Falmouth Soto Zen Sangha
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Founded in November 2010,The Falmouth Soto Zen Sangha (FSZS) is a gathering of people (community) exploring our original or Buddha nature through Zazen (meditation) sutra (scripture) and book study; and Dharma talks (conversations and discussion). We meet on Tuesday from 7:00-8:30 in the evening at The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth at 840 Sandwich Road, East Falmouth, MA 02536. Call Sangaku Dan Joslyn (Practice Leader) at 508-388-7685 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Each meetings has a three-part format:
- Welcome and overview of Soto Zen Buddhism,Two 20 minute meditation sessions with a three minute walking mediation (kinhin) between the two, chanting, welcome and announcements. 2. Readings from a selected text, currently Each Moment is the Universe by Dainin Katagiri-roshi, comments about the author and book theme, reading and discussion. 3. The Sangha (those who gather)the Three Treasures (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha),Dharma Talk (commentary) by Sangaku Dan Joslyn, and the Sangha.
All Are Welcome
01.17.12
2. Our financial year on a calendar basis and here is a summary of where we stand (sit?) for 2011:
12.12.28
This week our Dhrama Talk is on The Transformation of Scrooge-San, so join us in looking at this classcic Zen-Story. This will be followd next week by "What is a Resolution?" Each talk follows our reading of Katagiri-roshi's work Each Moment is the Universe, that in-turn explores Dogen's concept of being-time as impermanence.
11.25.11
The Novemeber 19, 2011 zazenkai, our first at FSZS, went well with 17 attendees with Taiun Elliston-Roshi speaking to the group via Skype. The Zazenkai was held in celebration of Founders Month that included STO (72) and FSZS (1).
01.17.12
Happy 2012-Year of the Dragon
Colorful, brave, helpful loner and the only mythical animal (to some) in the asian zodiac
There is much going on so here is a brief update:
1. Deep bows to Maggie Jones for donating a mokugyo to the zendo. As you see below it looks somewhat like a fish and is sometimes called that in temples. A distinct hollow sound it is a complement to the kesu or meditation bowl/bell ( our kesu was donated last year by Susan Shelton). May we use it well.
We took in a total of $1350 in weekly dana, and $225 for Founders month (including $112 for our first zazenkai held in November). This means $450 went to UUFF for rent, $675 to STO (450 + 225 from Founders month) and FSZS received $450 of which we spent $275 on food, donations to Japanese relief fund, blankets, candles and incense; and have $175 on hand.
3. We have a new FSZS website: http://kosetsu.net/sto/affiliates/falmouth-soto-zen-sangha
This is exiting because it is found within our Silent Thunder Order webs site. This site is one of the services we receive as being a member of STO. Please go to our website and look around the entire site to see how FSZS is a part of an even larger sangha.
4. We are reading Each Moment is the Universe by Dainin Katagiri-roshi. This book explores impermanence from roshi's point of view and interpretations of Dogen's construct of being-time. I invite all to participate and if you can't join us you can always drop me comments and ask questions (see #5).
5. Skype anyone? FSZS will experiment with a Skype broadcast of our Tuesday night service beginning 02.07.12 At that time we will narrow-cast the dharma talk which will focus on the book and/or other topics. This will be from 8:00-8:30 PM. So, if you would like to drop-in via Skype and your handy-dandy computer or smart phone let me know!
12.12.28
This week our Dhrama Talk is on The Transformation of Scrooge-San, so join us in looking at this classcic Zen-Story. This will be followd next week by "What is a Resolution?" Each talk follows our reading of Katagiri-roshi's work Each Moment is the Universe, that in-turn explores Dogen's concept of being-time as impermanence.
11.25.11
The Novemeber 19, 2011 zazenkai, our first at FSZS, went well with 17 attendees with Taiun Elliston-Roshi speaking to the group via Skype. The Zazenkai was held in celebration of Founders Month that included STO (72) and FSZS (1).
11.19.11 Zazenkai
A zazenki is a brief sesshin or Zen retreat. The FSZS will hold its first zazenki as part of the November Founder's month celebration. We begin at 7:00AM and end at 1:00PM on Saturday, November 19, 2011, at the UUFF meeting house at 840 Sandwich Road. This will be a sangha zazenki as we will do a variety of things that focus on giving everyone as much (or as little) exposure to Soto Zen practices as they wish. Children are welcome and will become my partners-in-teaching. If you do not have a zafu or sitting cushion bring three beach towels and I'll show you how to make one. People who cannot sit on the floor will be taught how to do Zazen in a chair.
So, join us for an hour or two or the entire zazenki — come when you leave and leave when you want! An email note that you WILL attend is helpful in planning for the zazenki. Each hour from 7-1 will feature different practice, liturgy, arts, philosophy, chanting and/or video messages, so call it a 7-Ring - Circle. Here is the schedule:
1. 7:00-7:45 - In-gathering, welcome and overview of the day and instructions of zazen or Soto Zen meditation. This is good for beginners and seasoned mediators as well with time for questions from all and attempts to answer what I can from me.
2. 8:00 - Oryoki style breakfast. Oryoki is to eating what the tea ceremony is to drinking tea. It is a way to give thought to food. I will prepare the meal and we will talk about preparing food, chanting the merits having food, how to eat and to clean up, as all three are mindfulness training. Following the meal we will sit Zazen until 9:00.
3. 9:00 - Kinhin or Zen walking meditation will be discussed and practiced. We will do this out side weather permitting. This is a wonderful way to meditate and to complement time on the cushion.
4. 10:00 - A brief history of Buddhism and Zen with a focus on forms of Zen awareness brought to Japanese and other cultures.
5. 11:00 - Buddhist Shorts (no not those kinds) or brief videos of Dharma talks by Buddhist monks and priests followed by discussion.
6. 12:00 - Lunch Oryoki style (see #2 above).
7. 12:30-1:00 - Leaving the send: Thoughts and Feelings about Your Experience
Dana
Dana is mindful giving of your time and money for the purpose of well being and support of those who wish to explore their true self or Buddha nature. A donation of $10 for the day would be most welcome as would less or more if you wish.
A zazenki is a brief sesshin or Zen retreat. The FSZS will hold its first zazenki as part of the November Founder's month celebration. We begin at 7:00AM and end at 1:00PM on Saturday, November 19, 2011, at the UUFF meeting house at 840 Sandwich Road. This will be a sangha zazenki as we will do a variety of things that focus on giving everyone as much (or as little) exposure to Soto Zen practices as they wish. Children are welcome and will become my partners-in-teaching. If you do not have a zafu or sitting cushion bring three beach towels and I'll show you how to make one. People who cannot sit on the floor will be taught how to do Zazen in a chair.
So, join us for an hour or two or the entire zazenki — come when you leave and leave when you want! An email note that you WILL attend is helpful in planning for the zazenki. Each hour from 7-1 will feature different practice, liturgy, arts, philosophy, chanting and/or video messages, so call it a 7-Ring - Circle. Here is the schedule:
1. 7:00-7:45 - In-gathering, welcome and overview of the day and instructions of zazen or Soto Zen meditation. This is good for beginners and seasoned mediators as well with time for questions from all and attempts to answer what I can from me.
2. 8:00 - Oryoki style breakfast. Oryoki is to eating what the tea ceremony is to drinking tea. It is a way to give thought to food. I will prepare the meal and we will talk about preparing food, chanting the merits having food, how to eat and to clean up, as all three are mindfulness training. Following the meal we will sit Zazen until 9:00.
3. 9:00 - Kinhin or Zen walking meditation will be discussed and practiced. We will do this out side weather permitting. This is a wonderful way to meditate and to complement time on the cushion.
4. 10:00 - A brief history of Buddhism and Zen with a focus on forms of Zen awareness brought to Japanese and other cultures.
5. 11:00 - Buddhist Shorts (no not those kinds) or brief videos of Dharma talks by Buddhist monks and priests followed by discussion.
6. 12:00 - Lunch Oryoki style (see #2 above).
7. 12:30-1:00 - Leaving the send: Thoughts and Feelings about Your Experience
Dana
Dana is mindful giving of your time and money for the purpose of well being and support of those who wish to explore their true self or Buddha nature. A donation of $10 for the day would be most welcome as would less or more if you wish.
November is Founder's Month for Sangaku's Soto Zen Order (Moku-rai, or Silent Thunder) anyone wishing to make a donation may send a check to the address below made out to the Silent Thunder Order (STO), or go online at http://kosetsu.net/sto/ — bowing in appreciation
