March 2019
Dear Friends,
Heart exposed is the heart of connection. This is the story of the Heart Sutra in a nutshell.
Once upon a time, Avalokiteshvara, with her 1,000 eyes and hands, took on the role of heart archeologist, on a mission to uncover the true nature of Great Love, Great Compassion. Meticulously, she dug through every layer of accumulated ideas. Gently, she cleared away the rubble of our faulty conceptual frameworks, bit by bit. All of it—our opinions, belief systems (including the Buddhist ones), all our reference points and perceived identities, thoughts, emotions, and perceptions—all were carted off.
Avalokiteshvara cleared it all away and then, instantaneously, the heart of the matter was exposed, the groundless ground. What is it? KATZ!
Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi,
unexcelled perfect enlightenment. Do you see it? Do you hear it?
Now that the path is clear, the momentary in all its bright transcendence flows freely into Gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate, Bodhi svaha!
Going, going to the other shore!
Meeting here, at the very heart of the matter, may we, all together and for the next 10,000 years, be of service, be alive.
Yours, because how could it be otherwise,
Jeong Ji
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photo by Eric Nord, JDPSN
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Kong-An Interviews:
1st Tuesday with Zen Master Jeong Ji:
Alternating Tuesdays during Kyol Che
2nd Sunday with Zen Master Jeong Ji or Eric Nord, JDPSN:
None due to 3-day retreat
3rd Wednesday with Zen Master Jeong Ji:
March 20th
3rd Thursday with Eric Nord, JDPSN:
March 21st
Consulting Interviews:
Thursday, March 14th with Senior Dharma Teacher Paul Gulick
Special Chanting:
Sunday, March 3rd
Please visit the
website calendar
for complete and current details of these events and for the weekly practice schedule.
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Dharma Talks
Thursday, March 7th: 7pm
Dharma Teacher Chris Chapman will give the introductory talk and Jeff Tipp, JDPSN will answer questions from the audience. Everyone is welcome.
Tuesday, March 12th: 7pm
Senior Dharma Teacher Paul Gulick will give a Dharma Talk on the Great Dharani.
Tuesday, March 26th: 7pm
Dharma Teacher Jim Peacy will give a Dharma Talk on Special Chanting (Kuan Seum Bosal & Ji Jang Bosal)
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Three Day Retreat with Jeff Tipp, JDPSN
Friday - Sunday, March 8-10
Fri-Sat: 6am-8:30pm, Sun: 6am-3pm
Retreats offer a rare opportunity to let go of the demands of our busy lives and recognize our inherent compassion and wisdom through dedicated Zen training. Each day includes chanting, sitting and walking meditation, work practice, a private kong-an interview and formal vegetarian meals. Here’s more detailed
retreat information and
retreat schedule.
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Fundamentals of Zen
Sunday, March 7th: 1pm
The Fundamentals of Zen workshop will give you detailed information about how to practice with the body, breath and mind, and introduce you to other practice forms such as chanting, walking meditation and bowing. There is ample opportunity to ask questions and try different techniques. All kinds of body types and physical conditions can access this ancient tradition of meditation. Working with one of our teachers, we help to make it as comfortable and practical as possible. Pre-registration is not necessary.
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YouthCare Dinner
Friday, April 5th: 4:30pm
Help us prepare and serve a hot, love-filled meal to homeless youth. Blue Heron Zen Community Center has decided to sponsor meal preparation and service at the YouthCare Orion Center.
YouthCare works to help homeless youth get off the street and into a stable life trajectory by providing many needed services, including education, employment, and shelter programs.
Paul Gulick and Debbie Simpson have offered to co-chef the event on April 5. As with kitchen duty at the Zen Center, there will be some chopping, stirring and cleaning up. The shift starts at 4:30 pm and ends at 7 pm. There is a sign-up sheet at the BHZC Center. Please email any questions to
Meg.
For more information, or if you would like to make a donation, see our BHZC web
page.
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Monthly Potluck and Book Club
Sunday, March 31st: 11am
Our book club continues with letters 2, 3 and 4 from
Swampland Flowers.
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Looking Forward
Buddha's Birthday:
Sunday, April 7th
Three-day Retreat with Eric Nord, JDPSN:
Friday-Sunday, April 19th-21th
Neighborhood Cleanup:
Sunday, April 28th
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