Spray Foam & Solstice Fire - 12/21/2012

 On the morning of the winter solstice, the lavender spray foam insulation was applied in the new Monk House building.


In the evening was the Ryakufusatsu -Winter Solstice Ceremony.  People braved the potentially-icy roads to attend this ceremony on the occasion of the shortest day of the year.  Bonfire, tiki torches and candles lit up an evening of chanting, bowing and meditation.

Happy Winter Solstice!

New Year's Greetings!

 Shao Shan Temple's 2013
New Year's Greetings
are in the mail -
each one uniquely hand stamped.

This year's greeting is KEI-SAKU : Promise-Blossoming. 
As has become an annual tradition, Rev. Taihaku will talk about the New Year greeting during the Dharma Talk at the first Zazenkai of the year -
Jan. 20, 2013.


Happy New Year!

Sewing at Shao Shan Temple - Dec. 15th

 A good turnout of sewers gathered on Saturday, Dec. 15th for the last Funzoe Sewing at Shao Shan Temple for this year.  Many will continue to enjoy this meditative practice at home over the holiday time.

We begin again together next year with the first Sewing Sesshin at Shao Shan Temple on Sunday, January 13th.  Join us!

Closing Ceremony of Rohatsu Sesshin - 12/8/2012

 At the end of a strong 8-day Rohatsu Sesshin, a group gathered at Shao Shan Temple for the early morning closing ceremony.  As part of commemorating the Buddha's Enlightenment on seeing the morning star on this day - we walked in the pre-dawn twilight up to the cemetery.
Thanks to everyone who joined in this time of intensive practice.

Rohatsu Sesshin In Progress - Dec. 1-8, 2012

Rohatsu Sesshin Opening Ceremony

After a week of intensive outdoor activity with the new Monk House construction, we now switch gears to a week of intensive indoor sitting.  Rohatsu Sesshin is an 8 day sesshin ending on December 8th - it is a time of concentrated practice to commemorate Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment upon seeing the morning star.  Sesshin is now in day 5.  There are daily dharma talks by Rev. Taihaku Priest on the subject of Buddha's Enlightenment.

Sesshin - Day 1

Sesshin - Day 2

Kyoshi visits from VA