanks To:Gassho to J.D. Devros for snow peas and greens; Sokyo for a basket of fresh-picked raspberries; Jikan for noodle bowls and fresh flowers: Faddah for a wok; Rene Berblinger for fresh garden veggies; Susan McDaniels for jam; Shin'ei for garden veggies; Sylvan Rainwater for a TV and VCR; Shari for herbs and jam; Rebekah Elowyn for dried herbs; the estate of Michael Gutoski for many Buddhist books, kitchenware and meditation supplies; and Anonymous for Gevalia coffee and a coffee maker.
Begging Bowl
The Dharma House is still hoping for a large electric mixer (6 or 7 quart) and some Heavenly Bamboo (nandina) plants. Also appreciated would be park benches, tree-sized cement planters, and lots of quality donations for the Whole Nine Yards sale.
STILL POINT edit of 27 August 2002
Dharma Rain Zen Center Newsletter
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