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Mt Adams Zen Buddhist Temple

 

October 2014 Newsletter
Dear Dharma Friends, 
   I just read a proverb from India which goes, "It is not man who seeks God, it is the God that seeks a true devotee."  I rather like that thought about a force in the Universe wishing to pair with man. Sadly, that is outside the Buddhist concept of oneness - there are not two.  Man, and the Universe, and God are all one; when opposites arise the Buddha mind is lost.  Yet, it remains a charming thought to me, that God seeks a devotee.

 

   There are two books that I have just finished and I recommend them to you.  The first one is a fictional book - a bit slow at the start - a bit raw in the middle yet a lovely story, A Tale For The Time Being by Ruth Ozeki.  The second book is about reconnecting to the divine within Christian thought, Finding God Beyond Religion by Tom Stella.  Both books challenged me and asked me to expand my thoughts.  I found them worth reading.                                                                                                                                                       

   Ven. Jeff Miles, Ven. Richard Miles, Ven. Thich Vinh Minh, Ven. Suco Tam Hu'o'ng, Debbie Nelson, Ron Zimmerman, Tina McNurlen, Eric Reed, Susan Bankson, and myself are all joining in pilgrimage to China.  We'll be gone roughly 2-3 weeks and it seems that it will be quite an adventure visiting with 2 great Chinese Masters and studying their teachings. Thich Vinh Minh, Ron Zimmerman, and I will then go on to India and visit with the Tibetan refugee girls our temple sponsors.  We'll be in India just 3 days then return to our homes.

My thanks to all of you who donated airline miles to allow me this trip.  I am humbly grateful.

May we all be well, may we all be happy, may we all know love, may we all know peace.  Thay Kozen 

Thay Kobai will be at our temple while Thay Kozen is in China. 
Please stop by and visit the temple or maybe take Thay Kobai out to a meal.  Thay Kobai is part of our regular teaching staff and we are all so very fortunate to have him as one of our monks.

Thay Kobai surrounded by his family at his full ordination as a monk at the Desert Zen Center.

A visit from Buu Hung Monastery temple members

Ven. Su co Hue Huong and temple members from Buu Hung Monastery held a precepts retreat last month at our temple.  Ven Hue Huong has a lovely temple in Vancouver Washington.
Our China trip starts on 6 October.  We will be visiting 2 Masters at 2 temples. 

Ven. Master Wan Xing Shi of Dong Hua temple in will be our initial host as we arrive in China.  We will be there for approximately 1 week.  Master Wanxing is the author of Seclusion and Awakening, A Buddhist Memoir which is an inspiring and wonderful book available on Amazon.

Ven. Master Wan Xing Shi at Dong Hua Temple


Dong Hua Temple
________________

Ven. Master Abbot Ming Chan Shi of Jia Shan Temple in Hunan Province will be our second stop.  Master Ming Chan visited Mt. Adams Zen Temple several years ago and remains a good friend to Thay Kozen.
2 monks
Ven. Master Abbot Ming Chan Shi and Thay Kozen at Mt Adams Zen Temple



Jia Shan Temple
We are a small Thien (Zen) Buddhist Temple practicing  "laughing farmer zen" - living our practice, sitting zazen, being here - right now!

Calendar

 

OCTOBER

6 - 26 Thay Kozen in China and India

6-26 Thay Kobai at the temple

5,12,19,26 - 6:30 pm Evening meditation at Trinity Natural Medicine in Hood River, OR

 

NOVEMBER

2,9,16,23,30 - 6:30 pm Evening meditation at Trinity Natural Medicine in Hood River, OR

 

DECEMBER 

7,17,21,28 - 6:30 pm Evening meditation at Trinity Natural Medicine in Hood River, OR

8 Bodhi Day - celebration of Buddha's birth - (Japan).  Temple gift exchange   

 

31 Midnight meditation  

        (11:00pm - 1:00 am)     

Is your group part of the Northwest Dharma Association? 
if not, it is time to join!  If you are a solitary practitioner or without a sanga you can still donate dana (money).  The are a clearing house for Buddhist Activity in the Northwest and need our support. 
 
read more about the NWDA at http://www.northwestdharma.org/ 

Mandala
Our latest colored rice mandala has been completed and we are awaiting an auspicious time to mix it all up, wash and cook the rice, and contemplate impermanence.  This is our most complicated mandala to date and it took close to 1000 hours to complete it.  Many people worked on it for short periods of time over the last 2 months.Sadly, the brilliant colors of the rice are not well captured in this photo - it really is quite spectacular in person. 
 

Ron Zimmerman to take monk's vows 
Ron Zimmerman will have his ordination as a novice monk at Donghua Temple by Master Wan Xing Shi, while we are on our China trip

Ron has been living with many of the rules of an ordained monk.  Here he is attending the Summer retreat at The Desert Zen Center, Ven. Thich An Giao's wonderful desert temple.  Per Ron he hopes to be "a missionary to the savages" which he defines as individuals who live an alternative lifestyle.  He is well loved in his community of "savages" and we hope he will carry the Buddha's Dharma throughout the "savage communities".
Politics
I am not politically savvy.  I don't subscribe wholeheartedly to any political party or any position.  I don't contribute money to any party or any political candidate and honestly I am a bit out of touch with most of what goes on. 
I know 2 individuals running for office.  I don't know anything about their skills, abilities, or qualifications for their proposed office.  Nor do I know anything about anyone else running for the same office.  However I do think that both men are of high ethical standards and truly have the welfare of their communities at heart.  Please think about the following individuals and see if you believe that they would be good for our communities.
Jeff Baker, running for West District Court, Klickitat County Washington
Paul Blackburn, running for mayor of Hood River, Oregon
Whether they win their office or not, I think we are incredibly fortunate to have such high caliber individuals seeking public service. 
Labyrinth

We have completed the landscaping and paths of our new labyrinth.  It is looking lovely and will be even better as the new plantings take hold and start growing.  Do come by and walk the labyrinth - it is good for peaceful thoughts and great physical exercise.  The walk in-and-out is slightly over half a mile.  All are welcome to walk the labyrinth, they have been used by many faiths over thousands of years.
Sound Meditation Circle  
October 2nd & November 6th, 7pm - 8:30 pm. Thursdays.  
At Cascade Acupuncture Center, 104 5th St, Hood River, OR   
You are invited to experience the power of sound vibration and clear intention to relax, release and feel renewed. We will tone, meditate, and focus our imagination, increasing the capacity for creativity and wellbeing. 
All welcome- No experience required- Pre-register 
Facilitated by Beth Welton-Miller, MS, LMT 
For over 30 years, Beth has lived her passion for personal and relationship transformation helping people connect with their core essence. Her professional experience includes teaching workshops and working individually with people using body centered and energetic healing practices. 
Reserve a space by e-mail to beth@vibrant-living.com or calling 503-680-5810 
Contribution: $10 - $20.  Suggested sliding scale; payable at time of event.   
For more information:  www.vibrant-living.com

Trout Lake Event      Come join the fun!
TLCF Oktoberfest Saturday, October 4th
11am - 5pm       at the Trout Lake CSA
Sausages, Baked Goods, games and more.
Fresh Apple Cider straight from the press
*Bring your homemade sauerkraut and/or Bring your homemade beer for tasting
*All proceeds go to support scholarships for Trout Lake graduates
Contact: Ardis at (360) 907-1660 for more info or if you would like to donate baked goods or apples 

PO Box 487, Trout Lake WA 98650     www.MtAdamsZen.org

509.395.2030  (e-mail -put in the @ sign) kozen1 at embarqmail.com