Author: Clay Crowell

On November 2nd 2024, All Beings Zen Sangha had its annual Sejiki Ceremony, in which we recited names of people, animals, etc. that have passed away within the past year, while having a chance to share how they have impacted our own lives or the ones around us. We honored and gave nourishment to them as well as all beings seen and unseen, here and gone, far and near, so that they may be satisfied and have all the conditions to thrive in this life and the next. Very grateful to our Sangha members who once again hosted this event at their beautiful residence, where we all shared heart-felt company and yummy sweets-n-treats afterward.

On November 1st, All Beings Zen Sangha welcomed the new month with a fun movie night, gathering to watch Suzuki Roshi’s talks on the Sandokai (Harmony of Difference and Equality). This event beautifully aligned with our practice period theme focused on the Sandokai, in which many of us our reading his talks given on this text in his book ‘Branching Streams Flow in the Darkness’. Now getting to also *watch* the talks given, allowed us not only to hear the words directly from the text, but also to glimpse the environment in which Suzuki Roshi originally delivered these teachings. After the film, we shared discussion reflecting on the aspects that resonated with each of us —Suzuki Roshi’s unique character, the elements of monastic practice, and the stunning natural scenery surrounding the freshly-built Tassajara Monastery.

This past Sunday, our Sangha gathered for our first full-day Zazenkai of this Fall Practice Period. Beginning at 9:00am, we began with an introduction from our guiding teacher on the day’s schedule, moving into morning service which included chanting our Ango study text, the Sandokai. As the thirteen attendees relaxed into their seat, the ring of the bell invited our heart-mind’s to sink into zazen for 30 minutes at a time, followed by 10 minute segments of kinhin (walking meditation).

Throughout the day, we enjoyed two formal oryoki meals prepared by our two tenzo’s (head cook). Prior to our lunch period, we began with an engaged, step-by-step process of this ‘just-enough’ style of eating that is formally practiced in our Soto Zen lineage, which was led by one of our Senior-Sangha members. Afterwards, we had a period of time for exercising our bodies, in which many of us went for a led walk around the neighboring area, while others stayed inside for stretching and Dharma study. Whether being outside or remaining in with the windows open, it felt like the rustling leaves and Autumn winds were practicing along with us.

By evening time, inside the zendo had a pleasant harmony cultivated from practicing together all day. Outside the zendo in our Nations Capital, we started to hear the October happenings: halloween music, kids giggling as they explored the neighborhood, and the many creatures in all of their late night activity. It was a marvelous environment to sit zazen together in.

In our last evening service, we incorporated a dedication of merit inspired by and borrowed from Shodo Spring Roshi from Mountains and Waters Alliance, which extended our day’s Bodhisattva activities at All Beings Zen Sangha .. to All Beings. (photo of eko below)

We concluded our Zazenkai with chanting the refuges at 8:00PM. It was a beautiful day to practice together.

Please come to our next Zazenkai of this practice period on November 16th. If you’re interested in seeing what the full schedule looks like, scroll down two posts from this one. 🙂

‘Remembered and Recited’

Grandmother, Motherly, Auntie Mind

Buddha Way, Feminine Divine

There is no Shuso

So whom do I serve

All Beings, she said

It’s how we preserve

Grandma, Memaw, Nena, Gran

Lend me now your generous hand

You’ve shown me the way

through your years of service

May your selfless lives

come to the surface

Uttara, Mitta, Mother Gotami

Punna, Sumedha, Mittakali

Our founding women ancestors

forgotten and left unsaid

This All Beings Ango

your words have been read

Walking kinhin in a new dimension

Go calmly, she said, and we have listened

A wish for freedom

Present day Nigrodha Grove

All you 500 women

Our steps, you wove

Aoyama Roshi, Sister Chan Khong,

Inryū Sensei, true baika song

Women give light

No world can stain her

Plum blossoms bloom

in their winter container

Take a peak into our annual Sejiki Ceremony, 2023!

Sejiki is a traditional Soto Zen ceremony in which participants come to appease what are known as pretas, or “hungry ghosts” in Buddhist cosmology. These hungry ghosts are beings who have an abundance of cravings, yet are unable to get any satisfaction. This type of being can represent not only these ghosts, but also the inexhaustible desires that we may have in ourselves/society as well.

In this ceremony, it is custom to invite various instruments to cling-clang-bang (bottom left photo), in order to invoke these hungry ghosts to come to our peaceful offering. From here, we recite well-wishing chants such as ‘Gate of Sweet Dew,’ have sweets and treats displayed as offerings, and finally send them off, hoping that they were nourished. At this time, we also say aloud and burn the name-cards from our Zendo altar of those who have departed within the year.

Below are pictures from our All Beings Sejiki Ceremony, and if you would like to see the music video of our gathering, please go to our facebook page here: All Beings Zen Sejiki Ceremony 2023

All Beings Zen Sangha gathered together at Woodburn Hill Farm on October 28th to enjoy a half-day work practice together. Starting the day off with zazen and our monthly full moon ceremony, we were ready to engage our heart-minds *and hands* with the various tasks on the farm. From stacking wood, trimming the bamboo off the barn, to setting up a nice space for us to gather around for our (delicious!) vegetarian potluck, we shared sweat and smiles with each other and the land on this beautiful autumn morning.