Olympia Zen Center Activities & Events

Calling for Help this Saturday, 2/4/12

2012-01-31T17:31:00.000-08:00

Friends, the storm brought down a great deal of branches and debris on the grounds at Olympia Zen Center and they remain lying in piles in numerous spots around the property.

We need to clean up and restore our sacred space. Right now, the Thurston County Landfill will take our stuff free. So, we're planning a work day this Saturday, February 4th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Please come and help. If you have loppers, chain saw, folding saws, please bring them. We will also have some here. Hot soup and simple sandwiches will be offered during lunch break.

Any hours that you can spare will be most deeply appreciated.
Thank you so much for your presence and help in this urgent request. Blessings all around.
Please call if you have any questions: 360-357-2835.

Electric Power Restored

2012-01-24T13:18:00.000-08:00

After five days of blackout, the electric power at Olympia Zen Center and the surrounding area has been restored. Road crews worked round the clock to bring power back in the area. Regular practice will resume on Wednesday morning at 6:15 a.m. and our Wednesday evening schedule will resume also.

The trees received a hit from the ice storm and there are many branches to be picked up. We are fortunate throughout the neighborhood that no major limbs hit any homes. Numerous trees have been topped however, and the tree damage is obvious as you drive through the neighborhood.

Gratitude to everyone who called and helped to shovel us out of the driveway so we could replenish our food. Gratitude to our neighbors, the Sopers, who took us into the warmth of their home. Gratitude for safety through the storm.

Remaining Closed Thursday and Friday morning

2012-01-19T09:57:00.000-08:00

Olympia Zen Center will remain closed Thursday evening and Friday morning due to ice and snow on the roadways. If you must drive, please use extreme caution. Ice is causing tree limbs to snap adding to the hazardous conditions. If you must drive, be alert!

Closure due to snow

2012-01-17T14:26:00.000-08:00

SNOW CLOSURE
JANUARY 18, 2012.

The back roads are dangerous during snowy and icy conditions. For everyone's safety and well being we are closing January 18, 2012.

Snowy Winter Buddha

2012-01-16T12:13:00.000-08:00

Rohatsu Sesshin was remarkably beautiful. Many people participated and we woke to a snowy landscape that lit up the darkness on Sunday morning, celebrating the Buddha's Awakening. Our overall theme was "living on the threshold, the gateway to everywhere."

The gardens are serene and tucked in for the winter just in the nick 'o time as snow covers the landscape. Who would think that we would enjoy bright sunny days during sesshin in the middle of January! Many people have worked in the gardens to keep the trees, plants and bushes healthy and to encourage new life among the cedars. We are deeply grateful to all for your care of the sacred space.

The regular schedule continues, but please do not attempt to drive in when the roads are icy or snowy. Zazen is everywhere and it's wise to sit at home rather than attempt the back roads on a dark morning or evening. Those who live full-time at Olympia Zen Center will maintain the meditation schedule.

Meditation Schedule
Tue, Wed, Fri at 6:15 a.m.
Sat at 7:00 a.m.
Wed at 7:00 p.m. with Newcomer Orientation at 6:00 p.m.
Thurs at 6:00 p.m.

See the Newcomer, and Practice pages on the website for more information.

Annual Meeting required by WA State law will take place on Wednesday evening January 25, 2012. New practice positions will be announced and new members to the board will be voted in.

Rohatsu Sesshin - January 10 to 15

2012-01-10T12:40:00.000-08:00

Sesshin is a time to respond to the bell and come to the cushion to collect the Heart-Mind. Collecting the Heart-Mind means that we turn away from multiple worldly concerns and face inward to acknowledge our Original Self, to allow Buddha Nature to pervade.

Only once a year we have Rohatsu Sesshin so we do all we can to be present for this rare opportunity. Practicing together we fall into a harmonious rhythm that allows each one to consider her or his own condition and stand in the heart of honesty and compassion about one's life. It is truly one of the most excellent practices we can do for ourselves - to sit Zazen for an intense period of time at least once each year, to open to insight and possibility, to breathe with balance and evenness, to accept ourselves just as we are.

For anyone who would like to come for brief periods, please enter slowly and quietly, sit along the back of the Zendo. A few good times would be in the morning at 5:00 a.m. or in the evening at 7:00 p.m. If you plan to stay for a meal, please phone ahead so we can prepare the right amount of food. (360-357-2835)

POETRY NIGHT, JANUARY 4, 2012

2012-01-02T11:10:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year one and all. May 2012 bring us greater peace in the world and greater peace in each one's heart/mind. May the blessings of life bring us to deeper gratitude for all we have and are given. May compassion and generosity be the mark of all our activities in the coming year.

Poetry Night, January 4, 2012

Once a year we express practice through poetry, just as Ryokan did throughout his life. We bring a poem which we have written in our own words and share them in Sangha. When we first began this practice many years ago, some were hesitant in their expressions, but gradually this has become one of our rich experiences of practice as we must pull out of ourselves the goodness of Dharma.
If you come, you must recite in your own words, not the poetry of another. If you do not bring a poem, you must make one up on the spot. On this night, there are no observers, only participants.
Please come and enjoy this wonderful time together.
We begin with Zazen at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Friends at a distance
Please note: For those of you who live far away and would like to include a poem, please email your poem to director@OlympiaZenCenter.org and we will include your poem in the readings.

Buddha's Enlightenment Day

2011-12-07T16:17:00.000-08:00

The Buddha's Enlightenment is celebrated in Soto Zen on December 8th, but in actuality, we celebrate it every day through our practice. The Buddha spent many years struggling to understand the nature of suffering and how to alleviate it. In his Great Awakening, he saw through the human condition and he showed attachment to appetite as the problem. He then pointed a way to overcome suffering by showing us how to live well. The way to live well is at the heart of our daily practice because these practices root us in Awakening. This is the central matter of Zen practice.

This time around, we will hold our Rohatsu Sesshin to honor the Buddha's Awakening in the deep winter of January, from the 10th to the 15th. It is a dark time of year, but it is also a time of renewal and recommitment to practice, recharging our energies and setting ourselves in the right direction. Please arrange your lives to be there for this important time.

Enjoy the light that comes from the Buddha's life shining in the morning star. One small nod in that direction can change a heart. May your life go well.

Service as Gratitude for Life

2011-11-21T15:17:00.000-08:00

There are many times in Dogen's writings when he says: "I cannot fully express my deep gratitude." His sense of all he had been given went far beyond his ability to find words to express it, and thus Dogen gave his life in service to all humanity as his full expression of gratitude.

Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen writes: "Fixing and helping create a distance between people, but we cannot serve at a distance. We can only serve that to which we are profoundly connected.

"Helping, fixing and serving represent three different ways of seeing life. When you help, you see life as weak. When you fix, you see life as broken. When you serve, you see life as whole. Fixing and helping may be the work of the ego, and service the work of the soul.

"Service rests on the premise that the nature of life is sacred, that life is a holy mystery which has an unknown purpose. When we serve, we know that we belong to life and to that purpose. From the perspective of service, we are all connected: All suffering is like my suffering and all joy is like my joy. The impulse to serve emerges naturally and inevitably from this way of seeing."

May this Thanksgiving Day awaken us to "the work of the soul" and may our sense of gratitude for this life find us healed and transformed into true practice. May our Thanksgiving be large in spirit, expressing our gratitude in the action of service. May we never forget all those who have so little food.

Zendo Schedule:
Zendo closed from November 22 at noon until November 29 at 6:15 a.m.
Next Wednesday evening gathering will be on November 30th at 7:00 p.m.
New Year Day Gathering 10:00 a.m. for Zazen, Bell Ringing, Potluck Brunch
Poetry Evening January 4th at 7:00 p.m. following Zazen
Rohatsu Sesshin January 10 at 7:00 p.m. to January 15th.

Gratitude and a Day of Meditation

2011-11-14T12:35:00.000-08:00

"Gogo-an" by Allyson Essen, acrylic, 2011
Several similar paintings by Allyson are on sale at Olympia
Zen Center, and all sales help to benefit the temple

The Olympia Zen Center board expresses its deepest gratitude to all the volunteers who came to participate in Community Service Day last Saturday. Much was accomplished to prepare the grounds for winter and to install the green barrier across the back of the parking lot. Wonderful work. Wonderful spirit. Thank you.

NOVEMBER 19, ONE-DAY RETREAT WITH REV. JIKYO WOLFER
7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
This is a time of thanksgiving and gratitude for our practice and our lives. Spend the day remembering all we have been given and restore a sense of balance and inner well being.
For reservation: call 360-357-2835
or email: director@OlympiaZenCenter.org
Schedule includes breakfast and lunch.

PLEASE NOTE ZENDO HOLIDAY CLOSURE: The Zendo will be closed from 10 a.m. on November 22 and will reopen for morning practice on November 29.

VOLUNTEER SERVICE DAY - NOVEMBER 12

2011-11-01T15:05:00.001-07:00

On Saturday, November 12, Olympia Zen Center will hold a Volunteer Service Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The time will include preparing the grounds for winter, raking the autumn leaves, planting a green belt across the back of the parking area, putting bark on the bare spots on the Path of the Ancestors. Working together is exhilarating and teaches us about cooperation in Sangha. We can also enjoy keeping the temple grounds beautiful.
The day will include a light lunch and an opportunity for social interaction. The day is open to everyone whether or not you are a meditator or member. We provide work gloves and tools. You provide some good physical exercise and sincere spirit. It's an excellent way to meet people and to learn about this spiritual community of meditators. Join us in this wonderful time of community activity.
Please call or email if you are coming so we can prepare the right amount of food for lunch.
360-357-2835 or director@OlympiaZenCenter.org

Reading Schedule for Zen Sourcebook

2011-10-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

Recommend you copy this reading schedule for Zen Sourcebook and tuck it into your text so you can follow along with the reading and join in the conversation as you are able on Saturday mornings.
ZEN SOURCEBOOK, TRADITIONAL DOCUMENTS FROM CHINA, KOREA, AND JAPAN. Edited by Addiss, Lombardo and Roitman. Hackett Publishing, 2008. ISBN-13:978-0-87220-909-1. Although there is an array of tremendously rich material that could incorporate a lifetime of study, the purpose of taking up this particular text is to familiarize ourselves with the main Zen documents in their historical, cultural and social contexts. Surely as we read, particular texts will have impact on us individually and we will each take these for our personal study at greater depth.

2011

10/29, Ch. 3

11/5, Ch. 4

11/12, Volunteer Day, 10-2

11/19, Sesshin

11/26, Ch. 5 (Thanksgiving Weekend)

12/3, Ch. 6

12/10, Ch. 7

12/17, Ch. 8

12/24-12/31 Closed

2012

1/7, Ch. 9

1/14, Rohatsu Sesshin

1/21, Ch. 10

1/28, Ch. 11

2/4 and 2/11, Ch. 12 (23pgs)

2/18, Sesshin, Jukai

2/25, Tokudo

3/3, Ch. 13

3/10, Ch. 14

3/17, Sesshin

3/24, Ch. 15

3/31, Ch. 16

4/7 and 4/14, Ch. 17 (33pgs)

4/21, Sesshin

4/28, Ch. 18

5/5, Ch. 19

5/12, Ch. 20

5/19, Sesshin

5/26, Ch. 21

6/2, Ch. 22

6/9, Ch. 23

6/16, Sesshin

6/23, Ch. 24

6/30, Ch. 25

7/7, Ch. 26

Sitting the Day - October 15

2011-10-10T10:33:00.000-07:00

Facing the Wall and seeing inside right down to the root.

OCTOBER 15, WITH REV. JIKYO WOLFER
7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Call 360-357-2835 or email director@OlympiaZenCenter.org for reservation. The day of sitting includes breakfast and lunch, and optional interview with the teacher.
Excellent opportunity for a day of clarifying the heart/mind.

THE FIVE ROOTS OF TRAINING
The root of faith in the Dharma
Second, the root of zealous spiritual endeavor
Third, the root of mindfulness
Fourth, the root of concentration
Fifth, the root of wise discernment
Master Dogen "On the 37 Methods of Training for
Realizing Enlightenment"

SATURDAY STUDY OF ZEN SOURCEBOOK
Read Chapter 2 for October 22 discussion.

REGULAR SITTING SCHEDULE
MORNINGS
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday at 6:15 a.m.
Saturday at 7:00 a.m.
EVENINGS
Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. with Newcomer at 6:00 p.m.
Thursday at 6:00 p.m.

"The root of life of all humans on this great earth is the root of mindfulness..." Dogen Zenji, SHOBOGENZO

Autumn is in the air

2011-09-29T09:20:00.000-07:00

We are given some spectacular days with the unmistakeable cool air of autumn. The trees are beginning to turn and winds are bringing down the first layer of leaves.

One Day Sesshin
October 15 with Rev. Jikyo Wolfer
7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wonderful opportunity to balance the heart/mind on this one Saturday a month spent in silence and contemplation. The day includes breakfast and lunch and a voluntary interview with the teacher.

Regular Practice Continues
Mornings:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday at 6:15 a.m.
Saturday at 7:00 a.m.
Evenings:
Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday at 6:00 p.m.

Study Text: ZEN SOURCEBOOK by Addiss, Lombardo, and Roitman. Hackett Publishing, 2008.

"The boundless sky above and autumn chill on my skin
I stroll about low hills leaning upon my priceless cane."
Zen Priest Ryokan translated by Yuasa.

Homage to Randal Johnson

2011-09-19T09:40:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. we will have a ceremony in the garden to place a plaque next to the torii gate in honor of our deceased Dharma brother, Randal Johnson, who died last year on December 21. Ann Storey, his wife, will be in attendance. Everyone is invited to join us. Coffee and refreshments will follow. Randal's Dharma name in life was Hoin Taigan, Dharma Music, Vast Cliff. His Nirvana name is Seijun, Pure Hearted Spirit.

Earlier on Saturday the 24th, we will will have our regular practice at 7:00 a.m. with usual activities, and we will begin discussion of the first chapter of our new text, ZEN SOURCEBOOK (see earlier blog with details of the book). Please also read the introduction which will be a resource throughout the study. Chapter one begins with the Heart Sutra and the Kannon Sutra.

Maintaining Spiritual Health

2011-09-13T12:49:00.000-07:00

ONE DAY RETREAT, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, September 17th, 2011.

A rule of thumb to maintain basic spiritual health is to practice meditation one hour a day, and do a retreat one day a month, and one week a year. This is a minimal practice for anyone who wishes to keep the heart/mind in good balance. Just as we keep our cars gassed and tuned up and our homes clean and vacuumed, we attend to the heart/mind and spend time in quiet reflection, engaging in discernment and understanding our condition. Just thinking about meditation isn't It. We have to actually do It. We have to get on the cushion or the chair and take the time to breathe and focus. This coming Saturday is an opportunity for a one-day a month retreat that we usually can't do at home.

ONE DAY RETREAT, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, September 17th, 2011.

CHILDREN'S DAY, Saturday the 10th

2011-09-05T16:55:00.000-07:00

DO JOIN US on Saturday the 10th for fun and games in the out of doors with children and adults. We'll have lunch (kid friendly), ice cream and cake, and a bocci ball tournament with prizes. All ages can participate without any previous experience. Bring your kids, grandkids, kids from next door or down the block.

11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Kids are also welcome to explore the zendo, ring bells, try out the cushions, so that it is all familiar to them. In the interests of food preparation, please let us know if you are coming.

NEW STUDY TEXT FOR FALL

2011-09-05T16:30:00.000-07:00

Yes, look inside and engage in study of our new text for the coming season. "This is the first collection to offer selections from the foundational texts of the Chinese, Korean, and Japanese Zen traditions in a single volume. Through the representative selections from their poetry, letters, sermons, and visual arts, the most important Zen Masters provide students with an engaging, cohesive introcution to the first 1,200 years of this rich -- and often misunderstood-- tradition."

Please call or email (see contact page) ASAP to add your name to the list if you wish to obtain a copy through Olympia Zen Center. Otherwise you may obtain a copy on your own.

We will begin our first discussion on September 24.

ZEN SOURCEBOOK. Edited by Stephen Addiss, with Stanley Lombardo and Judith Roitman. Hackett Publishing Company: Indianapolis, 2008.
ISBN-13: 978-0-87220-909-1

SUMMER HOLIDAY

2011-08-24T08:55:00.000-07:00

Snowqualmie Falls

Olympia Zen Center will be closed for summer holiday from August 20 to September 3. On the morning of September 3, we will reopen at 7:00 a.m. for Zazen and regular Saturday morning practice.

Prajna Paramita, Heart Sutra for Japan Tsunami/Earthquake Victims

2011-08-10T14:09:00.000-07:00

800 year old Buddha statue in Japan
opened for viewing one day every
ten years, which Eido and Jikyo
had the opportunity to witness.

All handwritten Heart Sutras are due on Saturday morning, August 13, by 7 a.m.
We have had the opportunity to hand write the Heart Sutra for the 10,000 Shakyo for Japan Tohoku Memorial in recognition of all those who lost their lives in the March 11 earthquake/tsunami. This Saturday morning, August 13, we will recite the Heart Sutra at our Morning Ceremony. Please deliver any writings by Saturday morning at 7 a.m. so we can include them in the Ceremony. The package will be sealed as part of the Ceremony and then taken to the post office afterward.

Thank you so much everyone for your participation in this. The writings are beautiful and we can know that our prayer resides in the soil of Sacred Mountain Gassan where the wind and the snow, the sun and the rain, all speak to the eternity of spirit. So proclaim the Prajna Paramita, proclaim the mantra that says: Gate, Gate, Paragate, Parasamgate, Bodhi! Svaha!

Prayer for the people of Somalia

2011-07-27T11:15:00.000-07:00

Famine has been declared in Somalia. Famine is declared when more than 30% of children in a nation are suffering from acute malnutrition. There are various ways to contribute to famine relief such as the global agencies Mercy Corps or Unicef. We can also keep the starving families in our daily prayer and mindfulness practice. We can restrain our own eating and each time we do, send the merit of our practice to the people of Somalia. Famine is something nearly incomprehensible to us who live in great abundance and yet, it is happening on the same ground of earth on which we are connected. Here is a line from the chant of the Bodhisattva of Mercy in the Lotus Sutra that we can recite throughout the day to send the merit of our prayer:

"O you of the true gaze, of the pure gaze, of the gaze of broad and great wisdom, of the compassionate gaze and the gaze of good will! We constantly desire, constantly look up to the spotlessly pure ray of light, the sun of wisdom that banishes all darkness, that can subdue the winds and flames of misfortune and everywhere give bright light to the world."

Please join us in Port Angeles on Friday, August 5 and Saturday, August 6 for a lecture and retreat on the teachings of Ryokan sponsored by the Port Angeles Zen Community.

Games for Kids in the Garden on September 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This is open to adults and children for lunch, goodies, cake, and bocci ball tournament. Anyone and all ages can play bocci ball; no prior experience is necessary. Come and join in the fun!

FULL MOON SESSHIN

2011-07-11T14:08:00.000-07:00

Full Moon at Fukujuji

FULL MOON SESSHIN
Begins Wednesday, July 13, at 7:00 p.m.
Finishes Sunday, July 17, with informal lunch.

"True all the seasons have moonlit nights, but here's the best night to see the moon: The hills never so aloft the streams never so clear. In the infinite blue of autumn sky flies a disc of light. Neither light nor gloom is graced with a life of its own. The moon and the earth are one and myself one with them."
Ryokan (Trans. Nobuyuki Yuasa)

You are welcome to come for all or part. Tent out if you like or sleep indoors.
Phone 360-357-2835 or email at director@OlympiaZenCenter.org for reservation.

Interdependence Bell

2011-07-04T12:19:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the 4th of July and an awareness of how we are all connected in this interdependent world. Notice how the sound of the bell goes out, resonates, and touches everything around it without discrimination. This gives us pause to care for our lives and the lives of others in the best way possible as the resonance of all activity is felt in the world around us.

Please continue prayer for the wildfire situation in the Southwest.

FULL MOON SESSHIN
JULY 13 to 17
Beginning at 7:00 p.m. on the 13th and finishing with informal lunch on the 17th.
Wonderful, spirited retreat during an auspicious full moon in summer. Please call or email to say you are coming.
360-357-2835 or director@OlympiaZenCenter.org

GARDEN MEDITATION AND GRATITUDE FOR SERVICE WORK
Spending some time helping with weeding in the garden is an excellent way to do service work and meditate in solitary practice. The gardens are exquisite this year as the sun makes an appearance and warms up the vigorous growth we've seen this spring. Weed buckets are available in the shed and pulled weeds go in the blue bin. You are welcome any time. Please allow sedge or cedar tree seedlings to continue to grow.

ONE-DAY SESSHIN IN PORT ANGELES
AUGUST 6
Carpooling will be arranged from Olympia Zen Center to spend a day in practice with Port Angeles Zen Community.
Leave OZC at 6:30 a.m. and return to OZC by 9 p.m.
Sitting will be from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Social time at dinner before departing for Olympia.
The sesshin will be co-led by Eido Frances Carney and Jikyo Wolfer

REGULAR PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Mornings: Tues, Wed, Fri at 6:15 a.m.
Sat. at 7:00 a.m.
Evenings: Wed. at 7:00 p.m.; Thurs at 6:00 p.m. Young people are encouraged to participate in the first period of Zazen Thursday evenings. When young people are present, the period will be shortened to accommodate their ability.
Newcomers: please see the website for full information. First and third Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. Phone or email for reservation.

"Front and back, and length and width are not separate from each other, nor are they separate from the whole universe. Just as you cannot have a front without a back, so you cannot have anything that is somehow independent of the whole universe." Rev. Hubert Nearman, Translator, SHOBOGENZO

Urgent prayer request from the Apache Nation

2011-06-28T12:08:00.000-07:00

Southwest U.S.A.  Tribal Prayer Request

                            Friday, 24-Jun-2011 11:38 AM


Wallow Fire - Special Request from the Native Brothers
and Sisters in the SW
Please forward as you see fit
Hello everybody - as you can see on the news the Wallow fire in Northern
Arizona is still uncontrollable and spreading.
The fire has destroyed everything in its path, over 1/2 million acres so
far, the largest fire in Arizona history. Please join us in a tribal prayer
to help the firefighters and all involved. Pray so the winds stop and the
rains start (without lightning please) We want to pray for the safety of
all. Ask for heavenly walls to protect our land and animals from fire. All
the choppers, manpower, planes, and bulldozers are not enough, they need our
help. We are one Nation as Natives and our traditional prayers to the
Creator as Natives can be pretty powerful; not only are our tribal lands at
stake (White Mountain & San CarlosApaches, possibly Zuni, and some Navajo
areas), but our non-native friends also need our help. Please let us all
connect our minds, hearts and our prayers across the miles and pray.
Wherever you are and whatever you have plan please stop for a few minutes
and raise your hands to the Creator to ask for help. If all of you can
forward this message across the Nations, we can reach many thru phone and
internet. Please start forwarding ASAP to reach as many as we can. Please if
your spiritual preference is not traditional - pray with us in however way
you talk to the Creator.
Thank you,
Dorothea Stevens, San Carlos Apache Nation

Wonderful opportunity for parents and young people

2011-06-27T16:09:00.000-07:00

Our Thursday practice at 6:00 p.m. is one way to support parents in seeing to the healthy development of their children and their spiritual lives.

Our Thursday meditation practice has been moved to the evening at 6:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity to bring young people to the first period to sit together with parents and other adults and young people. When young ones are present, the first period will be shortened to accommodate their ability to sit. The sitting period is followed by 10 minutes of walking meditation, which is also exceptional training for young people.

Please feel free to leave at that point before the next period, which will be longer, although you are welcome to stay and continue to sit. We conclude the hour with three bows to the altar. There is no Dharma talk.

Looking forward to seeing you at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday evenings. Please remember that if you happen to be a few moments late, we don't discourage people from entering the Zendo after the bell has rung.

Writing the Heart Sutra for Japan

2011-06-19T09:17:00.000-07:00

A Tohoku Earthquake Memorial Sutra Mound will be built on Mt. Gassan, a sacred mountain in Northern Japan. The executive committee is inviting people from all over the world to participate by handwriting the Heart Sutra for the victims of the Japan earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident.

Hand copying a sutra is called "Shakyo" and is a regular practice in Buddhist life in Japan. The committee hopes to gather 10,000 Shakyo which will be buried in the mound on Mt. Gassan. Gassan is one of three sacred mountains where the souls of the victims of the Tohoku Earthquake will rest in peace. The ceremony will be conducted on October 9 and will be available later on youtube.

You are welcome to participate in Writing the Heart Sutra. You may come to Olympia Zen Center and use our materials here on a special table set aside for this practice. Or, you may write it at home and bring it to us to be included in the 100 sutras that we would like to have by August 13, our deadline for mailing. We will hold our Morning Ceremony on August 13, dedicating the writings before they are shipped to Japan on that date.

You may come and write the Sutra any Saturday morning between 9 a.m. and noon until August 13. Please enjoy a seat in the garden and do your writing, or sit inside in the Zendo.

You may write the sutra in English or in Kanji. For the English version, please download the Heart Sutra PDF at Olympia Zen Center home page.

For writing in kanji, download from either of the following pdf files.

http://homepage.mac.com/ssxlh1200/10000sfj/dl/hannyas_in_dl.pdf
or the website on facebook "10000 Shakyo for Japan"
http://www.facebook.com/pages/10000-Shakyo-for-Japan/200268080003974

Please be certain to include your name, date, and city of residence at the bottom or on the side of the page.

Thank you so much for including your prayer for Japan.

ONE DAY SESSHIN, JUNE 18, 2011

2011-06-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

Part of the Stone Circle and Gogo-an at OZC

ONE DAY RETREAT
JUNE 18, 2011
7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This is an opportunity to step back from the usual Saturday clamor and bring some peace to the soul. The day of silence and personal solitude will include periods of sitting meditation, walking meditation, working in the garden, breakfast and lunch, and optional interview with the teacher.

Please call or write for reservation:
360-357-2835 or director@olympiazencenter.org

The regular schedule continues:
MORNINGS
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:15 a.m.
Saturday at 7:00 a.m.
EVENINGS
Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday at 6:00 p.m.

We continue to keep in prayer all those suffering in disasters around the world.
Kanzeon! At one with Buddha.
Related to all Buddhas in cause and effect.
And to Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
Joyful, pure, eternal being!
Morning mind is Kanzeon.
Evening mind is Kanzeon.
This very moment arises from Mind.
This very moment not separate from Mind.

Regular Practice

2011-05-22T18:52:00.000-07:00

PRAYER AND HEALING FOR VICTIMS OF THE TORNADOES IN THE MIDWEST
"Listen you to the conduct of the Sound-Observer, the one who responds well to all places in all directions!...From moment to moment conceive no doubts, for the pure saint who observes the sounds of the world in the discomforts of pain, agony, and death can be a point of reliance."
From the Lotus Sutra

"You have received a human body in a remote land, which is rare enough, and though some may say that you are foolish, the strength of your good roots from invocations performed in past lives is fully manifesting so that you now have the opportunity to encounter the Dharma of Shakyamuni Buddha. Though you are doing respectful bows to the Buddhas and Ancestors who have realized the Truth and are helping others to realize the Truth amidst the hundreds of thoughts and things that are sprouting up, this is Shakyamuni Buddha's fulfilling the Way; it is Shakyamuni Buddha's doing His utmost to practice the Way..." Dogen Zenji, Shobogenzo

Opportunities for Zazen
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 6:15 a.m.
Saturday 7:00 a.m.
Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
Thursday 6:00 p.m.

Newcomer Orientation at 6:00 on Wednesday evening.

2011-05-19T17:39:00.000-07:00

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2011
DAY OF PRAYER AND
HEALING FOR JAPAN

JOIN US FROM 10 A.M. TO 3 P.M. FOR OPEN TEMPLE

WE WILL ALSO HOLD MORNING PRACTICE AT 7 A.M. FOLLOWED BY SWEEPING AND BREAKFAST

COME ANYTIME AND OFFER INCENSE,
WRITE A POEM, A PRAYER, WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND HANG IT IN THE GARDEN

SIT MEDITATION OUTSIDE OR INSIDE IN THE MEDITATION HALL

WALK IN THE GARDEN AND OFFER THOUGHTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

SIT IN THE QUIET OF THE GARDEN AND SIP A CUP OF TEA

PRACTITIONERS WILL BE AROUND THE GROUNDS TO SHOW YOU THE WAY.

WALK IN FROM THE CHEHALIS WESTERN TRAIL. SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO SHOW YOU THE ENTRY, OR DRIVE ONTO THE GROUNDS AND PARK

SCHEDULE CHANGE

2011-05-06T09:47:00.000-07:00

Spring garden at Olympia Zen Center

Please note a change in our practice schedule. We will now have two evening opportunities to sit Zazen: Wednesday evening at 7:00 with a Dharma talk, and Thursday at 6:00 p.m. with no Dharma talk and finishing by 7:00 p.m. We will no longer have the Thursday morning schedule.

Here is how the new schedule looks:
MORNINGS
Tuesday: 6:15 to 7:15 a.m.
Wednesday: 6:15 to 7:15 a.m.
Friday: 6:15 to 7:15 a.m.
Saturday: 7:00 to 10:00 a.m.
EVENINGS
Wednesday: 7:00 to 8:45 p.m. Newcomer Orientation: 6:00 p.m.
Thursday: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
CLOSED
Sunday and Monday

This change is being made at the request of several practitioners who find an evening schedule is most helpful. Please take advantage of these opportunities to sit Zazen and let us know how this schedule is working for you. Our aim is to honor the tradition yet make the practice times accessible for you.

MAY 21
DAY OF PRAYER AND HEALING FOR JAPAN
For those who are spending the day as a sesshin/retreat the schedule begins at 7:00 a.m. with Zazen, Morning Ceremony, Cleaning temple, and breakfast. OPEN TEMPLE will be from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sesshin participants will finish the day with Zazen practice from 3:00 to 3:40 with cleanup until 4:00 p.m. With deepest gratitude for your participation in this important day of prayer and healing for Japan and for our own opportunity to express the grief we are all feeling.

Being, Prayer, Healing

2011-05-02T12:25:00.000-07:00

Olympia Zen Center will hold A DAY OF PRAYER AND HEALING FOR JAPAN on May 21, 2011. The 49th day since the Great Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan, 3/11, was held on April 29 with many ceremonies throughout the country to mark the end of the formal period of mourning.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama altered his travel schedule in order to be in Japan at that time. After the tsunami, Tibetan monks in Dharamsala chanted the Heart Sutra 100,000 times for those who died, and to prevent future disasters.

As of the 49th Day, the death toll was 14,517 with more than 11,432 reported missing in 12 prefectures. More than 130,000 people remain housed in temporary shelters. Tens of thousands of others have evacuated their homes due to the nuclear crisis.

Let us all take a moment on THE DAY OF PRAYER AND HEALING FOR JAPAN to express our grief and send healing prayer far and wide. We will write prayer messages, hang them in our trees, and then send them to Entsuji Temple in Japan.

REGULAR DAILY ZAZEN PRACTICE CONTINUES
Tues. to Fri. 6:15 a.m.
Saturday at 7:00 a.m.
Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. with newcomer orientation at 6:00 p.m. Please phone for reservation: 360-357-2835.

Beings are numberless, I vow to save them.

Delusions are inexhaustible, I vow to end them.

Dharma Gates are boundless, I vow to enter them.

Buddha’s way is unsurpassed, I vow to become it.

Celebration of the Buddha

2011-04-22T09:52:00.000-07:00

SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2011
New colorful flags for the Path of the Ancestors have been made and will be placed on Saturday morning as part of the Temple celebration of the Buddha's Birthday and the occasion of Spring. Sangha members have written words from the Heart Sutra on all the flags and the healing will catch in the wind and permeate everywhere.

Please join us for Zazen at 7:00 a.m.
followed by
Ceremony of the Buddha's Birth
Path of the Ancestors Celebration
Bagels, Coffee, Conversation
Finishing spring cleaning of the grounds and preparation for the Loy weekend.

WEEKEND OF APRIL 29 AND 30 WITH DAVID LOY
DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR AND LEARN FROM THIS OUTSTANDING TEACHER OF BUDDHIST PRACTICE AND PHILOSOPHY
Join us for the lecture on Friday evening and the workshop on Saturday.
Scholarships are always available. Please just ask.

THIS EVENT WILL BENEFIT THE
JAPAN EARTHQUAKE/TSUNAMI RELIEF FUND

Current Events

2011-04-14T09:07:00.000-07:00

LAY PRECEPTS CEREMONY ON APRIL 16

This Saturday, the Sangha will hold a Lay Precepts Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. when several members will receive the Precepts. All Sangha and family and friends are invited. The Ceremony will be followed by a simple lunch of celebration.

Of course, we'll follow our regular practice schedule on that day beginning with Zazen at 7:00 a.m. Please come and join in, and welcome these friends into the body of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.

PATH OF THE ANCESTORS APRIL 23

We will celebrate the opening of the Spring gardens with the hanging of new celebratory flags on the Path of the Ancestors with our Morning Ceremony on April 23. Please come and enjoy this wonderful expression. Colorful flags have been prepared and Sangha have written words from the Heart Sutra to fly in the wind. The Path of the Ancestors celebrates our ancestral heritage of Matriarchs and Patriarchs from the time of the Buddha to the present day. The path wanders through the woods and is a lovely silent walking meditation always open and available for anyone to enjoy.

DAVID LOY IN OLYMPIA APRIL 29 AND 30

Advance tickets are available for Annual Ryokan Lecture on April 29th at 7:00 p.m. at Heritage Room, 604 Water Street at Legion Way in Olympia. Our speaker this year will be Dr. David Loy, author of numerous books, among them, MONEY, SEX, WAR, KARMA and LACK AND TRANSCENDENCE. Our topic will be HEALING ECOLOGY - A Buddhist Perspective on the Eco-Crisis.

On Saturday, APRIL 30 FROM 9:00 a.m. TO 4:00 p.m. there will be a workshop with Dr. Loy which is a day of learning and conversation. This event is open to the public and will Benefit the Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Relief.

DAY OF PRAYER AND HEALING FOR JAPAN ON MAY 21

Please also set your calendars for an upcoming event on May 21. We will hold a day of Prayer and Healing for Japan at Olympia Zen Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The temple will be OPEN for anyone to offer incense, sit or walk meditation on their own schedule, write an interfaith prayer of hope and encouragement and hang it in the trees, walk silently, heal grief.

No donation is expected.

Please see the website for any further information.

Harada Roshi's visit to Sendai

2011-04-12T18:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
Harada Shodo Roshi of Sogenji Temple in Japan wrote a report of his visit to the tsunami devastation area in Sendai. The report is long but so moving and informative that I've decided to post it here in full and also on my own blog.
Sogenji is a Rinzai temple in Okayama, and during my time living in that city, I visited and sat Zazen many times at this temple. When I returned to Olympia, a student of Harada Roshi came to stay with me, and Roshi visited my apartment in Olympia with some of his students when they came to pick her up. Harada Roshi has a temple on Whidbey Island, WA where he comes to visit for sesshin several times a year.
Thank you.
Eido in Gassho

> FROM SHODO HARADA ROSHI ABOUT HIS VISIT TO SENDAI
> APRIL 11, 2011
>
> To all of the One Drop Zendos around the world, to the many people
> concerned, and to those with whom we have a karmic affiliation, I
> am writing to you about the recent great earthquake and tsunami
> tragedy. From their most profound mind, everyone has worried about
> us and supported the disaster relief. I deeply thank you from the
> bottom of my heart.
>
> On the eleventh of March at 2:46 in the afternoon, a huge
> earthquake occurred in Japan, at a magnitude of 9.3. As a result,
> there are presently 12787 people known to be dead and 14991 still
> missing, making approximately 28000 who have died. In addition,
> 95232 people are living as evacuees.
>
> Almost one month has passed since then. On the 8th of April we
> celebrated the Buddha’s birthday with a flower festival. At that
> time, a gatha for the day was given :
>
> The gigantic powerful tsunami overturns the heavens and the earth
> 28000 enter the Buddha's realm
> Gathered on Buddha's Birthday here and now, we honor his birth,
> While the brilliant colored cherry blossoms (the souls of the
> 28000) blow petals and perfume the pond (receiving the Buddha’s light)
>
> The tsunami was over 38 meters high. A t 2: 46 pm the earthquake's
> shook, and about thirty minutes later, from Ibaragi prefecture all
> the way down the whole coast - Iwate, Ibaragi, Fukushima, Miyagi,
> Chiba - all of the prefectures bordering on that part of the
> Pacific coast were poured down upon by the tsunami.
>
> It was a huge earthquake, and countless buildings were destroyed
> immeditaly. And then those weakened by the quake were hit by a
> huge tsunami, pushing them all over with its power.
>
> The area affected is called the Sanriku Coast, and has long been a
> place where this kind of disaster happens, again and again. In each
> disaster, without exception, many have died and it is known that
> this is the natural way of life there.
>
> 28,000 people. Perhaps many died in the instant of the earthquake,
> but most were killed by te towering wave that followed. Even now
> there are still so many missing, pulled into the ocean by the
> undertow, all tangled up with the garbage and debris. Because even
> the ocean divers cannot get to the bottom, they have not able to
> find the missing bodies. Because the diver’s lives are at risk
> diving in this area, it will probably take many years for them to
> be uncovered,
>
> Today on the Buddha’s birthday we celebrate with a flower festival.
> But for the 28,000 who died, their souls have returned to the
> Buddha’s source, gathered at his knees, gone to the where he is. We
> must think of them as being welcomed there.
>
> In Sogenji’s garden right now, the weeping cherry tree is bright
> and in full bloom. We can see the 28,000 in each one of the
> flowers, coming nto being in each of the petals, dancing on the
> wind and drifting down onto the lake with their bright colors and
> then fading away.
>
> On the 11th day of March we felt nothing at all in Okayama. We only
> had the news about the tsunami and the earthquake. We tried and
> tried to call the temple and the people we know there, but there
> was no way to contact them. Eerily, this was the same experience
> we had during the 1995 earthquake in Kobe, although then we could
> already feel the hugeness of what happened. We tried everything,
> and finally cell phones and email were possible. Although we could
> not communicate with them directly, we were able to leave
> messages. As time passed we heard more and more about the
> situation from the people themselves, but no one, including those
> on site knew what was actually happening.
>
> The next day, Saturday the 12th of March, we contacted many
> companies and businesses in Okayama. Even though it was the first
> day of Osesshin, the whole sangha went to the city to do takuhatsu,
> gathering funds for earthquake relief. It was only the first day
> after the earthquake, and so no one - all of the newspapers , all
> of the systems and relief organizations - had their windows open
> for receiving donations yet. We took the money we raised
> immediately to the Red Cross who was ready to recieve donations.
> Soon, the news of the horrendous depth of the disaster started to
> become known.
>
> On the television, we saw cities buring and people reaching for
> heavenly help. On the internet, the reality of the tsunami became
> clear as more and more photographs were posted. All of this could
> be found on the screen and in the newspapers.
>
>
> In Sendai there is a priest and a temple with which we have strong
> kharmic affiliation. He has always sent samugi, sent rice, sent
> straw sandals for takuhatsu for the people training at Sogenji.
> Many, many times he has sent these things for the people at Sogenji.
>
> In some way, in any way possible, I wanted to go there and support
> him. The Shinkansen (high speed train) was not yet running up
> there, the local trains were irregular and frequently
> nonexistent ,and all the roads had been destroyed and were still
> impassable. Anywhere near the site of the disaster it was
> impossible to enter, except for the national guard and other
> emergency groups in their special vehicles. Regular vehicles could
> not get there.
>
> On the 27th day of March, the roads finally were opened and it was
> by chance that it was the end of the month so this was the
> opportunity I had, using every possible means we were able to go to
> Sendai and to the Fukushima area. Luckily, there was an all night
> highway bus going all the way there after changing from a train to
> Kyoto, and we were able to get seats.
>
> But there was already radiation leaking from the damaged power
> plants, it was known to be a very risky situation. Considering the
> one chance out of a thousand in which something could go wrong, it
> was decided to not take younger people training at Sogenji there,
> so Ekei Zenji and Domyo Koji were taken to represent the sangha.
> We entered by going to Kyoto and then getting on the all night bus
> that would go straight there. This was the chance we were given and
> so we took all kinds of food supplies, and dishes to eat at meals.
> They had told us on the phone that they could only make cooked
> rice for us, and that they had nothing to eat with it. "We have no
> supplies or fuel, and so please bring your own food,” they told us.
> “we want to go visiting here and there, so for the children and the
> various evacuees, please, as much as possible, please bring sweets
> and simple foods that they can eat without any need for preparation."
>
> People at Sogenji worked as hard as they could to get the
> breadbaking done and get as many loaves as bread made as possible
> before our departure.It was very insufficient, only a little
> something in a time of big need but our time had been limited.
> People gathered candy to bring as well. Since there is very little
> water available and they cannot brush their teeth, they also asked
> for a gum that cleans your teeth when you chew it. We also packed
> many many ,many hot packs, since it was still very cold. As we
> didn' t know what we would encounter, we went in boots, warm
> clothes, and samugi.
>
> In the morning we arrived in Sendai, a large city in the area of
> Tohoku . There were many buildings which were still standing erect
> and appeared to have no damage, that there was a strange weird
> feeling. After our bus came into Sendai station, the priest who
> was supposed to pick us up arrived and we put our packages into his
> car. As we drove, the priest, told us that although the buildings
> look so normal, inside all the offices were completely turned
> upside down and a mess. Not one single place that can still be
> used inside the buildings. He told us this.
>
> As we drove out of the center of town, there were cars in huge
> traffic jams with endless lines. The priest told us that they were
> lines of people waiting to buy gas, they were all waiting in lines
> of one or two kilos length. There was no gasoline and everyone was
> waiting for the tank lorry to come but the tank lorry did not have
> enough gas to bring gas to every gas station and so it was putting
> a little at each place and in a very short while the few cars that
> received the gas were given gas and it was gone.
>
> In this situation people could only leave their cars and go home
> until the next day, but people being so desperate to get gas would
> leave it there and walk home and come back the next day,
> everywhere, at every gas station there was a huge line waiting.
> Finally, we began seeing rows of destroyed homes. Everywhere that
> the Shinkansen tracks usually passed through was full of bent and
> broken poles, and it was clear that it was still very very far from
> being able to be back into use.
>
> Zennoji Temple was located about twenty minutes from the station.
> Zennoji san's temple also had been seriously damaged. There were
> 1600 graves in the cemetery and every last gravestone had toppled
> over. It was a hideous scene. The hondo was just barely being
> covered by its roof. There was continually a small earthquake
> every thirty minutes or so. He said that they could not even use
> the hondo yet. In the great stone lanterns there were big cracks
> and all of the rocks were moving around, having been loosened by
> the disasters.
>
> Even so ,the buildings were somehow still standing and had been
> protected even in such a severe disaster and that was already a
> great good fortune, he said. They already had their life lines of
> electricity and water reconnected from a few day before and they
> were still without gas. They apologized for not being able to make
> a bath for us
>
> His wife came out and greeted us saying she had wanted to get our
> bellies readied and had prepared some rice balls. Eating them with
> instant miso soup, we had breakfast. That day when we arrived we
> were first to go around and look at the area, and take around the
> things we had brought and then the next day from the morning we
> would work on the cleaning up of the Zennoji temple and house. This
> was the plan.
>
> According to plan we went around in Zennoji's car with his son
> driving. We drove and went around the city, to near the area of the
> dunes and the coast . Zennoji's temple is near the mountains so it
> has a little less damage because of its elevated location. Right in
> front of us where the coastal area was it was so extreme, you could
> see where a two meter tsunami had washed away everything, cars were
> jammed together at our feet, and houses were destroyed and upside
> down, and everything in the houses had been washed away by the
> water, and so inconceivably a car was hanging from a telephone
> line! How could his have happened? It was just so unfathomable,
> the enormous power of the way of Nature left us in greatest awe.
>
> The cars that were all pushed together were bumped and ruined and
> full of cracks and scratches, they were upside down, and sideways
> and there was not a single car that was in its usual condition. all
> of those cars had also crashed into houses and crushed the houses
> in their collisions. It was truly full of violently ruined houses,
> broken down and fallen apart in a hideous way, unimaginable...the
> rooves of these houses in front of our eyes.
>
> First we went to the temple of Furinji, a temple related to
> Zennoji's wife. The temple of Furinji was in the very middle of the
> worst hit part of the earthquake and tsunami, but the temple itself
> is just a bit above the worst -hit area. Although it is in that
> very area it mysteriously did not suffer any damage whatsoever. The
> water of the tsunami washed up right to the main gate of the
> temple. and just because of its being built on slightly higher
> ground it was not affected by the Wave. All of the houses up to
> main gate were completely and totally destroyed.
>
> The temple priest had welcomed 200 people to live there, and every
> day was making their food. At a time like this the extensive size
> of a temple grounds was well put to use, the temple was able to
> welcome everyone in the area, to serve them and to protect them
> within the temple grounds. It had become a very important and
> precious place. In this area and in these areas and seeing all the
> various conditions, we continued to drive around in the car.
>
> We had seen many photos of the earthquake's damage but it was no
> longer like in a photo where it is just like scenery, when you see
> the actuality in front of your very eyes,it is actually possible to
> feel the incomprehensible power of the water that came over
> everything, and to taste the terror that the rapidly approaching
> huge water brought. Here there had been gas tanks which had
> exploded and caught fire, one after the next. It was said that the
> gas had burned there for three days and three nights continually.
> There were cars wrapped around poles, convenience stores completely
> destroyed, and many hospitals and clinics, all wrecked beyond use.
>
> There had been a huge and very old moat here, a beautiful moat,
> built by the Feudal Lord Date Masamune, it was circling all around
> this city of Sendai and used as a canal as well, a canal that was
> used for transporting goods in the olden days. This beautiful canal
> had been the pride of the people of Sendai, and was now filled to
> the top with all kinds of broken debris and heaps of rubble, it was
> impossible to tell if it was a river or a garbage dump.
>
> Zennoji san said, with a sigh, that for him this Teizan Canal, this
> Teizan Garden Park, had been his favorite and he had always been so
> proud to show it to visitors, now it made him so sad.
>
> Going past Teizan Park, this park that was built to commemorate the
> feudal lord Masamune Date, we came out on the other side of the
> hills at a place called Shirahama, at the mouth of the Matsushima
> Bay. There are seven small islands there, because this Matsushima
> Bay area is a place famous for its great beauty, each and every
> small island has a temple, seven of them all together,and one of
> them was the temple of a friend of Zennoji, the Doshoji Temple. We
> went there to visit next. This is the furthest small island and
> the water that had swept over it had destroyed its entire small
> town of 3000 people, all in the one instant that the wave had
> poured over them.
>
> The head priest of that temple ran a kindergarten at the temple.
> Taking the children of the kindergarten they had run up to the top
> of the mountain and been saved. But everything else just up to the
> top of that mountain had been swallowed up and covered in the
> tsunami's waters, buried. No matter how hard he had looked for a
> path down from the top he had not been able to find one. Everything
> had been destroyed, and strewn everywhere. They had all eventually
> been rescued from the top of the mountain by a helicopter of the
> national guard. The helicopter lifted all of them out, one after
> the next they had been lifted up and rescued by the helicopter and
> this had been played again and again on televisions all over Japan.
> And it had been this temple where that had happened.
>
> At this same temple they had just finished rebuilding their hondo
> into a new and different hondo, this huge work had all just
> recently been completed and now having entered this new year, they
> were planning the opening ceremony for this new hondo on the 16th
> of March. They had just been making the preparations for the
> celebration day. This brand new hondo which had never been used
> once was now completely buried in mud. It was truly a miserable
> scene of sadness after all of the huge efforts which had been made--
> then having them come to this result.
>
> This temple's young successor to be iscurrently in the training
> monastery of the famous Daitokuji Temple in Kyoto. He has been
> given time to come back to his parent's temple and was there
> digging the mud out from under the porches around the new hondo. He
> was ripping off he new floors to get in beneath the building, we
> watched as he was doing this. We made an offering there to the
> temple's founder, and departed. The water had not receded from that
> area yet, and the water level had gone up 75 centimeters since the
> water that had risen there was not receding. Even after several
> weeks the salt water remained, just as it had risen there.
>
> In front of our faces we could see how that the whole town that
> was left there was nothing but a field of mud. Passing hill after
> hill of debris we continued past the seven islands, went over the
> mountain and came out at Shiogama, the next town.
>
> Here in Shiogama there were homes that had no one had yet entered
> into so they had not been searched yet for missing people. The
> national guard had not reached there yet . This town of Shiogama
> when looked down upon from the hill above, looked perfectly regular
> and as if there had been no damage nor disaster there. But when we
> entered the town we could see what a huge amount of damage there
> had actually been there.
>
> Here there had not been a huge powerful tidal wave thrust but
> little by the whole shopping street had filled up with water and
> been ruined, all of the things for sale there were unusable
> garbage now, the houses had all been soaked through with salt water
> and would have to be completely rebuilt. They were useless.
>
> On a slightly raised area there stood the temple of Toeiji san. We
> called on them next. There had been a lot of damage at their temple
> due to the earthquake. In front of our eyes the line between Sendai
> and the neighboring town's houses was clear, the JR railroad had
> passed through there but the whole area had been destroyed. The
> Seashore Line had run there and the hotels along the seacoast had
> been serviced from there, with Zuiganji as such a famous landmark,
> it had been a huge tourist area. Because of that, there were many
> hotels for the visitors, and since there was a large damlike
> structure for protection, it appeared at first glance that there
> had been little damage.
>
> However, now there was no one coming to call at all. The hot
> springs hotels had opened their baths to all of the evacuees and
> other victims of the disaster. All of the people in the area were
> very thankful and so glad to have a place to bathe. Passing by the
> typical shopping street area we approached Matsushima's Zuiganji
> temple. The Zuiganji Roshi was not there, but we had brought Ekei
> Zenji on this trip especially because he had a kharmic affiliation
> with the Zuiganji temple. Zuiganji's former Roshi, Master Hirano
> Sojo, was the good friend of Ekei's earlier teacher in Mexico, Eijo
> Takata, and Ekei had come to Sogenji in the first place because of
> that kharmic affiliation. For this reason he wanted to go to the
> grave of Master Sojo Hirano to pray and since the Hondo was
> currently under construction we chanted sutras in the Shoiin
> instead. Here they gave us hot udon noodles which they had prepared
> and Zennoji san who works at Zuiganji as one of the top
> administrators, so it is like his own place, was very kind and
> hospitable to us. Here at Zuiganji, ever since the earthquake
> happened, 385 people were being given a place to live, there were
> 16 monks who cooked and took care of them.
>
> At Zuiganji , the area of Matsushima was a most beautiful place,
> furthest in the harbor,with many small islands which were visible
> from there and they had each absorbed the power of the tidal wave
> and had therefore saved Zuiganji from the strongest thrust of the
> tidal wave. There had been no touch of a wave there, there was only
> a slight damage to some buildings but in spite of it having been
> facing the ocean it had not been touched by a drop of water.
>
> Of course the area in front of the main gate had been sunk into
> deep water and there was much damage there, nevertheless the people
> of the area all called this the oasis of the area.
>
>
>
> WE then went again in the car and went to the place where the damage
> was greatest of all, the Nobiru area, on the other side of Ichigahama.
> Tthe area of Ichigahama was also terribly damaged, and on its other
> side, is Nobiru. At the very entrance of Matsushima Port. Going there
> we were simply astonished at the intense severity of the damage. There
> were no railroad tracks left anywhere. The train was probably stopped
> here, we could not be certain how that was, but every last thing was
> pushed completely up against the mountain there, all fallen over in
> every direction. The station master's building was pushed against what
> must have been the platform and on top of the roof there was a car.
> This was done by the vigorous pushing power of the tsunami. The very
> beautiful ancient pine tree boulevard there, its hundreds of huge pine
> trees had been uprooted by the tsunami, by its Sheer pressure and were
> all laid root side up, side by side in the same direction. It was as
> if they had each been thrown down and been placed there upside down in
> rows. Seeing this we could feel the awesome and terrifying huge power
> of Great Nature.
>
> The evacuation place where many people had run to after the
> earthquake,the school's gymnasium, had been completely pushed along
> and flowed away in the tidal waves' wake. There was a Soto Sect temple
> there which is now nothing but rubble. There are the ruins but the
> temple's hondo's roof is two hundred meters away in a river, where it
> still remains. All of the gravestones of the temple's graveyard are
> buried in rubble and debris.
>
> If you compare this to the lack of damage to the temple of Zuiganji of
> Matsushima, here there was a great swirling whirlpooling affect that
> sandwiched things into its path and damaged them completely. So many
> people and things simply disappeared here and are gone.The degree of
> damage and injury to things is so great it still Has not even been
> touched by anyone. It is from now that the various support groups and
> crews will begin to enter this area.
>
> Shorinji is a temple nearby here, the abbot was not there. This is
> where the National Guard is staying while it works in this area. This
> is the last temple where we visited. Since there are still bodies
> floating and priests came even from as far as Nanzenji Temple in
> Kyoto,from there as well priest/ were helping with the many bodies
> that were in the water that were being brought ashore. The crematories
> having been damaged, there was no where to cremate the bodies, and so
> they had to make the open land into graves by digging into the vacant
> lots and burying many bodies there. To perform the ceremonies for
> these burials the priests were all going here and there to do the
> group funerals.
>
> We chanted and placed our offerings at the place of the founder, at
> this temple there were still one hundred evacuees living. They were
> eating living and sleeping there and we gave them all of our bread and
> other supplies that we had brought along. There had been three
> hundred evacuees but as the public support came in, it became
> possible to
> move them .
>
> So many bodies were floating in the ocean still, they were raising
> them out and doing whatever they could, but even if they wanted to
> cremate them, it was not possible without any fuel for the fire or any
> electricity available, it s truly a very pitiful finishing up of a
> life. At present more than 12000 people have been verified as dead,
> and there are 16000 people still not accounted for, for these 28000
> people every possible effort is being made. There are so many cars,
> houses and businesses, and still no lumber available for rebuilding.
> In only Ibaraki prefecture alone 14600 cars were lost. In large and
> medium ships, 2000 of them are missing and the smaller boats missing
> are countless.
>
>
> Sendai airport was also poured down upon by the tsunami and there
> were 50 airplanes lost. The National Guard Base was also hit by the
> tsunami and everything there is gone. To just look around and see it
> like this makes one so miserable from the most profound place within,
> feeling exhausted, I returned to Zennoji. That night another
> earthquake of magnitude 6.5 came, every day again and again many times
> a day the earthquakes continuously come, people have become numb to
> them. In their mind the endless lack of feeling settled in any way,
> this is in every person's state of mind at this time.
>
> In this way we came to see how any resolution of this will be very
> far from now.
>
>
> And not only these myriad challenges, but that which is most feared
> by people all over the planet, in the neighboring prefecture of
> Fukushima is the damage done to the nuclear power plant there.
>
> In the whole area around it, the radiation has been spreading, in
> the air, in the things growing there, the vegetables raised there,
> all of the things nearby are being found to have high levels of
> radiation. In
> this area of Fukushima, broccoli, spinach, and other vegetables ,
> grown close to and usually sent to Tokyo these are the liveilhood
> of the people of this area and now they are forbidden to be eaten.
>
> Now is the usual time for planting the next rice crop, it is being
> forbidden by the government in this area and in the tap water, the
> pollution is all mixed in so just any water can not be drunk
> carelessly. Of course even if the water which is below the safe
> radiation standard is drunk, the results will not happen all at
> once, but, no one really knows what kind of bad affects will be
> lingering, and as long as there is a standard measure above which
> one should not partake of these foods, it will most likely be
> impurities that will remain in our body, and for this reason the
> tap water, the harvested vegetables, the seaweeds, all of these
> need to be checked thoroughly. When we see this we have to ask, why
> was there a nuclear reactor built
> here?
>
> It is impossible not to wonder about this.
>
> This is how it makes you feel. If you look closely at the past
> history of the area, in this area of the Sanriku Coast there have
> always been earthquakes, there are records from many eras, in the
> Meiji era, in 1896 there was the Great Sanriku Earthquake, on June
> 15th, and of course before then there were also earthquakes. In the
> Chile Great Earthquake a tidal wave of 5. 5 meters struck here as
> well. And at
> that time there was also a great amount of damage.
>
> And not only in the Meiji but in the Showa era as well, in 1933, on
> the 3rd of March, there was also a Great Sanriku Earthquake.In
> Iwate prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture and Fukushima prefecture,
> there were great amounts of damage. At that time a tidal wave of
> more than 30 meters also came, though in this time's earthquake
> there were many more people that died, but while even having had so
> much experience with this up until now, the experience of the past
> was not given life to, it has to be said.
>
> There was a famous earthquake in Tokyo , the Great Earthquake of
> Kanto, this great earthquake was really beyond anything usual, in
> its casualties, it happened in 1923, on September first, and when it
> happened 15000 died in Tokyo and 33000 in the neighboring
> prefecture.This was a huge and isolated case but in this current
> area there had already been so many big earthquakes. From the
> history of the year 869 on the ninth of July there was also
> recorded a huge earthquake but there were not so many people then
> so the casualites were many fewer, while 28000 lives were taken in
> this recent earthquake. In this area there are always tsunami
> shelters, an ongoing awareness of this possibility is constant, and
> people are always marking poles with a line to where the last
> tidal wave had risen, so many stories of past tidal waves and there
> were thirty minutes from earthquake to tidal wave, so why did not
> more people escape from it?
>
>
> During that time between the earthquake and the tidal wave, a 24
> year old woman announcer said on air over and over again " a
> tsunami is coming, run to somewhere higher, a tsunami is coming,
> run to somewhere higher" she said it continuously for everyone to
> hear, and she was then also swallowed by the tsunami.Those who
> heard this and ran to a higher ground were huge in number. They
> knew just where to go, and what to do, but the person who gave
> the announcement died in the tsunami for doing that. The police
> and firepeople were all helped thanks to her doing that, but many
> others who simply wanted to guard their food, possessions and
> places did not heed her warning and 28000 lives were lost. Isn't
> there some indulgent point there hat needs looking at carefully,
> This and the nuclear power plant being built in such a location, a
> plant which is still pouring radiation into the Pacific Ocean,
> there are so many points that must be seriously returned to and
> reviewed carefully here.
>
> There are 19 of these nuclear power plants in Japan all together.
> 19 of them now and above and beyond those already built that there
> are many more planned to be built on already acquired land but it
> is because of this accident that no one in the country wants
> these plants to happen now, and this nuclear power plant In
> Fukushima will no longer continue to function.
>
> Today all over the whole world, the biggest problem is this, the
> earthquake and tsunami's challenges will be taken care o, but the
> results of this nuclear power plant will not go away, this is why
> it is such a greatly terrifying matter for many , because it is
> unknown. Of course those at the site are working as hard as they
> can and doing everything possible, and the Navy and specialists on
> nuclear power plants are coming in from Japan and even from France
> and trying to help and support them, desperately and steadily.
>
> Japan is a long narrow country so from Fukushima to Okayama and
> Western Japan it appears to be a far distance but the winds change
> and China and Korea and Russia all have great doubts, fears and
> concerns. This is a matter of course.
>
> The high level of radiation polluted water in the ocean that cannot
> be prevented is not only here near Japan but going on the waves to
> pollute who knows where and who knows how much?
>
> Today the nuclear power plants are the number one producers of
> energy and all countries want to have them but any one has felt
> that these should not exists on the surface of this earth.
>
> This times huge disaster, in this disaster time, one very happily
> seen aspect was that this disaster, while being truly a
> ferosciously terrible thing, still people from all over the world
> extended their hands in kindness and made one united great
> hopefulness and effort and there is much data about all of the
> people together and what they have offered and also of their
> supporting with words from more than one hundred countries. I read
> these messages slowly ad carefully. They were from America, South
> America, Africa, Europe; all of its many countries,India, all the
> various countries of Asia, people from all over the world worried
> and were concerned and felt so deeply, wanting to know how they
> could somehow help those who suffered in the earthquake and
> tsunami. This is a very important thing. I felt it directly and
> experience it deeply.
>
> If you look at the Japanese economics from the Kobe earthquake to
> this point now, it is a big big difference. But in ten years from
> now also it will be back to normal. That is without mistake.
>
> But to cool that high heat temperature of the nuclear power plant,
> with its already greying reactors numbered 1,2,3, and 4, they can
> never be used again yet even these, when and if cooled which will
> take fifty years, these will have polluted things for that area,
> the land and so many things in those areas that cannot be used
> anymore. These must now become forbidden land to even enter. This
> is saying clearly that while nuclear power has a potential for
> providing energy for human kind, its power is also a terrifying
> evil which destroys.
>
> The scientists have called it a circumstance beyond anything that
> could have been imagined or estimated, it is this kind of an
> unlucky situation and these circumstances will never happen again.
> But it has happened now and this must not ever happen again. We
> must not have these. Now many voices against nuclear power plants
> have risen, and this is also for Japan a great responsibility
> which has to be understood.
>
> Along with that many countries support and donations have been
> given, those who suffered to gether and helped together, all of
> this gathered together, I want to use this opportunity to say thank
> you.
>
> The people who train here at Sogenji, every single one of them is
> working totally and intensely wholeheartedly and to cultivate
> them is my life work for the rest of the life left to me so that
> even one of them will be able to open the truly seeing eye, this
> is my deep vow.
>
> We cannot be deceived. We cannot be deceived by what we see and the
> circumstances in which we find ourselves . In each and every era we
> have to see from our truly opened eye which is seeing the
> truth ,and not deceive ourselves. This is zen and this is the
> harvest of our training and what our life is.
>
> Thank you very much
>
> Shodo Harada
>

Lay Precepts Ceremony, April 16

2011-04-06T09:13:00.000-07:00

Several members of the Sangha will receive Lay Precepts in a Ceremony on April 16th.
They have sewn their rakusu, the small robe, as shown in the photo, will recite the Buddha's Precepts, and will receive a Buddhist name which is painted on the back side of the garment. The name signifies an awakening in their lives and also represents a virtue or state that they manifest in their practice.

All Sangha and family and friends are invited. The Ceremony will begin at 11:00 a.m. and will be followed by a simple lunch of celebration.

Of course, we'll be following our regular practice schedule on that day beginning with Zazen at 7:00 a.m. Please come and welcome these friends into the body of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.

David Loy comes to OZC, April 29-30

2011-04-04T18:22:00.000-07:00

BENEFITTING JAPAN

EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

Advance tickets/reservations

available on

the contact page online.

Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Fund

2011-03-17T19:55:00.000-07:00

As you well know, the earthquake/tsunami has caused untold damage in Northern Japan. This has generated an outpouring of sympathy and concern for the people who are suffering in this humanitarian crisis. If you wish to contribute to the relief fund, you can feel assured that your contribution will be 100% directed toward the people in need. Also, all contributions are tax deductible.

Please make your check payable to:
Association of Soto Zen Buddhists
earmark the check to: Japan Earthquake Relief.

Send your contribution to:

Japan Earthquake Disaster Fund
Soto Zen Buddhism North America Office
123 S. Hewitt Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Please continue daily chanting on behalf of all the peoples of Japan and those from other nations assisting in the rescue. You might think of using this chant:

Enmei Jikku Kannon Gyo

Kanzeon namu Butsu
Yo Butsu u in
Yo Butsu u en
Buppo so en
Jo raku ga jo
Cho nen Kanzeon
Bo nen Kanzeon
Nen nen ju shin ki
Nen nen fu ri shin.

This chant calls on Avalokiteshvara to be present in this moment, in the morning, in the evening, in every waking activity and with all possible situations, to bring courage and wisdom to bear in every situation.

Chanting for the People of Japan

2011-03-11T11:23:00.000-08:00

The people of Olympia Zen Center are chanting for those who have lost their lives and for the welfare of the people of Japan in the face of this devastating earthquake and tsunami in Sendai. Namu kie Butsu, Namu kie Ho, Namu kie So. Refuge in Buddha. Refuge in Dharma. Refuge in Sangha.

In like a lion....

2011-02-27T23:32:00.000-08:00

Hotei in the Snowy Garden

Winter holds its strong grip as the month of March appears, yet crocus and daffodil peek through the snow. Spring cannot be far behind. On the very icy and snowy mornings or evenings, people are advised not to come for Zazen. The roads at Olympia Zen Center usually do not get plowed, rather they clear in the old fashioned way - by melting.

Regular Schedule
MORNINGS
Tuesday through Friday 6:15 a.m. Zazen
Saturday 7:00 a.m. Zazen

EVENINGS
Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Zazen
Newcomer Orientation at 6:00 p.m. Please phone ahead for a reservation 360-357-2835 or email from the Contact page on the website.

ONE-DAY SESSHIN with Rev. Jikyo Wolfer
March 19th from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Please call for reservation 357-2835, or email from the Contact page on the website, or sign up in the office. This is an excellent way to spend a quite day of reflection at the tail end of winter.

A Buddha of old once said in verse:
When I finally realized the Way,
The white snow, which had blanketed all in a thousand layers departed
And, in my making a picture of this,
Blue-tinged mountains emerged on scroll and after scroll.

This is talk about the great realization. It is His way of expressing that His having done His utmost to practice the Way had come to full fruition. As a consequence, at the very moment of His having realized the Way, He has created a picture, wherein He calls blue-tinged mountains and white snow 'scroll upon scroll'. Notwithstanding that, there is not a movement or a moment of stillness that is not part of His making a picture. Our own efforts to do our utmost at the present time are simply obtained from our own pictures.
Dogen Zenji in Shobogenzo

February: Black History Month

2011-02-20T15:36:00.000-08:00

Do make it a point to read something by any one of the great African American writers this month as February, the month we celebrate Black History, comes to a close. There are materials by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the shelf in the Olympia Zen Center library. Please be certain to make use of them.

Morning practice continues at 6:15 a.m. and there is no better way to start the day than to sit Zazen together. Even one morning per week on a work day can make a great change in our lives, moving us out of a stuck place and erasing the stubbornness of our habitual routines.

"Ask not what our Zendo can do for us; ask what we can do for our Zendo." (What Dogen Zenji might have said if he'd had the chance.)

Check out Youtube and Joshua Bell, one of the world's premier concert violinists' performing in cognito on a $3.5 million dollar violin in the Washington D.C. Metro. The performance was arranged by the Washington Post to test the perception, taste and priorities of the general public. The experiment asks whether we appreciate beauty during inopportune times, and whether we are missing many things as we rush through life. It's a good social reminder for Zen practitioners.

AND NOW...... for the most important point, the information you've been waiting for:
ZAZEN
MORNINGS - Tuesday through Friday at 6:15 a.m.
Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m.

EVENING
Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.
Newcomers at 6:00 p.m. Please call ahead for a reservation: 360-357-2835 or email from the contact page on the website.

Next One-Day Sesshin will be on March 19 from 7 to 4 with Rev. Jikyo Wolfer.

I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

If we accept and acquiesce in the face of discrimination, we accept the responsibility ourselves and allow those responsible to salve their conscience by believing that they have our acceptance and concurrence. We should, therefore, protest openly everything... that smacks of discrimination or slander. ~Mary McLeod Bethune

It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one's self through the eyes of others.... One ever feels his twoness, - an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder. ~W.E.B. DuBois, The Souls of Black Folk, 1903

The time is always right to do what is right. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise. I rise. I rise. ~Maya Angelou, "Still I Rise," And Still I Rise

One-day Sesshin, February 22, 2011

2011-02-07T11:25:00.000-08:00

Kwan-Yin in the garden

One-day Sesshin
Led by Rev. Jikyo Wolfer
February 19, 2011
7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The once a month practice of Saturday sesshin, helps to stay spiritually healthy and in touch with our innermost/outermost journey. This practice of silence and solitude is vital food for balance in the busy world. Beginners and seasoned meditators are welcome.

Ongoing Practice

Morning Meditation
Tuesday to Friday 6:15 a.m.
Saturday 7:00 a.m.

Evening Meditation
Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
Newcomers at 6:00 p.m. (see information on Newcomers page on the website)

The statue of Kwan-Yin (Chinese) and Kannon (Japanese) represents the nature of compassion and the llimitless ways in which compassion can function. The Bodhisattva's eyes can see, the ears can hear and the hands can offer help everywhere even when the times seem at their darkest. This functioning is the innate compassion of one's Buddha Nature and is consistently in action in all life activities, in all situations. Do not hesitate to call forth the complete harmony of the unbounded.

Morning Zazen 6:15 a.m.

2011-01-30T10:58:00.000-08:00

Bodhidharma Scroll

Change of Schedule for Morning Zazen
Tuesday - Friday 6:15 a.m.

Saturday - 7:00 a.m.

Wednesday evening 7:00 p.m.

Newcomer Orientation at 6:00 p.m.
Please phone or email for appointment.

360-357-2835
director@olympiazencenter.org

NEXT ONE-DAY SESSHIN
FEBRUARY 19 - 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Led by Rev. Jikyo Wolfer

Study material in
David Loy's LACK AND TRANSCENDENCE:
2/5: pages 154-172
2/12: Reflections on the entire book.

"The moon at its fullest as well as the whole of the heavens, lodges within the dewdrop poised on a blade of grass, just as it lodges on any single bit of water. Spiritual awakening does not tear a person asunder; thus it is like the moon's not making a dent in the water. A person no more impedes his spiritual awakening than a dewdrop impedes the moon in the heavens." Dogen Zenji, SHOBOGENZO

2011-01-26T10:17:00.000-08:00

With continuing gratitude to all members and friends in the community who come to the temple grounds to train and to help maintain the beauty of the gardens and the care of the atmosphere of the temple. That work is so deeply important in the creation of a sacred, silent space, within and without, and it is felt no matter how far away we wander.

REGULAR SCHEDULE

Mornings: Tuesday to Friday (month of January only)
7:00 to 8:00 a.m. Zazen and Ceremony

Saturday
7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Zazen, Ceremony, Cleaning, Breakfast, Study

Continuing schedule for reading LACK AND TRANSCENDENCE by David Loy:

January 29 pages 133 - 153

February 5 pages 154 – 172

February 12 Reflections on the whole book

2011-01-20T22:34:00.000-08:00

Shuun Metsuzen Lou Hartman

Shuun Metsuzen Lou Hartman died at his home at San Francisco Zen Center in mid afternoon on Thursday, January 20, 2011, with Zenkei Blanche, his wife, and his family at his side. Immediately afterward, members of SFZC chanted the Bodhisattva Ceremony.

Lou was one of Suzuki Roshi's original students and he spent his life thereafter serving at San Francisco Zen Center continuing to model practice for younger students. Before that, Lou had been a journalist and radio commentator in the San Francisco scene. In 2008, Lou and Blanche traveled by train to Olympia and stayed with us in residence for several days, visiting friends in the area and also giving a talk for us on Wednesday evening and Saturday morning. During that visit, Lou was quite taken with a line from the Ryokan san film in which Ryokan says, "Try as I may, after all these years, I cannot bring an end to suffering in the world."

We at Olympia Zen Center will continue to remember him in Morning Ceremony and to recall with deep gratitude the poetry reading he gave for us on that visit.

If you would like to listen to a Dharma Talk he gave in 2007 at SFZC please click on this link:
Lou Hartman Dharma Talk

One-Day Sesshin, February 22, 2011

2011-01-17T18:28:00.000-08:00

Morning light at Good Pond Hermitage, Olympia Zen Center

ONE DAY SESSHIN
FEBRUARY 22
LED BY
REV. JIKYO WOLFER

Join us in renewal of practice in the New Year with this day of reflection from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. An excellent opportunity for beginners or for seasoned meditators.
Please telephone 360-357-2835 to make a reservation or email director@olympiazencenter.org

REGULAR SCHEDULE

Mornings: Tuesday to Friday (month of January only)
7:00 to 8:00 a.m. Zazen and Ceremony

Saturday
7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Zazen, Ceremony, Cleaning, Breakfast, Study
Continuing schedule for reading LACK AND TRANSCENDENCE by David Loy:
January

29 133 - 153

February 5 154 – 172

12 Reflections on the whole book

Wednesday evening
7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Zazen, Ceremony, Dharma Talk or Group Discussion
6:00 p.m. Newcomer Orientation
Please telephone 360-357-2835 to make a reservation or email director@olympiazencenter.org

About meditation Dogen Zenji says: "Set aside all involvements and give everything a rest. Do not exercise your discriminatory mind, or weigh or judge your mind's remembrances, concepts, and reflections! Cherish the light of days and the dark of nights."

Prayer at a time of Great Sadness

2011-01-09T19:10:00.000-08:00

With deepest con-dolences to the families of those who lost their lives in Tucson. With deepest encour-agement to those who are injured and are fighting for their lives. With deepest encouragement to us all at a time of great national sadness.

"O you of the true gaze, of the pure gaze, of the gaze of broad and great wisdom, of the compassionate gaze and the gaze of good will! We constantly desire, constantly look up to the spotlessly pure ray of light, the sun of wisdom that banishes all darkness, that can subdue the winds and flames of misfortune and everywhere give bright light to the world."

ONE DAY SESSHIN, January 22, 2011
Led by Rev. Jikyo WolferJoin us in renewal of practice in the New Year with this day of reflection from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. An excellent opportunity for beginners or for seasoned meditators.
Please telephone 360-357-2835 to make a reservation or email director@olympiazencenter.org

15 118 - 132

22 One Day Sesshin

29 133 - 153

February 5 154 – 172

12 Reflections on the whole book

New Year 2011

2010-12-29T09:36:00.000-08:00

NEW YEAR 2011

May the New Year bring many blessings to one and all. May we find health and deeper peace in daily practice.
May we see Buddha Light shining forth in all directions.

One-Day Sesshin, January 22, 2011
Join us in renewal of practice in the New Year with this day of reflection from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. An excellent opportunity for beginners or for seasoned meditators.
Led by Rev. Jikyo Wolfer.

Please telephone 360-357-2835 to make a reservation or email director@olympiazencenter.org

January

8 101 - 118

15 118 - 132

22 One Day Sesshin

29 133 - 153

February 5 154 – 172

12 Reflections on the whole book

Remembering Randal Johnson

2010-12-23T14:55:00.001-08:00

Our dear and esteemed Sangha Member, Randal Johnson died quietly on December 21, 2010 at home in Olympia, held by his wife Ann, and two sons, Ezra and Knute. Randal was 72 and died of melanoma. He had recently entered hospice. There had been a bedside ceremony on the previous Sunday with friends gathered to express gratitude for his life and to recognize and honor the sacred nature of the work of dying.

Randal was a violinist and had been a member of the Olympia Symphony Orchestra and the Olympia String Quartet. He had played for several events for Olympia Zen Center and for other organizations. Randal was a poet and a master of haiku which he wrote poetry daily. His most recent publication, Blackbird Melodies came out about a month ago, and in this collection he writes longer poems as well as haiku.

Randal was a long-time Zen practitioner and benefactor of Olympia Zen Center. We have two wonderful examples of his fine craftsmanship and artistry: the Torii Gate and the Jizo statue hut. The Torii Gate he built from photos brought back from Japan, and the Jizo statue hut is his own design that speaks from his playful and child-like heart. We are fortunate to be able to enjoy these every day.

A Memorial Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, December 26, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. at the home of Irene Osborn, 8435 Island View Court NE, Olympia. Sangha are invited to attend. Randal's photograph is standing at the Founder's Altar at Olympia Zen Center and you are invited to offer incense.

(Directions to Irene Osborn's home: from 36th Avenue near Olympia Zen Center, take Libby Road NE toward Woodard Bay. Turn left at 8lst Avenue NE. Turn right at Island View Drive NE. Turn left at Island View Court NE to 8435 where the road ends.)

Holiday Schedule

2010-12-21T09:58:00.000-08:00

Zazen, Dharma Talk, and Ceremony for Holiday Closure will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening. Olympia Zen Center will then be closed until New Year Day.

New Year Day schedule:
Zazen: 10 to 10:30 a.m.
Heart Sutra, Reading of Names, Ringing of Bells from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Potluck Brunch, talking and visiting friends from 11:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Please come and bring children and family to celebrate New Year.

May each one find peace and quiet joy in the coming year.

Change of Daily Schedule

2010-12-15T12:34:00.000-08:00

Our regular practice schedule will remain the same except for the time we begin Zazen from Tuesday to Friday. This is effective immediately and will continue only through the very dark month of January. Please see the schedule below.

TUESDAY TO FRIDAY
MORNING ZAZEN AND CEREMONY
7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.

SATURDAY MORNING
7:00 A.M. TO 11:00 AM.
ZAZEN, CEREMONY, CLEANING, BREAKFAST, DISCUSSION

WEDNESDAY EVENING
7:00 P.M. TO 8:45 P.M.
ZAZEN, CEREMONY, DHARMA TALK

NEWCOMER ORIENTATION (Please call ahead or email for reservation: 360-357-2835, or director@olympiazencenter.org)
6:00 P.M. FOLLOWED BY EVENING PRACTICE AT 7:00 P.M.

Remembering Will Hutcheson

2010-12-09T18:39:00.000-08:00

Will Hutcheson, son of Doug and Ann Hutcheson, died at home on November 27 from complications of cystic fibrosis. Will was 42 years old. In 2001, Will received a double lung transplant at the University of Washington Medical Center and was able to extend his life until now, far beyond what is typical for those who suffer from this disease.

Will was a graduate of Rutgers University and then earned a law degree at University of Puget Sound. After passing the bar exam, he practiced criminal defense law in Olympia for a number of years. Following the lung transplant, Will became active with Olympia rowing and coached high school students and adults in the sport. He married Elizabeth McManus and they had a son Liam who is 3 l/2 years old.

Services will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church, 114 20th Avenue SE, Olympia, at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 10th.

Reading Schedule for Loy's LACK & TRANSCENDENCE

2010-12-08T10:21:00.000-08:00

Reading schedule for Loy’s

LACK AND TRANSCENDENCE

November 6 Community Vol. Day

13 39 - 50

20 One Day Sesshin

27 51 - 70

December 4 Rohatsu Sesshin

11 70 - 88

18 88 - 101

25 Christmas Day - Closed

January 1 New Year - Gathering

8 101 - 118

15 118 - 132

22 One Day Sesshin

29 133 - 153

February

5 154 – 172

12 Reflections on the whole book

Bob Witzl Ordained Novice Priest

2010-12-07T10:43:00.000-08:00

Sangha Friends and Family gathered at the close of Rohatsu Sesshin to celebrate the Ordination of Bob Witzl as novice priest. Bob has been a long-time student of Eidosan and practitioner at Olympia Zen Center. Bob's Dharma name is Tennen Ryozan which means, "Natural, Good Mountain."

In our tradition of Soto Zen, when one is ordained it is the beginning of study. One is not a priest until the completion of studies and training, and Dharma Transmission takes place. This may take five to seven years or more, depending upon each person and her/his past experience in practice and capacity to work with the teacher and complete the course of study. This will include Ango training at a training monastery with emphasis on Zazen as the foundation of practice, study of various texts, Dogen studies, courses in ministry, Buddhism, ritual and ceremony, history of Soto Zen, organization and administration of a Zen temple, and other pertinent and additional training that will help a priest function in leading a Sangha in spiritual life.

The entire Sangha congratulates Bob and wishes him well on his journey of study and training.

ROHATSU SESSHIN

2010-11-29T15:47:00.000-08:00

During this week we are sitting Rohatsu Sesshin, the practice that commemorates Shakyamuni Buddha's Awakening. You are encouraged to join us as much as you can to participate in this sacred time and to sit together in the practice of Zazen. It is the most important liturgical practice time of the year.

Tuesday, November 30th at 7:00 p.m. to Sunday, December 5th at 4:00 p.m.

Our Sesshin will conclude with the celebration of Novice Priest Ordination of Robert Ryozan Witzl. Please come for this special time. A reception will follow the ceremony which begins at
1:30 p.m. Sunday, December 5th.

To access the entire schedule of the sesshin, please click on the "Upcoming Events" page of the website.

Remembering LaVerne Wolfer

2010-11-26T16:33:00.000-08:00

LaVerne Wolfer, Jikyo C.J. Wolfer's mother, died on November 26, 2010 in a care facility near her home in Hutchinson, Kansas. She was 82. LaVerne had lived much of her life in the midwest, actively volunteering in her church and serving as librarian for many years. She enjoyed travel and made yearly trips to Oregon to visit family and enjoy the Oregon coast. The Wolfer family at one time had lived in Oregon. Her husband preceded her in death.

LaVerne visited Olympia Zen Center twice, once on a personal visit, and once for Jikyo's ordination. She loved literature and was particularly sustained by the music of her faith tradition. Her children, including Jikyo, were at her bedside continuously during these final days. The funeral will be held early next week.

A photo of LaVerne has been placed in the Founder's altar. We have been remembering LaVerne in our morning service for many weeks as her health declined. We will hold a Memorial Service for her at Olympia Zen Center when Jikyo returns.

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T10:55:00.000-08:00

With blessings to one and all on Thanksgiving Day.

Olympia Zen Center will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Friday, the day following. We will reopen on Saturday morning at 7 a.m. for Zazen and Saturday morning practice.

Day of Gratitude

2010-11-21T12:06:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, we had a remarkable day of quiet gratitude at our One-Day Sesshin. Everything around us came to peace, simplicity and ease that our Dogen Zenji speaks of as a natural way of practice. We did the day as our way of living, not as something outside of our natural activity.

How fine to take this practice into our national day of thanksgiving. Because this day of thanksgiving is marked by much difficult history of our nation, we have to recognize that we have privilege because many others have suffered. Because we have privilege, we peripherally share responsibility for our nation's decisions, even if we ourselves did not agree with those decisions. We benefit from what those privileges provide. We should therefore never forgot the suffering that continues to this day in all areas of oppression. We include everyone in our remembrances of Gratitude and we live to include all in equality and justice.

ROHATSU SESSHIN NOVEMBER 30 TO DECEMBER 5
ROHATSU SESSHIN celebrates Shakyamuni Buddha's Awakening. It is a high point of our practice year. This time there are many opportunities to sit together. You may come for all, or you may come part-time. The weekend practice invites everyone to join in and to conclude with the Novice Priest Ordination of Robert Witzl at 1:30 p.m. on December 5th.
Please sign up by phone: 360-357-2835 or email: director@olympiazencenter.org

Regular practice continues as always:
Tues to Fri. 6:15 a.m.
Saturday 7:00 a.m.
Wednesday evening: Newcomer orientation at 6:00 p.m. followed by Zazen at 7:00 p.m.
Newcomers: phone for reservation: 360=357=2835.

Donna Ewing receives Lifetime Citizenship Award

2010-11-13T17:58:00.000-08:00

Donna Ewing, practitioner at Olympia Zen Center, was awarded a Lifetime Citizenship Award from the League of Women Voters of Thurston County for her dedication to studies, education, and political action in effecting environmental policy decisions and establishing environmental legislative priorities in the area of climate change.

Donna is a retired military nurse and medical educator, and since retirement has dedicated her life to the problem of climate issues, influencing legislators toward change in the types of energy and modes of transportation that contribute to environmental problems.

For further information on climate change with the League of Women Voters: www.lwv.org and then click on global climate change or Tool Kit for information.

ONE DAY SESSHIN OF GRATITUDE, NOVEMBER 20
Please join us in this day of retreat, expressing gratitude for our lives, and opening the heart of compassion.
7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Please reserve a space: 360-357-2835 or director@olympiazencenter.org

ROHATSU SESSHIN, DECEMBER RETREAT NOVEMBER 30 to DECEMBER 5
This retreat focuses on the Awakening of Shakyamuni Buddha and is the most important liturgical time of the year. It is an extraordinary opportunity to care for one's spiritual life in the heart of practice.
See the website for further information or email us: director@olympiazencenter.org to reserve a space. Stayovers for the entire retreat are welcome. 360-357-2835.

"To learn what the Path to Buddhahood is, is to learn what the True Self is. To learn what the True Self is, is to forget about the self. To forget about the self is to become one with the whole universe."
Dogen Zenji, Genjokoan, SHOBOGENZO

2010-11-10T09:48:00.000-08:00

In case you missed the Zen Translation Forum, you can catch it at the following link. There are talks, panel discussions, presentations with scholars, translators, writers, and teachers on Dogen Zenji and the challenge of translating Dogen's SHOBOGENZO.

Zen Translation Forum

Practice continues amidst the leaves still falling falling, yet some trees are still green. The plum tree, which is the first to bloom in spring, has barely shed its leaves. Do come and get some exercise raking and caring for the gardens. If you can't rake, you can pick leaves out of the bushes. Every bit helps and connects you to practice and the land. Saturday mornings are good, and any time during the week. You can find rakes beside the shed in the parking area.

Next One-Day Sesshin, November 20, Living Gratitude
This retreat is a time to express gratitude for all we've been blessed with and by during the year. The sesshin will focus on Gratitude as a practice.
7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. includes breakfast and lunch
This is very appropriate for beginners as well as seasoned meditators.
Reserve a cushion: 360-357-2835 or email: director@olympiazencenter.org

Thanksgiving approaches and this also means Rohatsu Sesshin is on the horizon.
Rohatsu Sesshin marks the most important liturgical time of the year, Shakyamuni Buddha's Awakening on December 8th. It is a deep and rich time of practice. This year, we will begin on the evening of November 29th and finish on December 5th with the Novice Priest Ordination of Robert Witzl in the early afternoon.
Please sign up early so we can arrange our housing needs and food.
Call: 360-357-2835 or email: director@olympiazencenter.org

Adorned in my patched robe, I go forth begging for food
Whether moving or standing still, I am always at one within my heart.
With my very own Eye of wise discernment
I fathom the true nature of all thoughts and things.

Within the sundry gates to the Dharma
I enter, only to see that all are just alike
So this Heart that understands the why of things is tranquil
For there is nothing that can surpass It within the triple world.
In: Dogen's, SHOBOGENZO
"On the Spiritual Merits of Leaving Home Life Behind"

Priest in need of a Car

2010-11-04T19:52:00.000-07:00

A priest we know on a very small income is in need of a car since her car died of old age. If you have a used car you are thinking of selling and could donate to this priest, your merit would be great indeed.

Please contact us at the Olympia Zen Center website "contact us" page.

OlympiaZenCenter.org,

or call
360-357-2835

2010-11-04T19:40:00.000-07:00

Kick-Off Reading for Bill Yake’s New Book

Since retiring from Ecology Bill has been writing, doing biological monitoring work for The Nature Conservancy and Olympic National Park and traveling near (high desert) and far (Sulawesi and Sicily) with his wife – Jeannette Barreca.

Thursday, November 11

6:00 PM

Orca Books, 509 4^th Ave.

Downtown Olympia

This collection covers a lot of territory: from Olympia to Papua New Guinea, from the late Paleolithic to last year, from philosophical to funny. Something, we hope, for everyone.

Bill Yake was one of the founding members of Olympia Zen Center.

Reading schedule for LACK AND TRANSCENDENCE

2010-11-02T20:10:00.000-07:00

Reading schedule for Loy’s

LACK AND TRANSCENDENCE

November 6 Community Volunteer Day

13 39 - 50

20 One Day Sesshin

27 51 - 70

December 4 Rohatsu Sesshin

11 70 - 88

18 88 - 101

25 Christmas Day - Closed

January 1 New Year - Gathering

8 101 - 118

15 118 - 132

22 One Day Sesshin

29 133 - 153

February 5 154 – 172

12 Reflections on the whole book

SF Zen Center presents: The Zen Translation Forum

2010-11-02T19:59:00.000-07:00

November 6 - 7, 2010 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. PST each day

SF Zen Center Channel Page at LiveStream.com

To access the SF Zen Center channel page for the live stream, please visit:

SF Zen Center at LiveStream

The stream will be available, live and on-demand, free to all, on the
SF Zen Center LiveStream. The channel page also provides real-time,
text-based chat, which I'll be moderating (to the best of my ability,
anyway) during the event.

This is an experiment for us. Please spread the word.
We'll be curious to hear how it works for people.

Sincerely,

Laura Trippi
Director of Web Services

San Francisco Zen Center

Supplies for Homeless

2010-10-26T09:18:00.000-07:00

We are now on chapter two in LACK AND TRANSCENDENCE by David Loy and discussing pages 30 to midway on page 39 for Saturday, October 30. The conversation has been instructive and exciting. Together we discover the deep resonance of the text.

Community Volunteer Day, November 6

The day will begin with regular morning practice at 7:00 a.m. From 9:30 to 12:30 we will rake and prepare the grounds for the coming winter season. Lunch will be served at the close of the work period. Please bring work gloves and rakes and join in this wonderful activity of caring for the temple grounds.

WINTER GOODS DRIVE FOR THE HOMELESS
A SEVERE WINTER IS PREDICTED AND IT'S STARTING EARLY.
Heavy rains this week remind us that homeless people are in need of supplies for the winter.
Let's gather supplies and get them out there. Here's what's needed:
Blankets, blankets, blankets, blankets, blankets.
Sleeping bags, winter coats, tarps, warm socks.
A large box will be placed in the entry room. Please put supplies in the box and we will see that they are delivered to a source that will get these straight into the hands of those who need them.
Every little bit helps!! Blessings follow a generous heart!!

One Day Retreat, November 20

Join us for a peaceful day in meditation, garden work, optional interview with teacher, including breakfast and lunch. 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call or email to reserve a place. (Contact information below.)

Schedule of Practice

MORNINGS

Tuesday to Friday 6:15 a.m.

Saturday 7:00 a.m.

EVENING

Wednesday 7:00 p.m

Newcomers at 6:00 p.m. Please call or email to reserve a place. (Contact info below.)

Contact Information

Telephone: 360-357-2835

Email: director@OlympiaZenCenter.org

www.olympiazencenter.org

When washing your hands,

By all means pray that all sentient beings

May acquire the finest hands

With which to receive the Buddha's Teachings.

Avatamsaka Scripture

Practice Continues

2010-10-18T00:20:00.000-07:00

We are reading and studying LACK AND TRANSCENDENCE by David Loy and discussing pages 21 to 29 for Saturday, October 23. This is a challenging text which provokes wonderful conversation. Through our discussions together we come to understand the text and it relevance for our lives.

Community Volunteer Day, November 6

One Day Retreat, November 20

Schedule of Practice

MORNINGS

Tuesday to Friday 6:15 a.m.

Saturday 7:00 a.m.

EVENING

Wednesday 7:00 p.m

Newcomers at 6:00 p.m. Please call or email to reserve a place. (Contact info below.)

Contact Information

Telephone: 360-357-2835

Email: director@OlympiaZenCenter.org

When washing your hands,

By all means pray that all sentient beings

May acquire the finest hands

With which to receive the Buddha's Teachings.

Avatamsaka Scripture

Retreat and Study

2010-10-13T22:52:00.000-07:00

ONE-DAY RETREAT, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2010
Excellent opportunity to spend the day in quiet reflection.
7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Meditation, Garden work, interview with teacher
Includes breakfast and lunch.
Sign up: 360-357-2835 or director@olympiazencenter.org

READING STUDY FOR OCTOBER 23, 2010
We are reading LACK AND TRANSCENDENCE by David Loy
Pages 21 to 29.

REGULAR SCHEDULE
MORNINGS
Tuesday to Friday 6:15 a.m. Zazen and Ceremony
Saturday 7;00 a.m. Zazen, Ceremony, Sweeping, Breakfast, Study
EVENING
Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Zazen, Ceremony, Dharma Talk
Newcomers at 6:00 p.m. phone or email for reservation
360-357-2835 director@olympiazencenter.org

We are 501(c)3 and all donations are tax deductible. We are completely dependent upon donations. Goodness follows a generous heart. Thank you so much to all whose generosity sustains our sacred place of practice.

Lively Discussion on Book

2010-10-02T16:44:00.000-07:00

We had an excellent discussion on Saturday morning on Lack and Transcendence by David Loy, and we encourage you to join us.

Next week's discussion will include pages 8 to the end of the first paragraph on page 21. For those of you keeping a journal, the questions we suggest are to be found in the three or four final sentences of the paragraph at the top of 21.
An additional question might be, "What is your
"immortality project," that is, your unconscious way of surmounting your own death symbolically? If you are reading along, you will understand the question.

REGULAR SCHEDULE
Tuesday to Friday 6:15 a.m. Zazen and Ceremony
Saturday at 7:00 a.m. - Zazen, Cerremony, Sweeping, Breakfast, Book Study Discussion
Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. - Zazen and Dharma Talk
Newcomer Orientation at 6:00 p.m. Please phone for appointment 360-357-2835 or email director@olympiazencenter.org

ONE DAY SESSHIN

OCTOBER 16 Led by Eido Frances Carney

Please sign up in the office or by phone 360-357-2835, or email director@olympiazencenter.org

These quiet Saturdays are full of enrichment and peace and we always go away grateful for the opportunity to spend a day in reflection. To keep ourselves spiritually healthy it takes one hour a day, one day a month, and one week a year. That's the minimum. We offer this prescriptive schedule with morning Zazen, monthly one-day retreat, and Rohatsu sesshin the first week of December.

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER DAY - NOVEMBER 6th - 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. followed by lunch which will be provided. Please join us in raking the grounds, preparing for winter, buttoning things down for the cold temperatures and storms that the weather people say we will have more severely this year. The leaves are falling and so far we've kept up with them because there has been no rain. The leaves are light and crunchy and easy to rake. Come and enjoy the company of friends and lend a hand to this important project.

BOARD MEETINGS
Please see a schedule of meetings of the Board on the "Board Activities" page of the website.

PRAYER FOR THE SICK OR THE DYING
Our Morning Ceremony always includes names of those who are sick or in distress, or those who are dying or have died. Our recitation of their names is intended to send them encouragement in their difficulties and to offer merit during a time of suffering. If you would like to add a name to this recitation, please phone or email and let us know.

"All Buddhas, without exception, make full use of Their everyday behavior for Their practice...Becoming proficient in one's daily conduct whilst on the path towards Buddhahood is what is meant by 'a Buddha just doing His practice'." Dogen, SHOBOGENZO

The autumn leaves, pass by my window......

2010-09-27T14:24:00.000-07:00

The trees are quickly changing color and are spinning through the air at the slightest breeze. Tremendous rains in the month of September have caused the lake to swell; lily pads are disappearing. The harvest moon was full at exactly the time of the equinox, and Jupiter came as close to Earth as it ever is possible. "And soon we'll hear old winter's song."

So we are entering the text of Lack and Transcendence. We mentioned on Saturday, having read the introduction and prologue, that our reading will be slow and thoughtful. Sometimes we will have to reread certain sentences or paragraphs in order to fully understand the meaning. This is normal and what we would expect from a serious study.

For Saturday, October 2nd, please read from Page 1 to the end of the short paragraph on top of page 8.

We are keeping dialogical journals, meaning we pose to ourselves questions, observations, or thoughts that generate from the book or our discussions and we respond with our own thoughts in the notebook. This will help us understand the material more deeply and will help us to express personal responses to the study.

REGULAR SCHEDULE
Tuesday to Friday 6:15 a.m. Zazen and Morning Ceremony
Saturday 7:00 a.m. Zazen, Ceremony, Sweeping, Breakfast, Study and Discussion
Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Zazen, Ceremony, Dharma Talk
Newcomer Orientation: 6:00 p.m. Please call or email ahead for reservation. 360-357-2835 or director@olympiazencenter.org

The teachings are offered at Olympia Zen Center because of the goodness and generosity of all our many benefactors. We offer the merit of our practice to all those who aid and support our temple through myriad expressions of generosity. May all our benefactors gain wisdom and compassion from all they meet and may our sincere vows to practice together be realized in the Enlightened Way.

Lack and Transcendence by David Loy

2010-09-19T11:58:00.000-07:00

READING For Saturday 9/25: xi to xxii

The Sangha will begin its fall study with a new text called Lack and Transcendence, The Problem of Death and Life in Psychotherapy, Existentialism, and Buddhism by David Loy. Along with the text, we will be using personal dialogical journals for exploring within ourselves some challenging discussions that Loy posits in the text. As part of our discussion on Saturday mornings, we'll suggest various questions to take up in our journals. No doubt the text will also provide spontaneous avenues of discussion that we'll each come upon in our reading.

The Sangha of Olympia Zen Center has always enjoyed the study aspect of our practice/community. Whether we are highly skilled readers, or one who is just beginning to enter some of the teachings or philosophical notions of Buddhism, there is a place at the table for discussion. Together we try to extract the meaning of the text and how it applies to practice and our lives. We read slowly and keep together within the text so that our responses are fairly immediate. Everyone is urged not to read the whole book at once, but to take it slowly and together so that we digest it section by section. We encourage newcomers to join us on Saturday mornings as a way to develop a regular practice of meditation and participation in the community

For Saturday, September 25th, we'll read only the Introduction and Prologue since some may still not have purchased the book. If you are having trouble finding a copy, please contact Allyson by email at the Zendo email address director@olympiazencenter.org and she'll help you.

READING For Saturday 9/25: xi to xxii

OTHER INFORMATION:
Regular schedule: Zazen Tuesday to Friday 6:15 a.m.
Saturday at 7:00 a.m. for Zazen, Cleaning, Breakfast and STUDY
Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. for Zazen and Dharma talk
Newcomers at 6:00 p.m. Please call for appointment 360-357-2835 or email
director@olympiazencenter.org

Tribute to Winona Ward

2010-09-16T14:34:00.000-07:00

Winona Ward, Fletcher Ward's mother, died in Shreveport, Louisiana, on September 15, 2010, where she lived and worked her entire life on behalf of the betterment of her community, her church, her family, her friends. She was 75 years old. Last Saturday she was suddenly taken critically ill, but she lived long enough for all her family to arrive and be at her bedside when she died. She is survived by her four children, Beth, Sara, Leslie, and Fletcher. Her husband Hugh died several years ago.

Without Winona's immense generosity, we would not have our precious Gogo-an, a space for solitary practice in the style of Ryokan san. When Winona sought to create a memorial for her husband, Hugh, she also saw the uniqueness in the concept of Gogo-an. Thus, she contributed the large endowment that made the building possible. The sacred nature of Gogo-an speaks to her spiritual heart, and both she and Hugh will forever reside in the spirit of practice there.

Winona did not often travel and preferred to stay close to home, nevertheless she made a trip to Olympia several years ago. We held a small garden party dinner in her honor and she is shown in the photo taken at that time. In my brief experience with her then, I could see she was a woman of considerable insight, strength, and intellectual and spiritual capacity who conversed in soft, deliberate, Southern speech. Her humor was infectious and always at the ready. She loved her family and championed their progress in their lives. How extraordinarily fortunate we were to have encountered Winona brought to us by Fletcher. Together they bestowed upon us a jewel that we can never forget.

We will offer a morning ceremony for Winona this Saturday during our retreat. Her picture will remain on the altar and her name will be chanted at morning services for 49 days, as is our practice. A smaller picture will be placed on our memorial shelf in the living room in perpetuity. The Olympia Zen Center Sangha had flowers delivered to the funeral home. A memorial service will be held in Shreveport on Saturday.

Deepest condolences to the family and friends,

Eido Frances Carney

Jikyo C.J. Wolfer receives Dharma Transmission

2010-09-04T15:45:00.000-07:00

Jikyo C.J. Wolfer received Dharma Transmission during the week of August 29, 2010, at Olympia Zen Center. Jikyo first received Jukai, the Precepts, from Eido Frances Carney Roshi in 2000 after having begun full-time residency at Olympia Zen Center. She received Tokudo Ordination in 2001 which began her training as a novice priest. During her residency, she also received her M.A. in Counseling Psychology from St. Martin's University in Lacey, and completed training for her credential in mediation.

In 2008, she moved to Port Angeles, WA and since then has founded the Port Angeles Zen Community. She has led numerous retreats and workshops, and she commutes to Olympia to lead sesshin when Eidosan is absent. During her time of residency at Olympia Zen Center, she served the Sangha in myriad ways through her expertise in the areas of law, administration, computer technology, leadership, group dynamics, gardening, trail building, toolsmanship, cooking, accountancy, sewing. Weaving through and underpinning all these abilities, is her deep insight and understanding of Dharma.

Niho Tetsumei Roshi of Entsuji Temple in Japan, Eido Frances Carney's teacher, along with Eidosan, send their heartiest congratulations, and welcome Jikyo into the treasured lineage alongside our revered Ryokan san.

Jikyo is a member of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association and will participate in the Dharma Heritage Ceremony at the national conference in October at Great Vow Monastery in Clatskanie, Oregon. This Ceremony recognizes newly Dharma Transmitted teachers and is a ritual of affirmation by one's peers, welcoming them into the circle of Soto Zen leaders in the West.

We at Olympia Zen Center congratulate Jikyo and offer our profound support for her life and well being. May the Dharma flourish through her practice and may many find their way on the Path of the Buddha through her great vow.

Practice Continues

2010-08-19T16:34:00.000-07:00

The regular practice schedule is continuing through the rest of summer until we have our summer break. We will be closed from noon on August 28 until 7:00 a.m. for Zazen on September 4th.

MORNINGS:

Tuesday through Friday

6:15 a.m. until 7:15 Zazen and Morning Ceremony

Saturday

7:00 a.m. until about 10 a.m. Zazen, Ceremony, Sweeping, Breakfast, Discussion

EVENING

Wednesday

7:00 p.m. to about 8:30 p.m. Zazen, Ceremony and Dharma Talk

Newcomer Orientation at 6:00 p.m. Please call for reservation 360-357-2835

ONE DAY RETREATS

September 18

October 16

November 20

Please sign up in the office, or by phone 360=357-2835, or on the website Contacts page.

The Moon of our heart and mind is solitary and at the full,

Its light swallows up all forms that arise.

Its light is not something that illumines concrete objects,

And concrete objects in turn are not things that truly exist,

When Its light and object both vanish from sight,

There is still That which is the What.

From Dogen Zenji's SHOBOGENZO

Quoted in Eido's Teisho, Second Night of Full Moon Retreat

The photo is from an image taken of a Bodhisattva in the Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, New York

Memorial Service for Aitken Roshi, Wednesday the18th

2010-08-15T09:39:00.000-07:00

A Memorial Service to express gratitude for the life and teachings of Robert Gyoun Aitken Roshi will be held at Olympia Zen Center on Wednesday, August 18th beginning with Zazen at 7 p.m.

Tribute to Robert Aitken Roshi

2010-08-13T19:36:00.000-07:00

Robert Gyoun Aitken Roshi, beloved teacher and founder of the Diamond Sangha and teacher to a vast number of students and teachers worldwide, died on August 5, 2010, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was 93 years old. In his final years, despite numerous health challenges and bound to a wheel chair, Roshi remained active in his writing and teaching, and in his presence in practice at Palolo Zen Sangha.

A complete biography of Aitken Roshi can be found at the Honolulu Diamond Sangha website: www.diamondsangha.org

After he retired, Roshi continued to publish, each book seeming to be his last. Several years ago, Roshi declared he was writing his final book, a personal one-copy book to his grandchild. Four books were to follow. His fourteenth book with the working title, RIVER OF HEAVEN, was underway when he died.

Roshi died peacefully not long after entering the hospital with the condition of pneumonia. His Memorial Service will be held at Honolulu Diamond Sangha, Palolo Zen Center, on August 22nd.

A memorial service expressing gratitude for Aitken Roshi's life and his teachings which have influenced and sustained us in many ways, will be held at Olympia Zen Center on Wednesday evening, August 18th, beginning with Zazen at 7:00 p.m.

Counting our blessings...

2010-08-03T11:15:00.001-07:00

...which indeed are many. So many good people support our practice in myriad ways, visible and invisible. Thus, we go forward day by day sitting Zazen each morning and chanting on behalf of everyone, expressing gratitude for everyone's support.

Tuesday to Friday, Zazen at 6:15 a.m.

Saturday, Zazen at 7:00 a.m.

Wednesday, Zazen at 7:00 p.m.

Newcomer orientation at 6:00 p.m.

Sunday afternoons we invite you to join us for art practice in the garden from 1 to 4 p.m. Bring your paints, clay, poetry and spend a few hours working on your creative projects. We don't talk so much, but we aren't perfectly silent either. We finish with tea and a bit of discussion about our work, if we choose to share it.

Garden work continues so if you wish to volunteer some time do let us know. It's a wonderful way to give to the temple. Our general practice is to give one hour a week of work and one hour of wages to support our sacred space. In this way, no matter how much a person earns, everyone is giving 100%.

One-day Sesshin/Retreat coming up on September 18. Lovely opportunity to spend a quiet day in reflection, be with Sangha, practice in a tranquil space. See contact info below.

Please remember we will be closed for holiday from noon on August 28 to Zazen at 7:00 a.m. on September 4.

Our contact information:

Phone: 360-357-2835

Email: director@olympiazencenter.org

Website: www.olympiazencenter.org

"Do not drive after this or that thing in your mad pursuit.

Lock up your lips in deep reticence to do your daily work.

Never fill your mouth till hunger revolts in your stomach,

nor rattle your teeth until you are fully awake and aware.

Master your breath so you may be tense with inner spirit,

no ills then can break into your heart from the outside."

Master Ryokan

In: Zen Poems of Ryokan

translated by Nobuyuki Yuasa

After the Full Moon Retreat

2010-07-25T21:15:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful time at the Full Moon retreat this year. We had a few people who were at a Zen retreat for the first time, we had regulars, and some whom we only see on occasion. But the mix was magical, a variety of ages and experience.

Everyone made hard effort during work period and we managed to wash all the windows and screens, beat the dust out of the zafus and zabutons, wash, iron and starch the zendo curtains, and a myriad of other tasks inside and out. Of course, our tenzo (cook) maintained a beautiful kitchen and served delicious food to us throughout. With a calm and focused kitchen, the central hearth, we realized harmony and excellent humor.

Regular Schedule:

Tues to Fri 6:15 a.m. to 7:10 a.m. Zazen and Morning Ceremony

Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. Zazen, Ceremony, Cleaning, Breakfast, Study

Wednesday 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Zazen, Ceremony, Dharma Talk

Newcomer Orientation Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. Please call for appointment

see contact information below

ONE DAY RETREATS

SEPTEMBER 18

OCTOBER 16

NOVEMBER 20

SUNDAY AFTERNOON ART GATHERING AT OZC

1:00 TO 4:00 p.m. Bring your art project (painting, poetry, clay) and enjoy the encouragement of others out of doors on these beautiful days.

We'll be closed for holiday from noon on August 28 to 7:00 a.m. for Zazen on September 4th.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: 360-357-2835

Email: director@olympiazencenter.org

Web: www.olympiazencenter.org

The Quiet Buddha

2010-07-04T20:37:00.001-07:00

This largest of the Buddha statues we have sits in the entryway at Olympia Zen Center. Do smile at this very friendly and quiet Buddha as you pass by.

The Full Moon Sesshin is coming up quickly.

7:00 p.m. on July 21 to 1:00 p.m. on the 25th.

Do join for all or part of this lovely summertime retreat.

Bring a tent and camp out under the full moon and the stars.

This retreat will feature a return of body healing exercises and also ta'i chi under the moon. Beginners are welcome.

See sign up and contact information at the bottom of this blog entry.

Regular Practice Schedule

Mornings

Tuesday to Friday 6:15 to 7:10 a.m. Zazen and ceremony

Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (if you have to leave early it's okay) Zazen, Ceremony, Sweeping, Breakfast, Study or Gardening during summertime.

Evening

Wednesday 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Zazen, Ceremony, Dharma Talk and Discussion

Newcomer Orientation at 6:00 p.m. Please phone for reservation 360-357-2835.

Sunday afternoons for the practice of art, rain or shine. If it's nice, we paint or write outside. If grey, we stay inside for poetry. Nice opportunity to shake up the creative mind and give it a little exercise. 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at OZC.

Contact information:

Phone: 360=357-2935

Email: director@OlympiaZenCenter.org

Website at the "Contact" page: www.olympiazencenter.org

Address: 3248 39th Way NE, Olympia, WA 98506

Membership is universal. We have no fees or dues. Donations are our sole means of support. We rely upon the kind donations of our many friends in the community who wish to maintain our sacred space for Soto Zen meditation. We are 501(c)3 and donations are tax deductible.

A Buddha of old once said in verse:

When I finally realized the Way,

The white snow, which had blanketed all

in a thousand layers, departed

And, in my making a picture of this,

Blue-tinged mountains emerged on scroll after scroll.

Dogen Zenji, SHOBOGENZO

Summer? Maybe summer?

2010-06-26T17:04:00.000-07:00

We're still in warm looking clothing from the last one-day sesshin. It had been raining hard in the morning then cleared enough for us to go out for work period. Later in the afternoon, the sound of rain was quite wonderful during Zazen. Still, we're wondering all over Washington whether summer will really come. We keep a look out for sun and run outside the moment it appears.

FULL MOON SESSHIN

7:00 p.m. on July 21 to 1:00 p.m. on July 25

Bring a tent or sleep in the zendo. Enjoy this beautiful sesshin under the waxing moon. This retreat is appropriate for beginners or for seasoned meditators. Sign up in the office, on the contacts website page, or by telephone. (see info below)

Sunday afternoons

Weather permitting, some of us are gathering in the garden at Olympia Zen Center for art practice from 1 to 4 p.m. We paint or write, or engage in our particular craft, help one another with our efforts, drink iced tea. We don't talk much. We're just together in supportive company. Everyone is welcome. Bring your sketch book, paints, journal, or whatever medium you care to work in.

Regular practice schedule:

MORNING ZAZEN

Tuesday to Friday 6:15 a.m. Zazen and Morning Ceremony

Saturday 7:00 a.m. Zazen, Morning Ceremony, Sweeping, Breakfast, Discussion

EVENING

Wednesday at 7 p.m. Zazen, Ceremony, Dharma talk

Contact information:

Phone: 360-357-2835

Email: director@olympiazencenter.org

Website at the "Contact page" www.olympiazencenter.org

Address: 3248 39th Way NE, Olympia, WA 98506

Membership is universal. We have no fees or dues. We are completely dependent upon your kind donations and good will. We are 501(c)3. Donations are tax deductible.

"If you can simply concentrate your mind's inner light and behold its outer illumination, you'll dispel the three poisons and drive away the six thieves once and for all. And without effort you'll gain possession of an infinite number of virtues, perfections and doors to the truth. Seeing through the mundane and witnessing the sublime is less than an eye-blink away. Realization is now. Why worry about gray hair?"

Red Pine Trans. THE ZEN TEACHING OF BODHIDHARMA

One-day Retreat, June 19

2010-06-13T09:38:00.000-07:00

One Day Retreat on June 19th

with Eido Frances Carney

7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Includes morning and afternoon meditation,

breakfast and lunch, work period in the garden, optional personal talk with the teacher.

This is a wonderful way to restore oneself in quiet reflection. It is appropriate for beginners or seasoned meditators.

Please sign up via email, phone, or on the bulletin board.

(information below)

On Saturdays for the next few months, we will work in the garden after breakfast instead of engaging in text study. It is invigorating, instructive and humbling to see how the garden teaches us about cause and effect. It is lovely to work side by side with other Sangha members and appreciate one another's lives. It is grounding to come to know the gardens intimately.

On Sunday afternoons, weather permitting, some of us are gathering in the garden at Olympia Zen Center for art work from 1 to 4 p.m. We paint or write, help one another with our efforts, drink iced tea. We don't talk much. We're just together in supportive company. Everyone is welcome. Bring your sketch book, paints, journal, or whatever medium you care to work in. Makes us all want to sing, "Sunday in the Park with George."

Don't forget the upcoming Full Moon Sesshin in July.

From 7 p.m. on July 21st to 1 p.m. on the 25th. Bring a tent, stay in the zendo, enjoy this wonderful retreat during a bright moon. We've been doing this for years and it remains something we look forward to. Beginners and seasoned meditators are welcome. Sign up by email, phone or in the office. (information below)

Regular practice schedule:

MORNING ZAZEN

Tuesday to Friday 6:15 a.m. Zazen and Morning Ceremony

Saturday 7:00 a.m. Zazen, Morning Ceremony, Sweeping, Breakfast, Discussion

EVENING

Wednesday at 7 p.m. Zazen, Ceremony, Dharma talk

Contact information:

Phone: 360-357-2835

Email: director@olympiazencenter.org

Website at the "Contact page" www.olympiazencenter.org

Address: 3248 39th Way NE, Olympia, WA 98506

Membership is universal. We have no fees or dues. We are completely dependent upon your kind donations and good will. We are 501(c)3. Donations are tax deductible.

The above painting is from a scroll depicting Bodhidharma.

Red Pine Trans. THE ZEN TEACHING OF BODHIDHARMA

2010-05-18T16:20:00.000-07:00

Photo: Eisenbruch: A retreat center in Germany

Practice continues with the regular schedule in the next few weeks:

MORNINGS

Tues. to Fri. 6:15 a.m. to 7:15 a.m.

Sat: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

EVENING

Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

Newcomer orientation is at 6:00 p.m. Please phone ahead for reservation: 360=357=2835

or via email from the website Contacts page.

WE NEED YOUR HELP with mowing the grass weekly and with regular weeding. Won't you consider taking a turn mowing for one week? If everyone takes a turn, it makes very light work for everyone. Sign up in the office for mowing on the weekend and with gratitude for helping us keep the grounds beautiful for everyone. For those who cannot mow, there are lots of spring weeds that need attention. Do come and enjoy the peace and quiet in the garden.

NEXT ONE-DAY RETREAT LED BY EIDO FRANCES CARNEY

June 19th, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

FULL MOON RETREAT WILL BE from the evening of July 21 until noon on July 25th.

ART ON LOCATION: Allyson Essen and Eidosan have been doing plein air painting (also known as painting on location) at Olympia Zen Center on occasional Sunday afternoons. They set up their easels, enjoy several hours of painting in the beautiful surroundings, discuss the progress of their work, share suggestions, have a cup of tea. If you would like to join them with any other form of art that you practice: writing, sculpting, sketching, please join in. It's open to anyone interested in art in the company of others. Send an email of interest to director@olympiazencenter.org.

We are grateful to our donors for their continuing support of our beautiful center.

"Bamboo trees I admire you for your honesty and strength.

Be my friends and stand about my retreat until eternity." Ryokan

One-Day Meditation Retreat, May 15th

2010-05-09T20:09:00.000-07:00

One Day Meditation Retreat, May 15th.

7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

With Eido Frances Carney

Spend a day in quiet reflection on the beautiful grounds of Olympia Zen Center. Breakfast and lunch are included. Gardening practice will be included in the schedule along with an opportunity to have a private interview with the teacher.

Phone 360-357-2835, or email at director@olympiazencenter.org

We have completed discussion of the Maka Hannya Haramitsu chapter of SHOBOGENZO, and will rest for the remaining months of summer. When fall comes we will begin chapter 3, GenjoKoan. Meantime, we will have open discussions of various topics on Saturday mornings.

For information about Newcomer Instruction, please see the website, Newcomer page.

Full Moon Sesshin is schedule from July 22 to 25. Please note this on your calendars.

The next One-day mediation retreat will be June 19th.

Please do consider helping us to keep our grounds beautiful by volunteering to mow he grass/weeds. The sign-up sheet is in the office.

With gratitude to all our donors who help to make our practice here at Olympia Zen Center possible. We rely completely upon donations. We are 501(c)3 tax deductible.

Continuing Study and Practice

2010-05-03T21:21:00.000-07:00

Studying SHOBOGENZO. Next Saturday we will take up the last three pages of chapter two, "Makahannya Haramitsu." You can download the text from a link to Shasta Abbey on our own homepage.

Wednesday evening we will resume Dharma talks after last week's wonderful celebration of the Buddha's birthday and also Eidosan's birthday.

One day sesshin will be May 15th from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. led by Eidosan. Please sign up in the office, by email, or by phone. See below for these links.

It's lawn mowing time. We always need help to keep our beautiful gardens trimmed and combed. Do consider signing up in the office. If everyone takes a turn, it makes an easier go of it and it doesn't fall onto only a few people. It's good exercise and it makes the grounds serene for the arrival of others for Zazen. We're deeply grateful for your help.

Introduction to Zen, Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. Please phone or email for reservation.

Regular schedule continues: Tues to Fri 6:15 to 7:15 Zazen and morning ceremony.

Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. Zazen and Dharma talk

Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m. for Zazen, Ceremony, Sweeping, Breakfast and Study.

Olympia Zen Center's practice is reliance upon Dharma for our sustenance. This means we rely completely upon donations from the community. We are grateful for your kind generosity.

Email: director@olympiazencenter.org

In person: 3248 39th Way NE, Olympia, Wa 98506 See map and directions on the website.

Wednesday, April 28th, Three Celebrations

2010-04-26T10:39:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, April 28th, Three Celebrations

We will celebrate Buddha's Birthday at about 2,573 years old.

We will celebrate the Full Moon.

We will celebrate Eido's Birthday at a mere 70 years old.

Please bring flowers for the altar for the Ceremony for the Buddha.

Afterward we will enjoy tea and cake.

Studying Shobogenzo

2010-04-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

When children visit our Zendo, aside from the practice schedule, they express wonderful freedom in the open space and the clear atmosphere. They tend to dance in a kind of natural ecstasy.

Friends, we are studying chapter two of SHOBOGENZO by Dogen Zenji. We are using the translation by Rev. Hubert Nearman, O.B.C. of Shasta Abbey. You can make the connection to download the PDF file from the home page of our website. This is the text we are now using for our Saturday morning discussions.

Lawn Mowing Season is upon us and we are always looking for young able people to help keep the grounds looking beautiful. This a great way to contribute to the welfare of Olympia Zen Center. Please see the sign up sheet in the office. When you sign up, the green areas should be mowed within two days of the agreed time so that the schedule after you does not get out of synch. In these days, mowing has to be done each week. Later in the season when the rains stop, we can stretch it out.

Our morning schedule:

Tuesday to Friday, 6:15 a.m. for Zazen and Ceremony

Saturday 7:00 a.m. Zazen, Ceremony, Sweeping, Breakfast, Study

Our evening schedule:

Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Zazen, Ceremony, Dharma encouragement talk

Newcomer Orientation at 6:00 p.m. Please call ahead for reservation, 360-357-2835

The Buddha says, "Even if you give alms to yourselves, there can be merit, and how much more so were you to give alms to your parents, spouse, or children." As a consequence of this statement, I (Dogen) have realized that even giving to oneself is a part of almsgiving, and giving to one's parents, spouse, or children, will be almsgiving as well. Should we let go of a single dust mote of defiling passion as an alms offering, even though it is done for our own sake, we will feel a quiet heartfelt gratitude because we will have had one of the meritorious deeds of Buddhas genuinely Transmitted to us, and because for the first time, we will be practicing one of the methods of Bodhisattvas. SHOBOGENZO. Chapter 46, by Dogen Zenji

Olympia Zen Center is completely dependent upon donations. We bow in deepest gratitude for your support.

Celebrating Ryokan's Life and Poetry

2010-04-13T09:43:00.000-07:00

Ninth Annual Ryokan Lecture

with Joseph Stroud, Poet

Friday night, 4/16/10 at 7:00 p.m.

Heritage Room 401 Water Street at Legion

Way in downtown Olympia

"And What Did You Make of Your Life?"

Saturday, 4/17/10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Poetry Workshop/Retreat

Olympia Zen Center

3248 39th Way NE, Olympia

For information: www.olympiazencenter.org

The grounds keep growing

2010-04-07T10:06:00.001-07:00

Sometimes 5 acres seem quite small...until you go out with a hoe or a rake in hand and suddenly the ground is five times larger. We are coming into that time when the weeds are springing up, the grass is clumping and the land is large.

This Saturday after morning practice, we need to spruce ourselves up before our event on the 16th and 17th. Please come and help us pick up sticks, clean up the Path of the Ancestors, dust Gogo-an, mow, sweep. With many hands, we can make light work of it and refresh our beautiful temple grounds.

SATURDAY, ZAZEN at 7:00 a.m. followed by Ceremony, temple sweeping, breakfast and study (for a brief time). We are taking up the 2nd chapter of SHOBOGENZO, "MakaHannya Haramitsu." We will no doubt continue that study two weeks from Saturday.

Spiffing the grounds will begin at about 10:15 a.m.

JOSEPH STROUD IS COMING!! JOSEPH STROUD IS COMING!! We've been talking about the event for ages and at last it's about to happen. The workshop is just about full. If you try now you may squeeze in, or your name may go onto a waiting list.

COME AND HEAR JOSEPH STROUD ON FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 16th at Heritage Room 604 Water Street at Legion Way in Olympia, next door to Water St. Cafe. 7:00 p.m. There is room still available for the lecture/reading. It's not to be missed, folks.

Mornings are still very cold and yet we sit Zazen at 6:15 a.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Saturday at 7:00 a.m.

Wednesday evening Newcomer Orientation at 6 p.m. (see info on the newcomer page on the website)

Wednesday evening Zazen at 7:00 p.m. followed by ceremony and Dharma talk.

We never turn anyone away because of economic need.

We are completely supported by donations and the goodness of our supporters. With deepest gratitude to all who give to our temple so that practice may continue in our sacred space.

"In each training ground of every Buddha, as the embodiment of Truth, the work of Buddhas finds expression and is put into practice down to the smallest detail." Dogen Zenji, SHOBOGENZO, "On Doing One's Utmost in Practicing the Way of the Buddhas."

...Out Like a Lamb

2010-03-27T15:25:00.000-07:00

Yes, the end of March approaches and the soft days of Spring appear. Don't they?

We finished our study on "Bendowa" and will take up "Maka Hannya Haramitsu" Chapter 2 in SHOBOGENZO for April 10th, 2010. Download SHOBOGENZO from the Home page on the website.

On April 3, we will look at some selected poems to consider how to be with poetry to appreciate and discern meanings and flavors. No doubt to get ready for

JOSEPH STROUD, POET

9th ANNUAL RYOKAN LECTURER

APRIL 16 and 17

PLEASE VISIT THE STROUD PAGE ON THE WEBSITE FOR FURTHER DETAILS

Joseph Stroud's books will be available for sale at the event and he will do a book signing following the lecture at Heritage Room. You may also have your books signed at the daylong retreat/workshop on Saturday.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE:

Tuesday to Friday 6:15 a.m. Meditation and Ceremony

Saturday, 7 a.m. Meditation, Ceremony, Sweeping, Breakfast, Study

(This practice engages us and connects us deeply to community.)

Wednesday, 7 p.m. Meditation, Ceremony, Dharma encouragement talk

NEWCOMER ORIENTATION, Wednesday at 6 p.m. Phone 360-357-2835 for reservation.

Olympia Zen Center is completely supported by donations. We practice in complete gratitude for the goodness of our many benefactors who support and sustain our temple.

"She brings Light so that all fear and distress may be forsaken and disperses the gloom and darkness of delusion. She, herself, is an organ of vision, she has a clear knowledge of Being of all Dharmas, for she does not stray away from it." From "Homage to the Perfection of Wisdom"

2010-03-23T21:55:00.000-07:00

The contorted filbert tree shows its beautiful branches best in winter. Like all the other trees and bushes, it's turning to spring.

ALL MEDITATIONS AND EVENTS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

NEXT MONTH:

APRIL 16 AND 17

9th Annual Ryokan Lecture with Joseph Stroud, Poet

"...AND WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF YOUR LIFE?"

Friday night, 7:00 p.m. at Heritage Room, 604 Water Street at Legion, downtown Olympia

Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Olympia Zen Center, 3248 39th Way NE, Olympia

For further information: 360=357-2835 or email: director@olympiazencenter.org

DAILY MEDITATION

Tuesday through Friday, 6:15 a.m.

Wednesday evening 7:00 p.m.

Newcomer Orientation Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. for Morning Practice and Study

Study material for Saturday, March 27: Completing the last three pages of "Bendowa" pages 22-24, from SHOBOGENZO.

Please see our Home Page for downloading various texts, Dharma talks, and Liturgy.

Publication notice: Taigen Dan Leighton and Shohaku Okumura announce the paperback publication of their translation of DOGEN'S EXTENSIVE RECORD: A TRANSLATION OF EIHEI KOROKU with Wisdom Publications. This is Dogen Zenji's second great work including his later teachings, short discourses, longer informal talks, and koans with commentaries. This edition includes an extensive index with cross references to Shobogenzo, and cases in the Blue Cliff Record, The Book of Serenity, and the Gateless Barrier. This is the first ever complete and scholarly translation of this monumental work in English and the first paperback edition.

Rev. Taigen Leighton was a past Ryokan Lecturer at Olympia Zen Center. He is a major translator of various and important texts in the Soto Zen literature and Buddhism. He is the Dharma Teacher at Ancient Dragon Zen Gate in Chicago where he also teaches courses in East Asian religion at Loyola University.

Rev. Shohaku Okumura is Director of the Soto Zen International Education Center in San Francisco, and Abbot of the Sanshin Zen Community in Bloomington, Indiana. He has translated numerous texts by Dogen Zenji and Ryokan and teaches throughout the U.S., Europe, and Japan.

DEEPEST GRATITUDE FOR YOUR DONATIONS TO OLYMPIA ZEN CENTER. WE ARE COMPLETELY DEPENDENT UPON DONATIONS FOR OUR HEALTH AND WELL BEING.

"She brings Light so that all fear and distress may be forsaken and disperses the gloom and darkness of delusion. She, herself, is an organ of vision, she has a clear knowledge of Being of all Dharma, for she does not stray away from it." From "Homage to the Perfection of Wisdom"

ONE-DAY MEDITATION RETREAT WITH C.J. JIKYO WOLFER

2010-03-14T20:47:00.000-07:00

ONE DAY MEDITATION RETREAT

WITH C.J. JIKYO WOLFER

MARCH 20, 2010

7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

C.J. Jikyo Wolfer is the leading senior novice priest of Eido Frances Carney, Teacher at Olympia Zen Center. She leads her own meditation group in Port Angeles and will be in residence in Olympia to lead this one-day meditation retreat.

PLEASE RESERVE A SPACE BY CALLING 360=357=2835 or email: director@olympiazencenter.org

This is an excellent opportunity to spend a quiet day in reflection for new students or for seasoned practitioners.

ALL MEDITATIONS AND EVENTS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

NEXT MONTH:

APRIL 16 AND 17

9th Annual Ryokan Lecture with Joseph Stroud, Poet

"...AND WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF YOUR LIFE?"

Friday night, 7:00 p.m. at Heritage Room, 604 Water Street at Legion, downtown Olympia

Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Olympia Zen Center, 3248 39th Way NE, Olympia

For further information: 360=357-2835 or email: director@olympiazencenter.org

DAILY MEDITATION

Tuesday through Friday, 6:15 a.m.

Wednesday evening 7:00 p.m.

Newcomer Orientation Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. for Morning Practice and Study

Study material for Saturday, March 27: Completing the last three pages of "Bendowa" pages 22-24, from SHOBOGENZO.

Please see our Home Page for downloading various texts, Dharma talks, and Liturgy.

DEEPEST GRATITUDE FOR YOUR DONATIONS TO OLYMPIA ZEN CENTER. WE ARE COMPLETELY DEPENDENT UPON DONATIONS FOR OUR HEALTH AND WELL BEING.

"She brings Light so that all fear and distress may be forsaken and disperses the gloom and darkness of delusion. She, herself, is an organ of vision, she has a clear knowledge of Being of all Dharma, for she does not stray away from it." From "Homage to the Perfection of Wisdom"

2010-03-06T11:19:00.000-08:00

"With this Genuine Dharma that is directly Transmitted, once you have entered the practice and left your 'self' behind, you will likewise enjoy making use of the wondrous treasures within yourself." Dogen Zenji, "Bendowa" SHOBOGENZO

This is a reading from the text for next Saturday's study: pages 18 through 21 in "Bendowa" to be found in the downloaded PDF SHOBOGENZO available through the home page of OZC's website.

One-day meditation retreat, March 20th, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Please sign up in the office or via Contact page on the web.

Daily Practice continues:

6:15 a.m. Tuesday through Friday

7:00 a.m. Saturday

7:00 p.m. Wednesday

6:00 p.m. Wednesday for Newcomer Orientation. Please see the Newcomer page on the website.

Next month:

APRIL 16 and 17 with Joseph Stroud, Poet,

who will be the visiting lecturer for

THE NINTH ANNUAL RYOKAN LECTURE

Stroud will deliver a lecture/reading on Friday evening the 16th at 7:00 p.m. in the Heritage Room at 604 Water Street at Legion Way in downtown Olympia. Tickets are now on sale.

A workshop/retreat with Stroud will be held on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Olympia Zen Center. Please make a reservation early as space is limited.

Donation for the lecture/reading is $10 general, $8 senior, $6 students

Donation for the all day workshop is $60 which includes lunch

Call 360-357-2835 for reservation, or email director@olympiazencenter.org

Deepest gratitude for your continuing support of Olympia Zen Center. We rely totally upon donations for our health and welfare. We never turn anyone away because of economic need.

Homage to the Perfection of Wisdom, the lovely, the holy.

The Perfection of Wisdom gives Light.

Enter March

2010-02-28T13:03:00.000-08:00

Red-winged blackbirds are in song at Olympia Zen Center. Frogs are the night music. The land is coming alive with Spring.

Newcomers are invited to introduction on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. Please phone ahead for a reservation. 360-357-2835. Alternatively you may send an email: director@olympiazencenter.org Please see the Newcomer page on the website for more information.

The month of March will see a quiet, regular practice schedule with a one-day meditation retreat on March 20th from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please sign up in the office, by email, or by telephone.

Tuesday to Friday 6:15 a.m. for Zazen and Morning Ceremony

Wednesday evening 7:00 p.m. (following orientation) for Zazen, Ceremony and Dharma Talk

Saturday morning 7:00 a.m. for Zazen, Ceremony, Sweeping, Breakfast, Study

Saturday morning Study Period: "Bendowa" from SHOBOGENZO. Pages 14 to the top of 18 for Saturday, March 6th, from the Rev. Nearman translation available for download from Shasta Abbey which is accessible on our HomePage.

JOSEPH STROUD, POET, COMING IN APRIL FOR THE ANNUAL RYOKAN LECTURE, HONORING PRIEST-POET RYOKAN SAN.

Title of the Lecture/Reading: "...And What Did You Make of Your Life?"

APRIL 16, Heritage Room, 7:00 p.m. 604 Water Street at Legion Way. Tickets now on sale.

APRIL 17, One-day retreat/workshop with Joseph Stroud, at Olympia Zen Center. Please reserve early as space is limited. See the website for details.

Stroud has spent his lifetime teaching poetry and literature and is the author of numerous books of poetry with his most recent by Copper Canyon Press entitled: OF THIS WORLD: NEW AND SELECTED POEMS.

CALL: 360-357-2835, or sign-up on the Contact Us page of the website.

We never turn anyone away because of economic need.

Thank you for supporting Olympia Zen Center. We rely solely on donations (dana) for our health and welfare. Generosity is the first great virtue.

All Buddhas in ten directions, three times.

All beings, bodhisattvas, mahasattvas

Wisdom beyond wisdom

The Maha Prajna Paramita.

Early Spring

2010-02-21T13:30:00.000-08:00

With uncommonly beautiful weather, we did walking meditation on the Path of the Ancestors during our one-day retreat on Saturday. Nearly blissful to be in the garden during work period. A truly powerful day of practice in silence together.

NEXT ONE-DAY MEDITATION RETREAT

MARCH 20, 2010

7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

JOSEPH STROUD, POET, COMING IN APRIL FOR THE ANNUAL RYOKAN LECTURE, HONORING PRIEST-POET RYOKAN SAN.

Title of the Lecture/Reading: "...And What Did You Make of Your Life?"

APRIL 16, Heritage Room, 7:00 p.m. 604 Water Street at Legion Way. Tickets now on sale.

APRIL 17, One-day retreat/workshop with Joseph Stroud, at Olympia Zen Center. Please reserve early as space is limited. See the website for details.

Stroud has spent his lifetime teaching poetry and literature and is the author of numerous books of poetry with his most recent by Copper Canyon Press entitled: OF THIS WORLD: NEW AND SELECTED POEMS.

CALL: 360-357-2835, or signup on the Contact Us page of the website.

SATURDAY MORNING STUDY PERIOD

Saturday, February 27, pages 10 through 13, SHOBOGENZO, Chapter: "Bendowa" from the translation by Shasta Abbey, downloadable from the OZC Homepage.

REGULAR DAILY PRACTICE

Tues - Fri 6:15 to 7:15 a.m. for Zazen and Morning Ceremony

Saturday at 7:00 a.m., Zazen, Ceremony, Sweeping, Breakfast, Study (everyone's favorite time)

WEDNESDAY NIGHT 7:00 p.m. for Zazen and Dharma Talk

NEWCOMERS 6:00 p.m.: Please see the Newcomer page on the website for information.

WE NEVER TURN ANYONE AWAY BECAUSE OF ECONOMIC NEED. WE ARE SUPPORTED TOTALLY BY DONATIONS AND ARE BLESSED WITH PURE-HEARTED AND GENEROUS PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. MANY BOWS OF GRATITUDE.

One-Day Sesshin, February 20, 2010

2010-02-07T14:00:00.000-08:00

Chairs in the cathedral in San Jose, California.

RETREAT/SESSHIN WITH EIDO FRANCES CARNEY

This is an excellent opportunity for seasoned or beginning meditators to spend a day in quiet reflection. We'll meditate, work quietly in the garden, eat breakfast and lunch together, and each will have an opportunity for an optional private interview with the teacher.

$35 donation plus Dana for the teacher

Call 360-357-2835 or email director@olympiazencenter.org for a reservation.

ANNUAL RYOKAN LECTURE WITH

JOSEPH STROUD, POET

We are now taking reservations for

the one-day program,

and tickets are now available for

the Friday evening lecture/reading.

The title of the program this year will be:

"...And What Did You Make of Your Life?"

April 16, 7:00 p.m.

Heritage Room, 604 Water Street at Legion Way, Olympia.

April 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., retreat/workshop,

Olympia Zen Center with Joseph Stroud

NEW READING ASSIGNMENT FOR SATURDAY MORNING STUDY/DISCUSSION

February 27

Download SHOBOZENDO PDF file from www.shastaabbey.org or find the link on OZC home page. Copy the first two chapters.

For Saturday, February 27, pages 10 through 13, in chapter entitled, "Bendowa"

THOSE INTERESTED IN STUDYING THE MAIN INFLUENCES ON RYOKAN'S POETRY

The Cold Mountain poems of Han-Shan

Poems from the MAN'YOSHU, the oldest extant Japanese poetry from about 600 to 800 C.E.

Poems from the KOKINSHU, from the 8th to 10th Century

The poetry of Saigyo, around 1100 C.E.

The poetry of Dogen Zenji, 1200 to 1253 C.E.

REGULAR MORNING AND EVENING PRACTICE

Tues to Fri 6:15 a.m.

Saturday 7:00 a.m.

Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m.

Newcomer orientation at 6:00 p.m.

Please call ahead (360) 357-2835

We are completely dependent upon your donations. Goodness follows a generous heart.

Please also remember our donation packets for the homeless and for the food bank in the entrance lobby.

INTRODUCTION TO ZEN

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UPCOMING:

INTRODUCTION TO ZEN

February 6, 2010

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A primer for those wishing to explore Soto Zen meditation, forms of practice, Buddha's teachings, and the Soto Zen community.

For reservation: director@olympiazencenter.org

or 360-357-2835

$40 donation includes lunch

ONE-DAY RETREATS

February 20 and March 20

ANNUAL RYOKAN LECURE WITH JOSEPH STROUD, POET

"...And What Did You Make of Your Life?"

April 16, 7:00 p.m. Heritage Room, 604 Water Street at Legion Way, Olympia.

April 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., retreat/workshop, Olympia Zen Center with Joseph Stroud

NEW READING ASSIGNMENT FOR SATURDAY MORNING STUDY/DISCUSSION

Download SHOBOZENDO PDF file from www.shastaabbey.org or find the link on OZC home page. Copy the first two chapters.

For Saturday, January 30, Pages 1 to 6 in chapter entitled, "Bendowa"

THOSE INTERESTED IN STUDYING THE MAIN INFLUENCES ON RYOKAN'S POETRY

The Cold Mountain poems of Han-Shan

Poems from the MAN'YOSHU, the oldest extant Japanese poetry from about 600 to 800 C.E.

Poems from the KOKINSHU, from the 8th to 10th Century

The poetry of Saigyo, around 1100 C.E.

The poetry of Dogen Zenji, 1200 to 1253 C.E.

REGULAR MORNING AND EVENING PRACTICE

Tues to Fri 6:15 a.m.

Saturday 7:00 a.m.

Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m.

Newcomer orientation at 6:00 p.m.

Please call ahead (360) 357-2835

We are completely dependent upon your donations. Goodness follows a generous heart.

Please also remember our donation packets for the homeless and for the food bank in the entrance lobby.

Chanting for People of Haiti

2010-01-13T09:19:00.001-08:00

We extend our deepest concern for the People of Haiti and chant on their behalf that they may be relieved from suffering and distress.

Please see Eido Frances Carney's blog for Sutras that may be chanted during this time of crisis in Haiti.

http://www.olympiazencentereidoblog.blogspot.com

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2010

INTRODUCTION TO ZEN 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A primer for those wishing to explore Soto Zen meditation, forms of practice, Buddha's teachings, and the Soto Zen community.

$40 requested donation includes a delicious lunch.

Please phone for reservation: (360) 357-2835

OTHER UPCOMING ONE DAY RETREATS

February 20, March 20, 2010

Annual Ryokan Lecture with Joseph Stroud, Poet

"...and What Did You Do Make of Your Life?"

April 16, 7:00 p.m. Heritage Room, 604 Water Street at Legion Way, Olympia

April 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., one-day retreat/workshop, Olympia Zen Center

BOARD MEETING, MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2010

6:30 p.m. in the Sangha Residence

JANUARY 30, 2010, Sangha Practice

Morning only following regular Saturday morning practice.

NEW READING ASSIGNMENT FOR SATURDAY MORNING DISCUSSIONS

Download the SHOBOGENZO PDF file from www.shastaabbey.org and copy out the pages of the first two chapters.

We will be studying the first two chapters of SHOBOGENZO.

On January 23, we will have a general introduction to SHOBOGENZO at which time we will receive selected pages for the reading assignments that will continue for several months.

THOSE INTERESTED IN STUDYING THE MAIN INFLUENCES ON RYOKAN'S POETRY

The Cold Mountain poems of Han-Shan

Poems from the MAN'YOSHU, the oldest extant Japanese poetry from about 600 to 800 C.E.

Poems from the KOKINSHU, from the 8th to 10th Century

The poetry of Saigyo, around 1100 C.E.

The poetry of Dogen Zenji, 1200 to 1253 C.E.

REGULAR MORNING AND EVENING PRACTICE

Tues to Fri 6:15 a.m.

Saturday 7:00 a.m.

Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m.

Newcomer orientation at 6:00 p.m. Please call ahead

(360) 357-2835

We are completely dependent upon your donations. Thank you for remembering us at this year end by donating to the Annual Fund. Goodness follows a generous heart.

Please also remember our donation bags for the homeless and for the food bank in the entrance lobby.