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  • Thursday, January 30, 2025 5:57 PM | Program Administrator (Administrator)

    The Board has lately been engaged in taking a fresh look at our governance and committee structures. A 4 hour facilitated creative meeting is planned in Feburary. This is an important part of preparing for our return to a home of our own especially given the "up the ante" exciting reality of owning our own home. There will be much to do to keep Sansui-ji humming. The Board's piece is the financial and organizational structures that will allow this to all move smoothly.

    Curious about the Board's work?

    You can read last month's Board of Directors Meeting Minutes here. Members of Red Cedar can request access to Ananda, our online file sharing system, if you're interested in additional notes of the Board's doings.

  • Thursday, January 30, 2025 5:54 PM | Program Administrator (Administrator)


    A new feature for our newsletter: have news you'd like to share with the broader sangha in the newsletter? Just send your submission to newsletter@redcedarzen.org

    Red Cedar Social Media by Seishin Mitsuzan

    Follow the Sangha on Instagram and FaceBook @redcedarzencommunity for short dharma videos and community updates. There will be a variety of video offerings that will include brief introductions to different aspects of practice, concise mini Dharma Talks, and an open invitation to the community to participate in filming reels. This could look like introduction clips where you can talk about yourself and your practice; or a short talk about your current practice or studies. If you would like to be involved in this please reach out to Seishin at queerbuddhistnurse@gmail.com

    Join the Whatsapp Group through this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/B9ahc0oevBnLX6vWv086Nf

    WhatsApp will not replace the email list. Instead it is a more horizontal communication platform where anyone can post and start discussion. This is intended to promote connection and foster community, as well as to enable informal Sangha gatherings. If you would like to invite people to an informal meditation in your living room, set up a time to get together with peers at a cafe, or ask for support like a carpool to Temple, feel free to connect on WhatsApp.

    Supporting an Immigrant Family by Ken & Julie Oates

    Julie has been supporting an Afghan family, the Momands. The Momands are a family of six: a mother, three sons and two daughters.  The eldest son, Aziz, worked for the US forces as an interpreter until their withdrawal. Because of Taliban reprisals, they can no longer live in Afghanistan, and Julie has been financing their life as undocumented immigrants in Pakistan, which has been deporting all Afghans back to Afghanistan.  She has also been coordinating getting US visas for them, which has involved enlisting the help of Senator Cantwell to push through red tape.  Yesterday (the day the new administration stopped all refugee arrivals in the US) Julie and Ken picked up five of the six family members at SeaTac after Julie managed to get visas for 5 of the 6 and arrange flights in the nick of time. Unfortunately, due to a mix up about her date of birth, the younger daughter was forced to stay behind.  The family had to make the decision of staying together and all of them being forced back to Afghanistan to watch the oldest brother go to prison and perhaps face execution or to split up and save five of the six.  

    This photo shows the sons, LaZada, Aziz and Wahid. Their mother Malalai and sister Shakela asked not to be in a shared photograph according to their Muslim beliefs.

    Ken is asking the sangha to consider donating to Julie’s efforts.  She has spent more than $40,000 of her own money on this project. Attached is a link to a crowd fund Julie has set up.

  • Thursday, January 30, 2025 5:50 PM | Program Administrator (Administrator)

    Great Vow Monastery is a residential community of lay and ordained people engaged in around-the-clock Zen Buddhist practice. The practice heritage of Great Vow is the White Plum Soto/Rinzai lineage of Taizan Maezumi Roshi, and the guiding teachers there are Jan Chozen Bays and Hogen Bays Roshi, co-abbots. 

    Desiree interviewed Seishin Mitsuzan and Aidan Fay for this story, both of whom have immersed themselves in the monastic training at Great Vow.

    Desiree: To begin our interview, please give me a time frame for when you were each at Great Vow--Seishin?  Aidan?

    Seishin: My first time at Great Vow was way back in 2017--and I was just entering a practice of Zen at that time.  I initially did 3 weeks at Great Vow, then 3 weeks at Tahoma One Drop Monastery on Whidbey Island, then went back to Great Vow another 2 months! I returned for another 2-month period in 2019; returning after for some 2 weeks to a month.  I'll be back there for 2 weeks in March also.

    Aidan: I was recently there from November 5th-December 15th--the second half of Ango (intense period of monastic training). I want to return for a long weekend soon...what I noticed right away as I merged this monastic practice is that I couldn't decide if it was "easy?" or "hard?!"...Usually I can discriminate easily; for instant at a 9-5 job, "oh, this is easy or oh, this is hard..." But! At Great Vow, I was working really hard and for long hours, and realistically I was really doing hard training, but it didn't seem like that--it just seemed very natural and spontaneous... 

    Seishin: Those earlier times were very chaotic times in my life and one thing I've noticed is--especially for young people, it is a great container to get started--more consistency in practice--great to really buckle down and do a lot of practice in a short amount of time...(harder to do in lay life...)

    Aidan: I wouldn't ever say that people need to practice with people their own age, but there is, in a young person, a certain neurotic energy that is interesting to experience...When you're practicing with a lot of elders/ experienced practitioners, it's different. I think there is this "neurotic drive" that is based on suffering, as a young person, the searching of a young person which is good to see reflected.

    Seishin: There's also a cultural difference in generations--and sometimes more difficult as a newer person to the sangha to feel that connection grounding in practice with very different ages, culturally...

    Desiree: I know you were relating to me some offerings there that you really enjoyed--one was informal talks coming from everyone--

    Aidan: They did this thing called Zen X where they had people give these 15 minute talks--not on Dharma--but just on any topic--it was so cool because everyone was working on their attention and awareness, there was such an engagement--one priest talked about their trip to Greece--with a slideshow...normally, that could have been so boring!-- but, with the heightened attention to detail and willingness to listen--it was totally amazing!

    Seishin: Just an aside, but I'm thinking it would be great for Red Cedar to do something like this--sometimes, instead of a Dharma talk, we could do like, 3 mini-talks from different people and give more of a chance for getting-to-know each other more intimately...

    Aidan: One thing that was very impactful, was that Chozan Roshi did a circle dance with everyone--kind of an "old time hippy dance feel" and even one with feathers--but it didn't feel "hippy"--very sincere and authentic...priceless experience of bonding--

    Desiree: [remembered doing The Elm Dance that Joanna Macy brought back--beautiful and emotional--]

    Desiree: Thinking about questions now around letting go of ego--anything that stands out?

    Seishin: I remember going from "normal" life, to giving up so many of these "normal things"--like talking, touching, and remembering struggling with giving up these--thinking about how we are compelled to conform there and having to give up the doing things "our way."

    Aidan: A big thing that really affected me was that we started doing   "gratitude journals" and it was during the time of the election results coming in as Trump was re-elected.  I remember feeling very anxious about it all morning, same anxiety from 4 years before, that, at that time, was prolonged.  But I did the gratitude journal at lunchtime--and the feeling disappeared--forever--it never returned for the entire time I was there.  It was a very powerful experience because it showed me very clearly how important that practice of gratitude is. Also, at breakfast one morning, they talked about how Maezumi Roshi said that incense is an offering for the ancestors--food for the ancestors--since they no longer can eat physical food.  Having this thought attached to lighting incense gives it a sense of purpose--that isn't just about us--same with the Oriyoki meals--really started hitting me more--showing appreciation and gratitude.

    Question from Seishin: [for Aidan] How was sleep deprivation for you?

    Aidan: I had so much energy actually--Hogan Roshi reminded us not to have preconceived notions--don't think "oh I'm going to be sooo tired..." Although I was so tired on the last day!

    Seishin: How was the body thing?

    Aidan: Oh! Man!--terrible! I was obsessively stretching and I think it was telling my mind that I was in more pain than I really was!

    Seishin: Take away for me: there is no escape from the body pain at longer retreats--no matter what you do--but when sesshin ends--it just instantly goes away...?? Huh?--where did it go?! In terms of sleep deprivation I think it was a struggle early on--I would especially get sleepy in the morning, but I've learned that despite that, I'm not really tired...I can tap into that energy and the more I do, the more it serves me in life in general. I did some all-night stints just to really sleep deprive myself and experiment with this, not really sure why I did it now--not sure if it was really healthy to do...

    Seishin: I will be going to Tassajara for practice period in October, and back to Great Vow and more retreats in the future.  Part of why I chose to become a nurse, is that it is SO flexible--I can do these 3 month stints either by quitting a job (easy to find another) or by taking a leave of absence...People think sometimes there is a way to "ease into these retreats" (which by the way are really essential to practice) but I think it's best to just dive in.  There is a habit of thinking, "oh, I want to sit more, oh, I want to go on longer retreats, etc." but when we really just do it, we're forced to figure out how to move through all of it...

    Desiree: Anything else?

    Seishin: I think it is so helpful for everyone to experience studying under different teachers and experience different forms, different lineages...

    Aidan: It is so cool to be part of different ways of doing things--like shouting at gut level, the ShoSaiMyo KiChiJo Dharani!!

    Seishin: Would be so interesting to invite some of these different lineages to lead short retreats at Sansui-ji.

    Aidan: Also, great to have so many opportunities online!

    Desiree: Well! Thank you both for offering these great observations about your experiences and your practice!!  Deep bows!

    Seishin Mitsuzan is on the path of priesthood and will be entering Tassajara Monastery's fall practice period for 3 months, in October of this year

    Aidan Fay will be attending our annual Precepts Study class, sewing a Rakusu and taking Jukai (Bodhisattva vows) this year.

    Seishin Mitsuzan

     

    Aiden Fay

  • Thursday, January 30, 2025 5:49 PM | Program Administrator (Administrator)

    2025 Zen Precepts Studies Monthly through August starting this Monday, Feburary 3rd. Nomon Tim and Raizelah are using a new book on the precepts, Opening to Oneness. If you've thought of deepening or renewing your precepts studies this might be an interesting year to join.

    Living as Vow: Retreat for Women and Femme Practioners, Saturday, February 15th, 2025. A new offering! Based on the long-time retreats at Everyday Zen in California for women.

    February Construction Work Party, Saturday, February 22nd, 2025.  Have you seen Nomon Tim's latest video of our progress? These work parties are a big help to the building process and we're increasingly having a variety of physical tasks.

    Sewing WeekendMarch 8-9 with Kanho Chris and Myoshin Mari. Have a rakusu to sew for jukai? Interested in learning about Zen sewing? Want to learn the hand stiching we use so you can support the sewing of sangha friends? Join us!

    Exploring the Lankavatara Sutra, 6 classes, Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 pm. Dip into this deep and dense early Zen text with Kanho Chris.

    Samish Island Sesshin 2025, Friday, June 13th-Saturday, June 21.
    Our annual weeklong retreat with Norman Fischer, Nomon Tim, and Kanho Chris. Registration opens up to the wider practice community on Saturday, February 1st. 

  • Thursday, January 30, 2025 5:46 PM | Program Administrator (Administrator)


    From Nomon Tim

    Wow, what troubling and turbulent times we're living in. Probably people have said this periodically (or constantly?) since human society began, but it does feel very true now.

    How are you doing? Are you choosing to read the news or not? What are you feeling? Are there ways of responding that feel positive at all? Or is it all just overwhelming (fair enough, if so).

    Perhaps the stress of it all in the background is affecting your attitudes or behavior in unexpected ways - finding yourself more impatient or grumpier than usual? 

    I was choosing to avoid the news until the news came to me directly from my family.

    Many of you know about my Kenyan daughter, Mercy Ukumu. She was here visiting last May with her new baby who just turned 1! She was able to come to Raizelah and my wedding too which was so wonderful.

    I've been connected to Mercy since she was 13 years old when my first wife and I had the opportunity to sponsor her to go a residential boarding school to help her as an orphaned girl to get out of the village and get a good education.

    Now Mercy's a grown woman working in service of her communities in Kenya. She works for the international NGO Save the Children. She helps to coordinate aid projects in rural Kenya with the mission of making sure local people are directly involved in working on and implementing the building of  schools, opening the clinics, and drilling the wells. When locals are more fully included everything works out better for many reasons.

    My grandson Berwin on his 1st birthday.

    And then a few days ago Mercy was sending me photos from her son's first birthday on WhatsApp (so cute!) and then shared that her agency had been shut down by the Trump Administration's sudden executive order to freeze all federal funding. Save the Children is largely funded by USAID.

    To her credit she wrote that she's not so worried about her job (which is amazing as even with a professional salary, she can just barely make ends meet), but about the well-being of the communities, and especially the children, they serve.

    The news of this crazy world came to me whether I wanted to face it or not.

    Since then I've been again watching what's happening in Washington D.C., but with a deeper appreciation for how what happens there affects the whole world and can affect us right here in Bellingham. Even Meals on Wheels was threatened by the funding freeze!

    While I haven't forgotten that serious political work also needs to be part of my response somehow - I just don't know how yet, I've also been recommitting myself personally to compassion and kindness. That idea that true peace starts at home is also true.

    When I'm reactive or judgmental of others, I've seen again and again, I end up being unhelpful, and even harmful, in how I respond when I'm under the sway of negativity. I don't think so at the time, of course. I think I'm right and they're wrong and I'm showing them the error of their ways.

    It takes me a while each time to wake up to this, but I'm practicing with it. Practicing turning these situations over in my mind, feeling into my heart, and trying to wonder what's really happening. Where's the energy of reactivity coming from? Are there parts of the situation that are actually mine?

    Eventually it shifts, my heart opens and some degree of wisdom emerges. I move from proving my point to "how can I help?" Can I can help in a way that honors and supports all involved? Can I bring some understanding to bear? Even when people behave poorly it made sense to them at the time. Can I move past condemnation to cooperation? 

    The wonderful thing is how Buddha Nature seems to work. When compassion and wisdom emerge it's not a chore to show up in this way. It can be delicate and can be tricky, but it's joyful. It feels so much better when we release from that dark internal aggression about how whatever so-and-so is doing into the light of kindness.

    This takes a while! I have to go through lots of thought loops, judgements and a bit complaining before I get there it seems. And unfortunately a grumpy email often slips out. (And no, I'm not going to share my journal with you!)

    There are so many ways we help this world. And let's not neglect care in how we take care of ourselves and each other. That's crucial activism too.

    I know many are actively taking a fresh look at volunteering in the community - great idea!

    I do think the energy we put into caring for our sangha - our practice community - is a rich and important response to the suffering in the world too.

    And our American dollars do still go far in the developing world - check out one opportunity (of so many) to donate to help others in the Sangha to Sangha section below.

    How is for you? I'd love to hear how you're doing. What are your ideas for making a positive difference?

    With love and a deep bow,
    Nomon Tim

    p.s. I was grateful that federal funding freeze was reversed by a judge the next day. Mercy's service work will continue...for now at least.


  • Saturday, January 25, 2025 5:21 PM | Nomon Tim Burnett (Administrator)

    More great progress at our new temple. Check out the latest guided tour with Nomon Tim!

    Sansui-ji Temple Construction Tour #3 - January 25, 2025

  • Saturday, January 25, 2025 5:16 PM | Program Administrator (Administrator)

    Volunteer Needs at Red Cedar - last updated 1/13/25

    Physical work at Sansui-ji - please see the schedule of Work Parties and sign yourself up, if none of these dates work contact Talus Latona to offer your help.

    Temple Library - one-time help needed organizing and merging our books with BIMS’ library after Sansui-ji opens; also ongoing need for volunteers to help monitor check outs, file returns, and keep the library in good order. Contact Mary Dubrow.

    Help with bells and chanting - please request training from the Ino and see also the Doanryo Help Sign Up sheet on the website (under Practice)

    Anys questions? Willing to offer your help in an ongoing way? Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteering@redcedarzen.org

  • Wednesday, January 08, 2025 4:03 PM | Nomon Tim Burnett (Administrator)

    Our contractor is now in full gear! Check out the amazing progress.

    Video tour with Nomon Tim on our YouTube Channel!

    And a few snapshots of the final building shape taking form.


  • Tuesday, December 31, 2024 2:33 PM | Program Administrator (Administrator)

    Our coal mine disaster, reported on last month, didn't have a huge impact in the greater scheme of things (but it did cost us a couple of extra thousands for engineering consultations, extra excavation, and disposing of the stuff - could have been much, much worse!) and we now have concrete footings poured and ready to receive the expanded sections of our building.

    To review: these expansions allow for (1) a full sized zendo able to seat up to 40, and (2) a single unified entry area and two dokusan rooms. We were very grateful when the last pieces of the building design came into view. (Explore the full design here).

    After that our contractor, Branden McCoy, and his crew had to finish other projects and we slowed down a bit at Cedarwood. We expect to back to full steam in the next weeks.

    The Design and Build Committee (Bob Rose, Nomon Tim, and Talus) took advantage of the lull in the action to work on plans for flooring, the kitchen, and additional storage cabinetry in Cloud Hall and the bathrooms. 

    We have some great news in these areas.

    Flooring - the input we received was strongly in support of bamboo flooring in the Zendo. We'd paired that option with cork flooring in Cloud Hall when seeking input. Our sourcing research soon found an outstanding deal on bamboo which can save us back a few of those thousands sunk into our little coal mine, so we are now leaning towards bamboo in both Zendo and Cloud Hall. There are some unknowns still about the unevenness of the existing concrete slab in Cloud Hall, so that decision isn’t quite settled. The entry areas will be a blue-gray slate and the back hallway, kitchen, and bathrooms a warm tan ceramic tile. 

    Kitchen - here we want to share a round of applause for Bob Penny who snapped into action as our consulting contractor. Bob came up with a beautiful kitchen design that makes great use of the small space available and dances skillfully with some regulatory requirements we have since we aren't applying to have a permitted commercial kitchen. This plan was looking a bit over budget but then the heavens smiled on us in the form of a 30% discount on the full set of cabinetry from Lowe's and we were able to move forward. Cabinets for kitchen, kitchen extension through a passthrough into Cloud Hall, a separate run of Cloud Hall storage cabinets and cabinets for cleaning supplies in the bathrooms have now been ordered. 

    Countertops - another round of applause, please, for Ken Oates and his wife Julie Foort. Julie is a tile setter who will be laying some of our floor for us. Ken and Julie found a fantastic deal on remnant stone countertop material that will allow us to have stone counters in our kitchen instead of laminate or other lower cost options we were starting with to stay within budget. We're really happy about this development too - the material is natural, very durable, and just lovely.

    Next work party - just a heads up if you've been intimidated by all of the talk of jack hammered and sheet rock disposal that there will also be a mailing / enevelope stuffing job at the January 18th Work Party at Sansui-ji. Come join those with the strong backs to be in community together working if you can. 

  • Tuesday, December 31, 2024 2:30 PM | Program Administrator (Administrator)

    This is just a sneak peek at the possibility of learning more about the deep and wonderful Avatamsaka Sutra in the coming months...although this sutra is immense and wordy, it is also quite beautiful and aspirational as we travel through the vast lands of the cosmos, receiving instruction from numerous buddhas and other beings as we flower into Bodhisattvas--great enlightening beings.  

    Although it is vast, we can benefit from even small sections of it and I have in mind short offerings with art play each session (no artistic talent needed!)  The beauty and depth of this sutra penetrate our beings--using the words but deeper than words.

    Here is a link to a wonderful article about the sutra from Taigen Dan Leighton, in the Lion's Roar, several years ago--if you're interested to learn more.

    Lion's Roar [article]

    Keep an eye out for more to come on the Avatamsaka Sutra!

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