May 15, 2006

Saturday ‘Clean Sweep’ Work Day

In support of Mayor Duffy’s efforts to promote pride and harmony in our city through the Clean Sweep program, Roshi is asking staff and available Sangha volunteers to participate in the Arnold Park neighborhood effort this Saturday, May 20, starting at 8 am.

In the first two weeks of the program, 680 residents turned out in the northeast area of Rochester and 560 tons of trash were collected!

There will also be a workday at Chapin Mill for those not participating in Clean Sweep at Arnold Park. If you can offer help at either location, please call the Center in advance, so that we can plan tools and have an accurate lunch count.

Vesak Volunteers

In preparation for the unfolding of Vesak, the Sangha’s joyful celebration of the Buddha’s birth, there are three main times when help is needed. Please contact the Center if you can help out. Call Eryl at 473-9180 or email receptionist@rzc.org.

Thursday evening, May 25. After one round of sitting, beginning as usual at 7 pm, we will start the set-up for Temple Night. This mainly involves carrying altar bases upstairs into the Buddha Hall.

Friday morning, May 26. Share breakfast with the staff at 7:30 (please let María Elena know the day before if you’ll be there) and then we’ll continue working on Temple Night preparations.

Saturday morning, May 27. No formal sitting. After a 7 am breakfast (note early time) we’ll prepare the garden, Link and Buddha Hall for the Vesak festivities. Please let María Elena know by noon on Friday if you plan on having breakfast at the Center.

Vesak Bakers Needed

If you can make or donate some cupcakes for the Baby Buddha’s stupa cake, please call María Elena at 473-9180.

Vesak Flower Donations

Beautiful flowers arrangements contribute to the devotional atmosphere and the loveliness of the altars on Temple Night. If you have suitable blooms in your garden, or would like to donate some money towards flower purchases, please contact Emily Halgrimson at the Center by Tuesday, May 23.

Vesak Timetable

· Youth Jukai

Youth Jukai will take place in the Buddha Hall at 6:15 on Friday evening, May 26. Following the ceremony, refreshments will be served in the dining room. Children are welcome to attend Temple Night until 7:45.

· Jukai

The Jukai ceremony (taking the Buddhist precepts) will begin at approximately 9:10 pm in the Buddha Hall, during Temple Night. To help preserve the devotional tone of the evening, please mingle in the garden rather than in or near the Buddha Hall.

· Childcare during Jukai

Childcare may be available during Temple Night for parents who request it ahead of time. Please call Eryl at the Center by Friday, May 19, and she’ll make the arrangements.

· Vesak Saturday

The morning starts at 9:30 am with a ceremony for those who are receiving a rakusu.

At 10:15 am we’ll be opening the Buddha Hall for the ceremonial pouring of sweet tea over the Baby Buddha. (According to tradition, when the Buddha was born, sweet rain fell.)

Come to the main house first to drop off your potluck dish. The kitchen is again asking that everyone bring a vegetarian main dish to serve at least 8-12 people. The Center will provide desserts, but if anyone is inspired to bring a dessert in addition to a main dish, it will be gratefully accepted. Please remember to label all your dishes, including utensils, and to pick them up before you leave.

Chanting will begin in the Buddha Hall at about 10:30 am, followed by the story of the Buddha’s birth, the awakening of the Sleeping Sage and the elephant parade. Lunch will be around noon. At 2:00 pm, Sensei will give dokusan for out-of-town members only.

· Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of members will take place from 5:30-7 pm on Saturday, May 29, in the Buddha Hall. If you were a member as of the April 26, 2006, record date, be sure to bring your ballot if you have not already mailed it in. All Sangha members are welcome to attend the meeting, whether or not they are eligible to vote.

· Buddha Bazaar

Kids, young and old, come to Arnold Park on Sunday, May 28, for an exhilarating, action-packed event—the Buddha Bazaar! Games and activities will run from 11 am-1 pm. Beverages will be provided, but bring your own picnic lunch. If you would like to help set up on Sunday morning, or run an activity, contact the Center at 473-9180.

Calendar Notes

· There will be a Board of Trustees meeting this weekend, May 27-28. An agenda is posted in the Link.

· The deadline for the June 7-day sesshin is Thursday, May 25.

· Roshi will be leading a 2-day sesshin in Madison, Wisconsin, June 2-4.

· Saturday dokusan is offered on June 10.

· The next Youth Sunday is June 11. There will be a Sangha meeting during brunch that same day.

Center Closings

· The Center will be closed on Memorial Day, May 29. Formal sittings will resume Tuesday morning, May 30.

· There will be no formal sittings from Friday evening, June 2, through Sunday, June 4. As usual, Sangha members are welcome to come and sit informally.

Memorial Day Peace Concert

Sangha member David Brickman and his chamber music group, the Finger Lakes Chamber Ensemble, will present a Memorial Day Concert for Peace on Monday, May 29, at 7 pm. The concert, which is co-sponsored by the Zen Center, will be held at the First Unitarian Church, 220 South Winton Road, and will feature Shostakovich’s Piano Trio No. 2 in E Minor and Giva Kancheli’s Quartet L’Istesso Tempo. The concert is free, donations gladly accepted.

Sesshin Lost and Found

Many times sesshin participants leave things behind at Chapin Mill and the items end up in the Lost and Found at Arnold Park. Unless you let us know, unclaimed stuff will eventually end up in donations. Bath towels, outer garments, ball caps and shoes are the most typically forgotten.

RAIHN Volunteers

The Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network program, which serves homeless families, is now urgently needing new volunteers. People who can volunteer two or four times a year would be equally welcome. For more information email karg@mail.rochester.edu.

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

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