| Sweetcake Enso: Big Summer Plans! |
This weekend the fourth Sweetcake Enso Exhibit will open at the San Francisco Zen Center, where it will be up for a month. On May 5th, a very small exhibit will be hung at Garrison Institute, one artist for each bay in the hallway that leads to the Buddha Hall. This will be up until August. And in June a Sweetcake Enso exhibit will be held at the Eugene Zendo in Oregon, followed by Dharma Rain in July!
Catherine will be able to go to the West Coast twice, installing and delivering, as well as to be measured for her robes! Much heartfelt gratitude to each of the myriad jewels in our sangha, who knew such a thing could happen! Many bows to you all.
Be sure to listen to Grace Schireson's dharma talk on the 30th, this is a Sweetcake Enso event and will be livestreamed, so you can be there too!
Grace Schireson: The Artful Teachings of Fukushima Keido Roshi
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| Daily Sitting Schedule |
Monday thru Friday Mornings, 8:15-9:00
(doors open at 8:00)
Monday, Wednesday and Friday Evenings, 7:30-9:00
(Wednesday is required Introduction)
Sunday Mornings, 9:00-12:00
(when there is no Retreat) | The Serious Cereal drive continues!
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The need is great in this season, as always. Please don't forget to bring your cereals to our library for us to deliver!
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This poem from poet and Zen teacher Peter Levitt seems just right to open our May Calendar. Each of his verses in One Hundred Butterflies is given to us to rewrite in our own hand and tie somewhere where the wind can reach it. "Some day," Peter notes, "after reading them you might find your arms rising lightly from your sides." Already at birth I was parted Not just from my mother - But body from Mind, Mind from its source - That's why i take up This soft blade of breath To cut me back into one. Peter Levitt, One Hundred Butterflies |
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Sunday, May 1st, Regular Schedule
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Sunday, May 8th, Mother's Day
We will be open on a shortened schedule - 9:00-10:30. This will include two periods of zazen/kinhin with dokusan and service. Optional gardening (weather permitting) until 11:30.
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Friday, May 13th, 7:30 pm:
Film Night - Get Low
A movie spun out of equal parts folk tale, fable and real life legend about the mysterious 1930s hermit who famously threw his own rollicking funeral party while he was still alive! (IMDb)Oscar winners Robert Duvall and Sissy Spacek team up to tell the story of irascible Felix Bush, Tennessee loner. Directed by Aaron Schneider, and also starring Bill Murray, this film is a deft blend of dark humor and poignancy. (Netflix)
No charge, refreshments at intermission, open to all! |
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Saturday, May 14th, 2:30-5:00 pm:
Zen Kids Field Trip
Weather permitting we will enjoy a field trip to Pelham Bay Park, exploring the area where the Last Algonquian was found in 1924. If it is raining we will offer an alternative indoor program at the zendo starting at 3:30 Please confirm by email. |
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Saturday, May 14th, 9:30-12:00: Volunteers needed!
We will need tenzos and set-up crew for the Sunday closing retreat.
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Sunday, May 15th, 9:00 am-5:00 pm:
Practice Period Closing Retreat
This all-day sitting, or zazenkai, will close our Spring Practice Period. Pre-registration is required and the list is filling quickly. Do not hesitate to put your name and phone number on the waiting list, as we often have a few cancellations. Anchored in zazen, the day also includes dokusan with teachers, Dharma talks, service, lunch and caretaking.
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Sunday, May 22nd, Regular Schedule; 12:15: Myozan's Final Dogen Study
 Title page of an 1811 edition of Dōgen's Shōbōgenzō.
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Sunday, May 29th, Regular Schedule
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Monday, May 30th: Closed for Memorial Day Holiday
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Save the date! June 26th, 3:00 pm:
Community Concert
We are delighted to announce an uplifting afternoon performance by the Iranian musician Amir Vahab weaving together Sufi, traditional folk music and contemporary rhythmic threads. The New York Times calls him the "ambassador for a silenced music." His performances have been widely recognized and have inspired many. Invitation and ticket information will be sent soon. |
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Disaster Relief for Japan: A Treasurer's report from Myozan
Buddhist monk Sokan Obara, 28, from Mori oka, Iwate prefecture, prays for the victims in an area devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Ofunato,Iwate prefecture, Japan, Thursday, April 7, 2011. Obara has been on a pilgrimage to devastated areas after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
Following the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan that occurred on March 11th, the Empty Hand Zen Center collected $1,165 in relief donations from sangha and friends. The funds were forwarded to the Association of Soto Zen Buddhists for disbursement in Japan by the Sotoshu Shumucho (the administrative headquarters of the Soto Zen Buddhist institution in Japan). At least 70% of those donated funds will go in turn to the Japanese Red Cross; the remaining funds will be used by the Sotoshu for temple repair and to provide religious services throughout the damaged areas. We thank those who have helped make this contribution possible, and ask that we all continue to hold in our thoughts and prayers all those affected by this disaster. 
Buddhist monks pray for victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami at a burial site in Kesennuma, Miyage Prefecture, Prefecture, Japan, Thursday, April 7, 2011. |
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Jion Susan Postal
Empty Hand Zen Center
45 Lawton Street New Rochelle, NY 10801 (914) 636-1450 |
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