Jukai Dates and Reading

The dates for the Jukai retreat and ceremony have been set for February 25-28, 2010. The three texts that James Melissa and David have held up for us to study together are The Mind of Clover by Robert Aitken, Being Upright by Reb Anderson, and Waking Up to What You Do by Diane Rizzetto. For those who are interested in taking the precepts, there will be a form to fill out the next time you are in the zendo for practice, and please bring a somewhat current picture of yourself that can go in your file - it doesn't have to be formal and it will never be shown, but is just for in house reference. If you live at a distance I can email the form to you, just get in touch.

Palms Together,

- Jay

Facing Fear

Jay Rinsen Weik gives a talk and leads discussion at the Toledo Zen Center on December 3, 2008.

"The Supreme Way is not difficult; it just precludes picking and choosing. Without yearning or loathing, The Way is perfectly apparent, while even a hair's breadth difference separates heaven and earth. To see The Way with your own eyes, quit agreeing and disagreeing. The battle of likes and dislikes is the disease of the mind."

--Seng-ts'an, "Relying on Mind"

Listen HERE.

Recent TZC activity

We had a great time at Black Oak Farm when the sangha gathered for a pot luck party on October 17. The following week on Thursday, October 22, Do'on represented TZC at an interfaith convocation on healthcare reform sponsored by the Village Church in Toledo. The following day we entered into a zazenkai at Lourdes College for the weekend. A special thanks to the good sisters of St. Francis for hosting us. After the retreat on Sunday Rinsen and Do'on attended the interfaith harvest festival celebration at the Monroe St church where Rinsen sat on a panel with Congresswomen Marcy Kaptur. Toledo is engaging in a highly successful urban gardening project that brings together at risk youth, gardeners, farmers, gleaners, peace activists and religious groups.

Sangha Knitting Project for the Homeless!

Leigh has volunteered to teach those who are interested in learning how to knit scarves and hats so that we may donate them to the needy in our area. Interested? Connect with Sati (janis_sankowski@yahoo.com) We are thinking to create a knitting circle...

Pai Chang: Detach From All Things

Jay Rinsen Weik gives a talk and leads discussion at the Toledo Zen Center on November 26, 2008.

"The teachings of the Three Vehicles all cure diseases such as greed and hatred. Right now, thought after thought, if you have such sickness as greed or hatred, you should first cure them. Don't seek intellectual understanding of meanings and expressions. Understanding is in the province of desire, and desire turns into disease. Right now, just detach from all things, existent or nonexistent, and even detach from detachment."
- Pai Chang

Listen in Here.

Party on the Farm

We are having a pot luck party at Black Oak Farm on Sunday, October 18. from 2:00 to 6:00. Sati has started a list of food folks are bringing. We are looking forward to seeing everyone.

Persephone is descending and we are burning the brush pile to light her way. In other words, Welcome Fall.

THE ART OF CONVERSATION: A Reflection on Spiritual Practices in Liberal Churches

Monkey Mind: THE ART OF CONVERSATION: A Reflection on Spiritual Practices in Liberal Churches

Sangha - In light of our recent efforts with the small circle community meetings, I would like to hold up this post from my teacher and friend James Ford Roshi.

Joya and I met today and discussed several points along the lines outlined here for these meetings, so please look for her guidance with the ongoing formation of the groups.

Palms Together,

- Jay

For Daido

on grey river shoals

a blue heron spreads his wings

good bye toothy smile

The Great Leap: John Daido Loori Roshi

Sangha - I just got word that Daido passed away at 9:30am this morning. He was my first Zen teacher, and I will always be grateful to him. May the good that he did continue to grow and flourish, and may our practice be strong.

- Jay

TZC Zazenkai Retreat Oct 23-25

Already, its closing in on retreat time again. Please register with a comment below if you plan to attend.

Some information on the upcoming TZC Community Retreat:

Location:

Regina Center on the campus of the Sisters of St. Francis, Sylvania, Ohio at Lourdes College.

A Pdf map is HERE We are in building 17, just behind building 12 on this map. General directions to the Lourdes College campus are HERE.

What to Bring:

Bowl (Cereal bowl size), Napkin, Coffee/Tea Mug, Spoon. Zafu & Zabuton (bring extras if you have them). Toiletries.
No books or reading material.

How to Register:

Send an email to Rinsen@toledozen.org, leave a comment to this post, or call (419) 861-1163.

Schedule:


Friday

05:30-06:00pm Check in
06:00pm Orientation
07:00pm Precautions/Opening Comments
07:30pm Kinhin
07:40pm Zazen
08:10pm Kinhin
08:20pm Zazen/Bodhisattvha Vows/Evening Gatha



Saturday

06:00am Wake up
06:30am Zazen
07:00am Kinhin
07:10am Zazen
07:40am Kinhin
07:50am Zazen/Verse of the Kesa
08:30am Morning Liturgy
08:50am Morning Meal
09:35am Caretaking
10:50am Zazen
11:20am Kinhin
11:30am Zazen
12:00pm Afternoon Liturgy
12:20pm Midday Meal
01:00pm Rest Practice
02:00pm Zazen
02:30pm Kinhin
02:40pm Zazen
03:10pm Kinhin
03:30pm Rinsen's Talk
03:50pm Practice Discussion
04:10pm Extended Outside Kinhin (Weather Permitting)
04:30pm Zazen
05:00 Evening Liturgy
05:20pm Evening Meal
06:00pm Rest Practice
07:00pm Zazen
07:30pm Kinhin
07:40pm Zazen
08:10pm Kinhin
08:20pm Zazen/Bodhisattvha Vows/Evening Gatha
09:00pm Open Zendo
09:30pm Lights Out


Sunday

06:00am Wake Up
06:30am Dawn Zazen
07:00am Kinhin
07:10am Zazen/Verse of the Kesa
07:50am Kinhin
08:00am Open Sozan
08:30am Daikaijo
08:40am Informal Breakfast
09:35am Caretaking
10:00am Morning Service
10:30am Zazen
11:00am Kinhin
11:10am Rinsen's Talk
12:oopm Finish

Please note that a few have asked if they may join in a portion of this schedule, and the answer is that while participation in the whole weekend is preferable, you may join for any part of the retreat, so yes. We just need to know in advance so that arrangements can be made for you. If you would like to do a part of this retreat, leave a comment below, and be sure to include your email address so we can be in touch to confirm the detials.


Cost:

Dana of $155.00 for the weekend covers retreat fees, room and board.

Registered:

Janis Sati Sandowski
Deb Goldberg
Leigh Macaro
Winifred Martin
Sarah Worley
Lashaun Peal
Karen Do'on Weik
Erik Knapp (partial)
Ron Waxell
Doug Baldwin
Donna Diekoff
Michael Bauno
Jim Grant
Chuck Greer
Simon Monsho Morgan-Russell
Phil Dickinson
Jay Rinsen Weik
Kevin Chigan Frasier
Chitranjan Greer Travis
Joya DCruz

Keeping Daido in my Heart

tall withered corn stalk

vault blue sky golden light breeze

Daido is heaven