NEWSLETTER June July 2009

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Raymond Booker
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Some light rain in the early days brought out some enthusiastic mosquitoes. Bigger than usual!! Sesshin deepens, with birdsongs and han echoing through the misty valley.

Taut muscles relaxed and stretched, the muscles and body breathe easy through yoga time. Gentle rain gurgling off the tin roof. Shouts and laughter ring out from the hojo.

1 251 Young Street Annandale NSW NEWSLETTER June July 2009 REPORTS AUTUMN SESSHIN April, led by Subhana Barzaghi and Ellen Davison Sesshin started with mild temperatures. Some light rain in the early days brought out some enthusiastic mosquitoes. Bigger than usual!! Sesshin deepens, with birdsongs and han echoing through the misty valley. At night, bright moon, illuminated clouds, light up the paddock and little jewel dewdrops on the tent fly. Heavier rain, cooler nights and creaky knees. Taut muscles relaxed and stretched, the muscles and body breathe easy through yoga time. Gentle rain gurgling off the tin roof. Shouts and laughter ring out from the hojo. Servers steps on hardwood boards. Sounds of the eternal ground. Last day, bright sunny day, we synchronise our silliness for a group photo and some hearty laughter. That was Autumn Sesshin Will Moon AUTUMN MOON DHARMA STUDY AND FACILITATION TRAINING PROGRAMME April, led by Subhana Barzaghi (Zen) and Patrick Kearney (Insight meditation) Twenty-one of us met on the Friday afternoon after the Autumn Sesshin at Kodoji to begin a study and learning retreat. We were a mixed group with some from the Insight tradition (whatever that means) and the rest of us from the Zen tradition (is there a difference?). Each morning involved early sitting and silence until after the morning tasks. Patrick Kearney led the morning talk /discussion. His knowledge and understanding of the historical Pali texts and his take on how to interpret them in light of contemporary ideas were wonderful. Each afternoon Subhana guided us through various ways of facilitating small conversation groups. Here we had the chance to talk about and consider the ideas discussed in the morning and to develop further our own practice of Buddhist understanding. All participants were enthusiastic about this innovative retreat and wished for more such retreats. Brendon Stewart

BABY NAMING FOR BUDDHA S BIRTHDAY 3 May On a sunny Sunday morning people gathered at the Zendo for Baby Buddha s birthday and the associated Baby Naming ceremony for Zoe Mae Curtis (aged 2), and

Janet Selby and her daughter Lily arranged origami and face-painting in the garden for Mina (with her father Alex), Ellen and Hugo (children of Ingrid), as well as Zoe.

Zoe was right in the dance of the prostrations with bum in air and chortles of delight from her, and the adults.

2 BABY NAMING FOR BUDDHA S BIRTHDAY 3 May On a sunny Sunday morning people gathered at the Zendo for Baby Buddha s birthday and the associated Baby Naming ceremony for Zoe Mae Curtis (aged 2), and Benjamin John Curtis (aged 4 months), children of Abi and Mark Curtis, and grandchildren of Caroline Josephs. Janet Selby and her daughter Lily arranged origami and face-painting in the garden for Mina (with her father Alex), Ellen and Hugo (children of Ingrid), as well as Zoe. The ceremony was the usual sweet natural mixture of kids doing what kids do unexpectedly, and bringing tears and laughter. Zoe was right in the dance of the prostrations with bum in air and chortles of delight from her, and the adults. She adored the incense, and the pouring of water on the baby Buddha, repeating the new sounds over: Ba-bee Budd-ha! Baby Ben kept his eyes open through the early part and then settled down on the zabuton to sleep while everyone placed flowers on his peaceful sleeping form. Zoe managed to blow all the candles out on the Baby Buddha s birthday cake in one puff. I spoke of how thrilled I was to have my family members there to experience something of my own Zen practice, mentioning that Abi had lived two years in Japan and was familiar with the culture and language, that Mark had a Christian upbringing, and that my own background is Jewish how it was a pleasure to have all these influences washing over the children. Gilly spoke of the Buddha s Birthday and its significance, touching on writings of Aitken Roshi: In the annual ceremony of pouring sweet tea over an image of the baby Buddha, we are purifying our own baby Buddha. Our baby Buddha is our own innocent nature. It is the silence and total absence of thought about a separate me. Once a year on the Buddha's birthday, we overtly share our promises to restore our own original innocence. Abi writes: It was a lovely touching ceremony we were both moved by it and the kids had a great time! Please pass on our very warm thanks for all the generosity of spirit and blessings from everyone who was there really very lovely of them all. Thanks to all those who came and made it special! May every day be as Buddha s birthday. Caroline

3 CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE CARE OF AITKEN ROSHI POETRY READING / FUND RAISER Saturday May 9 offered a festive evening out at the zendo. Sangha folks and their friends had the privilege of hearing Braidwood-based poet and former SZC member Nicola Bowery read from her new book Goatfish. She held us in thrall and delighted us with language in a selection of poems in The seamaid s tale sequence. Afterwards she responded eloquently to questions and signed copies of the book. The event was a victorious moment in the campaign of Nicola and her husband Harry to get people to read poetry. The reading was book-ended with supper provided by the SZC women s group. Potato garlic soup and pasties when people arrived, sweet cakes with tea and coffee when they emerged from the dojo. Much warmth and liveliness all around. No one wanted to leave! Our dojo looked particularly festive with sheets of Glenys Jackson s barely dry calligraphy decorating the walls. $305 was raised for the fund to help support Aitken Roshi; $320 more (and still counting) has been contributed from the sale of Glenys calligraphy. There are a few pieces of calligraphy left at the zendo, $40. For anyone who could not attend and would like to purchase Goatfish, it is available at Gleebooks, or directly from Nicola: geemonga@bigpond.com Maggie Gluek Everyone is reminded that contributions for Roshi s care can be put in an envelope marked For Roshi and put in the donation box. Or contributions can be sent directly to the Treasurer (cheque made out to SZC, and marked For Roshi.) The treasurer will forward all our contributions together. COMING EVENTS 5-8 June, Queen s Birthday Weekend: Sound of Silence kai at Kodoji, led by Maggie Gluek. 14 June: Final Date for contributions to the folding book for the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Diamond Sangha. Every member is asked to send in a piece of paper no bigger than A4, with name, date of joining, experience of SZC, a poem, a story, a drawing, a photo or just name. Bring or mail to the Zendo, 251 Young St, Annandale NSW June: Samu at Annandale, 10-4pm Come for all or part of the time to support the Sangha and get to know Sangha members better. Lots of little jobs available! Contact: Tony Coote The Diamond Sangha Teachers Circle will meet in Hawaii at the beginning of July, followed by a celebration of 50 years of the Diamond Sangha. All our teachers will be attending. 19 July: The SZC s celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Diamond Sangha. At the zazenkai (8.30 am - 12 pm), a talk will be given by Gilly on the events at Hawaii (followed by dokusan). At noon there will be a potluck lunch. Come and join in this celebration: the SZC is here because of the Diamond Sangha. From 1-3 pm there will be a study group on The P ang Family (The Roaring Stream, Chapter 10), led by Gilly. 7-9 August: Sound of Silence weekend kai at Kodoji, led by Paul Maloney (see flyer).

4 NEWS from the BOARD We warmly welcome Harry Tamvakeras as a new member of the Sangha. On behalf of the sangha the Board wishes to thank Janet Selby for all her work on the Board in recent years, especially as Minutes secretary. She has resigned due to pressure from other commitments. The Board decided that in future the Minutes of the Board meetings will be put on the Yahoo list. With increasingly hot summers, it has seemed a good idea to make Gorricks Run (Kodoji) more winterfriendly, so there has been talk of a stove. Especially helpful would be people realising that a great deal of work goes into organization, food ordering, transport coordination, and job planning for Sesshin, all by volunteers. It is all made easier for busy people if there is at least a clear week before Sesshin, with no new applications. Everyone is asked to be mindful of this. Watch out for some changes to Sesshin application procedures. NOTICE BOARD FULL MOON CEREMONY Wednesday 10 June only (Monday 8 June is a public holiday): Not giving or taking drugs PRECEPT RECITATION and DHARMA CAFÉ Monday 6 & Wednesday 8 July ZAZENKAI Sunday 19 July DHARMA STUDY GROUP Sunday 19 July, The P ang Family (The Roaring Stream, Chapter 10) BOARD MEETINGS 9 June, 14 July: zazen 7 pm, meeting starts at All members welcome. 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 12 June at Gail and Sally s, then Friday 10 July at Pip s. ORIENTATIONS for newcomers to receive orientation to the practice Monday evenings 6 pm: Maggie Gluek magpiewarble@yahoo.com Wednesday evenings 6.45 pm: Janet Selby , or just turn up at 6.45 pm 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 Brendon Stewart , br.stewart@uws.edu.au GIFT RECIPIENT STATUS FOR SZC BUILDING FUND The Australian Tax Office has confirmed that we are a Deductible Gift Recipient for a fund (in our case the Sydney Zen Centre Building Fund). This means that gifts to the building fund are 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.

5 BOOKS FOR SALE at Annandale The Roaring Stream. A New Zen Reader, ed. Nelson Foster and Jack Shoemaker Robert Aitken: Taking the Path of Zen, Mind of Clover, The Dragon that Never Sleeps, Encouraging Words, The Morning Star, Vegetable Roots Discourse, Zen Master Raven, 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 REGULAR DATES Dokusan Mondays: Subhana Bazarghi 20 July (Subhana cannot do dokusan in June because of family illness) Paul Maloney Maggie Gluek 1, 22 June 15, 29 June Wednesdays: Gilly Coote 3, 17, 24 June; 1, 22, 29 July Blue Mountains Zen Group meets on the second and fourth Sunday of each month, 3-5 p.m., at Paul Maloney s home, 19 Russell Road, Leura. 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 meets fortnightly on Wednesday evenings at 6.20 pm at Wat Dammadharo, 80 Archibald St, Lyneham. We have to lock the doors at 6.30 so don t be late. Contact Tony Shields tshields@netspeed.com.au Board Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at 7.30 pm (with zazen at 7pm beforehand). All SZC members are welcome and encouraged to attend. Minutes of board meetings are posted on the notice board at Annandale and on the yahoo group list. CONTACT INFORMATION SZC (02) Members of the Board: Will Moon (Chairman), Nigel Pearn (Treasurer), Sally Hopkins (Secretary), Jean Brick, Gail Burrell-Davis, Tony Coote, Allan Marett, Gordon Waters Teachers: Subhana Barzaghi, Gillian Coote Apprentice Teachers: Paul Maloney , Maggie Gluek Newsletter editor: Jean Brick jeanmbrick@yahoo.com.au; Newsletter editor for this number: Tony Miller; information for newsletter should be sent to Sally Hopkins at the Zendo

6 SZC Calendar Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday May 31 JUNE 1 7 Sound of Silence zazenkai 14 8 Sound of Silence z/kai Public holiday: no at Annandale Board Meeting zazen 7 pm start 7.30 pm Full Moon Ceremony: Not giving or taking drugs 4 5 Sound of Silence: Weekend zazenkai at Kodoji Women s Group at Gail and Sally s 6 Sound of Silence zazenkai Aitken Roshi Folding Book deadline 21 Samu at Annandale 10 am - 4 pm JULY Precept Recitation and Dharma café DS 50th Anniversary kai 8.30am-12pm potluck lunch 12pm - 1 pm Study Group 1 pm - 3 pm Precept Recitation and Dharma café 14 Board Meeting zazen 7 pm start 7.30pm Women s Group at Pip s August 1 6

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

Fukushima. Ibaraki Iwate Lockyer valley Miyagi. Aomori Chiba Christchurch. NEWSLETTER April May 2011 www.szc.org.au 251 Young Street Annandale NSW 2038 02 9660 2993 NEWSLETTER April May 2011 Aomori Chiba Christchurch Fukushima Ibaraki Iwate Lockyer valley Miyagi REPORTS Sound of Silence kai, March 4-6