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Zen Center News

Congratulations and Bows of Gratitude to Randi Getsushin Brox

On Sun., Jan 25, the annual Shuso Hossen ceremony was held. Randi Getsushin Brox, head trainee (aka Shuso or Chief Junior) for the past 11 months, presented her verse-several lines from Zen Master Baizhang's writings-and was tested on her understanding in mondo by the sangha and visiting teachers, including Rev. Gilda Paldron Taylor, Rev. Eko Noble, and Rev. Hogen Bays. After responding to questions, Getsushin was "passed" by her teacher, Kyogen. This was followed by congratulatory statements made by her seniors and, finally, a capping verse by Kyogen Our thanks to all who came to test the Shuso, and thank you, Getsushin, for a year of service. (Click on any picture to get a larger view)
Above: Getsushin Brox receives the shippei staff in preparation for answering questions from teachers, lay stuents and sangha members during the Shuso Hossen ceremony.

Left: Getsushin answers a question from the Shokki (Sokyo Swallow) sitting to her right. Many other questions followed from teachers and the sangha testing Getsushin on her understanding.

Below: Congratulations are received from Kyogen, Getsushin's teacher, after passing her Susho Hossen ceremony.

So, who will be the next Shuso?

Domyo Sater begins her duties as our next Shuso with the Spring Term Opening on Sun., 29 February. Many thanks to both Getsushin and Domyo for their willingness to serve in this very demanding job.


Board Member Election Results

Gwen Kisei Martin was re-elected for a second term; Kat Strieby was elected for a first term. Gyokuko was elected Co-abbot with no dissenting votes. Many thanks to all board members. Your efforts and time continue to guide the growth and stability of the Center. Special thanks go to Erin Luthy, who is leaving the board after years of service.

 

Introduction to Retreat Practice

An introductory retreat on sesshin practice took place at the Center over the weekend of January 30-February 1. Dosho VanSant led the retreat and was supported by Fumyo Mishaga in Zendo etiquette and zazen instruction, while other senior students filled ceremonial and leadership roles. While there were 24 people who participated in the retreat, 14 were new to sesshin practice, including 5 individuals from the Hood River Sitting Group. During closing statements, many of the new retreatants offered remarks of gratitude and personal experience, along with helpful information on how to make future introductory retreats even more effective. Senior students congratulated participants new to sesshin practice on their degree of maintaining form and silence, which helped to make this retreat powerful for everyone present.


Resident Program: Who's in and who's out

"Ch-ch-ch-changes..." continue at both the Dharma and Sangha houses. Faddah Yuetsu Wolf moved out of the Dharma House in mid-January, while both Michael Sapiro and Hugh Rinchen Draney moved in. At the Sangha House, Fred Green moved out in late-January and David Choten Robinson (and his two dogs) will be leaving residency in March. Residency is a rich and challenging gift, and many heartfelt thanks (and deep bows) go to the Carlsons, the Sangha and all residents for making this intense and transformative practice available.


Tax Receipts

If you are a member of DRZC and would like a tax receipt for donations made during the 2003 calendar year, please call the Center at (503) 239-4846.


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.


Member News

Hugh Rinchen Draney, a new Dharma House resident, has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. The Sangha Support Network has formed a special support group based on guidelines outlined in the book, Share the Care, to help support Rinchen during this transitional period. Besides direct support for Rinchen, the group's intentions are to organize and to not duplicate their efforts; to support one another; and to make sure all needs of individuals served are met. If you have time, skills and/or interest in contributing to this work, or if you are interested in more information, please contact the team coordinator, Mike Gyoshi Kaplan, at 503-635-5271 or at mikek@spiritone.com. The group is newly formed and will evolve with its experience in supporting Rinchen. In his characteristically humorous way, Rinchen has said he is a "willing guinea pig."


Operations Corner

The landscaping at all three buildings is progressing well: bamboo was removed, added and/or transplanted; a diseased tree came down, a fence went up; a path went in, and debris went out. The upstairs sitting room at the Dharma House now has an usable tape/CD closet full of past classes and dharma talks. Work has been completed in the kitchen and in one basement bedroom. There has been some reorganization in the basement and garage. In the coming months, most of the operations' labor will be split between the hallway and laundry room of the Dharma House basement, landscaping and other Sangha house projects, and in bringing our handrail situation up to code.


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.


Begging Bowl

A double futon for couch frame; wide shelf boards (new or used); and storage boxes.



 

Thanks To:

Thank you to all who give to and support the Center. Gassho to LaShelle Chardi for veggies, bagels and hand-made tortillas from Mexico; Rebekah Elowyn for home-grown citrus fruit; Faddah Yuetsu Wolf for new vacuums; Nancy Gonzales for lumber, tools etc; Rinchen Draney for mala beads, many tools and hardware; Carlene & Bob Orman for a coffee maker and a CD player; Getsushin for rolls; and Rich Macki for boxes of everyone's favorite: Girl Scout cookies.

 

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STILL POINT edit of 22 February 2003

Edited for archive on June 30, 2004
Dharma Rain Zen Center Newsletter
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