Fukushima. Ibaraki Iwate Lockyer valley Miyagi. Aomori Chiba Christchurch. NEWSLETTER April May 2011

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1 251 Young Street Annandale NSW NEWSLETTER April May 2011 Aomori Chiba Christchurch Fukushima Ibaraki Iwate Lockyer valley Miyagi REPORTS Sound of Silence kai, March 4-6 led by Maggie Gluek Six people sat zazen together, rediscovering that Dharma gate of ease and joy. Kodoji held and healed, as it always does. Sounds of silence included helicopters, the crackling of flames and the dramatic thump of dead trees crashing down cliffs, as hazard reduction burns took place in adjacent national park land. Knowing that the fire was controlled made it possible to appreciate its beauty. When dark fell the cliffsides were illuminated as if with dozens of candles. By 4:30 am on Sunday morning the air had cleared and the cosmic fire of the heavens was on grand display. Maggie 1

2 Members only list Used only to: deliver the newsletter make important announcements indicate upcoming events No discussions! No personal chat! Members who have not received a welcome , contact Lee Nutter:: leenutter@gmail.com Jiki and Jisha training workshop, Sunday February 20 While attendance at the workshop was quite low, Lee Nutter and Jason Koh mastered the tricky accelerando on the han and the finer points of the dojo bells. They can now fill both jiki and jisha roles and will be mentored by more experienced leaders as they step into these leadership positions. As I explained to them, it is a useful and practical way to practice zazen from a broader angle. I hope they enjoy it. Janet Selby Womens weekend at The 20 th Women s Sesshin at Gorricks - now moved to March to escape the heat of January was, as usual, very rich. Two electric storms with refreshing rain, sitting, crickets mating songs, lots of little birds and a very exuberant lyrebird, chestnuts, leeches, walking, talking, eating, and enjoying each other on a paddock still green! Sally Samu sesshin at Building samu at Gorricks Run began on the last weekend of March, finishing April 3, with around twenty people coming and going. As well as enclosing both ends of the cottage verandah, creating a covered choppers' space and a second hojo, weeding, painting and many other jobs were listed. A full report and photos will be in the June/July newsletter. Award for Roshi Aitken Roshi s commitment to justice, peace, diversity and equality in our community and larger society, was recognised in Hawaii on January 17 when Michael Kieran and Tom Aitken accepted the Hawaii Peacemaker Award on Roshi s behalf. The Sutras We Chant Study Group, March 20 Nine of us made a circle to look into the Heart Sutra, just over a week after the extraordinary calamities hit Japan. Coincidentally, the Dalai Lama had just asked people to recite the Heart Sutra for those suffering in Japan. There was great warmth and solace as people shared their love of this sutra and the ongoing insights it offers. I spoke about the mystery of its provenance and its challenge to the Abhidhamma, and of the Buddhist pilgraim Xuanzang who set off from Chang'an - now Xian - in 630, returning in 645 with hundreds of Indian sutras which were housed in the Wild Goose Pagoda. Before he died in 664, Xuanzang's final task of translation was an Indian copy of the Heart Sutra with 2000,000 slokas. Monks at the Wild Goose Pagoda today practice inscribing the Heart Sutra with exquisite calligraphy in little folding books, one of which we passed around the circle. The next sutra to be taken up will be Torei Zenji, Bodhisattva's Vow, with Subhana on May 15. Don't miss it! Gillian News from moderately afar Sangha members Sarah Kanowski, Nigel Pearn and Eva and Theo are very much enjoying life in Hobart, where they live within walking distance of the Botanic Gardens. They visited Ian Johnston who translates ancient Greek and Chinese on Bruny Island, and have sent a signed a copy of his most recent collection of poems and songs from ancient China, Waiting for the Owl, for SZC's library. Thanks Sarah, Nigel and Ian. 2

3 COMING EVENTS Buddha s Birthday family day: April 10 Buddha's Birthday on April 10 is a family day at the zendo, with Janet Selby and others offering simple craft for children from 9.l5 am, and the ceremony starting at am. As this goes to print, there are five babies being named and welcomed into the sangha - Pip Atkins' two grandchildren, Louis and Rosa, Maggie and Tony's granddaughter Kiki, Gail's granddaughter Shivani and Stuart Solzberg and his wife Tara's 6-week old son, Leo. Come early and help with the craft, and/or with flowers to decorate the altar and babies, and food and soft drink for the potluck lunch. Gillian Evening with Gary Gach: April 20 Gary Gach, American poet and practitioner, will be speaking at Annandale in place of zazen and Dharma café on Wednesday April 20 from Gary, who is in Sydney at the invitation of Dialogue Australasia Network, is a poet, editor, and translator of Korean poet and activist Ko Un. He is the editor of What Book?! - Buddha poems from beat to hip-hop, which includes poems from Gillian Coote and Diana Levy. The book is now in it's second edition. Gary leads a small mindfulness meditation group at Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples, America's first interracial interfaith congregation, established by Howard Thurman ( Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh and Sister Chan Khong have invited him to ordain in their Order. He is currently studying Dogen with Michael Wenger Dean of Buddhist Studies at Zen Center. The evening will follow the dharma cafe format and begin with 25 minutes of zazen. Hope to see you there!! Diana Levy Flowers of Emptiness Sesshin, April Subhana and Maggie will lead the Easter sesshin at Gorrick s from April 22 nd to the 29 th. Early bird rates close on April 8 and applications will not be accepted after April 15. Application forms are available from the SZC website ( or from Annandale. An evening of poetry, May 20 Pip Griffin and Ani Lin will read from their works at an evening of poetry, organised by the Women s Group at Annandale on Friday May 20 from Pip Griffin will read her verse novel, while Ani Lin, will recount the life of a nineteenth century Chinese nun. Our own sangha member, Diana Levy, will also read her poetry. Activities organised by sangha members Diana Levy will be leading a yatra in the Kings Tableland in in the Blue Mountains on Saturday May 14 from 8.00am to 5.00pm. For further information and bookings, contact Diana - diana.r.levy@gmail.com Janet Selby will be holding a Clay and Meditation workshop at Annandale on April 3 rd. For further information contact Janet on NEWS from the BOARD New lists: The Sydney Zen Centre has two new lists. The first is a Members Only list and will be used to deliver the SZC newsletter, make important announcements and notify members of upcoming events. It will not be used for discussions. If you are a SZC member and have not received your welcome , please contact Lee Nutter on leenutter@gmail.com 3

4 The second is a public list. This will be used to remind interested parties of events available to members of the general public. Anyone can sign up to this list, visit for details. These lists do not replace the Yahoo list, but work along side it as a reliable way to ensure members are kept up to date with the latest happenings at the Sydney Zen Centre.. Sesshin fees: Fees for sesshin have gone up by $20, as teachers payments have increased, and we have decided to buy organic food which is more expensive. Locking up after sitting: Everyone needs to be aware of the need to lock up after evening zazen at Annandale, as often the residents are not there in the evenings. It is basically the Ino s job to check that the front and back door are left locked and the windows shut, latches turned, and metal pins pushed in, but everyone can be mindful of these things, as it is unnerving for the residents to return to an open house. Christchurch earthquake donation: $500 has been donated to our sister sangha in Christchurch, to be used to support people in Christchurch who are struggling with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of February 22 nd. REGULAR DATES Dokusan Mondays: Subhana: April 4; May 9, 23 Maggie Gluek: April 11; May 16, 30. Wednesdays: Gillian Coote: April 6, 13, 27. After this, Gillian will be attending the Diamond Sangha Teachers Meeting in Europe and so will not be present in May. Full Moon Ceremony: May 16 and 18. Not giving or taking drugs. Precept Recitation and Dharma Café: Monday 18 April. Wednesday 20 April: Dharma Café replaced by talk by Gary Gach. kai: April: No zazenkai as the Buddha s birthday will celebrated on April 10 th. May 15, talk at 10 by Subhana, followed by dokusan with Subhana. Dharma Study Group: May 15, pm; Torei Zenji led by Subhana. Board Meetings: April 5 and May sitting: Meeting starts at All members welcome. Women s Group: The women s group is open to SZC female members. If you are interested in joining, and want to find out more about the nature of the group and how we operate, please just link into the group and ask any questions. Next meeting is scheduled for Friday 8 th April at Annandale. May meeting replaced by poetry reading on May 20 th. Orientations: Monday evenings 6pm, Wednesday evenings 6.45pm For newcomers to receive orientation to the practice. Monday evenings: April 11: Sue Bidwell - suebazbi@bigpond.net.au May 2: Tony Miller - tonyphilmill@yahoo.com.au Wednesday evenings : Call Janet Selby on or just turn up at 6.45pm for an introduction to the practice. 4

5 . NOTICE BOARD Gift recipient status for SZC Building Fund: The Australian Tax Office has confirmed that we are a DGR, or Deductible Gift Recipient for a fund (in our case the Sydney Zen Centre Building Fund). This restores the status of gifts to the building fund as tax deductible for the donor. If you would like to make a donation to the building fund, simply flag it as such and we will issue a receipt against which you can claim a tax deduction from your income. Books for sale: The Roaring Stream. A New Zen Reader, ed. Nelson Foster and Jack Shoemaker is on sale at Annandale, along with Robert Aitken's books: Taking the Path of Zen, Mind of Clover, The Dragon that Never Sleeps, Encouraging Words, The Morning Star, Vegetable Roots Discourse, Zen Master Raven and The Gateless Barrier. Leadership roles at evening zazen: Any members, regularly sitting, who would like to take up the practice of being a dojo leader at evening zazen, please see one of the leaders, or speak to a teacher Use of Kodoji: Kodoji is available for use by members of the SZC and guests (if accompanied by a member). It can also be hired by other groups if approved by the Board. Fees are $15 per night for members and $25 for non-members. There is a $100 booking fee for non-member groups. Booking of Kodoji is essential and it is also essential to receive instructions about use of the facility before going there. Try giving the family a wonderful weekend, or yourself a few days of private retreat? Enquiries to Brendan Stewart - phone , br.stewart@uws.edu.au Blue Mountains Zen: The Blue Mountains Zen Group meets on the second and fourth Sunday of each month, from p.m., at Paul Maloney's home. The address is 19 Russell Road, Leura. Phone The meeting is occasionally held at another venue, so it is best to check some days before, should one think of joining us for a sit. Canberra Zen Group: Wednesday evenings fortnightly at 7.45 at the Orana School in Weston. Contact Tony Shields for details tshields@netspeed.com.au, phone CONTACT INFORMATION SZC (02) Members of the Board: Allan Marett (Chair); Alex Mitrovic (Deputy-Chair); Brendon Stewart (Secretary); Meghan Hay (Treasurer); Gail Burrell-Davis (Assistant Treasurer); Lee Nutter and Gordon Waters. Teachers: Subhana Barzaghi, Gillian Coote Apprentice Teacher: Maggie Gluek. Newsletter editor Jean Brick jeanmbrick@yahoo.com.au 5

6 SZC Calendar: April May 2011 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday March April Buddha s Birthday Family Day 9.15: craft 10.30: start Precept Recitation and Dharma café Board Meeting 7.30 pm Evening with Gary Gach: US poet & practitioner Women s Group Easter sesshin Easter sesshin 30 Easter sesshin Easter sesshin May 1 2 Easter sesshin Easter sesshin 3 4 Easter sesshin Easter sesshin kai Talk & Dokusan: Subhana Study Group: Torei Zenji: Subhana Full Moon Ceremony Board Meeting 7.30pm Full Moon Ceremony Poetry Evening: Pip Griffin & Diana Levy June