COVID Update: In-person Teisho Will Proceed on Sunday, August 15
We are pleased and relieved that so far all COVID-19 tests for people potentially exposed during the workshop last weekend have come back negative. We are going to go ahead with Sensei’s teisho in the Arnold Park zendo tomorrow. A reminder: We now require that masks be worn full-time while in the buildings, including when you’re on your mat doing zazen or listening to teisho.
Sanctioning Ceremony: Same Day, New Time, New Venue
Assuming no more surprises, the sanctioning ceremony for Sensei John Pulleyn will take place next Saturday, August 21, at Chapin Mill, where there’s more room and ventilation. The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. It’s relatively short, and light refreshments will follow.
Zoom Sittings During the Two-Week Break
We have volunteers willing to host all the regular Zoom sittings during the Center’s two-week summer break, which begins Wednesday, August 25. All sittings are one hour long with a half-way bell. Morning sittings start at 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and evening sittings begin at 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Helping Our Dharma Brothers and Sisters
During the first week of this month, the Van Hanh Meditation Center (Chùa Van Hanh Temple), located at 158 Genesee Street here in Rochester, was burglarized, vandalized, and desecrated. This Buddhist temple serves as a sanctuary for many in the local Vietnamese and other Southeast Asian communities. It is also a location for visiting monks from all over the world. The Rochester Police Department has no suspects in custody, and there is no ongoing investigation.
Many holy objects and statues were destroyed, and the living area, structure, storage buildings, and grounds were left in shambles. There is a community clean-up scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday, August 15, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. You may sign up for a time slot, at this link. (Please honor COVID-19 protocols and wear a mask indoors if you attend.)
Financial donations are needed as well to help upgrade the fencing, gates, doors, and security system, as well as for general restoration and repair of the building. These donation methods are available:
Cash App: $pearlresourcesinc
By Check: Make check out to “PEARL Resources, Inc.” and send to:
PEARL Resources, Inc.
215 Tremont Street, Door No. 2
Rochester, NY, 14608