This Newsette focuses on resources that may be helpful in leadership transitions and in meeting some of the challenges presented by the heightened tensions in the U.S. and around the world.
Resources offered and requested
In response to a query from a Branching Streams teacher, I found an archived Branching Streams document, Looking For a Teacher, written by Kosho McCall, former Abbot of Austin Zen Center. This document suggests a process for an existing sangha to find a teacher. It may be helpful for board members and leaders of a sangha whose teacher has retired or is stepping down. I’m sending it as an attachment.
Two members of the multi-sangha Racial and Social Justice as Dharma Practice Group, Doralee Grinder Katonah and Lini Wollenberg, have compiled an extensive Racial and Social Justice resource list (attached). They write: “The items below represent material that members have found valuable. While our focus has been on the experience of Black Americans and racism, our interests include the experiences of many socially oppressed groups. Some categories are better represented than others and we welcome suggestions of additional resources.” Correction: The email address for Doralee Grinder Katonah in last week’s Newsette was incorrect; it is grindkaton@icloud.com.
Ryushin Andrea Thach from Berkeley Zen Center writes: Our temple has not raised its class fees in probably 20 or 25 years. We want to hear from you about what you charge for your classes. Do you calculate on the basis of a series or have a formula based on how many are in the series? Do you have a sliding scale or a different differentiation between members and nonmembers. Do you charge a different amount depending upon whether the teacher is the Abbot, or of another background? Please respond to Ryushin directly at andrea.thach@gmail.com.
Other offerings:
An invitation from the Election Retreat group: “Join us for online Postcard Writing Retreats on:
Sunday, August 4, 10 – 1 Pacific (speaker: Roshi Joan Halifax),
Sunday, August 11, 10 – 1 Pacific (speaker: Dekila Chungyalpa)
Wednesday, August 21, 10 – 1 Pacific (speaker: Anne Johnson)
Sunday, August 25, 10 – 1 Pacific (speaker: Hozan Alan Senauke)
To learn more about the program and to register, click HERE. We will be writing postcards to voters in swing states, to encourage them to get out and vote.” The Soto Zen Buddhist Association is offering Women in Himalayan Buddhist Traditions: Transmission and Transformation with Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo, on August 24, at 3:30 PM ET This event is part of the Celebrating the Voices of Women in Buddhism; Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, a monthly, year-long speaker series in 2024. The event is online-only via Zoom. Registration is now open to all who are interested, including your sangha members