Finding Your Seat: A Six-Week Program for Beginners to Zazen

Are you trying to get your Zen practice going, but you’re not quite there yet? Still wondering about certain zendo protocols? Or do you have some posture questions? The first in our new series of “Finding-Your-Seat” sessions will start this Saturday, March 17, at 11:00 am in the dining room. All are welcome, especially newcomers to the practice who are trying to get some traction. Trueman Taylor and Cecily Fuhr, the leaders for this first meeting, will answer questions and offer help; the meeting will also include a short period of zazen. We’ll begin at 11:00 and finish up at noon. Hope you can make it!

St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 17

Starting at 10:00 am on Saturday, East Avenue will be closed off for Rochester’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. If you’re coming to the Center, you may have to enter Arnold Park from Park Avenue, even though it’s the “wrong way.”

Chapin Mill Sleepover for Sangha Kids!

We will be holding a sleepover for the Sangha youth at Chapin Mill this Saturday, March 17. Come in time for supper at 6 pm on Saturday, or just come Sunday, arriving by 9:40 am. Bring clothes and footwear suitable for snow and outdoor fun! On Sunday morning we will have a short Youth Program with chanting and interactive games and finish after lunch at 2:00 pm. To save on linens, bring sleeping bags for kids, and bring helmets for sledding (snow depth and slipperiness permitting). In order to plan for meals, it is helpful to know numbers (we already have 12 kids plus parents signed up!). Please email eryl@rzc.org or text her at (585)-409-6497. 

Tangen-roshi Has Died

We just received news that on March 12 Harada Tangen Roshi, of Bukkoku-ji, died after a long illness. As a young monk at Hosshin Temple, Tangen-san was of great help to Philip Kapleau as a translator, mentor, and friend during the latter’s first three years in Japan. Indeed, Kapleau-roshi has said that without his dear friend, he may well not have been able to persevere through that period of rigorous monastic training.

Over more recent decades, quite a few members of the Rochester Zen Center have visited Tangen-roshi, including Bodhin-roshi, who trained with him for several months. 

We will have a memorial service for Tangen-roshi this Sunday, March 18, after a teisho honoring him and his teaching. All are welcome. 

All-day Sitting this Sunday, March 18

For a bit more information on the website, look here.

6:15 am                 Zazen

7:30                       Breakfast (Center will provide)

8:30                       Zazen, teisho, & memorial service

~10:45                   Brunch

11:15                     Zazen

12:50                     Lunch break (bring your own)

1:30-3:00                Zazen, ending with the Four Vows

Spring Calendar Available

The Center’s spring 2018 calendar is posted on the website here. Copies are also available at the Center in the Link.