Author: hidden dragon

In light of the recent availability of vaccinations and increasingly relaxed public health restrictions, this document is intended to offer guidance for how to safely transition the Sangha to indoor in person zazen at our urban Zendo and our un-urban indoor sitting spaces at Woodburn Hill Farm.

General thoughts on the risks of in person zazen for our Sangha:
A strain could spread that some of currently available vaccines only have limited ability to prevent illness from.

The sangha will have to monitor the situation and be prepared (if necessary) to re-close the zendo in the event that the vaccines lose efficacy against new strains of the virus. As such, this document should be updated and re-circulated to the board to review the decision to open to in person zazen as new CDC guidance becomes available.

Answers to logistical questions
How will we verify that zendo visitors are vaccinated?
Inryu will ask visitors to affirm in writing that they have been fully vaccinated, symptom free for at least two weeks, and indicate they have not knowingly been in contact with people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. There will be a chart at the front entry for people to initial this affirmation.

Should practitioners. be asked to wear masks?
We recommend mask use for the first month of zendo reopening, and re-evaluating this policy every 6 weeks.

How far apart should Zafus be spaced?
Six feet apart to minimize risk of transmission.

What number of people can attend?
No more than 10 people total indoor zendo spaces at any time, as currently stipulated by DC/MD regulations for indoor gatherings in condominiums or cooperatives.

Should kinhin take place?
Yes, with everybody making their best effort to remain six feet apart.

Should chanting take place?
We recommend that only the Kokyo (chant leader) or the Doshi (Inryu Sensei) chant on behalf of those present given the increased risk of transmission brought about by singing/chanting.

How can we ensure the space remains sanitized?
We recommend placing hand sanitizer at the entrance to the zendo and encouraging all who enter to make use of it.
In addition, to limit the number of hands making contact with zafus and zabutons, we recommend that they remain in place rather than being stacked and stored.   Only the Doanryo should handle instruments to ensure that they are in contact with as few hands as possible.

If more want to attend than the limit, how do we decide who gets to join?
We will encourage those interested in attending in person to contact the Tenken, and monitor the response rate to ensure that we do not reach a situation where a greater number is seeking to attend than the zendo can hold.

Should sangha members be allowed to eat or drink in the zendo?
Not for the time being as these activities require removing one’s mask.

What should a Sangha member do if they feel unwell or have knowingly had recent contact with someone who is symptomatic/has confirmed Covid?
That person should stay at home and join via Zoom (ABZS Cloud Zendo)..

When should we allow in person zazen to resume?:
Inryū Sensei had her second vaccine on Sunday May 24th, 2021. She recommends that we could allow in person zazen beginning on Monday June 7, 2021.

***guidelines are set up by the ABZS Board of Directors and will be reviewed every 6 weeks and updated***

• Tea and discussion— Tuesday 2:00 pm Tea and Dharma discussion lead by our Ino (head of the zendo/doanryo), Seido David Sarpal on the topic of“Finding Balance While Refraining from Evil: Learning from the Examples of Cicadas, Human Beings, and Mice”?

Use this link to join

If asked for password use this 826408

• Tea and discussion— Tuesday 2:00 pm Tea and Dharma discussion lead by our resident priest Inryū on the topic of “Remember through memorialization and ritual”  How does it help?  How does it support healing?

Use this link to join

If asked for password use this 826408

Here is the link to join us via the cloud zendo at 7PM , 2020   for the All Beings Zen Sangha evening program.  Tonight we will have a period of zazen followed by a wellbeing ceremony.    We will close by  chanting the Refuges.

If you are asked for a password please use this  118879

Please put your zoom in gallery mode, and keep your video link on while muting your mic until the end of the service – Feel welcome to face away from your device camera while keeping your presence visible in the frame for others in attendance to see and know you are there. Please refrain from moving your device around while others are sitting zazen with you.

 

Order of Service

Greeting by the Kokyo in  English

30 Minute Zazen Period

Four Great Vows

Enmei 9 times

The Loving Kindness Sutra 

Dedication of Merit

All Buddhas Chant

Refuges in Pali

THE FOUR GREAT VOWS

Beings are numberless; I vow to save them.

Delusions are inexhaustible; I vow to end them.

Dharma Gates are boundless; I vow to enter them.

Buddha’s way is unsurpassable; I vow to become it.

Enmei Jukko Kannon Gyo

KAN ZEON

NA MU BUTSU

YO BUTSU U IN

YO BUTSU U EN

BUP PO SO  EN

JO RAKU GA JO

CHO NEN KANZEON

BO NEN KANZEON

NEN NEN JU SHIN KI

NEN NEN FU RI SHIN

Loving Kindness Meditation

This is what should be accomplished by the one who is wise,

Who seeks the good and has obtained peace:

Let one be strenuous, upright and sincere,

WIthout pride, easily contented and joyous.

Let one not be submerged by the things of the world.

Let one not take upon one’s self the burden of riches.

Let one’s senses be controlled.

Let one be wise, but not puffed up: and

Let one not desire great possessions even for one’s family.

Let one do nothing that is mean or that the wise would reprove

May all beings be happy.

May they be joyous and live in safety.

All living beings, whether weak or strong,

In high or middle or low realms of existence,

Small or great, visible or invisible,

Near or far, born or to be born,

May all beings be happy.

Let no one deceive another, nor despise any being in any state;

Let none by anger or hatred wish harm to another.

Even as a mother at the risk of her life

Watches over and protects her only child,

So with a boundless mind should one cherish all living things,

Suffusing love over the entire world,

Above, below and all around without limit;

So let one cultivate an infinite good will toward the whole world.

Standing or walking, sitting or lying down,

During all one’s waking hours

Let one practice the way with gratitude.

Not holding to fixed views,

Endowed with insight,

Freed from sense appetites,

One who achieves the way

Will be freed from the duality of birth and death.

All Buddhas

All Buddhas, ten directions, Three times

All Honored Ones, Bodhisattvas-Mahasattvas

Wisdom beyond wisdom

Maha Prajna Paramita

 

Refuges in Pali (Call and Response)

Accapella, inflections as follows:

➞Buddham Saranam Ga➚cha➘mi➞iii

BUDDHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

DHAMMAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

SANGHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

DUTIYAMPI BUDDHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

DUTIYAMPI DHAMMAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

DUTIYAMPI SANGHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

TATIYAMPI BUDDHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

TATIYAMPI DHAMMAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

TATIYAMPI SANGHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

Hello All,

Branching Streams Flow On in the Dark online Conference,

May 22, 2021, 12 noon – 3 pm EDT 

Register Here!

Welcoming words, Tova & MC Inryu Ponce-Barger, All Beings Zen, Washington DC

Tova Green, Branching Streams liaison, speaks on “Branching Streams Flow On in the Dark”

Introductory breakout groups

Video of Nature Images compiled by Teresa Bouza, Kannon Do Zen Center, CA

Konjin Gaelyn Godwin, Abbot of Houston Zen Center, speaks on “The Climate of Our Time”

Topical breakout groups:

“Climate Chaos: How does it feel? What will we do?” facilitated by Eden Kevin Heffernan, Richmond Zen Center, VA

“The Sacred Work of RacialJustice” facilitated by Joan Amaral, Zen Center North Shore, MA

“Transitioning to Hybrid Zendo Offerings” facilitated by Jon Voss of Mid-City Zen, LA

Ceremony: Looking Back and Looking Forward with Douglas Floyd, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate, Chicago, IL; Michael Shinmon Newton, MountainRain Zen Sangha, Vancouver, BC; and Reirin Gumbel, Milwaukee ZC, WI.

Closing

Discussion Topic for Tuesday Tea at Two on May 11, 2021 2PM EDT – Death Poems.   

It is not unusual in contemplative spiritual practices for people to compose a death poem.    These are often a gift to those left behind and very often a window into the wisdom and compassion derived from contemplated old age, sickness and death.  Today we will look at two classic death poems for different eras as well as other related poetry as our topic.  Please feel welcome to join us for a rich discussion.

Join with this link    If asked for a password use this 983841

Death poem of Zen Master Keizan (considered the second Japanese Soto Zen Lineage).

“This peaceful rice-field that one has cultivated by oneself, however often one has gone to sell or buy (rice) is as a virgin land.  Young sprouts and spiritual seeds, infinitely, ripen and shed (their leaves).  Ascending the Dharma Hall, I see men holding a hoe in their hands.”  Then throwing away his brush, Keizan passed away.

Keizan —1325

Here is Abbot Myogen Steve Stucky’s “death poem (March 6, 1946 – December 31, 2013),” which was on the altar in the room where is body was laid out.

This human body truly is the entire cosmos
Each breath of mine, is equally one of yours, my darling
This tender abiding in “my” life
Is the fierce glowing fire of inner earth
Linking with all pre-phenomena
Flashing to the distant horizon
From “right here now” to “just this”
Now the horizon itself
Drops away—
Bodhi!
Svaha.

Myogen ——12/27/13

The discussion will be lead by All Beings Zen Sangha

Guiding Teacher Rev. Inryū Poncē-Barger, Sensei.

All Are Welcome

 

 

 

Please join us for a cup of tea and dharma discussion today at 2pm EDT in our cloud zendo.

Use this link to join.    If asked for a password use  003961

Today the discussion will be lead by our Guiding Teacher Inryū Poncé-Barger, Sensei  on the topic of “Hearing the Bell, sound and practice”.  Together we can explore what sounds tune us into being in the present moment.

 

2pm  – *5 Minutes of silently drinking tea together begins the gathering*

Conclusion at 2:45pm

 

Please join us for a cup of tea and dharma discussion today at 2pm EDT.

Use this link to join.    If asked for a password use  003961

Today the discussion will be lead by our Guiding Teacher Inryū Poncé-Barger, Sensei  on the topic of “Taking care of the body as a gate of practice”.  Together we can explore questions around what are healthy practices and what challenges arise in caring for the physical body

2pm  – *5 Minutes of silently drinking tea together begins the gathering*

Conclusion at 2:45pm

 

Image is from the Fall 2016 Practice Period at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center and taken by Inryū Sensei when she was the men’s bath house attendant during that Practice Period.

To listen to Inryū Sensei’s talk from last Thursday April 22, 2021 on the related topic of “Taking care of the body as a Dharma gate of Practice: personal intimacy with all things” you can use the below link.

Meeting Recording:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/zvc0d1_nakGVIrmStW0SzAWS3GpFD6594pXzVEsn2S2Qc9KVyCt355fTXElupuee.g8z3ftTgZVraB9ku

Access Passcode: d90e@9zA