Annual Meeting, Saturday, May 18, 9:30 am

Join us for the Annual Meeting of Members on May 18 at 9:30 am. You’re invited to attend in-person in the Buddha Hall or on Zoom in the online zendo:.

Minutes for previous Annual Meetings and Trustee Meetings as well as Annual Financial Reports are available at https://www.rzc.org/about/governance/meeting-minutes/.

Sangha Workday at Arnold Park, Saturday, May 18, 11 am

Following the Annual Meeting, you’re invited to join Center trainees and staff in sprucing up the gardens at Arnold Park – and stay for lunch! The primary tasks will be weeding, mulching, pruning, and edging in the front and back gardens. Lunch will be served at 1:00 pm and include both vegetarian and vegan options.

If you can’t make it by 11:00, or stay until lunch, you’re still welcome to join us for as long as you’re able.

Please RSVP to Lila and mention any gardening skills (and physical limitations) you may have. Even if you can’t commit yet or don’t sign up in advance, you’re welcome to drop in for all or part of the day. And don’t forget to let us know about any dietary restrictions you may have.

Extended Sitting, Sunday, May 19

Besides the usual Sunday morning sitting that will run from 8:30 to around 10:30 am, there will be three other blocks of formal sitting scheduled. Private Instruction will be offered during block 3. Here is more information and a full schedule. Join us in-person at Arnold Park or on Zoom.

Coming-to-the-Path Talk: Anna Belle Leiserson, Sunday, May 19

During the 8:30 – 10:30 block of the extended sitting, Sangha member Anna Belle Leiserson will deliver a Coming-to-the-Path talk. In these talks, senior students share their journey to the Dharma and to the Rochester Zen Center.

Previous Coming-to-the-Path and other talks can be found in our Podcast and Audio Archives at https://www.rzc.org/library/archives-podcast/

Other Upcoming Activities

Sunday, May 19:

Monday, May 20:

Wednesday, May 22:

Next Up! Buddha’s Birthday Weekend, May 24-25

You’re invited to join us for our annual commemoration of the Buddha’s birthday! This is our biggest celebration of the year, and there’s something for everyone — children, adults, friendly animals, and online participants. All sentient beings are welcome!

Musicians wanted: If you play an instrument, we invite you to bring it along and meet in the Center’s library on Saturday, May 25, at 10:00 am for a music rehearsal. The talented Phil Swanson will help lead the Buddha’s Birthday parade down Arnold Park with his trombone.

Details are coming soon. Until then, here is a gallery of photos from Buddha’s Birthday Weekend 2018.

Taking the Precepts (Jukai) Ceremony, Friday, May 24

One of the mainstays of Temple Night, the first evening of Buddha’s Birthday Weekend, is Taking the Precepts (Jukai). This annual ceremony gives us the opportunity to ground our practice by pledging to do our best to live up to the basic sixteen precepts of Buddhism.

All are welcome to participate in this hybrid ceremony, whether you’re a member of the Center or not. Click here to learn more about the precepts and here to listen to talks on the precepts.