A Thanksgiving Podcast

From Roshi: Thanksgiving Advice

And here’s a link to the schedule for Thanksgiving and Jukai.

Thanksgiving Dinner at the Center Tomorrow

It’s never too late to sign up for Thanksgiving Dinner tomorrow! You can send a text to Luka Häkkilä, host extraordinaire. Also, let them know what vegetarian dish you plan to bring to share with Sangha. So far, we have an abundance of desserts coming, so err on the side of something savory (entrée or salad). It can be home-made or store-bought. Dinner begins at 4 pm in the dining room at Arnold Park, but you are welcome to come by earlier in the afternoon (say from 1:00 on) to socialize.

Temple Night – Friday, November 25

Come any time between 7:00 and 10:00 pm for free-form devotions and sitting, and find the Buddha Hall bathed in soft light and transformed into a space with several beautiful altars. If you wish to bring a photo of a deceased friend or loved one, you can place it on the memorial altar.

Taking the Precepts (Jukai) – Saturday, November 26

There will be sitting and teisho in the morning, following the usual Sunday pattern, with sitting at 8:30 am and John-sensei’s teisho on the Precepts starting around 9:30. If you can’t make it here, both zazen and teisho will be streamed on Zoom.

Jukai begins around 5:00 pm in the Buddha Hall, but you’re welcome to come early if you like and sit in the Arnold Park zendo or on zoom (we’ll begin streaming at 3:00 pm). Anything you’re able to do ahead of time to slow down a bit and clear the mind can help make Jukai more meaningful. A bit before 5:00, we’ll begin sending people out to the Buddha Hall. Once there, you’ll be directed down the center aisle to make a monetary offering (for the teacher), to do a prostration at the altar, and then to take your seat. When everyone is seated, Sensei will enter, we’ll chant the Prajña Paramita, and then Sensei will lead everyone through the Sixteen Precepts. The ceremony itself takes a little more than half an hour, and afterwards tea will be available in the Link.

Jukai Donation to Teacher

In keeping with long tradition, the Jukai ceremony includes a chance for participants to offer a personal monetary donation to John-sensei as the officiant (not to the Zen Center). Even a token amount is fine. Cash is preferred in order to maintain anonymity. This helps ensure that no one will feel any pressure to give more than he or she is comfortable with. (If you do write a check, please make it payable to John Pulleyn, rather than to the Center.)

Other Happenings

DepreshZen, Saturday, November 26, at 3:00 pm
Parent Practice Group, Monday, November 28, at 8:15 pm