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Greetings!
There has been much activity lately at our Zen
Community. The half bathroom on the first floor has
been transformed into a full bath with a
shower. We tore out the concrete
at the side of the house, in preparation for a stone
pathway. Hugh rocks were just purchased yesterday
for the path. They will be delivered in bins and be set
in our front yard.
On Saturday, October 13th at 10:30 am, my teacher,
Roshi Nicolee Jikyo McMahon will install me as the
Abbot of our Empty Sound Temple. The process of
planning for this ceremony and carrying it out is also
a process of birthing a temple. What does this mean to
you?
For me, it means we are growing and maturing as a
sangha community. Still rooted in zazen, we are also
able to see our spiritual practice in relationship to a
larger community and world.
So for instance, beginning this month, I invite you to
bring canned (non perishable) food to the temple.
When we have Sunday service we will place this
food on the altar as an offering, and when we have a
box or two, we'll deliver it to the local food pantry in
Oak Park that helps to feed homeless people.
We have begun a "Coming Home" project exploring
ways to support veterans and their families. We will be
having another "Coming Home" committee meeting in
November.
Being a temple is how we turn the dharma wheel. The
gift that moves, keeps generosity alive in our hearts and
in our communities. It is an expression of the joy of
serving others and fulfilling our bodhisattva vows.
With much gratitude, Joshin Sensei
| Birthing a Temple |
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Birthing a temple takes human and financial resources.
Many of you have already responded generously in
numerous ways, but we still need your continued
support.
Last week we had a fundraising garage sale in which
many members and friends of our sangha community
pitched in and raised $400. In the process, the
basement got completely cleaned out.
The downstairs bathroom cost $7400. We are budgeting
$20,000 to do the temple grounds this fall and next year.
So please consider supporting our temple's building
fund with a financial contribution.
Checks may be made out to "Zen Community of Oak
Park" and sent to 163 N. Humphrey Ave., Oak Park, IL
60302.
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| Three Day Sesshin: Oct. 4-7 |
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The Zen Community will hold a three day sesshin
at the Empty Sound Temple. This traditional Zen
retreat will take place in
silence. The retreat includes intensive zazen
(meditation),
services, samu work practice, daisan with the
teacher,
cross training (body work and yoga) and the practice
of
immediacy.
The sesshin begins on Thursday, Oct. 4th at 7:00 pm. It
will end on Sunday, Oct. 7th at 12:00 noon, with a
communal
lunch.
The cost of the retreat is $225; $150 for Zen Community
members.
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| Shared Stewardship Circle, Sun. Oct. 21 |
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We will hold a Shared Stewardship Circle on
Sunday,
October 21 from 9:30 to 11:00 am, following a zazen
period from 9:00 am to 9:30 am. All temple
members
are encouraged to attend, and anyone else is
welcome
to join as a silent witness.
The image on the right is a mandala we are using to
help us keep track of the big picture. It integrates the
teachings
of the Five Buddha families with the Four Quadrants of
Integral Spirituality.
A samu work period will follow the circle. A communal
lunch will be served at 12:30 pm.
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| Hula Classes |
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The next New York City classes in October are as
follows:
PLEASE NOTE NEW LOCATION FOR CLASSES:
Dance Theatre Workshop, 219 W. 19th St. (between 7th
and 8th Ave)
October 20, New Beginners class: 3-4 pm
Oct, 20, Beginning Kahiko class: 4-6 pm
Oct. 21, Auana class: 10 am - 1 pm
Oct. 21, Kahiko class: 1 pm - 4 pm
Chicago Classes:
Every Wednesday night, Hula II is 6:30 - 7:30 pm - both
Kahiko and Auana
classes for students who have danced 1 year or more.
All ages welcome.
Hula I is 7:30 - 8:30 pm - Beginner's class, both Kahiko
and Auana classes for students who have danced less
than 1 year. All ages welcome
Cost is $15/class.
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| Children's Dharma Class, Sun., Oct. 28 |
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The Children's Dharma Class has been a great success
and continues now once a month. The class is taught by
Susanne Fairfax and Rev. Ryushin Tanoue.
The class includes stories, some simple meditation and
mindfulness exercises, singing and
more. The class is open to all ages. Cost is $15 per
child
The next class is Sunday, Oct. 28th and from 9 am to
10:45 am. Call 708.445.1651
or email kaili@zencommunity.org to register your child.
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| Django Jam, Friday, Oct. 19pm |
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This month, because of all the activities around the
Mountain Seat Ceremony, the Django Jam will take
place on
the third Friday of the month on Oct. 19th from 7 to 9 pm.
This gypsy jazz music, which
was developed by Django Reinhardt, is a form of
swing jazz, which has become a highly developed
genre of music. All musicians and instruments are
welcome. We also invite anyone who would like to
come and hang out to join us. Bring along some food
and drink and enjoy yourself.
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| Support the Zen Comunity of Oak Park |
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Make an online contribution today.
The Zen Community of Oak Park is a 501 (c)(3)
non-profit organization so your donation here to the
Zen Community is fully tax deductible
$
USD
Learn More
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Ascending the Mountain Ceremony, Saturday, October 13th |
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Rev. Robert Joshin Althouse, Sensei will be installed as
Abbot of the Zen Community of Oak Park, Empty Sound
Temple by his teacher, Rev. Nicolee Jikyo McMahon,
Roshi, Abbess of the Three Treasures Zen Community,
Shoren Temple in San Diego.
The Shisanshiki Mountain Seat Ceremony will take
place on Saturday, Oct 13th at 10:30 am. Please arrive
on time.
This "Ascending the Mountain" ceremony
acknowledges Joshin Sensei as a person responsible
for the spritual training of priests and lay persons in the
zen tradition.
Everyone is welcome to join this important and joyous
occasion. June Ryushin Kaililani's hula students will do
a performance following
the ceremony during a potluck lunch.
RSVP: 708-445-1651 or info@zencommunity.org
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