Tuesday October 22, 2024 2-2:45pm – Tuesday Tea at Two – Marie Olson will present”My Relationship with the Sandokai.” Online only. Use this link to join. If asked for a password use 024787 – Online only

This past Sunday, our Sangha gathered for our first full-day Zazenkai of this Fall Practice Period. Beginning at 9:00am, we began with an introduction from our guiding teacher on the day’s schedule, moving into morning service which included chanting our Ango study text, the Sandokai. As the thirteen attendees relaxed into their seat, the ring of the bell invited our heart-mind’s to sink into zazen for 30 minutes at a time, followed by 10 minute segments of kinhin (walking meditation).

Throughout the day, we enjoyed two formal oryoki meals prepared by our two tenzo’s (head cook). Prior to our lunch period, we began with an engaged, step-by-step process of this ‘just-enough’ style of eating that is formally practiced in our Soto Zen lineage, which was led by one of our Senior-Sangha members. Afterwards, we had a period of time for exercising our bodies, in which many of us went for a led walk around the neighboring area, while others stayed inside for stretching and Dharma study. Whether being outside or remaining in with the windows open, it felt like the rustling leaves and Autumn winds were practicing along with us.

By evening time, inside the zendo had a pleasant harmony cultivated from practicing together all day. Outside the zendo in our Nations Capital, we started to hear the October happenings: halloween music, kids giggling as they explored the neighborhood, and the many creatures in all of their late night activity. It was a marvelous environment to sit zazen together in.

In our last evening service, we incorporated a dedication of merit inspired by and borrowed from Shodo Spring Roshi from Mountains and Waters Alliance, which extended our day’s Bodhisattva activities at All Beings Zen Sangha .. to All Beings. (photo of eko below)

We concluded our Zazenkai with chanting the refuges at 8:00PM. It was a beautiful day to practice together.

Please come to our next Zazenkai of this practice period on November 16th. If you’re interested in seeing what the full schedule looks like, scroll down two posts from this one. 🙂

Sunday October 20, 2024 9am-8:15pm – Full Day Urban Zazenkai – in Adams Morgan. Full day of zazen with a review of Oryoki and meal chants in preparation for Rohatsu. Vegetarian lunch, tea and dinner included. Please support the dharma by giving generously. In person and Online* To sign in via zoom use this link if asked for a password use 848474

All Beings Zen Sangha Zen Meditation Retreat Schedule    9am-8:15pm 

9:00 Welcome and orientation (led by Inryū)

9:30 Morning Service including the Sandokai

9:50 Explanation of the Jundo and then people will begin the first period of Zazen

10:00am Jundo 10:05am 

Robe Chant (lead by Kokyo)

10:05am 30 minute period of Zazen

10:35am Kinhin (slow walking meditation)

10:45am 30 minute period of Zazen

11:15am Kinhin (slow walking meditation)

11:25am 30 minutes period of Zazen

11:55am Oryoki instruction

12:05pm Lunch Break –Formal Oryokiu

1:00pm Lunch clean up/break

1:20pm Outdoor walk (weather permiting) or Dharma study

2:15 Tea and Cookies/Dharma Discussion

3:10pm Kinhin (slow walking meditation)

3:20pm 30 minute period of Zazen

3:50pm 10 minutes of Kinhin

4:00pm 30 minute period of Zazen

4:30pm Kinhin

4:40pm  30 minute period of Zazen

5:10pm  Daihishin Dharani

5:20pm  Medicine Meal

6:00pm  Meal Clean up/break

6:30pm  25 minutes of Zazen

6:55pm  10 minutes of kinhin

7:05pm  Evening Service

7:20pm  30 minutes of Zazen

7:50pm  10 minutes of Kinhin

8:00pm   Chanting of Refuges and closing of Zazenkai

Saturday October 19, 2024 11am – Special Guest Speaker David Chadwick – David Chadwick, is author of “Crooked Cucumber: The Life and Zen Teaching of Shunryu Suzuki” and Poobah of Cuke Archives which includes cuke.com, shunryusuzuki.com, Cuke Archives Daily Blog, and more. David Talks with the members of All Beings Zen Sangha about Shunryu Suzuki Roshi’s lectures on the Sandokai (Harmony of Difference and Equality) and other important history of the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center during that era. Here is a recording of the event (audio only).

Tuesday October 15, 2024 2-2:45pm – Tuesday Tea at Two – Rev. Seido David Sarpal to offer a tea regarding Zen and Nature. . Use this link to join. If asked for a password use 024787 – Online only

Tuesday October 8, 2024 2-2:45pm – Tuesday Tea at Two – Inryū Sensei will lead a conversation about Zen Practice as the season changes. Please join with your questions or insights for this conversation. As always we will begin with 5 minutes of silent tea drinking together and close with the Four Great Vows. Online only. Use this link to join. If asked for a password use 024787

“When you see forms or hear sounds, fully engaging body and mind, you grasp things directly.” -Dōgen Zenji

Tuesday October 1, 2024 2:00-2:45 Tuesday Dharma Tea – Zen’etsu Clay Crowell will lead a Tuesday Tea discussion on the background and context of the Sandokai. Use this link to join. If asked for a password use 024787

Monday Sept 30, 2024 6-7pm Dharma Book Club online only. “The Sound of a Snail Eating” by Elizabeth Tova Bailey. Use this link to join. If asked for a password use 572905