Cleaning of the Temple at Arnold Park: Wednesday, January 15

Upholding a Japanese Zen tradition we adopted decades ago, we’ll take aim tomorrow at the corners and crevices of the Arnold Park buildings that don’t reach our to-do lists over the rest of the year. Our annual “Cleaning of the Temple” begins with a brief chanting service at 9:45, and wraps up at 12:30 with a pizza lunch (alternatives available).

Please help spruce up your temple if you can, even for part of the schedule.

Winter Term Intensive, January 16 – February 20

This winter’s Term Intensive will kick off on Thursday and run for five weeks, ending on February 20, just before our four-day sesshin. If you’d like to use this still-and-quiet time of the year to increase your zazen and work on changing whatever habit patterns call out for your attention, you can check out the description on the website here and sign up.

We meet in the Center library on Thursday evenings after an hour or so of sitting to share with each other how it’s going. Whether you’ve been practicing for years or are just beginning, there’s a lot you can get out this group effort and a lot you can contribute.

If you’re not able to make it to the meetings, you can still join in and report by email. We’ve had a lot of enthusiastic feedback from out-of-town members who do just that.

All-Day Sitting: January 19

Here’s the schedule for Sunday’s all-day sitting. You’re welcome to come for any block(s) of sitting, including our regular 8:30 to 10:30 slot, which will include teisho.

6:15 am Zazen
7:30 Breakfast (Center will provide)
8:30     Zazen & Teisho
~10:30 Brunch
11:00 Zazen
12:50 Lunch break (bring your own)
1:30-3:00 Zazen, ending with the Four Vows

 

Community Solar and Composting: Also January 19

On Sunday after teisho, representatives from Rochester-Area Interfaith Climate Action (RAICA) will present an opportunity for Sangha members to reduce their electricity bill and their carbon footprint by joining a community solar program. A preview of their presentation is here.

A way to reduce food waste by off-site composting will also be discussed.