Autumn is unmistakably here, even in San Francisco. The air is crisper, and pumpkins and skeletons are appearing on the steps of houses in our neighborhood. Many Zen Centers have embarked on Fall Practice Periods. All have themes which can support practice in the uncertain and stressful time in which we’re living. Here are a few of the offerings:
The Fall Practice Period at Mountain Rain Zen Community in Vancouver BC focuses on “The Flower Garland (Avatamsaka) Sutra, which offers us a path inspired by the vision of Indra’s Net, a boundless net, with a jewel at each node, or intersection, which reflects every other jewel. …We will explore the richness of this text along with contemporary teachings that bring this vision into the twenty-first century.”
Dharma Heart Sangha, in Cotati CA began their Fall Practice Period this week, focusing on Training in Compassion, the Practice of Lojong, studying Norman Fischer’s book.
Brooklyn Zen Center’s Fall Practice Period began on 9/11. The sangha is exploring the relationship between Zen practice and ways of healing, referring to work by Dr. Paula Arai.
This week Austin Zen Center (TX) launched its Fall Practice Period, on the theme “We Could be Heroes and Enter the Mind of Buddha,” inspired by Tenshin Reb Anderson’s book on the paramitas, Entering the Mind of Buddha.
Preparations have begun at several Branching Streams sanghas for Sejiki and a ceremony to feed the hungry ghosts, sometimes combined with Halloween
Mountain Rain describes it: “In this ceremony we will make food offerings to the hungry ghost realm within ourselves and in the world. Costumes and masks are welcome, so that the hungry ghosts will not be too intimidated to join us. We will have a Food Bank basket at the zendo, for donations.”
Santa Cruz (CA) Zen Center’s description is: “The Sejiki ceremony has two purposes: First, we remember people close to us who have died. And second, we invite the Hungry Ghosts of ourselves to be fed, fully welcomed, and fully nourished.”
Other sangha news:
Catherine Gammon, guiding teacher of Neighborhood Zen in Pittsburgh PA, writes about a Jukai ceremony in September: “The preceptor was Korin Charlie Pokorny, who came from Brooklyn Zen Center to lead the jukai retreat and perform the ceremony — and was stricken with covid as soon as he got off the train!” Details and photos are here —https://neighborhoodzen.substack.com/p/jukai-photos. The “five newborn bodhisattvas” are Jodi Reeves –Kiko Yugen, Playful Tiger, Courageous Manifestation; Brent Nakamoto –Meikan Yugetsu, Bright Mirror, Courageous Moon; Britt Davis–Kigen Yuryu, Returning to the Source, Courageous Dragon; Varun Ravindran –Koji Yukan, Luminous Word, Courageous Investigation, and Westri Stalder –Dokai Yuzan, Servant of the Way, Courageous Mountain.
Houston Zen Center is offering a class on Preparing for Your Own Death on November 9 and 10, taught by Abbot Gaelyn Godwin and guest professionals. “An essential part of spiritual practice is to face the fact of our inevitable death and prepare for it. The classes include Buddhist meditations on death, writing advance directives, learning about the biological facts of death, and learning about palliative care and hospice.”
Long time member of Brooklyn Zen Center, Camille Shigetsu Goodison, has recently published an article in Tricycle entitled, “Letting in the Ancestors: Reckoning with her return to life outside the monastery, a Zen student finds solace in calling upon her ancestors.” It is a very moving and powerful self-reflection. You can read it here or download the PDF here. Camille presently serves as co-ino (head of the meditation hall) for BZC’s Boundless Mind Temple,where she’s been a member for over ten years.
With Richard Baker Roshi recently stepping down as Dharma Sangha (Black Forest, Germany and Crestone, CO) Abbot and Head Teacher, this time of transition marks a new beginning for him. To acknowledge and honor this turning point, several events are planned, including his teaching a six-day class on Attentionality.
From the Soto Zen Buddhist Association: We are pleased to announce three events coming this fall: October’s Hearing Younger Women’s Voices, Receiving the Marrow by Bowing; and November’s Throughout the Body, Hands and Eyes: Compassion and Bodhisattva Activism.
All events are online, fees are on a sliding scale (no one turned away for lack of funds), and are open to all. They focus on the voices of women in Buddhism, offering unique perspectives and an opportunity to continue the discussion on Celebrating the Voices of Women in Buddhism.
May you enjoy the colors and tastes of Autumn.