In my last Newsette, sent soon after Election Day in the U. S., I shared encouraging words from several guiding teachers and heard from some of you that this was helpful. As always, I welcome your comments about these Newsettes.
At City Center, last week David Zimmerman and I co-hosted two listening circles, one in person and one online. Both were well attended by people who were turning toward sangha to share a range of feelings and responses to the election. Several Branching Streams sanghas provided similar opportunities for members to gather.
In this Newsette we greet a new affiliate and share one sangha’s recent joyful Jukai ceremony. We also note a few Rohatsu sesshins and a three-week residential practice opportunity. You may be interested in the environmental actions two sanghas are engaging in. And SFZC’s City Center is looking for kitchen support as we reopen in January.
Welcome to a new Branching Streams affiliate, Zendo of Boulay in Charente-Maritime, France, near the cities of Saintes, Cognac and Pons. Zendo of Boulay was founded in 1996 by Guiding Teacher Jean Yves Seijo LeClerc. Jean Yves received dharma transmission from Keido Les Kaye in 1996, while practicing at Kannon Do Zen Meditation Center in Mountain View, CA.
Cynthia RyoTan Kear, Guiding Teacher of Great Spirit Sangha in San Francisco, gave Shukke Tokudo (priest ordination) to Betsy Groh on Sunday, Nov 10th. Betsy’s dharma name is Sei Ka Ken Jo, Sacred Fire Manifesting Love and Mercy. Betsy is a long-time meditator and has been a member of GSS for many years. She leads Meditation in Recovery’s monthly Marin meeting.
Practice opportunities
Kannon Do Zen Meditation Center and Zen Heart Sangha in Mountain View CA will jointly host a two-day Rohatsu sesshin on Friday and Saturday, December 6th and 7th at Kannon Do. “The sesshin will be led by Misha Shungen Merrill, who is a Dharma heir of Les Kaye’s and is Guiding Teacher for the Zen Heart Sangha. The Rohatsu Sesshin will be held from 8 am – 5 pm each day and will include a modified oryoki lunch. This sesshin is appropriate for first timers and experienced practitioners. There is a $10-50 suggested donation/day which includes the cost of lunch, tea and treats. To attend, please sign up using this form.”
Chapel Hill Zen Center (NC) is offering a December Sesshin from December 6 – 13 led by founding teacher Josho Pat Phelan Roshi. “Sesshin is an intimate way to practice with ourselves and others. We begin sesshin together, sit zazen together, walk together, eat together, and work together. Our practice is supported by the entire universe and each of us is supporting everyone else.” The sesshin day will include zazen beginning at 6 AM, kinhin, a Dharma talk, work period, and oryoki meals. Dokusan with Josho Roshi will also be available.” Here is the link to the registration form; register beforeNovember 27.
Mountain Rain Zen Community in Vancouver BC will hold Rohatsu Sesshin from November 30 to December 7, in person and online. “Please join the Mountain Rain sangha for this seven-day residential retreat, led by co-guiding teachers Myoshin Kate McCandless and Shinmon Michael Newton, in the beautiful natural surroundings of Brew Creek Centre near Whistler.” More information is HERE
Brooklyn Zen Center is offering its first ever Residential Practice Intensive from January 4 to 26, 2025, as they begin their 20th anniversary year. “This a rare opportunity to study with our root teacher Soshin Teah Strozer, who will lead this three-week intensive with the support of BZC Dharma teacherKosen Gregory Snyder at Ancestral Heart Temple and neighboring Watershed Retreat Center” in Millerton, NY. More info and a registration form is here.
Actions to protect the environment from sanghas in the U.S. and Canada:
Santa Cruz Zen Center’s Earthcare Practice Group offers Quick Actions for the Planet each month. This month they include:: Tell Bank of America to Stop Financing Deforestation. They note that “industries destroying the rainforests — primarily for soy, beef, palm oil and wood products — are financially supported by banks.” To send a message, Sign Here.
The Engaged Buddhist Practice Group atMountain Rain Zen Community (Vancouver, BC, Canada)is hosting (w)righting on November 25 in person and online. “On this day, send a letter or email to defend Vancouver’s Climate Plan. Let’s support each other in practicing right speech, voicing our concerns regarding current social/environmental/climate issues. Let’s find ways to express wisdom and compassion in response to the issues that concern us most deeply.” See website for more example letters..
San Francisco Zen Center’s City Center, which has been closed for renovations during 2024, will reopen in January, 2025. City Center is looking for an experienced cook to come for six months. For more details, please email the City Center Director, Choku Proudfoot at choku.proudfoot@sfzc.org.
May we find support and joy in our sanghas and with friends and family as we navigate this challenging time.