Kessei Ango, Peaceful Dwelling

Our first 90 day practice period, or Kessei Ango, began with a shuso entering ceremony for this Ango’s ‘head monk’, Zenki Kathleen Batson.  We were honored by the presence of Rev. Chimyo Atkinson from Great Tree temple near Asheville, NC, for the occasion.

Chimyo and Jakuko await the procession

This is the fourth practice period at Red Cedar Mountain with a Shuso, but the first of this length, made possible by our becoming registered in Japan as an overseas special temple of Soto Zen. The final “shuso ceremony” (Hossenshiki) will be attended by a number of visiting priests including the ranking representative of Soto Zen in the United States, Genko Akiba Roshi, in June. Congratulations, Zenki!

Procession entering zendo.

Shuso offers incense…

The officers invite the Shuso.

Abbess and Shuso bow to each other.

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Shohaku Okumura Roshi returns

We were again fortunate to have Okumura Roshi with us to teach Genzo-e sesshin retreat on Dogen’s teaching, March 1-6 this year. This time it was Shobogenzo Menju, or “Face to Face Transmission”. Thirty-five participants from around the country and abroad spent five days together, the largest retreat we have ever had.

Teaching – twice a day.

Priests at the end of sesshin

Garden Ceremony and Celebration!

On Saturday September 23, on a beautiful late summery evening, sangha and friends gathered to celebrate our new entry garden and renovated approach to the temple with art, music, food, and a silent auction to benefit the garden fund. Generous donors offered fifty works, ranging from images of the Buddha to ceramics, scrolls, photographs, and a performance of African drumming, to benefit the Zen Center.

There is still some artwork available if you are interested in bidding. Details on request.

Photo by John Paredes

Procession arrives

Altar waiting

After words of gratitude by Josho

A small feast to celebrate

Buddhas, fish, lotus, trees and zafus/zabutons by Andrea! and mochi!

A small selection of art, some by sangha members

 

Celebrating the birth of everything

The Raleigh News and Observer newspaper (called “the N and O” around these parts) sent a crew to our annual Buddha’s Birthday celebration this year and posted a wonderful story, with many photos and a video. The ceremony was indoors this year (rain! and below normal temperatures).

Spring, the Garden

There has been incremental progress on our garden renovation project during the fall and winter. The large koi that have been with us for over 15 years were moved to a holding pond while the old pond was demolished and a new one took shape. Great care was taken to make sure that the temporary pond had the same biology as the one they had lived in all their lives. Fortunately they made the transition and have come through the winter in fine shape.

Gradually the old concrete pathways and flagstones were demolished and removed and the new stream and pond took shape.

Finally, in the past 10 days, the new pump was activated and you can hear and see the result! We will be re-introducing the fish to their new and improved home – the new pond is deeper and more natural, with rocks and pebbles in the bottom and sides. New plants will follow soon, and a stone bridge over the stream to access the new central steps to our entryway.

Donations toward the remaining costs for this project are needed and gratefully accepted….

 

Zaike Tokudo, Home leaving while staying….

On Sunday March 5 three disciples of Buddha – Andrea Ashdown, Sheldon Clark, and Craig Adamski – received the 16 Bodhisattva Precepts from Josho Sensei in the ceremony of Zaike Tokudo. Unable to join the group on this day, Bruce Miller received the precepts in a second ceremony on March 17, supported by fellow ordainees and members of the sangha. Each sewed their rakusu with the guidance of sewing teacher Jakuko Mo Ferrell over many months and years. Tokudo is always a joyous occasion for celebration – congratulations to them all!

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Choro and Bunkai celebrate their marriage at Red Cedar Mountain

On Saturday, June 4, Choro Carla Antonaccio and Bunkai Stephen Tracy celebrated their marriage in a Zen ceremony of vows and precepts, attended by many sangha members and friends. Great joy, greatly supported.

Vows

The sangha witnesses.

Malas exchanged….

Together.

LInoleum block print by Bunkai

Wondrous cake by sangha member Andrea Ashdown.

Bunkai, sister Elizabeth, brother in law Doug (in from California), Choro

Choro and childhood best friend Melissa Bessey.

Genzo-e, 2016

We were very fortunate, and are very grateful, to have had the opportunity of a teaching retreat (genzo-e) with Shohaku Okumura Roshi, from August 5-10. Taking the form of a traditional meditation intensive (6 am to 9 pm, for five days, with formal zendo meals and many periods of meditation), this sesshin featured two, two hour periods of teaching each day for all five days. Roshi shared with us his translations and commentary on two fascicles of Soto Zen’s founder, Dogen Zenji: Mitsugo, or “Secret/Intimate Words”, and Dotoku, “Expression”. Planned for two years, more than 30 people participated, including from Florida, Virginia, Indiana, and elsewhere. (All photos courtesy of Kevin Heffernan.)

 

One of many pages of characters and terms….

Shohaku Roshi

The group

New approach

Much progress in recent days, despite quite a bit of heat, humidity, and sometimes ferocious rain.

The new steps are in and the old ones demolished. Cable railings and ipe wood rails are nearly done.

Today a temporary pond for the two large koi that have been in our pond for nearly 17 years was put in place. Once the biology is right, they will be transferred for the duration of the garden renovation – probably a period of months.

Meanwhile, the current pond is at its seasonal best. We will transfer more of the plants to the new pond shortly. The garden work should begin in earnest any day, too.

Please consider donating to support the renovation! thank you for your generosity.

Ramping it up

The July 4 holiday and recent rainy weather have not assisted the progress of the ramp and steps project, but a sense of the renovation is still possible from the images.

New bell and han structure

Looking down the ramp: new steps will align with front door

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