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Zen Center News

Shukke Tokudo - Ordination

Kenryu Jeffrey Binns will be ordained as a novice priest by his teacher, Kyogen Carlson, on Sat., 19 June. The ceremony will begin at 7pm in the Zendo. All sangha members are encouraged to attend and witness as Kenryu takes this important step. The timing of this ordination falls between our printing cycle, so please look to the upcoming issue of Still Point for news and photos of the event. .

Zendo Dress Code

Please keep in mind that although summer has arrived, we must continue to be mindful of what is worn in the Zendo. We request that people not wear shorts or tank-tops in the Zendo, even on warm and hot days. Clothing should be comfortable and loose but not be so sloppy as to be disrespectful or distracting. It is best to wear subdued clothing: since we sit in rows, bright colors and patterns, tie-dyes and slogans may distract someone sitting behind you. The Zendo is a place for meditation, reverence and mindfulness. It takes each of us to create and sustain this special space for others. If you have any questions or concerns, please refer to the Zen Center's blue book, pages 27-28, or speak with a senior member.

 

Dharma School Teens Visited by a Dharma Punk

On Sun., April 25, the high school Dharma School group hosted Noah Levine, author of Dharma Punx: A Memoir. The high-school group had spent many months reading and discussing Noah's book, which chronicles his descent into crime and drug-addiction during his teen years and his subsequent struggles to work the twelve steps and redirect his life through spiritual practice. The book is exciting and challenging, and sparked many interesting discussions in the high school group.

During his visit, Noah led the discussion and the kids got a chance to ask him questions. Questions ranged from inquiries about Noah's many tattoos to how he felt when his best friend died from an overdose to why he still felt a connection to punk rock. Noah responded with honesty and respect, and clearly enjoyed just spending time with the teens and getting to know them. Among other things, Noah stands as a testament to teens that a Dharma practitioner doesn't have to be square.

Photo: The home altar of one of our long-time Dharma School kids and aspiring punk, Ellen. (To see a complete photo of her altar, click on the picture. Click your browser's back button to return to this page.)


 

Wesak Festival

The Wesak Festival on May 9 went well, beginning with a ceremony and procession in the Zendo. Each year the Dharma School children make a bower out of flowers that encases a small statue of the baby Buddha standing in a bowl of sweet tea. During the procession each person ladles tea over the baby Buddha's head. After the ceremony, everyone headed downstairs for tea and cake, while the kids took turns at the "zen-ata" elephant, this year crafted by Kakumyo. This festival of Shakyamuni Buddha's birth is often the most light-hearted ceremony held every year, and judging by the huge turnout this year, one of the most popular as well. Some photos of the ceremony appear below. Click on any picture to see a larger view.

Upper Left: The flags are out and the Zen Center is prepared for the celebration of the Buddha's birthday: Wesak.

Lower Left; The bower with flowers, sweet tea and the baby Buddha is ready.

Lower Right: Parents and children stand waiting for the procession to start.

Right: The incense offering is made.

Lower Left: The precentor is ready to lead the chanting.

Lower Right: The procession begins.

Upper photos: Children and adults take turns pouring sweet tea over the statue of the Buddha. (In rememberance of the sweet tea that fell like rain when the baby Buddha was born.)

Lower photos: The youngest children get to blow out the candles on the Buddha's birthday cake, then the older Dharma School student cut it up.

Right: Dharma School students (in the middle school class) rev up their energy, preparing to break open the white elephant "zenyaa."

Upper photos: Children and adults watch and cheer on the brave efforts of the zenyata "whacker" to crack open the white elephant. Everyone gets a turn until the zenyata cracks open and spills candy and toys on the floor.

Lower Left: One hapless, blindfolded "whacker" is oriented by a compassionate helper.

Lower Right: Music is added to the celebration.

 


Spring Ango and Denkoe 2004

This year's Spring Ango attracted two additional practitioners into residency, Anthony Stevens and Brendan Castricano. The month-long training period ended with the Denkoe sesshin held at Great Vow Zen Monastery May 10-16. The sesshin marked the two-year anniversary of DRZC's first sesshin held at GVZM. Domyo Sater led us through the week as Shuso. Kyogen gave Dharma Talks on a chapter of the Denkoroku, covering Shanavasa, our 4th ancestor. Kyogen and Gyokuko offered sanzen throughout the week.

Left: Zazen at Great Vow during Denkoe

Click on any picture to see a larger view

Right: The sangha gathers for Shosan. This is a ceremony where trainees, in public, ask the teacher questions about issues that have arisen as a result of their practice.

Left: The student presents the question to the teaher.

Gyokuko concluded the week by giving a Dharma Talk which complimented the thread developed through Kyogen's talks. All the forms were held in the DRZC tradition this year. We offer much gratitude to our teachers and sesshin participants; Kakumyo Lowe, Tenzo; Kenryu Binns, Precentor; Suiho Jensen, Jisha; Carlene Orman, Sacristan; Mugaku Engum, Head Server; Susan McDaniel, Head Tea Server; and to the many work practice leaders from both GVZM and DRZC. The spirit of cooperation and compassion between our two sanghas is truly a wondrous jewel.

During a sesshin, "mundane" activities such as eating and drinking tea become ceremonies: Oryoki and Formal Tea. The ceremonial nature of these activities helps participants to focus complete attention, and to discover the essential unity of all things

Right: Formal Tea is an important part of sesshin. The kettles stand ready for the ceremony.

Below: Preparing for Oryoki, formal meal

Right: Waiting to be served

Below: After Denkoe, putting the final stitches on a kesa. Domyo stitches as Kyogen and Kenryu look on.


On-Line Purchases

DRZC now has the capability to accept payment for many goods and services on-line through our web site. You can sign up and pay for retreats, subscribe to Still Point, and purchase Zen Center publications. To purchase publications, point your browser to: http://www.dharma-rain.org/StillPoint/pp/pub.html.


Spring Term Closing

Spring Term ended on Sunday, June 6 with a closing ceremony. In the ceremony, those present made statements on what they had learned and experienced during the term and voiced their intentions of practice during the summer months. Afterward, the Dharma School kids and teachers entertained us with skits. There was much joy and laughter as we watched and sang together. This annual event is a great launch into our lighter summer practice period.


Residency Program

Brendan Castricano moved in during Spring Ango and has elected to stay on as a full-time resident at the Dharma House. He joins fellow DH residents Kyogen and Gyokuko Carlson, Kakumyo Lowe, Kenryu Binns, Suiho Jensen, Rinchen and Mike Sapiro. There have been no changes at the Sangha House, where Domyo Sater and Yuishin and Ellen Clark continue to live.


Operations Corner

Work on the Dharma House is progressing rapidly, and we will soon begin work on improving the side door to make the basement stairwell safer and legal. This will be the main summer project, although there are always miscellaneous repairs and improvements required. The grounds at all three buildings are a work in progress, but spring's artistry has made a big difference.


Member News:

Gay Kei'un Lewis and Steve Tai'an Blackwood have bought a new house and moved to Oregon City. Joe Shisei Niski has also bought a new house. Mark Sosetsu Stauffer proposed to Alyssa Hartman on Sat., May 8, and surprised her later that evening with an engagement party attended by relatives, friends and several Sangha members. Congratulations, Sosetsu and Alyssa! There was a naming ceremony on Sun., May 30, for Heinrich Paul Madden, son of Jerome Madden and Jennifer Wentzien. This ceremony welcomes Heinrich into the protection of the greater Sangha.


Dharma Rain Zen Center Board Meeting

Dharma Rain Zen Center Board Meeting The Board met on Thurs., May 20 and there was not enough time to approve the minutes and write a summary for this printing. Check www.Dharma-Rain.Org soon for the posted minutes of this meeting.


 

Newsletter Submissions

The newsletter is assembled and edited during the first week of every other month. Submissions are very welcome: short or long articles, which can focus on any point of practice, including travel, research or personal experience; descriptions of events we've had; the occasional poem or drawing. We do not print anonymous articles. Please submit typed submissions if at all possible, and by e-mail if you can, to: newsletter@Dharma-Rain.org. (This saves the newsletter staff from having to re-type the work.) If you have questions, contact Choten at 503/234.3813.

Deadlines and possible topics:

January-February (New Year's eve, precepts study, Hossen): December 1
March-April (Jukai, spring term): February 1
May-June (Denkoe, end of term, summer): April 1
July-August (summer practice): June 1
September-October (fall term, term student program, Segaki): August 1
November-December (Founder's Day, Rohatsu, Christmas): October 1


Electronic Pledges

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; well take it from there.


 

Another kesa is finished up after Denkoe.

Thanks To:

Thank you to all who give and support the stability and growth of the Center. Gassho to Michael Sapiro for groceries and bread; Bill Frazier for veggies; Dosho for a box of food; John Rippey for a gallon of honey; Rich Mackin for bread; Kim Deckman for strawberries; Erin and Linda Kaeil for bagels; Patrick Finneran for an issue of National Geographic's 100 Best Photos; Faddha Yuetsu Wolf for donating a book on the history of Zen in India and China; Greg for potted plants; and Genko Rainwater for potted plants.

 

 

 

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STILL POINT edit of 26 June 2004
archive edit 30 October 2004
Dharma Rain Zen Center Newsletter
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