This years Summer Sesshin/Ordination will be divided by two venues. Saturday (Aug. 26th) will be at Open Gate. While Sunday (Aug. 27th) we be held at the Clouds and Water Island Hermitage.
Those who can arrive at Open Gate on Friday are welcome to stay in the Zendo, and can either stay Saturday night at Open Gate or go early to the Island and camp out there. Our Island schedule has to be arranged around the ferry schedule (and fees) so keep this in mind when planning.
See the ferry schedule here:
(http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/index.aspx?NID=2200&PREVIEW=YES).
At the ordination we will be welcoming three new members into our greater Sangha from all across the country. Chis Price from Alexandria Virginia, Richard Fagan from Kansas City Missouri, and last but not least, Dharma Brother and long time Desert Zen Center Sangha member, Eric Reed from Big Bear, California.
Saturday's activities at Open Gate will also be modified to accommodate this wonderfully evolving nature of our growing Sangha. It will be a shortened schedule, leaving the afternoon open. (Please note that the entire schedule may be modified according to need.) We will have a number of guests from our greater Sangha who will be traveling from Virginia, Missouri, California and Oregon. Our affiliations with- Mount Adams Zen Center, The Desert Zen Center, Plum Mountain, and Mountain Way, have really expanded our family and we are honored to have people coming here from all directions.
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)
2:00 Guest Teacher Dharma Talk
3:00 Konsho (closing bell)
It is important to note that our our affiliations have not only expanded our Sangha to include Mount Adams Zen Center and the Desert Zen Center, but that these groups are bringing some of the flavor of their practice to our group, in the same way we have introduced the flavor or our practice to theirs. Therefore this years ordination ceremony will reflect these affiliations much like our Order of Hsu Yun services have done in the past. I think everyone will enjoy the extra festivities.
Sunday on the Island at the Clouds and Water Hermitage will likewise be a shortened schedule with practice in the morning, a casual picnic style lunch and a mostly open afternoon. For a full day you should plan to arrive on the morning ferry and stay until the evening ferry. However, if you only have half a day in mind, you could come in the morning and leave at lunchtime or arrive at lunch time and leave on the evening boat. Personally, I will be on the island all day.
Remember staying on the Island is camping, so bring clothes for doing grounds work, extra water, and maybe snack food and drinks that you would like to have outside our planned lunch. Due to our lack of a kitchen facility and limited water, we will be eating picnic style foods with paper plates and leftovers from Saturday (think- summer casual, camping/picnic).
Sunday Schedule
6:20-6:30 Board Ferry at Steilacoom Dock
6:55-7:00 Ferry Arrives & Departs
7:00-7:30 Arrive for Sesshin
7:30- Call to Zazen (Han roll)
7:30-8:00 One period of Zazen
8:00-8:05 Incense Ceremony
8:05-9:00 Informal Breakfast Snack and Tea
9:00-9:30 Break and kitchen cleanup
9:15- Call to Zazen (Han roll)
9:30-10:45 One period of Zazen and a Dharma Talk.
10:45-12:30 Samu (Clean up, grounds work etc.)
12:30- Potluck Lunch
12:45-12:55 Ferry Arrives & Departs
2:30-6:30 Free time
6:45-7:15 Prepare to leave on the ferry
7:25-7:35 Ferry Arrives & Departs
If you plan to camp on the Island. There is plenty of room to sleep barracks style in the Zendo. Otherwise, camping spots are available near the road and on Johnnie's property for those who want to pitch a tent.
Remember to bring your robes, practice sessions will still be normal sesshin formal. Don't forget to bring clothes for enjoying a forest hike or beach walk. And..sun screen! It's supposed to stay pretty warm.
See you soon,
Miles
