Meet Pablo Catalan

Hi everyone!

       My name is Pablo Catalan, and I live in Madrid (Spain). I am 24 years old. I have been meditating since 2006, when my would-be girlfriend said to me: “You could use some meditation”. She taught me a technique that I didn’t really understand, so I ended up surfing the Internet looking for more detailed instructions. I came upon Buddhist meditation and philosophy, and I became immediately interested. I found an Internet forum where people discussed the teachings of the Theravada Thai Forest Tradition. There I started to read and talk about the Buddha, the teachings of Thai masters -which, I realize now, share many things with Zen- and the Pali Canon. It was in this forum where I met David (Daishin Insho), and we became close dharma-buddies.

At the same time, I found a vipassana meditation group here in Madrid, which I keep visiting frequently. My solo practice was already well established, and I soon settled in a 1-2 hours a day sitting routine.  I try to do weeklong meditation retreats once a year. Besides all that, I practice Goju-Ryu Karate-Do. 

A couple of years ago, my friend David told me about this Zen teacher he had met through the Internet, someone with a cool long beard called Koro Kaisan Miles. He seemed a nice guy, so I decided to write him. After some time of online correspondence, I thought it was time to make things official, and join the club. He accepted me as his student, and here I am! It is my intention to travel to Washington and ordain as a member of the Order of the Boundless Way in the near future.

In the meanwhile, I’ll keep sitting every day and trying to live better.

Gassho to everyone,

Pablo

Open Gate Spring Sesshin

This year’s Open Gate Spring Sesshin will be Saturday May 5^th and Sunday 6^th.  We have scheduled this sesshin to coincide with Dharma Brother Mike Furst’s (Fa Dong) annual visit to America from Beijing, China.  Mike really enjoyed his stay with us last year and is looking forward to seeing everyone and sitting with the flamingos again in May. Anyone attending is welcome to come Friday evening and spend the night in the zendo, otherwise non-resident attendees should try to arrive around 7:00 am.

As usual, there will be an informal breakfast with social time Saturday morning, but otherwise we will be following our traditional sesshin schedule and etiquette. There is no fee for attending sesshin, but donations to help pay for food and heating costs are greatly appreciated. Mattresses will be provided for those who wish to remain in residence for the duration of the sesshin, but if you plan to stay you should bring your own additional bedding.

Please e-mail opengatezendo@msn.com to confirm your plans to attend, as we need an accurate head count for buying food stuffs.

2012 Spring Sesshin

Saturday Schedule

7:00-7:15 Arrive for Sesshin

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

7:30-8:00 One period of Zazen

8:00-8:05 Incense Ceremony

8:05-9:00 Informal Breakfast in Hojo

9:00-9:30 Break and kitchen cleanup

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 period- clean up, yard work, meal preparation)

12:30- Call to Lunch (Han roll)

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

1:45-2:15 Break and kitchen cleanup

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

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

6:15-6:45 Break and kitchen cleanup

6:30- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

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

8:00 -8:50 Tea ceremony & Teisho (teaching)

8:50- Closing ceremony

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

9:00 Konsho (striking the evening bell)

      

Sunday Schedule

7:00-7:15 Arrive for Sesshin

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

7:30-8:00 One period of Zazen

8:00-8:05 Incense Ceremony

8:05-9:00 Breakfast ceremony (Oryoki)

9:00-9:30 Break and kitchen cleanup

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 period), meal preparation and/or exercise.

11:45- Call to Lunch (Han roll)

12:00-1:00 Lunch ceremony (Oryoki)

1:00-1:30 Break and kitchen cleanup

1:15- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

1:30-2:45 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin

2:45-3:00 Short Break

3:00-3:55 Tea Ceremony, Teisho/Group Discussion

3:55 Closing ceremony

4:00 Konsho (striking the evening bell)

Island Gate Sangha

Shodo (Lee) Jishin, reports from Hawaii that he and Hana are intending to make their sitting group official in April. Lee has been very busy with his Clouds & Water practice, acting as an engaged Bodhisattva and itinerant Zen teacher.  Currently, Lee practices regularly with two loosely organized but separate sitting groups that he plans to consolidate into one.  If things go as planned, this will mark the beginnings of a new Boundless Way practice center to be named Island Gate Zendo.

In February Lee gave a Dharma talk at Daifukuji, Soto Zen temple (on the Big Island) during their Buddha's Parinirvana celebration. He spoke about the importance of practice, how he came to Buddhism and described his evolving practice as an engaged Bodhisattva; moving away from self-centered interests toward doing more to help people, animals and the environment.  Since moving to Hawaii, Lee has been working with Hospice of Kona, the Humane Society and Community Emergency Response Team, as well as, acting as an advocate for promoting a whole foods plant based diet and eliminating tobacco use.  

Currently, Lee is considering teaming up with a fellow hospice volunteer and Daifukuji Temple dharma brother named Shinkaku, who has offered a building that seems very suitable for their future Zendo. Shinkaku lives on five acres and he says that the building in back of the main house could accommodate about thirty people.  Meanwhile, Lee and Hana are renting a house in Kona that has a lot of room that will serve as temporary practice space.  Having, founded the Fukuyama Buddhist Fellowship (Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan in 2007), Lee and Hana already have some experience in founding and maintaining a successful practice group and are looking forward to building their Island Gate sangha.

Aloha

OBW Tenth Anniversary Celebration

Tenth Anniversary Celebration (Part One)

This summer marks the tenth anniversary of the Order of the Boundless Way, which was founded on June 29th, 2002.  From modest beginnings in a converted garage Zen Dojo in Olympia, Washington, the Order has grown to include students, members, and sanghas on five continents. Through the years we have had numerous blessings, including the good fortune to associate with many wonderful kindred spirits who fully understand and live by the principles of original Zen.

Among the other gifts that we have received has been some waterfront island property less than an hour away from Open Gate Zendo in Olympia. As part of our tenth anniversary activities, we plan to establish a presence on the island in the form of a small zendo.   This will be the first building of a retreat center that will be made available to members of the sangha for solitary retreats, sesshins, and special gatherings of the sangha.

Ultimately, the completed retreat center will consist of two main buildings: a zendo fashioned in the style of a traditional thatch-roofed Japanese farmhouse (rendering pictured above) and a main entrance hall that will be more like a traditional Zen temple building.   Both buildings will be on the same scale as their respective counterparts at Open Gate Zendo but will have their own unique styling.  Additionally, there will be three to five smaller outbuildings that will serve as private retreat huts and service buildings for the compound.

Unlike individual properties owned and/or leased by the individual sanghas, this island retreat property belongs to the Order overall and therefore will be funded by the membership and others interested in supporting our organization.  It is estimated that the entire compound will cost fewer than thirty thousand dollars, with each of the larger buildings costing just under ten thousand dollars each.  The goal for this summer is to have one hut and the zendo building built for our celebration and dedication. We have already had a few generous donations given to help move us forward with the initial construction, and currently have three thousand dollars to go towards the construction of the Zendo. The first hut is already under construction and has been funded separately; it will be moved out to the island this spring and act as our initial base of operations.

This announcement is intended to be both a proclamation of intent and an appeal for contributions. Local sangha members and friends have agreed to volunteer all of the labor, so all we need is the money for materials and related building expenses. The goal of this initial appeal is to get the seven thousand dollars needed to complete the zendo building and get it ready for this summer’s celebration. Anyone interested in contributing to this effort can contact Miles at opengatezendo@msn.com or submit donations by check (payable to Open Gate Zendo) to:

Open Gate Zendo
4123 Biscay Street NW
Olympia, WA 98502

News at Eleven: New Zendo Opens in Australia...

By Jishin Matt Hoka

In November 2011, The Central Coast Zen Centre held a public opening of the new Zendo in Davistown, Australia. However it’s fair to say that this was no ‘ordinary’ celebration.

On a typical Friday morning, which included morning Zazen, and a quick breakfast, I boarded the commuter train for Sydney. It was my usual day of work at the State Buddhist Council, which is about a one hour journey. As I slipped into a meditative state, the train passed through beautiful scenic vistas and breathtaking waterways, until suddenly I received a text message on my cell. As I read my partner’s wish for a happy day, I suddenly noticed that the date was 11/11/11. How auspicious I thought, not only was I heading for a day of important service, but the opening of our new Zendo was about to occur that very evening.

As I arrived at the Buddhist Council office, I heartily greeted everyone with a…… “Happy 11/11/11!”
This greeting was well received with an even greater response.
“Why don’t we sit together at 11:11 am” said the General Manager.

“What a good idea” said our Special Religious Education Assistant, “and why don’t we sit for sit for 11 minutes” she added.

“We could do 11 chants too” I said, joining in.
“Great” said the GM, “Matt, you lead the chanting and I’ll lead the meditation?”
“How auspicious, my Sangha and I are opening the new Zen centre this evening”, I announced with a nod.
“Well then, let us also make the wish for an auspicious opening of your new centre!” said the GM.

So as you can guess, at 11:11 am on 11/11/11 we sat for 11 minutes and then did 11 assorted chants. In jest, we all probably smiled at each another 11 times for the rest of the day.

That evening, it was planned to open the new centre with a vegetarian fest, chanting, Zazen and social activities. Our Sangha members previously volunteered their time and efforts to make the event quite remarkable. What we didn’t expect was another interesting twist in our plans. After my initial opening address and the first round of entrées, I looked at the previously prepared chanting list and noticed they were numbered from 1 to 11. Smiling, I decided to then deliver the unusual story of the day’s events at the Buddhist Council. Just then, one of our Sangha piped up and said…. “Well if we are all still here at 11:11 pm, why don’t we do exactly the same thing?”

The whole crowd then nodded in unanimous agreement.

As the evening progressed, I thought that some folks may become tired and leave to return home, but everyone stayed until 11:11 pm. Then we all somehow found positions on zafus, zabutons, benches and chairs and sat for 11 minutes, followed by 11 chants. So in summary, on 11/11/11 the workers and volunteers at the NSW Buddhist Council, offered the wish for an auspicious opening at 11:11am, by sitting for 11 minutes and chanting 11 mantras.  At 11:11pm, our tired, yet enthusiastic Sangha stayed on until 11:11pm, to sit for 11 minutes and chant 11 times.

My newly revised closing address was……..
“Friends, after 11 minutes of Zazen and 11 chants at 11:11pm on 11/11/11, I wish to declare that the new Zen centre is now fully open!”

When everyone applauded I thought I heard 11 claps.

Gassho,
Jishin Matt Hoka

Guitar Strumming Bodhisattva



Ron Brickey (Muji Shindo), one of our guitar strumming Bodhisattvas, is busy working in the Washington DC area. In addition to his regular practice and prison Dharma work; he is diligently involved in the Guitars-not-Guns program which works with at risk youth (see video above).

Ron has been practicing monthly with the inmates at the Federal Prison in Hopewell, Virginia and is currently planning a one day retreat with them in April. The average attendance in the monthly session is about 20 at the Medium risk facility and about 6 at the Low risk facility.  The proposed retreat is first event of this kind at the Hopewell Prison. Ron has permission to take the Buddhist inmates who are interested out of general population for full a day of meditation, silence, and fasting. He says that he is really enjoying working with both the kids and the inmates and adds that this volunteer work is a boon to his own practice.

Annual Thich Nhat Hanh inspired Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Walk

Despite all of our efforts to the contrary, this year’s Peace Walk was a wonderful success. We forgot to put out posters until the weekend before the walk, the scheduled newspaper article promoting the walk never ran, and the morning of the walk was greeted by the year’s first heavy snowfall. But when the eight of us from Open Gate arrived at the lake, dedicated peacewalkers were already at the park waiting for us, wondering if we would show up. Twenty-six hardy souls set out on the long, slow march with us, and by the time we circled back to the starting point, fifty-one different people had walked for all or part of the trek. Their dedication showed us that the lessons of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the continuing efforts of Thich Nhat Hanh have been taken to heart. We have learned that peace is not a single goal to attain, but an ongoing practice. Though there will always be conflict in the world, steady and dedicated efforts by sincere and compassionate people ensure that there will always be peace right alongside it.

“Nirvana and the ordinary world of suffering are not two things but related to each other. There is no nirvana except where the world of suffering is; there is no world of suffering apart from nirvana. For existence is not mutually exclusive.”

-Buddha

Lankavatara Sutra