Zen Center of Pittsburgh October 2009 e-Newsletter

OCTOBER 2009, Vol. 1 No.9

WELCOME:

Showing their backs
Then their fronts
Falling maple leafs

-Ryokan's death poem

Ryokan's poem above reminds us of the changing seasons. October at the Zen Center of Pittsburgh will include a special workshop on the art and poetry of Ryokan, a Soto Zen Buddhist monk who lived most of his life as a hermit. The workshop will be taught by Rev. Eido Frances Carney from the Olympia Zen Center in Washington. We will also take an opportunity to look back on the past year's preparations for our 10th Anniversary Celebration. We are settling back into our regular schedules and preparing the grounds for the winter. As always, any extra hands available to lend assistance are welcome. Just be sure to check-in with Kyoki to let her know to expect you. She can be reached at kyoki@deepspringzen.org or 412-741-1262.

Have you attended an Intro to Zen class in the past year? If so, we would love to hear how we could make them better. Please click here and go to the short survey. Please note that you will be redirected to SurveyMonkey.com where the survey is hosted. All responses will be anonymous unless you request a response by entering your email.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Weekly Zazen Schedule

Location Schedules

Zen Poetry

WEEKLY ZAZEN SCHEDULE:
Please arrive 10-15 minutes before starting time.

Deep Spring Temple: 124 Willow Ridge Road Sewickley, PA 15143 (map)
Mattress Factory: 505 Jacksonia Way Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (directions)
Zen Friends: 4836 Ellsworth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (map)

DEEP SPRING TEMPLE:

Intro to Zen: Thursdays, October 1 & 22; 6:00-8:00pm

These two-hour introductory workshops are a combination of gentle sitting, lecture, question and answer, and walking meditation. They also provides instruction on the forms of Soto Zen practice (bowing, entering the zendo, chanting), how to sit comfortably (should you use a cushion, a chair or a bench?), and suggestions for reading material in a variety of areas.
Suggested donation to register: $15

World Peace Ceremony: Sunday, October 4; 10:00am-12:30pm

Celebrated on the first Sunday of every month, this ceremony helps us rededicate our practice to bringing about a more peaceful world. An open discussion of Zen practice follows the ceremony.

Precept Renewal (Ryaku Fusatsu): Tuesday, October 6; 6:00-7:00pm

This evening of the full moon ceremony offers practitioners an opportunity to renew their commitment to the sixteen Bodhisattva precepts. All are welcome to attend!
Read more about Ryaku Fusatsu here.

Teachings on Ryokan Workshop: October 9, 7:00pm - 9:00pm; October 10, 9:00am - 4:00pm

Eido Frances Carney Roshi, teacher and founder of the Olympia Zen Center in Olympia, Washington, will lead a two-day workshop on the teachings of Ryokan-san, Japan's beloved 18th century priest and poet. Herself an accomplished writer, poet, and painter, Eido Roshi-who encourages all her students to develop at least one creative aspect of themselves through the Zen arts-will lead us in discussions about Ryokan, his art and poetry (Friday evening and Saturday), and help us explore and develop our own skills in art and writing.
Sunday she will give the dharma talk as part of our normal schedule.
Suggested donation to register for the workshop: $50

Board Meeting: Sunday, October 11 (subject to change)

All are welcome to attend this regularly scheduled ZCP board meeting.

10th Anniversary Revisited: Saturday, October 24, 9:00am - 4:00pm

An opportunity to discuss the joys and difficulties of celebrating such a wonderful event. Did it affect your practice? Come tell us how!

ZEN FRIENDS:

Wednesday evening zazen; 6:00pm-7:15pm. Friends Meeting House (map).

MATTRESS FACTORY:

Tuesday morning zazen; 7:00am-7:40pm. Mattress Factory (map).

ZEN POETRY:

Fall Zazen
By Sangha Member Mimi Jong
October 16, 2006

Breath by breath
Floating in champagne
Sensations bubble up
Watching the lung expand and contract

Breath by breath
Following the instinct of curiosity
Meandering into the unknown
Watching the lung expand and contract

Breath by breath
Not knowing where the exploration will lead to
Letting go of destinations
Watching the lung expand and contract

Breath by breath
Fear sneaks in from behind with a special lullaby
Sleep descends with thick clouds
No longer watching the lung expand and contract

Breath by breath
Getting caught and getting un-caught
Watching sceneries passing by
Watching the lung expand and contract

Breath by breath
At peace with nothingness
Staying awake
The lung expands and contracts

Breath by breath
Embracing all
Stillness is
The lung expanding and contracting

UNTIL NEXT TIME:

Please check out the latest edition of Prairie Wind Online, the quarterly newsletter offered by Abbot Rev. Nonin Chowaney.
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