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.
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.
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!
Sangha Mentors Program; Ongoing
New Year's Eve Zen Ceremony; Tuesday, December 31st, 2024 NOTE! This will be held at our Mountain and Waters Temple--2509 Cedarwood Dr!
January Construction Work Party; Saturday, January 18th, 2025; 9 am-4 pm
2025 Zen Precepts Studies; 8 monthly sessions on Zoom on Monday, Feburary 3rd.
Living as Vow; Retreat for Women and Femme Practitioners; Saturday, February 15th, 2025
February Contruction Work Party, Saturday, February 22, 2025
Samish Island Sesshin--2025 Our annual week long summer sesshin is now online with registration for members opening January 15th! June 13th - 21st.
Additional 2025 events will be added to the website soon.
Registration opens for Red Cedar sangha members January 15th; opens to all other interested sitters February 1st. Find details about the event.
Note that we did need to increase prices from last year due to increases in fees from Camp Samish. Happily they are still one of the most affordable venues in our area.
As the new year dawns I'm thinking, as I often do at points of turning, about the challenging and wonderful practice of "holding opposites." This is a deep practice that Zen's teachings of the non-dual and emptiness point to.
"Holding opposites" is feeling more deeply how things aren't this way or that way. They are actually both (and in some ways, neither as the very categories of our thinking have some real limitations to them).
Feeling into the co-arising of opposites can really help us make space in our heart-mind. Help us release from fear, and release from certainty.
In that space there is just so much more room. Room to breathe, room to be, room for curiosity, room for patience, room for wondering if we really do know what this-or-that is happening. Space to remember the impermanence and unknowable nature of the future.
To me the feeling of the practice of holding opposites has much in common with Suzuki Roshi's beginner's mind.
At the personal level: I am who I am and so often new year's resolutions come to nothing! And yet I'm also ever changing and full of potential. So why not set intentions and underline the choices I want to make in the new year? Even as I know I won't "succeed" in all of them? At that's okay.
At the societal level: I am quite uncomfortable about the incoming administration and the underlying forces that seem to have brought this about.
And I also have a lot of faith in people. That the vast majority of us on this crowded planet are kind, are generous, are ready to lend a hand.
That there will be problems, there will be suffering for sure. And there will also be much joy and progress (even if it doesn't make the headlines). And that our fellow citizens are beings just like me who want to be happy and don't want to suffer - that it will work out.
So...Happy New Year - which also means sad new year, wonderful new year, horrible new year!
I'm looking forward to joining you in simply doing my best in showing up in this life, trying to help, and seeing everyone, as best I can, as Buddha. And in remembering that every new day is a gift.
Below find a poem that speaks to me about all of this.
All best to you and yours - I hope to see you soon in practice,
Nomon Tim
William Stafford - The Way It Is
There's a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change. But it doesn't change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can't get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time's unfolding.
You don't ever let go of the thread.
Dear sangha and friends,
The zendo will be closed on Thursday, December 26th.
We will meet again on Thursday, January 2nd.
We wish everyone a joyous and restful season as we approach the solstice. May these dark evenings hold you. May the returning light bring you hope as we continue to love in the midst of great suffering. May suffering open for us the real path.
Red Cedar Zen Community
Well! Things are happening at Sansui-ji temple! Construction Update--New footings have been poured; new stem walls are in place and walls are coming soon!
We had a bit of a scare after discovering that we were sitting on top the remnants of a coal mine--actually on top of a distribution site, as it turns out. The contractor dug down to pour the foundation for our extended zendo and instead of finding soil, found tons of coal! It turns out that that whole part of the city is located on top of this extensive coal mine. We knew that was deep underground, but not that on our site it's also right at the surface.
The black stuff is all coal!
After careful investigation by many experts, including our builder, our architect, and, our structural engineer, it has been determined that this is not an overly concerning thing, given that the current building has been in this spot for 40 years, and there has been virtually no settling; it has been very stable.
Therefore, we are going to make just a minor adjustment to our plan by digging deeper and increasing the size of the footers for extra stability. A relatively minor adjustment. Whew!
Footing for the extension of the dokusan room - all poured and solid.
We have also received sangha feedback about our interior flooring options. Thank you to everyone who responded. The responses overwhelmingly favored Option A (Bamboo flooring in Zendo and slate tile in entry and other main areas) with 77.8% of response in this category. We also had 22.2% of responders choosing option C (Douglas Fir in Zendo...) and no responders choosing option B. (Please let us know if you'd like for us to forward the survey results including comments.)
These responses weighed heavily in the decision making of the building committee. Also, part of the final decision was needed due to logistical considerations.
So!--We are going with:
1) Bamboo flooring in the Zendo
2) Slate tile in entry ways - the "front stage"
3) Cork in Cloud Hall as it's flexible and warmer on the feet. (Marmoleum was not chosen in part due to it being a fire hazard, and in part, some unevenness in areas where we needed more flexibility than sheet material could handle).
4) For the bathrooms, kitchen, and back hallway, we will use a complimentary tile to give the sense of transition into different areas.
Again, thank you for your responses!
Getting to know this year's jukai participants
Jukai (literally "to receive precepts") is a ceremony we offer at Red Cedar Zen as the final event in our annual study group.
Students who have received permission from one of our teachers make a commitment to living by the ethical guidelines of Zen and to enter more deeply into the practice.
It's a process that's not required or essential for a fulfilling practice of Zen, but to those for whom it's the right step it can be a deeply meaningful process.
To learn more check out next year's study group: 2025 Zen Precepts Studies - True Freedom Through Ethical Conduct!
This year, at the conclusion of our Fall Sesshin at Samish Island on November 10th, 2024, 6 sangha members received Jukai, taking the Bodhisattva Precepts. They each sewed their own rakusu garments and received a new name as well as the documents showing our ancestral lineage.
This is always an emotional, heartfelt ceremony and this year's was no exception.
Below are participant responses to the question:
"How has this journey of studying the Precepts, sewing a Rakusu, and taking Jukai informed your life?"
“Practicing with the sewing, study and ceremony of the RCZC Jukai tradition over the past several months was both a deeply personal and a public affirmation of my commitment to this path. Effort, intentionality and the experience of helping hands as we moved together through this process has been nourishing and inspiring. Deep bows of gratitude to teachers and mentors for never-failing support.”
Catherine Jones; new dharma name: Tetsuren Gyokusan Iron Lotus, Jade Mountain
"My dharma journey with the precepts began many years (eons?) ago. I was introduced to the Bhagavad Gita, meditation and yoga practice in New York, 1971. Later in the San Francisco Bay Area, I began years of exploring the various Buddhist traditions. At long last, I was finally led home to the Red Cedar Zen Community and my teacher Kanho Chris Burkhart in Bellingham, WA. Studying the bodhisattva precepts with my teacher and precept cohorts, sewing my rakusu, taking vows with the rituals and ceremony of Soto Zen have been a life changing experience for me. I am honored with the sangha's support, love and compassion. I vow to firmly follow the compassionate path.
With love, gratitude and deep bows,
Pamelia"
New dharma name: Hoin Wado Dharma Seal, Harmonious Path
"I am finding that my practice has widened and deepened during precepts study; I noticed it especially during the chanting of the precepts at the jukai ceremony. I felt a deep sense of connection to the world and a gentle accountability for myself--it's time to grow up and start taking your life seriously, Kata! The rakusu is a reminder that we are all always navigating what it means to be in right relationship with each other and with ourselves, and that practice is not something we can do alone."
Katarina Gombocz; new dharma name: Sokuzō Kakuzan Present-Moment Treasury, Crane Mountain
"This was my third round of focused precepts study. I can see the ways I've grown and the places where I'm still working (always!). Sewing was much more enjoyable than I expected. It helped to have a teacher and cohort. I learned a lot about my mind.
When I first walked into the zendo (Red Cedar on N. Forest), even though the place was totally foreign, I felt a deep sense of home. I felt this way again during the jukai ceremony. Joy, relief, and wonder. Safety and belonging. Yes!
During this unstable time, I'm so grateful to have these ethical guidelines and to take refuge in Buddha, dharma, and sangha. May our practice be of benefit to all beings."
Carolyn McCarthy; name dharma name: Shokon Shinmon Bright Spirit, Deep Listening
"I asked to receive precepts as a deepening commitment to align my life more closely with the Mind of the Buddha. The precepts represent to me a path that I find and lose and find and lose again many times a day! The experience of studying with a cohort was enriching, supportive, and also warmed my relationships with my teacher and peers. I am so grateful for the generosity of so many on this journey!"
Mary Dubrow; new dharma name: Daijin Kanki Great Compassion, Complete Spirit
"I was deeply humbled and struck by the meaning of all that I had done. From two wonderful Precepts classes, sewing my Rakusu, working on incorporating the precepts into my daily life, practicing, sitting before my family, my teacher, and my Red Cedar family. Tears were flowing! I appreciate the wonderful changes this brings to my life every day. With bows."
Chris Blake; new dharma name: Shoko Myoho True Renewal, Luminous Release
Big smiles as teachers and jukai recipients share in the joy of practice.
Please see list below for ongoing and upcoming Red Cedar events.
Upcoming Events Note: Our offerings are a bit lighter than usual as we work to remodel our building at 2509 Cedarwood in Bellingham into Sansui-ji Mountains and Waters Temple, expected to open in the middle of 2025.
Note that our annual 8-week Practice Period will be in the Fall in 2025: from September 24 - November 23.
Red Cedar Zen Community is a 501(c) non-profit organization.
