Open Gate Zendo Winter Sesshin

Open Gate Zendo Rohatsu/Winter Sesshin

This years Open GateWinter Sesshin starts at 7:30 Saturday January 17th and runs through Monday, January 19th. Our three day practice schedule will include the 8th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Silent Peace Walk around Olympia’s Capitol Lake (beginning at Marathon Park at noon on Sunday).

Anyone wanting to arrive early is welcome to come Friday evening and spend the night in the Zendo. Attendees arriving in the morning should try to arrive by 7:00.  There will be an informal breakfast with social time Saturday morning, but otherwise we will be following our traditional silent sesshin schedule and etiquette.

There is no fee for attending, but as usual, contributions for food and to help pay for supplies and heating costs would be greatly appreciated. Mattresses will be provided for those who wish to remain in residence for their duration at sesshin and showers will be made available.

    

Please e-mail; opengatezendo@msn.com with any questions and/or to confirm your plans to attend, we need an accurate head count for buying food stuffs.

2015 Winter Sesshin

Saturday Schedule

First Morning Session

6:30 Wake-up bell

7:00 Non-residents Arrive (Chosho -morning bell tolled 9 times)

7:15-Call to Zazen (Plank drum (Han) roll)

7:30-8:00 One period of Zazen (Chosan- first morning meditation)

8:00-8:05 Incense Ceremony

8:05-9:00 Informal Breakfast and kitchen cleanup (in Hojo)

9:00-9:15 Sesshin Introduction and Instructions

Second Morning Session

9:15- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

9:30-10:45 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin

9:30-10:45 Dokusan (one on one meeting with the teacher) by rotation.

10:45-12:30 Samu (work and/or exercise/rest period)

12:30- Call to Lunch (Han roll)

12:15- Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for lunch- bring out trays

12:45-1:45 Lunch ceremony (Oryoki)

1:45-2:10 Break and kitchen cleanup

Afternoon Session

2:00- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

2:15-3:30 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin

3:30-4:30 Angya practice. (monk procession walk)

4:30- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

4:45-5:15 One period Zazen

5:15- Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for Dinner- bring out trays

5:30-6:15 Dinner ceremony (Oryoki)

6:15-6:30 Break and kitchen cleanup

Evening Session

6:30- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

6:45-8:00 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin

8:00-8:10- Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for tea, bring out trays

8:10 -8:50 Tea ceremony & Teisho (teaching) and/or Dharma Discussion.

8:55- Closing ceremony

9:00- Daily Closing- Konsho (striking the evening bell) tolled 9 times

9:00- Prepare for bed or non-residents leave for the night.

Sunday Schedule

First Morning Session

6:30 Wake-up bell

7:00 Non-residents Arrive (Chosho -morning bell tolled 9 times)

7:15-Call to Zazen (Plank drum (Han) roll)

7:30-8:00 One period of Zazen (Chosan- first morning meditation)

8:00-8:05 Incense Ceremony

8:05- Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for breakfast - bring out trays

8:15-9:00 Breakfast ceremony (Oryoki)

9:00-9:25 Break and kitchen cleanup

Second Morning Session

9:15- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

9:30-10:45 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin

9:30-10:45 Dokusan (one on one meeting with the teacher) by rotation.

11:15-1:15 Angya practice. (MLK Silent procession walk Capitol Lake)

1:15-2:30  Hosted Sangha Lunch in Olympia.

Afternoon Session

2:30- Call to Zazen (time adjusted to return time)

2:45-4:00 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin

4:00- 4:30 Work and/or exercise/rest period (may be adjusted for schedule)

4:30- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

4:45-5:15 One period Zazen

5:15- Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for Dinner- bring out trays

5:30-6:15 Dinner ceremony (Oryoki)

6:15-6:40 Break and kitchen cleanup

Evening Session

6:30- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

6:45-8:00 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin

8:00-8:10- Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for tea, bring out trays

8:10 -8:50 Tea ceremony & Teisho (teaching) and/or Dharma Discussion.

8:55- Closing ceremony

9:00- Daily Closing- Konsho (striking the evening bell) tolled 9 times

9:00- Prepare for bed or non-residents leave for the night.

Monday Schedule

Morning Session

6:30 Wake-up bell

7:00 Non-residents Arrive (Chosho -morning bell tolled 9 times)

7:15-Call to Zazen (Plank drum (Han) roll)

7:30-8:00 One period of Zazen (Chosan- first morning meditation)

8:00-8:05 Incense Ceremony

8:05- Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for breakfast - bring out trays

8:15-9:00 Breakfast ceremony (Oryoki)

9:00-9:15 Break and kitchen cleanup

Second Morning Session

9:15- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

9:30-10:45 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin

9:30-10:45 Dokusan (one on one meeting with the teacher) by rotation.

10:45-11:45 Samu (work and/or exercise/rest period)

11:45 Han Roll

12:00-12:30 One Period Zazen

12:30- 12:40 Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for lunch- bring out trays

12:40-1:30 Lunch ceremony (Oryoki)

Afternoon Session

1:30-2:00 Break and kitchen cleanup

1:45- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

2:00-3:15 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin

3:15-3:30 Short Break

3:30-4:30 Tea ceremony, Teisho/Group Discussion

4:30-Closing - Konsho (striking the evening bell) tolled 9 times

Happy New Year!

Meet Patrick Hughes

 

Greetings to Everyone,

Hello my name is Patrick Hughes. I’m Canadian born, but now live on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia with my Australian wife and two children: My son Bodhi (3yo) and baby daughter Ondine. I currently study at the University of Newcastle.

I actually decided I was Buddhist when I was still a kid. I read whatever I could find at the local library about Buddhism, but there was slim to no chance of joining or even finding a group then.

I eventually started Tae Kwon Do, then boxing, and Judo. When I was twenty I started training in Ninjutsu. Stephen Hayes, who was the fellow who brought it to North America, was an ordained Tendai priest. He incorporated Tendai Mikkyo into his teachings. I wrote a letter to his teacher, Rev. Clark Jikai Choffy, a professor living in Missouri. We corresponded for a while, and then he invited me to visit him. During my visit in '93, Jikai Sensei accepted me as his student, and initiated me into a Tendai ceremony.

Back in Canada. Rev. Jikai and I continued to correspond and talk on the phone. He would send me books and material to continue my studies. As well he encouraged me to attend other Buddhist organizations, like Nichiren and Jodo Shinshu. Then in '95 or '96, he geographically moved, and we unfortunately lost contact.

I then began a search for another Tendai teacher, but they were (and still are) few and far between in North America. Around this time I met Doreen Hamilton, the then Buddhist chaplain at University of Toronto. She was with the Jodo Shinshu (Pure Land) sect. She was never my formal teacher, but more of a mentor. I also began attending Karma Kagyu in Toronto; a Tibetan Buddhist centre. When I moved it became harder to make it down to regular teachings.

I then continued my interest in Buddhism generally. I studied Buddhism in various forms and saw The Dalai Lama twice in my travels. Eventually I became interested in Zen and contacted Hoka Matt Lawther (Fa Zhāo) through ZBOHY. I had been previously in contact with Matt for a few years before commencing my attendance at Silky Oak Zen. I have now been sitting with the Silky Oak Zen community for almost a year and they have become great friends. In this time I’ve become a student with The Boundless Mind Zen School and regularly keep up with OBW activities, through our local practice and on social media.

Over the years I've continued in many different martial arts, achieving multiple instructorships. I’m also a Feldenkrais Practitioner. I've practiced yoga on and off for years, and became a certified teacher in 2011.

I also like to play the Shakuhachi flute and am studying with Grandmaster Riley Lee.

Great to be part of the big family.

Cheers!
Patrick Hughes

Women's Hermitage Retreat

Ece gifts Heart-rocks  

The first women’s retreat was held at the Clouds and Water Island Hermitage September 19th through the 21st, 2014. Wayfarers who stayed the full three days included Ece Yildirim, Valerie Grigg-Devis and  Maitri Sojourner.  Ece recently completed a four-year course of study of traditional Chinese medicine at Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in Portland, Oregon. She is on her way to a three-month volunteer residency at a women’s clinic in Nepal and plans to open her own women’s clinic in New York. Ece served as our Tenzo and ran a wonderful kitchen! Valerie is a transportation planner with Oregon Department of Transportation from Corvallis, Oregon, and an ordained member of the Order of the Boundless Way. Valerie is deepening her practice and wants to do chaplaincy work. Maitri Sojourner is also ordained as a member of the Order, who lives in Olympia. Her practice includes sewing meditation cushions, shirts, and robes upon request.

Maitri presenting the Empty Cup

Ann Tjung, Buddhist chaplain at Joint Base Lewis-McCord, and newest member of the Order,  joined the group on Saturday, along with Johnnie Paradiso, who donated the land for the Hermitage. We all participated in a precept ceremony for Johnnie who was presented with books, a meditation cushion, mala beads, a heart rock from her beloved beach and a bell. These were offered, along with our good wishes, to help her along with developing her practice. On Sunday, Valerie and Maitri renewed their dedication to practice by reciting the Ten Grave Precepts together. Maitri continued her tradition of “humorous seriousness” by wearing the sock monkey hat Valerie had given her for her ordination a few years ago. They were joined by Jessica Morgan on Sunday. Maitri presented everyone with a small empty cup, as a reminder that we sometimes to need to empty ourselves out before we can fill ourselves up again and Ece presented all with heart shaped rocks.

Ece demonstrates Tai Chi

The weather was beautiful, and the group pulled the overgrowth of Canadian Thistle and continued defining the walking path around the perimeter of the property. Despite our efforts, a raccoon family visited our campsite and Valerie did valiant battle with a broom. She witnessed one raccoon carrying off a garbage bag of soiled paper towels draped over a seven-pound fire extinguisher, another one carrying an empty macaroon can under its arm like a football, and another one licking the contents of a non-dairy creamer packet! We moved Valerie into the hut with us, and can tell you that three people and all their “stuff” fits nicely in the sleeping hut Miles built. We took turns giving short dharma talks, and we had meaningful discussions about our practice and how we use it in our everyday lives. We watched beautiful sunsets each evening, sipping our hot tea.

Ah!

Maitri Sojourner

 

Meet Merelyn Tripolone

 

 

 

'If with kindly generosity

One merely has the wish to soothe

The aching hearts of other beings,

Such merit has no bounds.'

~ Kuan Yin

 

Hi Everyone,

 

My name is Merelyn Tripolone. I live on the Central Coast of NSW (Australia) with two cats “Ted” and “Tiny” and one dog “Hunter”.   I had previously studied aromatherapy together with two styles of yoga meditation and was looking for a local group to practice with. Quite by chance, became aware of a Zen Centre in our local area in 2011. I then contacted the teacher Hoka Matt Lawther and began a journey into Zen practice.

  

I found my home in Zen and have now been sitting with the Silky Oak Zen community for three years. I’ve become good friends with all the Sangha and have regularly attended weekly Zazen and Teisho, as well as incorporating Zen practice in my daily life.  I’ve also participated in all the Zendo activites including Zazenkai, “Mantras to Music”, weekly discussion meetings and other informal gatherings.    

 

In my first year at Silky Oak, we studied the basic tenets of Buddhism and I became particularly interested in how they relate to the study and practice of Zen. After regular Dokusan with Hoka, I had the wish become a student with The Boundless Mind Zen School. I now study and practice more formally and keep up with OBW activities.   

 

I also love art galleries and have become interested in Asian styles. There are so many beautiful representations of all the masters, Kuan Yin etc. I also love getting out in nature, walks along the waterfront, reading great books and watching interesting TV series. All of my activities now help me to understand the impermanence and interconnection of everything.   

 

It’s great to be part of our local and extended Sangha family, all over the world.

 

In the Dharma

Gassho

Merelyn



Recent Precepts Ceremonies at Silky Oak Zen- Australia

 

Our Sangha member Debbie-Anne, reciting “The Five Lay Precepts”

 

“To speak no ill, to do no harm, to practice restraint according to the fundamental precepts, to be moderate in eating, to live in seclusion, to devote oneself to higher consciousness, this is the Teaching of the Buddhas” ……………..Dhammapada, No. 185


Hi Everyone!

We would like to share some photos of our most recent “Five Precept Ceremony” held at Silky Oak Zendo on 3^rd August 2014.  Items within the Zendo were arranged especially for the event and the ceremonies reflected the main tenets of the Linchi/ Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism.

Our table arrangement for the ceremony

Most of our Sangha were in attendance, as the taking of “The Five Lay Precepts” has now become a standard at Silky Oak Zen. The first to take them was Merelyn Tripolone in February 2013, followed by Patrick Hughes and Andrew McNee in May 2014.

We now welcome our dear friends Debbie-Anne Sergeant and Kay Podmore into the refuge of “The Three Jewels”, “The Four Noble Truths” “The Eightfold Path” and all the sublime teachings of The Buddha Dharma.

Members our Sangha who were there in support for Debbie-Anne and Kay

 

In Kindness and Friendship

 

Hoka Matt Lawther and the

Silky Oak Sangha – Aus.

Meet Charlie Barlow

 

My Life is my practice

Each breath,

a new moment

My curiosity regarding spirituality began when I was endeavoring to earn a coveted God and Country medal in scouting. It was a beautiful and impressive medal, and it would only take 12 months of bible study and weekly meetings with the pastor to earn it. When asked of that pastor to explain the Trinity (father, son, and holy ghost) as opposed to just one 'God', he replied 'one must believe that they are all the same'. I remained confused with that answer, and have been ever since, sparking my skepticism of organized 'belief' systems, aka religions. While I can't now remember all of the names of the books of the Old and New Testament, in their respective order, I have that medal still though.

In the early 1980's I began to study Zen, reading the usual texts by Suzuki, Watts, but especially Richard Alpert, starting with his text 'Grist for the Mill'. I studied many of his other works, and was fortunate enough to attend several of his lectures. His humanity is humbling.

In the recent years I have been introduced to more texts on Zen and similar spiritual works, notably Bryon Katie, Charlotte Joko Beck, Wayne Dyer, Pema Chodron, Depak Chopra, and Adyashanti. By far though, my heart is so very deeply touched by the humor and grace of Anne Lamott.

But working with Miles is where the rubber meets the road. Laughs, tears, touching of hearts, he has brought me further into the light and joy of loving what is, and pointing to a place where we can all enjoy and cherish this miracle of life.

Charlie lives with his partner Jessica Morgan, artist/photographer, and Aysel,Cat of the Realm, in Tumwater, Wa. In his spare time he also practices planting/weeding/mowing, jazz guitar, being a Big Brother, dabbling in chess, tai chi, and counting his blessings.

2014 Summer Sesshin
 
The time is here for the Open Gate 2014 Summer Sesshin and Ordination Ceremony. The Sesshin will held on Saturday and Sunday August 16th &17th with the Ordination ceremony beginning Saturday at 11:00 am (followed by a pot luck lunch and social period). Attendees are welcome to come Friday evening and spend the night in the Zendo as well.

Attendees arriving in the morning should arrive by 7:00. Below is the two day schedule. Guests coming only to the Ordination and potluck social should arrive between 10:30 and 11:00.
 

Ordination Ceremony

 
This summer we will be welcoming four new members into the Order of the Boundless Way; local Open Gate Sangha member- Charlie Barlow, Stuart Tennis of Seattle, Ann Thjung of University Place, and Thor Mitchel of Portland. All of these initiates are Open Gate Sangha members, who have spent the last two years preparing for their ordination.

 

Everyone is encouraged to come for the ordination ceremony to meet our new members, even if they are unable to attend the full Sesshin. (Small gifts and/or cards from sangha members to the new initiates are always welcome). Please send an e-mail opengatezendo@msn.com in order to confirm your intentions in attending. As usual we need an accurate head count for planning and buying food stuffs.

 

If you would like more information about this sesshin or the ordination, please feel free to contact to contact Miles at- opengatezendo@msn.com

 

Saturday Schedule
 

Morning Session

6:30 Wake-up bell
7:00 Non-residents Arrive (Chosho -morning bell tolled 9 times)
7:15-Call to Zazen (Plank drum (Han) roll)
7:30-8:00 One period of Zazen
8:00-8:05 Incense Ceremony (Remain standing to exit Zendo)
8:05-9:00 Casual breakfast and social time (in Hojo)
9:00-9:15 Break and kitchen cleanup

Second Morning Session

9:00- Call to Zazen (Han roll)
9:15-9:45 One periods of Zazen
9:45-10:45 Samu (Arrange Zendo for Ordination Ceremony)
10:45 Han Roll (Call to Ordination ceremony)
11:00-12:00 Ordination Ceremony
12:00-1:30 Potluck Lunch and Social Time (Cards and Gifts)
1:30 Han roll (announcing end of lunch and social time)
1:30 – 2:00 Samu (Clean up and return Zendo to original configuration)

Afternoon Session

2:00- Call to Zazen (Han roll)
2:15-3:30 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin
3:30-4:30 Angya practice. (Monk procession walk)
4:30- Call to Zazen (Han roll)
4:45-5:15 One period Zazen
5:15- Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for Dinner- bring out trays
5:30-6:15 Dinner ceremony (Oryoki)
6:15-6:40 Break and kitchen cleanup

Evening Session

6:30- Call to Zazen (Han roll)
6:45-8:00 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin
8:00-8:10- Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for tea, bring out trays
8:10-8:50 Tea ceremony& Dharma talk
8:55- Closing ceremony
9:00- Daily Closing- Konsho (striking the evening bell) tolled 9 times
9:00- Prepare for bed or non-residents leave for the night.

Sunday Schedule

Morning Session
6:30 Wake-up bell
7:00 Non-residents Arrive (Chosho -morning bell tolled 9 times)
7:15-Call to Zazen (Plank drum (Han) roll)
7:30-8:00 One period of Zazen (Chosan- first morning meditation)
8:00-8:05 Incense Ceremony
8:05- Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for lunch- bring out trays
8:15-9:00 Breakfast ceremony (Oryoki)
9:00-9:15 Break and kitchen cleanup

Second Morning Session

9:15- Call to Zazen (Han roll)
9:30-10:45 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin
9:30-10:45 Dokusan (one on one meeting with the teacher) by rotation.
10:45-11:45 Samu (work and/or exercise/rest period)
11:45 Han Roll
12:00-12:30 One Period Zazen
12:30- 12:40 Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for lunch- bring out trays
12:40-1:30 Lunch ceremony (Oryoki)

Afternoon Session

1:30-2:00 Break and kitchen cleanup
1:45- Call to Zazen (Han roll)
2:00-3:15 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin
3:15-3:30 Short Break
3:30-4:30 Tea ceremony, Teisho/Group Discussion
4:30-Closing - Konsho (striking the evening bell) tolled 9 times

 

Retreat Hut at the Island Hermitage

 

 

We had a great adventure this last weekend delivering the first hut to Clouds and Water Hermitage. It was a beautiful, albeit hot, summer day. The adventure began when we discovered that the weight of the Hut had compressed the trailer springs just enough to cause the tires to rub on the fender support brackets, so we had to remove the fenders. This technical difficulty caused us to start off nearly an hour later than planned. However, we were optimistic and proceed to the ferry dock at a lumbering 45 miles per hour.

As it was, we missed the morning ferry just by a few minutes, but missing the boat, is missing the boat, even if by a few seconds. So we settled in at the ferry dock and waited for the next run, which wouldn’t happen for five hours.  This gave us plenty of time to have a leisurely breakfast at a local restaurant, take cat naps and give tours of the hut to curious folks, who like us, were waiting for the ferry.

Placing the hut was exceptionally arduous because the driveway was too narrow and we could not use the truck, so we had to push it uphill and into place by Sangha Power! Everyone joined in pulling from the front and pushing from the rear to muscle it into place, but we managed to get it placed exactly as we wanted.

Jessica Morgan has sent us one of her wonderful slide shows documenting our adventure, from the driveway at Open Gate to the perch overlooking the ocean cliff.

Jessica's slide show can be found here:Traveling Retreat Hut

As shown in the photos, the eves fold down to allow road transport, and this worked remarkable well. The hut is built in the post and beam, plaster walled manner of a Japanese Tea house. It has two matching bunks, each with shoji windows, shelf above and storage under the bunk. The future plan is to build a small deck to replace the temporary stairs and hide the fact that the hut is on a trailer.

A very special thanks to everyone who contributed to the hut, both in cash donations and sweat equity. I hope everyone will take time and enjoy some private retreat time, and maybe do some weed whacking therapy. :-)

Meet Ann Tjhung

 



Greetings to everyone!

For those of you who already know me and for those of you I have yet to meet, I would like to share a little about myself:

My name is Ann Tjhung (pronounced like Chung).

I live in University Place, Washington and I am Austrian, German, Hungarian, and Irish, my husband, of 24 years, is Indonesian, Chinese, and Dutch. We have three children ages 18, 21, (and 23 deceased), one girl and two boys.  Jasmine, my daughter, is a regular participating member of our Sangha at Open Gate, my mother Lorraine, is also a regular member.

Currently I am a full time mother and as for a potential future career, I continue to take classes for web-design, programming and database management; I have and continue to created and maintain websites and databases. I also volunteer, as a parent volunteer at our High School, helping to teach NJROTC students web programming for our Unit website: http://www.curtisnjrotc.org.

I hold the level of orange sash in Shaolin Kung Fu (four years of conditioning, forms, and weapons), I am a musician (flute and Irish whistle).

As for my Buddhist practice; I have been a Buddhist for about 7 years, and little over a year ago, I was appointed by my departing teacher to lead the Buddhist Community at Joint Base Lewis McChord. It was at that time that I began regular attendance at Open Gate Zendo and formerly became student of Koro-san  Miles (Koro Kaisan).

It may seem strange for me to have so much responsibility in such a short time, but you see, it is a long story of study and hard practice.

A story that includes persevering through 10 years of the slow recovery of brain function as a victim of an “splash” lightning strike (a grueling ordeal which required that I meditate for survival), and on a completely separate occasion, the sudden death of my 19 year old son, a United States Marine. The loss of Andrew, marked the beginning of my attendance as a member of the Joint Base Lewis McChord Buddhist Community Sangha, which then lead to the leadership position that I currently hold as the leader of the same.

My official government Facebook page: JBLM Buddhist Community https://www.facebook.com/jblmbuddhistcom?ref_type=bookmark

I am also currently helping a man that was homeless create a new life, and I am thinking of starting a non-profit organization to benefit the homeless.

Thank you so much for all of you; the Sangha at Open Gate!

I have made so many friends, friends that I hope to have for a very long time!

Thank you,

Namaste and Peace,

Ann Tjhung