Fusatsu – Apr 21

We are doing a Fusatsu ceremony about once a month,  usually on the third Sunday of each month — sometimes without a precepts talk.

Fusatsu is an ancient Buddhist chanting and bowing ceremony of atonement and purification that provides us with the opportunity to acknowledge our deep karmic entanglements. There will be a short talk on one of the Bodhisattva precepts.

The next Fusatsu will take place on April 21.  We’ll sit for one 30 minute round before going into Fusatsu, which takes about 45-65 min, depending on whether there’s a talk.

Dec 17: Fusatsu

On Sunday, December 17, we’ll be doing a Fusatsu ceremony, after a 10 minute sit to settle.

Fusatsu is an ancient Buddhist chanting and bowing ceremony of atonement and purification that provides us with the opportunity to acknowledge our deep karmic entanglements. There will be a short talk on one of the Bodhisattva precepts.

Oxbow Zen Sangha: Fall/Winter 2022/23

At our Sangha Meeting today, we discussed plans for various events.  Here’s the resulting plan (updated on Nov 13):

Quarterly Zazenkais: Moving forward, we’ll be holding a regular Zazenkai in early December, March, June, and September.  Typically, these will take place on the first weekend of the month (except for September, when we meet on the second weekend to avoid Labor Day).  Mark your calendars.

Full Service (Sunday):  Starting on November 6 2022, we will be doing a once-a-month full service as part of every Sunday sit.  This will include the Heart Sutra, Sho Sai Myo Kichijo Dharani, and the Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo, along with healing lists and memorial dedications.

Weekday evening sit (Thursday):  Starting soon on December 1, we will be adding a regular, weekly Thursday evening sit from 5:30-7:00 PM, with two rounds of sitting.

Study (Sunday):  Starting on October 30 2022, we are resuming our once-a-month study of chapters in The Zen Teachings of Homeless Kodo, by Kosho Uchiyama & Shohaku Okumura.  This will take place after the regular Sunday sits, in place of the usual check-in.

    • For the study on Oct 30, we will look at Chapter 9, page 31, “What is Happiness?”  Jo-Ei will facilitate.
    • For Nov 27, we will look at Chapter 66, page 188, “Enriching our Lives.”  Kenko will facilitate.

December Event Schedule

Fri Dec 6 – Sat Dec 7: Rohatsu: All-night sit to commemorate the Buddha’s awakening. All are welcome! Arrive between 8:10-8:20 PM when the building doors are open. We will conclude on Saturday morning at 7 AM.

Thu Dec 12: Fusatsu: Evening ceremony of atonement, awakening, and renewal. Starts at 5:30 PM, ends around 7:00 PM. Please arrive a few minutes early to set up the space, and settle in.

Sun Dec 15: Study at Magna House from 10AM – 11:30 AM, after the regular morning sit. Read the chapter on Linji/Rinzai in the study text “Making Zen Your Own” and share your reflections when we meet.

Year-end Retreat, Dec 26-Jan 1: Enter deep silence and stillness with this Zen retreat hosted by the Village Zendo at the Garrison Institute. Learn more and register!

Rohatsu

We’re excited to announce a very special event, namely an all night sit to celebrate the Buddha’s Enlightenment, called “Rohatsu” in our Japanese Zen tradition.  It will take place in our new home at the Friends Meeting House!   All are welcome!!  
On Rohatsu we commemorate the Budda’s enlightenment by doing as he did — sitting Zazen all night.
Start: Friday December 6 evening (~ 8:15 PM)
Ends: Saturday December 7 in the morning (~7 AM)

There will be a Dharma Talk by Soshin Hoshi.
Short breaks for rest are included and a light meal will be served around the halfway point.  Please join us!  Help us celebrate this most important date on the Buddhist calendar.   Please note that you may leave the building at any time, but there is no entry or re-entry after 8:15 PM

Fusatsu

Fusatsu is an ancient ceremony of atonement, awakening, and new beginnings — recognizing and celebrating the circle of the year nearing its completion, and a new circle beginning.  Making all fresh and new!

All are invited to throw themselves fully into it 😉 

Soshin empowered as Dharma Holder

Roshi Enkyo writes:

On Thursday, August 1st, Soshin was given the role of Dharma Holder (Hōshi). A Dharma Holder is an Assistant Teacher, empowered to give informal interview. Soshin will now be available to help in the teaching here and with her sangha in the Pioneer Valley, Massachusetts. 

Hōshi translates as “teacher of dharma.” In our line, Maezumi Roshi began to use this term for a person who had completed koan study. Here at the Village Zendo, the title is given to one who is well-versed in the teachings, embodies them, and can share them. Hoshis continue their training while also offering interview to others. 

Soshin began her studies at the Village Zendo in the early 2000s; she took Jukai in 2005 with the Dharma name 瑞Zuisho (Auspicious Happiness). In 2009 she ordained and received the Dharma name 窓真 SOSHIN (window of truth)

Soshin has studied with Roshi and the Village Zendo teachers, with Anraku Sensei in Northampton, and most recently with Ryotan Sensei both online and on his visits to the Pioneer Valley sangha. Thus, Ryotan joined Roshi in the empowerment.

Congratulations to Soshin Hoshi!

圓教 / Enkyo

Fall Events

Exciting new events at Oxbow Zen coming up this fall!   Mark your calendars!

  • Sept 30: All-day Zazenkai with Ryotan Sensei from the Village Zendo.
  • Oct 8: Service (Kenko) + Study (10AM – noon)
  • Oct 22: Dharma Talk (Soshin)
  • Nov 12: Service & Talk (Kenko) + Study
  • Dec 10: Fusatsu Service w/ Talk (Soshin) + Study

Earlier start to Sunday sit: arrive 7:45 AM, bell for the first sit at 8:00 AM.

Evening sit moves to Wednesday:  6:00-7:30 PM at Magna House.  Contact us for location details.

Looking forward to deepening the practice together!