Sejiki-e is a Japanese word meaning “The Feeding and Nourishing of Hungry Ghosts.” Hungry ghosts are depicted as beings with very large stomachs swollen from malnutrition, who have the tiniest of throats, and who are always hungry. They are symbolic of the state of mind which is never satisfied with who we are or what we have. In the ceremony we call forth hungry ghosts and beings who are stuck in intermediary states, as well the dark, unknown regions of our own psyches, bringing them into the light. We offer them the nourishment of Dharma with the hope of satisfying and releasing them.

The Sejiki Ceremony also has the feeling of a universal memorial service. In addition to releasing the spirits of the departed, the ceremony is intended to resolve our karmic relationships with the deceased. During the ceremony, the names of those for whom we have performed memorial services during the past year will be read and the cards placed into a fire.

 This years ceremony was held in the yard of Sangha member Alan Brenner.  We are grateful to Alan for providing such a perfect bon fire to support the burning of the ABZS past years memorial cards, leftover bits of incense and thread.    Due to Covid we had limited attendees and we were careful to wear masks and stay physically distanced.   Photo by Alan Brenner

Way Seeking Mind Talk offered by Tekiku Naomi Ayala—Thursday October 29th, 2020 7:00 pm EST following one period of zazen.

Way Seeking Mind Talk offered by Cristina Leifson—Friday October 30, 2020 6:30 am EST following a short period of zazen

Join members of the All Beings Zen Sangha in offering our gratitude to Sojun Roshi for his many years of service and teaching.  Hakuryu Sojun Mel Weitsman is the Dharma teacher of our first guiding teacher,  Dairyū Michael Wenger.  Our current guiding teacher Rev. Inryu, Sensei received Dharma transmission for Dairyū.  All of those who receive precepts in our ABZ Sangha have Sojun Roshi as their Great-Grandfather in our Suzuki Roshi Lineage.  Saturday, October 24: Stepping Down Ceremony and Stepping Into Founding Dharma Teacher Ceremony of Hakuryu Sojun Mel Weitsman Roshi, 6:00 pm EST (at the Berkeley Zen Center’s online zendo,

Here is a recording of the ceremony

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVKMrXXffRg

It begins with incense offerings outdoors around the Berkeley ZC grounds
and the speaking begins around 25 minutes in. You will see that Sojun
Roshi needed some assistance walking and has lost a lot of weight due to
cancer of the bile duct, which he was diagnosed with at the end of
September, 2019.

Photo by Alveena taken during the discussion after the viewing of “How to cook your life” . We were delighted that the star of the film, Edward Espe Brown zoomed in from California to answer questions and share the Dharma

Photo by Alveena Bakshi

Bodhisattva’s at work.  On Sunday October 4th, 2020 these ABZS members were photographed as they finished planting a native Spice Bush along Adams Mill Road NW (near our urban zendo).

Tonight we will have one period of  Zazen followed by a “Way Seeking Mind” Talk by ABZS Fall Ango Shuso Shōryū Chris Leader.