January 2021
Dear Friends,
Wishing you a glorious new year in which all the events of each and every day shine with wonder.
When he was a young man, Chao-chou asked Zen Master Nan-ch’uan,
“What is the true way?”
Nan-ch’uan said, “Everyday mind is the true way.”
So what is the meaning of “everyday mind”?
Any explanation or description would surely go astray from the reality. But I do, however, have a few practice points to recommend in the direction of everyday mind, as follows:
Dissolve your self in your activities. Embody/embrace the air, the sounds, the smells and tastes. Harvest the plentiful seeds of dharma and feed the hungry.
May you be well and may all beings thrive,
Jeong Ji
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Photo by Eric Nord, JDPSN |
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January 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:
- Sunday, January 3 - Zen Master Jeong Ji
- Tuesday, January 19 - Eric Nord, JDPSN
Book Club:
- No book club due to retreat
Fundamentals of Zen:
- Sunday, January 3 1pm-2pm we are offering a one-hour online introduction. Please register if you would like to attend. Dana (donation) is welcome but not required.
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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. |
Awakening to Whiteness Online Classes
The Zen Community of Oregon is offering another series of classes for white people to explore the elements that have contributed to this often unconscious white identity. The classes will meet from January 10 2021 through July 21 2021.
There will be an open orientation meeting on January 10 at 1pm to help explore the process before registering for the classes. RSVP to attend the orientation. A Zoom link will be sent upon registration.
Free; donations welcomed.
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Online Dharma Dialogue Opportunities
Sunday January 17 - Saturday January 23
Eric Nord JDPSN will offer online Zoom Dharma Dialogues from 2pm to 4pm during the week of January 17. 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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Myth, Metaphor and Meaning
Online Kyol Che Opening Ceremony: Tuesday, January 26 7pm
In Korea, Kyol Che is a traditional intensive practice that takes place annually during the winter and summer. The name means “tight dharma” or “coming together.” Originally it was undertaken by monks and nuns doing intensive sitting practice in mountain temples. Here, in our busy and complex American lives, most of us cannot afford either the time or money to participate in this traditional practice model. But in our version of Kyol Che, we take the same principle to heart so that we, too, can intensify our practice and help others for a 90-day period within the reality of our own circumstances.
During our 2021 Online Kyol Che intensive practice period, we’ll focus our talks and discussions around the mythologies of Buddhism and how we relate to them as contemporary Zen students. We’ll also be looking into key Zen metaphors, capping phrases, and kong-ans to discover their cultural context. How shall we relate to the story of Siddhartha’s birth, when he “sprang out of his mother’s side”? Why are there so many cats in Zen kong-ans, and what do they signify? And what is the true meaning of “Go drink tea!”? Please join us for this lively and creative investigation!
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Three-Day Online Retreat with Zen Master Jeong Ji
Friday, January 29 to Sunday, January 31 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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Jeff Tipp, JDPSN and 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 Mini-Retreat: February 20
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