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Zen Center News

4th of July

Many people from both the DRZC and ZCO sanghas took part in the annual 4th of July picnic at GVZM in Clatskanie. The celebrating began before the picnic with GVZM's participation in the Clatskanie parade, in which they paraded through town on a marimba float. Kyogen grilled again this year and many wonderful culinary delights were shared by all. It was a beautiful, sun-splashed day, filled with many activities, including kite flying, board games, hikes in the woods, basketball in the gym, Frisbee and one of the most grueling and exciting soccer games ever! Catch more digital snapshots of the day posted on the DRZC website.


Eric Marcoux and Eugene Woodworth Celebrate 50 Years Together!

On Friday, June 13, Eric Marcoux and Eugene Woodworth celebrated their 50th year anniversary with a public recommitment ceremony. Over 100 people gathered at the Zendo for the ceremony presided over by both Kyogen and Gyokuko Carlson. Before reciting their vows (the same vows they recite together each month), Eric and Eugene shared the personal story of their meeting and what their experience together has meant to them as well as to others. Eric pointed out how far we as a community have come (both locally and nationally) that an event like this could happen at all, let alone be so lovingly celebrated and honored; he suggested further that no matter who we are, all of us are in some way healed and uplifted. In such recognition and acceptance, we are encouraged to see that we are connected in many ways.

 

(Click on any picture to see a larger view)

 

Then, framed by the men of the Waking Peacock Sangha, Eric and Eugene recited their vows and the Zendo as a whole recited 'Om Mani Padme Hum' 108 times.

 

Following an exchange of rings, the couple received Kyogen's blessing...

 

 

...and the Zendo erupted in applause as they embraced and kissed.

Afterwards, a reception replete with tantalizing desserts and sparkling cider was shared by all in the tearoom downstairs.

The following is an excerpt from a letter of thanks from Eric and Eugene to Kyogen, Gyokuko and the sangha:

"Eugene and I are still in awe at the enormous amount of energy and love you put into our anniversary celebration. Our various friends have expressed the same sense of deep appreciation and wonder at the hard work---and even more importantly---the enormous amount of affection that resulted in an evening of delight for spirit and taste buds...

 

Unfortunately there are not adequate words to express our love for you and our gratitude to you. Together we have all been able to make that dry old term, 'Interdependent Origination,' come alive and sing in our midst.

Can gasshos be as deep as we wish them? I don't think our bodies would co-operate. We wish them DEEP anyhow. DEEP.

Love to you all, Eugene and Eric


Men's Group Weekend Retreat

The Men's Group held its first weekend retreat during June 27-29 at the Muzik Guard Station Lookout in the mountains east of Cottage Grove, Oregon. Ten men took part in the retreat, which was loosely structured to allow for plenty of quiet time to sit, hike and explore.

Upon arriving at the campsite, Kyogen read two poems translated in Cultivating the Empty Field by Taigen Daniel Leighton: "Song of the Grass-Roof Hermitage" by Shitou and "Guidepost of Silent Illumination" by Hongzhi. These poems were read aloud each day by all present and served as a thread connecting us to our formal practice. Silence was maintained until breakfast each morning; however, much time was spent hiking and scrabbling up hillsides, scanning peaks from Hood to Shasta, exploring the remains of a mining ghost-town, and getting to know each other better through stories shared around the campfire (and, not to forget, hopelessly attempting to dodge swarms of gnats, flies and mosquitoes). Many thanks go to Kenryu and Kakumyo for organizing this event and for serving up some stellar fireside meals! More pictures of the retreat can be viewed on the DRZC website.

 

Kenryu cooks up a feast!

 

 

Todd stands silhouetted against the Cascade Mountains.

 


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.


Sangha Picnic, July 26th, Col. Summers Park

About 30 members and their families and friends gathered at Colonel Summers Park for the annual Sangha picnic on July 26. After a great picnic feast, softball (actually, wiffleball) was again popular this year, with Ezra Parker and Fred Green showing us how the game is really played! Ultimate Frisbee and croquet followed.

Operations Corner

We are keeping pace with routine repairs and maintenance, but are not making much progress on new projects. September promises to be a big month as the basement windows are installed and the yard gets put back together.


Newsletter Submissions

The newsletter is put together in the first week of every other month. Submissions are very welcome: short or long articles, which can be on any point of practice, including travel, research or personal experience; descriptions of events we've had; the occasional poem or drawing. We don't 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 Jiko, 239-9323.

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


 

Thanks To:

Thank you to all who give and support the stability and growth of the Center. Gassho to Shoten Carver for a load of mulch; our neighbors, Ric & Marie Seaberg for a fig tree; Erica, Parviz, Helena & Jupiter Seth Ceilidh for a brussel sprout plant for the garden; Myoan McCarty for peas; Sokyo for a rosemary plant; Ann Suiho Jensen for greens, vegetables, fruit, plants and the best bear claws in the world(!); JoAnn, Dave and Jeff Lesh for homemade rhubarb jam, kelp salsa and spruce-tip syrup (sent all the way from Gustavus, Alaska); Kat Streiby and Charles Congdon for Rainer cherries; Yuishin Clark for watercolor paper and other art supplies; JD Devros for bok choy; Tai'an Blackwood for an upgraded pond pump; and Rene Berblinger for a variety of homegrown squash and cucumbers.

 

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STILL POINT archive edit of 30 December 2003
Dharma Rain Zen Center Newsletter
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