March 2021
Dear Friends,
Dark and light, life and death, hot and cold… are usually considered to be opposites, often with one being designated as “good” and the other as “bad.” Consider this mind experiment instead: what if we look at these attributes of momentary reality not as opposites, as we might ordinarily suppose, but rather, as a manifestation of beauty, of inter-dependent co-arisings? And while we’re at it, here’s another mind experiment: what would remain if you were able to somehow take away the dark in Eric psn’s infrared image of water lilies pictured above? Nothing! And what would remain if you were able to somehow take away the light of the water-lilies? Nothing!
So what we have here in this chaotic, infectious muddle of a world, is an opportunity to directly experience this moment, open up our awareness to the complete intimacy of hot and cold. Rest assured, nothing with ever be the same again. This is Zen. This puts us in a position of acute wonder. This gives us the opportunity, moment by moment, to be alive and give life.
May it always be so,
Jeong Ji
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Photo by Eric Nord, JDPSN |
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March Online Sessions
You are welcome to join in on any of these online sessions. No sign up necessary, just join online group practice at the appropriate time for any of our group practices. If you need to, entering late is okay, as is leaving early. If it’s your first time trying this out, come early if you can. The Head Dharma Teacher will be available to help you get started.
Sessions:
- Monday - Saturday 7am
- Sunday 9am
- Tuesday 7pm
- Wednesday 10am
- Thursday 5:30pm
Sessions with Dharma Talks:
- Tuesday, March 2 7pm - Oxherding Paintings and Verse
- Sunday, March 7 9am - Zen Master Jeong Ji
- Tuesday, March 16 7pm - Capping Phrases
- Tuesday, March 30 7pm - Fantastical Stories
Sessions with Dharma Dialogues:
- Tuesday, March 9 7pm
- Tuesday, March 23 7pm
Book Club:
Fundamentals of Zen:
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Friday Outdoor Practice
Fridays 10:00am - 10:30am
We are holding in-person practice outdoors at the Zen Center every Friday morning from 10:00 am to 10:30 am. We will practice outdoors, reciting the Four Great Views, sitting for 25 minutes, and then have a brief reading at the end.
This practice will be entirely outdoors; use of the building will be for emergencies only. In the interest of everyone’s safety, we ask that you remain masked, bring your own cushion and remain at least six feet apart from others. Clean chairs will be provided if necessary.
Because of the King County pandemic guidelines we are limiting the number of participants. If you plan to attend a session, please register for that session. |
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Three-Day Online Retreat with Ann Pepper, JDPSN
Friday, March 6 to Sunday, March 7 7:00am-4:30pm
On Friday, we'll gather our virtual community for a three-day long immersion in group practice, Dharma talks and personal interviews. The schedule is available here. Please join us, to enliven the solitude we have each embraced for the safety and sake of all beings.
The fee for this retreat is $35/day for non-members, $25/day for members.
A voluntary gift of dana* to the teacher will be accepted with gratitude.
Join us for this online retreat using the Zoom teleconferencing platform.
If you join using the Zoom app:
Meeting ID: 228 228 1938
Password: 0 108 01
*dana is a voluntary donation to our teacher.
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Toiletries Drive
Sunday, March 14
Please email Meg ASAP with your street address, phone number and instructions of where you will leave a donation (on your front porch, by the buddha statue on the east side of the house, etc. — not behind gates or doors please). Deadline: March 12, but sooner is better
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Online Dharma Dialogue Opportunities
Monday, March 22 - Friday, March 26
Jeff Tipp JSPSN will offer online Zoom Dharma Dialogues from 2pm to 4pm during the weekdays of March 22. Kong-an training is available in these dialogues (but not required). These will be scheduled individually, separate from our regular practice times. Sign up for a Dharma Dialogue. You will receive an email with the Zoom video conference information before the date of your dialogue.
Students may wish to offer dana to the teacher. These expressions of gratitude are most welcome. To anonymously provide dana to the teacher, please click here to donate. |
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Our senior dharma teachers are offering Online Dharma Dialogues if you would like to discuss your practice and any questions you may have. Please get in touch with them individually to schedule an appointment if you would like a one-on-one Zoom meeting.
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Our Online Altar
We invite you to register a name of a loved one who is currently suffering for our Kwan Seum Bosal Chanting, or for Ji Jang Bosal Chanting, for a loved one who has recently died. We will recite these names when we do special chanting. |
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Looking Forward
1/2 day Retreat: April 10
Buddha's Birthday / Sangha Meeting: April 11
3-day Retreat: April 23-25 with Eric Nord, JDPSN
Kyol Che ends: April 27
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