Saturday Dokusan with John-sensei, July 8, 10:00 am

Saturday-morning dokusans are occasionally offered to accommodate members who can’t attend regular sittings with dokusan during the week. To participate, take a seat on the left side of the Arnold Park zendo, near the Kannon Room, any time before 10:00 am. An announcement will be made before dokusan begins.

Other Activities Tomorrow

Coming-to-the-Path Talk by Bill Lindenfelser, Sunday, July 9

Our next Coming-to-the-Path Talk will be given by Bill Lindenfelser as part of the Sunday morning sitting that starts at 8:30 am. In Coming-to-the-Path Talks, senior students share their journey to the Dharma and to the Rochester Zen Center. You’re invited to join us onsite in the Arnold Park zendo, on Zoom, or via our audio livestream.

Sangha Meeting, Sunday, July 9

Once everyone has a chance to grab some refreshments, we’ll hold a Sangha meeting in the dining room. As usual, it’s an opportunity to learn about new initiatives and engage in discussion.

Speaking of new initiatives, we’re going to experiment with broadcasting the meeting on Zoom. Our goal is to allow online attendees not just to listen in, but to participate as well. We’re in the process of working out the kinks, so fingers crossed!

Lastly, for the benefit of those who attended the annual meeting a couple of weeks ago, as well as others who may be interested in joining the conversation, we will be scheduling another Sangha meeting this summer to discuss the Board of Trustees’ recent decision not to display the Black Lives Matter flag at Arnold Park (and not to display any flags other than traditional Dharma flags). This topic is part of a larger question about how and/or to what extent the Center should engage in social-justice issues that impact the Rochester community. Please stay tuned for details once we establish a meeting date.

Our First Workshop at Chapin Mill!

Next week, on Saturday, July 15, Donna-sensei will be conducting the first Introduction to Zen Meditation Workshop at Chapin Mill. Planning and adapting to this new venue is underway, and we’re in need of volunteers. If you haven’t volunteered at a workshop before, most volunteers arrive in the morning, have lunch with the participants, and then return home after lunch. Carpooling will be available to get to Chapin Mill and back from Arnold Park. If you can help out, please contact Trueman.

And Speaking of Volunteers …

In addition to the workshop, we are also in need of volunteers to help with housekeeping, kitchen, and other day-to-day functions at the Center. If you’d like to pitch in, contact Trueman.

Rochester Pride Parade, Saturday, July 15

If you can’t make it to volunteer at the Chapin Mill workshop, you may wish to join the Zen Center contingent at this year’s Rochester Pride Parade. The parade starts at 1:00 pm on July 15. The route begins on Park Avenue (near Arnold Park) and continues down Park Avenue before turning right on Culver Road. You can find a map of the route here.

If you’re interested in participating or have any questions, please visit the parade’s homepage, or contact Lila Redding.

Comings and Goings

Jamie El-Mallakh left staff early this week. He plans to “stay local” and has already found an apartment. Jake Langendorfer and Jack O’Shaughnessy left staff in June. Jake will be returning to Monroe Community College to continue his studies, while Jack returned to the west coast to join Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery near Redwood Valley, California. Wishing them all the best!