Please Join All Beings Zen Sangha for a Zazenkai (one day zen retreat) at Woodburn Hill Farm in Mechanicsville MD, (approx 50 miles south of Washington DC; directions will be forthcoming for those attending).

Leading the retreat will be our resident priest Rev. Inryu Bobbi Ponce-Barger, Sensei.   

 

Special guest teacher Jisan Tova Green will offer a late morning Dharma Talk on:   The Challenges of Practicing with Integrity in Challenging Times.  In the talk Jisan Sensei will explore the meanings of integrity, how integrity relates to practicing with the precepts, and is relevant to us as individuals, within our relationships, within our communities and in the global world.

 

Jisan Tova Green, a Zen priest who received dharma transmission from Eijun Linda Cutts in 2015, resides and teaches at San Francisco Zen Center’s City Center. She co-founded the SFZC Queer Dharma Group in 2009 and the group “Unpacking Whiteness – Reflection and Action.” Tova has worked as a hospice social worker, plays the cello, and writes poetry.

Arrival by 10am

Lunch Provided (vegan and gluten free)

Depart by 4:30pm

Wear loose comfortable clothing.  Long pants and shirts that cover the shoulders are most appropriate.  

Please RSVP to:  inryu@allbeingszen.org

Suggested Donation $55-$60  

The board of All Beings Zen Sangha (ABZS) put together a brief, 7 question survey (link below) about your interest in racial and social justice initiatives and to learn how ABZS could better support the sangha around these issues. This survey came out of a discussion at our recent board meeting about ABZS commitment to creating racial and social justice. We are grateful for your willingness to share your perspectives with us!

Click here to take the survey.

This survey will close on Sunday September 16th, 2018.

 

Call to Artists! All Beings Zen Sangha is announcing a call to artists for the 2019 Sangha calendar project. Submissions are now being accepted for drawings, paintings, photography, poetry, and other forms of art and expression in digital format. Please submit up to three works for consideration via e-mail to Inryu at inryubobbi@gmail.com or John at emailjohnf@gmail.com
May all beings be happy!

 

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.

https://www.npr.org/2018/07/07/625332469/many-look-to-buddhism-for-sanctuary-from-an-over-connected-world

The Board of Directors of All Beings Zen Sangha held its third quarter meeting on July 16 at the house of Shinren Mark Stone. In his review of sangha finances, Treasurer Zenho Eric noted financial stability, reviewed possible extra reporting requirements to the IRS, and raised the possibility of employing apps for mobile donations in the future. Sensei Inryu presented the updated schedule for the rest of the year focusing on the visit of guest teacher Marcia Lieberman and the fall practice period. The Board discussed the possibility of establishing affinity groups, which could include meetings for people of color, women, men, etc. ABZS involvement in Social Justice activities was also discussed. All agreed that ABZS should strive to fully represent the community and discussed how to enhance sangha diversity while maintaining the focus on zazen. The possibility of sangha survey came up, perhaps asking people what they would want to participate in, and/or lead particular affinity group, social justice and diversity efforts. The next Board meeting will be held in October.

Guest Teacher Daigan Gaither (seated center) offered a two hour workshop on  the topic of “Practicing with Sexual Energy: Presence, Precepts and Power”.

• July 14th – 8am- 9:30am Revisiting Keizan Study and Tea
• July 14th – 1pm -3:30pm  Guest Teacher Daigan Gaither to offer half day workshop on “Practicing with Sexual Energy: Presence, Precepts and Power”
• July 16th – ABZS Board of Directors Meeting 6pm
• July 19th – Dharma Talk by guest teacher Marcia Lieberman
• July 21 – Half Day Workshop with Marcia Lieberman on home altars: care form history. Chidening. Flower arranging in zen tradition.
• July 26 – Dharma Talk by guest teacher Marcia Lieberman
• July 28 – Half Day Workshop with Marcia Lieberman on Taste of ritual: way of tea and oriyoki—forms history the role of host and guest 

RSVP – for all events by clicking this link

Following our regular service and one period of zazen, Shinren Mark Stone will lead a discussion and experiment on our experience with screens (smartphones, computers, etc.) and zen practice. In two recent workshops, sangha members have delved into their screen use practice to examine: How do we embody our screen experience? How does communicating via screen compare with a face-to-face meeting? Are there ways that screens can enhance our practice?  The practice will include a “hands-on” exercise related to this topic.   Please bring the electronic device that you use more frequently for this evenings practice.

7pm  Evening Service

7:10  Zazen

7:40  Brief Intermission

7:45  Screen use and zen

NOTE  there will be an NPR reporter present for the June 21st practice. NPR has expressed interest in working with All Beings Zen Sangha on a story on the Zen approach to screen use. The reporter may make an audio record ing of the sounds of the service and likely wish to interview sangha members who are open to speaking on the topic. Please direct questions to Shinren (markstone1924@gmail.com).