For those who may have missed it, Shinren Mark Stone’s talk about zen practice and technology was recently profiled by NPR. It’s an excellent write up.
For those who may have missed it, Shinren Mark Stone’s talk about zen practice and technology was recently profiled by NPR. It’s an excellent write up.
The All Beings Zen Sangha welcomes and affirms all who come here to seek the Way, and who will work toward respectful acceptance of others across our many differences, harmonizing the one and the many.
Using the button or QR code below, you can make a one-time donation or set up a recurring monthly donation.
We now accept donations through Venmo. Get the app and search for “All Beings Zen Sangha.”
Checks can be mailed to:
All Beings Zen Sangha
27290 Woodburn Hill Road
Mechanicsville, MD 20659
or to:
All Beings Zen Sangha
C/O Rev. Inryū Ponce-Barger,
2801 Adams Mill Road NW 402
Washington DC 20009
Use this link to join
If asked for password use this 826408
Use this link to join
If asked for password use this 826408
Here is the link to join us via the cloud zendo at 7PM , 2020 for the All Beings Zen Sangha evening program. Tonight we will have a period of zazen followed by a wellbeing ceremony. We will close by chanting the Refuges.
If you are asked for a password please use this 118879
Please put your zoom in gallery mode, and keep your video link on while muting your mic until the end of the service – Feel welcome to face away from your device camera while keeping your presence visible in the frame for others in attendance to see and know you are there. Please refrain from moving your device around while others are sitting zazen with you.
Order of Service
Greeting by the Kokyo in English
30 Minute Zazen Period
Four Great Vows
Enmei 9 times
The Loving Kindness Sutra
Dedication of Merit
All Buddhas Chant
Refuges in Pali
THE FOUR GREAT VOWS
Beings are numberless; I vow to save them.
Delusions are inexhaustible; I vow to end them.
Dharma Gates are boundless; I vow to enter them.
Buddha’s way is unsurpassable; I vow to become it.
Enmei Jukko Kannon Gyo
KAN ZEON
NA MU BUTSU
YO BUTSU U IN
YO BUTSU U EN
BUP PO SO EN
JO RAKU GA JO
CHO NEN KANZEON
BO NEN KANZEON
NEN NEN JU SHIN KI
NEN NEN FU RI SHIN
Loving Kindness Meditation
This is what should be accomplished by the one who is wise,
Who seeks the good and has obtained peace:
Let one be strenuous, upright and sincere,
WIthout pride, easily contented and joyous.
Let one not be submerged by the things of the world.
Let one not take upon one’s self the burden of riches.
Let one’s senses be controlled.
Let one be wise, but not puffed up: and
Let one not desire great possessions even for one’s family.
Let one do nothing that is mean or that the wise would reprove
May all beings be happy.
May they be joyous and live in safety.
All living beings, whether weak or strong,
In high or middle or low realms of existence,
Small or great, visible or invisible,
Near or far, born or to be born,
May all beings be happy.
Let no one deceive another, nor despise any being in any state;
Let none by anger or hatred wish harm to another.
Even as a mother at the risk of her life
Watches over and protects her only child,
So with a boundless mind should one cherish all living things,
Suffusing love over the entire world,
Above, below and all around without limit;
So let one cultivate an infinite good will toward the whole world.
Standing or walking, sitting or lying down,
During all one’s waking hours
Let one practice the way with gratitude.
Not holding to fixed views,
Endowed with insight,
Freed from sense appetites,
One who achieves the way
Will be freed from the duality of birth and death.
All Buddhas
All Buddhas, ten directions, Three times
All Honored Ones, Bodhisattvas-Mahasattvas
Wisdom beyond wisdom
Maha Prajna Paramita
Refuges in Pali (Call and Response)
Accapella, inflections as follows:
➞Buddham Saranam Ga➚cha➘mi➞iii
BUDDHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI
DHAMMAM SARANAM GACCHAMI
SANGHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI
DUTIYAMPI BUDDHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI
DUTIYAMPI DHAMMAM SARANAM GACCHAMI
DUTIYAMPI SANGHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI
TATIYAMPI BUDDHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI
TATIYAMPI DHAMMAM SARANAM GACCHAMI
TATIYAMPI SANGHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI
Hello All,
Branching Streams Flow On in the Dark online Conference,
May 22, 2021, 12 noon – 3 pm EDT
Register Here!
Welcoming words, Tova & MC Inryu Ponce-Barger, All Beings Zen, Washington DC
Tova Green, Branching Streams liaison, speaks on “Branching Streams Flow On in the Dark”
Introductory breakout groups
Video of Nature Images compiled by Teresa Bouza, Kannon Do Zen Center, CA
Konjin Gaelyn Godwin, Abbot of Houston Zen Center, speaks on “The Climate of Our Time”
Topical breakout groups:
“Climate Chaos: How does it feel? What will we do?” facilitated by Eden Kevin Heffernan, Richmond Zen Center, VA
“The Sacred Work of RacialJustice” facilitated by Joan Amaral, Zen Center North Shore, MA
“Transitioning to Hybrid Zendo Offerings” facilitated by Jon Voss of Mid-City Zen, LA
Ceremony: Looking Back and Looking Forward with Douglas Floyd, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate, Chicago, IL; Michael Shinmon Newton, MountainRain Zen Sangha, Vancouver, BC; and Reirin Gumbel, Milwaukee ZC, WI.
Closing
Discussion Topic for Tuesday Tea at Two on May 11, 2021 2PM EDT – Death Poems.
It is not unusual in contemplative spiritual practices for people to compose a death poem. These are often a gift to those left behind and very often a window into the wisdom and compassion derived from contemplated old age, sickness and death. Today we will look at two classic death poems for different eras as well as other related poetry as our topic. Please feel welcome to join us for a rich discussion.
Join with this link If asked for a password use this 983841
Death poem of Zen Master Keizan (considered the second Japanese Soto Zen Lineage).
“This peaceful rice-field that one has cultivated by oneself, however often one has gone to sell or buy (rice) is as a virgin land. Young sprouts and spiritual seeds, infinitely, ripen and shed (their leaves). Ascending the Dharma Hall, I see men holding a hoe in their hands.” Then throwing away his brush, Keizan passed away.
Keizan —1325
Here is Abbot Myogen Steve Stucky’s “death poem (March 6, 1946 – December 31, 2013),” which was on the altar in the room where is body was laid out.
This human body truly is the entire cosmos
Each breath of mine, is equally one of yours, my darling
This tender abiding in “my” life
Is the fierce glowing fire of inner earth
Linking with all pre-phenomena
Flashing to the distant horizon
From “right here now” to “just this”
Now the horizon itself
Drops away—
Bodhi!
Svaha.
Myogen ——12/27/13
The discussion will be lead by All Beings Zen Sangha
Guiding Teacher Rev. Inryū Poncē-Barger, Sensei.
All Are Welcome
Please join us for a cup of tea and dharma discussion today at 2pm EDT in our cloud zendo.
Use this link to join. If asked for a password use 003961
Today the discussion will be lead by our Guiding Teacher Inryū Poncé-Barger, Sensei on the topic of “Hearing the Bell, sound and practice”. Together we can explore what sounds tune us into being in the present moment.
2pm – *5 Minutes of silently drinking tea together begins the gathering*
Conclusion at 2:45pm
Please join us for a cup of tea and dharma discussion today at 2pm EDT.
Use this link to join. If asked for a password use 003961
Today the discussion will be lead by our Guiding Teacher Inryū Poncé-Barger, Sensei on the topic of “Taking care of the body as a gate of practice”. Together we can explore questions around what are healthy practices and what challenges arise in caring for the physical body
2pm – *5 Minutes of silently drinking tea together begins the gathering*
Conclusion at 2:45pm
Image is from the Fall 2016 Practice Period at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center and taken by Inryū Sensei when she was the men’s bath house attendant during that Practice Period.
To listen to Inryū Sensei’s talk from last Thursday April 22, 2021 on the related topic of “Taking care of the body as a Dharma gate of Practice: personal intimacy with all things” you can use the below link.
Meeting Recording:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/zvc0d1_nakGVIrmStW0SzAWS3GpFD6594pXzVEsn2S2Qc9KVyCt355fTXElupuee.g8z3ftTgZVraB9ku
Access Passcode: d90e@9zA
Please join us for a cup of tea and dharma discussion today at 2pm EDT.
Use this link to join. If asked for a password use 003961
Today the discussion will be lead by the Most Recent Former Shuso Shōryū Chris Leader on the topic of “intensity of feeling during Zazen”.
2pm – *5 Minutes of silently drinking tea together begins the gathering*
Conclusion at 2:45pm