A note from our Board of Directors and our Practice Leaders.

Dear Sangha,

We are happy to share some joyful news with the Red Cedar Zen Community.

Our founding teacher, Norman Fischer, has recommended that our guiding teacher, Nomon Tim Burnett, be installed as the abbot of Red Cedar Zen Community through a formal mountain seat ceremony. Not every Zen community has an abbot. Traditionally, a sangha takes this step when it has become a stable practice home and wishes to express its confidence in the continuity of its practice and its commitment to the Dharma for future generations.

The Board and practice leaders received Norman's recommendation with deep appreciation. After many conversations together, we found ourselves in wholehearted agreement. With Nomon's acceptance, we are delighted to announce that Norman will officiate Nomon's mountain seat ceremony in 2027.

Over the coming months, we will begin preparing for this important event. Together we will sew a new okesa for Nomon and build the traditional mountain seat used in the ceremony. Everyone in the sangha is warmly invited to take part in these preparations.

This ceremony recognizes Nomon's many years of practice, teaching, and service. It is also a celebration of our sangha and the life we have built together. We look forward to sharing this milestone with all of you.

-- Kanho Chris Burkhart, Seishin John Wiley, Seiu Hannah Sullivan, and Myoshin Mari Ritalahti for the Board and Practice Leaders.