Zen practice in the Connecticut River Valley
Study (Sunday): We’re back with 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 January 29 2023, we will be looking at Chapter 50, page 188, “Changeable Mind.” Kai/Daishi will facilitate.
Next Study: Sunday February 29. Ann L. will be facilitating.
Study (Sunday): We’re back with 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 Nov 27, we will be looking at Chapter 66, page 188, “Enriching our Lives.” Kenko will facilitate.
Next Study: Sunday January 29. Kai/Daishi will facilitate. (No study in December, due to holidays and retreat.)
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.
Will resume in the fall, stay tuned – Chapter 9 “What is Happiness?” on page 31 — Oxbow Zendo & Zoom
We’re studying the “Zen Teachings of the Homeless Kodo” by Koshu Uchiyama and Shohaku Okumura at our monthly study meetings. Looking forward to studying the text with you. Please go ahead and start reading. Mark any sections that speak to you and bring those to the monthly study meeting (dates: 3/27, 4/24, …).
Our next study meeting will take place on Sunday, January 16, 9:30 AM after the regular Sunday sit. Stay posted to see if we’ll be studying the “Jewel Mirror” (which we’ve been chanting in service) or the “Shodoka” (Song of Enlightenment). Generally, we plan to read a section together and share what comes up for us in the moment. No prior study necessary. Think: reading and savoring poetry.
We enjoyed studying the Householder Koans. Starting on Sunday December 12 2021, we’ll be starting a new monthly study, centering on the “Song of Enlightenment” (Shodoka) (click to view), which is also the study text for the upcoming Village Zendo Winter Ango period (Dec 26 2021 – March 2022).
https://villagezendo.org/events/song-of-enlightenment-winter-sesshin/
The Dharma of thusness
Is intimately conveyed by Buddhas and Ancestors
Now you have it
Keep it well
Starting in December, we plan chant the “Song of the Jewel Mirror Awareness” (PDF) along with the Women Ancestors as our service so it can settle more fully into our bodies, minds, and bones. Hope you’ll be able to participate.
Study, now October 24: 9:30 am – 11:00 am, The Book of Householder Koans by Eve Myonen Marko and Wendy Egyoku Nakao. Jo-Ei will facilitate our investigation of “Kit’s New Practice” (p. 233). We’ll be exploring various ways to engage with this koan. All are welcome!
Also, we’re considering other books to continue our shared study. Please bring any suggestions to this study meeting.
Study, September 19: 9:30 am – 11:00 am, The Book of Householder Koans by Eve Myonen Marko and Wendy Egyoku Nakao. We’ll focus on the Koan “Ariel: Modern Nirvana” (p. 217). We’ll be exploring various ways to engage with this and other koans. Is there a koan that resonates with you? If so, go ahead and bookmark the page, as we are exploring many of these koans.
Study: July 11, 2021, 9:30 am – 11:00 am, The Book of Householder Koans by Eve Myonen Marko and Wendy Egyoku Nakao. We will focus on one koan, Myonen: White Wolf, p. 225. We’ll be exploring various ways to engage with this and other koans. Is there another koan in the same section that resonates with you? If so, go ahead and bookmark the page, as we may explore other koans, time permitting.