July 19th, 2006

Arnold Park Work Day

The scheduled garden-and-grounds work day this Saturday, July 22, is at Arnold Park rather than Chapin Mill. Working together is fun and invigorating, and a group effort will revitalize the beauty of the garden in no time! Help for part – or all – of the day is very welcome. Lunch is provided if you let us know ahead of time that you’ll be there: call Eryl at the Center 473-9180, or email receptionist@rzc.org; or drop by on Saturday.


Three Jewels Order

There will be an investiture ceremony this Sunday, July 23, for Paula Schank and Eryl Kubicka as they become full lay members of the Three Jewels Order. Everyone is welcome to attend the ceremony, which will be held in the zendo after the Sunday sitting.


Annual Picnic

Come to Chapin Mill, enjoy the company and cool off by the pond for the Center’s annual potluck picnic on Saturday, July 29. If you can give someone a ride, or if you need a ride, be at the Center between 10:00 and 10:30 am. Please bring a main dish or hearty salad to share (serving 6 to 10). The Center will provide paper plates and silverware, as well as hot and cold beverages throughout the day. Ice cream and watermelon will be served for dessert. We’ll eat lunch at about 1:00 pm.

Remember to bring bathing suits, balls, Frisbees, musical instruments and anything else to add to the festivities. Water shoes are suggested for those who wish to wade. There will be volleyball and Frisbee in the meadow, and in the afternoon there will be some fun games for adults and children. New members and their families are especially welcome. For directions, call the Center at 473-9180.

In case of inclement weather, call the Center after 7:30 am. By then we should know if we have to use the rain date, which is Sunday, July 30.


The labyrinth in the meadow behind the Mill House at Chapin Mill is now complete. The girls in the Coming-of-Age Program finished digging the hundreds of clay bricks into the sod during the work retreat and offer this effort as their most concrete gift to the Sangha at the close of their two-year program. Because the brick pathway is embedded in the earth, the labyrinth is invisible from the road or the perimeter of the meadow. Look for a small wooden sign that signifies the entrance, close to the edge of the meadow near the stream.


Coming-of-Age Graduation and Closing Ceremony

The Coming-of-Age girls graduate from their two year commitment this Fall. The closing ceremony will be on Sunday, September 24, in the zendo. Everyone is invited to share in the joy of their rite of passage as Dharma adults. There will be a chanting service, and Sadie, Hannah and Molly will each offer some words about their experience.


Calendar Notes

• The Saturday dokusan indicated on the calendar for this Saturday, July 22, is canceled, due to a scheduling conflict for Roshi.
• The August 7-day sesshin deadline is Thursday, July 27.
• There will be a Water Baby Ceremony on Sunday, July 30, from 1-3 pm at Arnold Park.
• The next introductory workshop is on Saturday, August 12.
• The next Sangha meeting will be held during brunch, on Sunday, August 13.
• Roshi is in Sweden from August 1 through August 8, partly to do a full Dharma Transmission Ceremony for Kanja-sensei.
• There will be a repentance ceremony during the evening sitting on Thursday, August 17.
• The closing ceremony for the Coming-of-Age Program will be on Sunday, September 24.

Dalai Lama’s Visit to Buffalo

The Dalai Lama will be in Buffalo in September. He will be giving a public talk on Tuesday, September 19, at 1:00 pm in the big arena at the University of Buffalo. Here is a website, if you are interested in learning more: www.specialevents.buffalo.edu/dalailama.shtml


Kannon Committee

The Kannon Committee provides voluntary help with meals, errands, or transportation for Sangha members who are ill or temporarily disabled. If you or someone you know can use some help, please let the Committee know. If you are available to offer help in the future by making a meal or helping with errands or other things, please let us know this as well.

“The essential thing is to cut down on entanglements and concentrate
wholly on comprehending the Way.”

—Furong Daokai (11th-century Chinese Zen master)