Shao Shan Temple 2015 Newsletter

 Dear Friends and Sangha of Shao Shan Temple,

As this year, 2015, comes to a close, we are sending this newsletter to recap some of the year at Shao Shan Temple and to invite you to consider Shao Shan Temple in your end of year giving.

2015 RECAP

This year saw the addition of several new programs at Shao Shan Temple.  A “Question & Answer” evening in March elicited the request for a mid-day program which spawned our, now popular, Thursday afternoon program.  The Thursday afternoon program beginning at 3:30pm includes meditation, chanting the heart sutra and a Dharma discussion time.

Another new program this year, was day-retreats for Young Adults (20s & 30s).  There was a retreat in April on the topic of Values and one in November on Work.  Both were enthusiastically received.

The family program continues to flourish and in recognition of the growing number of older children, we also incorporated a “teen” portion into the program which allows the teens to join the adults for a short time of meditation, have a discussion time with Taihaku and join the children for activities and snack.  This year also saw our first Animal Friend/ Pet Blessing.

In July, there was a “Nature Retreat” during which we acknowledged the sacred sites on the land that support our practice here and planted a sacred pole atop “Dumpling Mountain” across from the Temple. 

Our usual annual ceremonies – Buddha’s Birthday and the Anniversary Celebration in September were again both meaningful and fun events.  These occasions provide an opportunity to introduce friends and family to Shao Shan Temple and to get to know others over refreshments.

In addition to the public programs, Shao Shan Temple also assists in landmark occasions such as weddings, baby blessings and memorial services.  At the beginning of the year, we offer to visit people’s homes for a personalized home blessing.

This year was momentous for the Shao Shan Temple Cemetery.  The survey was officially completed and submitted to the town of Woodbury.  The first interment of cremated remains occurred in October.  It is now possible to purchase burial rights for a lot.

More photos of these and other activities can be seen on the Blog page: http://shaoshantemple.blogspot.com/

Looking to 2016

We look forward to joining with you in programs this upcoming year.   The schedule for 2016 is: http://www.shaoshantemple.org/home/schedule.  We welcome feedback if there are programs that you are especially interested in having.

Year End Giving

Shao Shan Temple is a 501C3 tax exempt organization.  Your donations are tax deductable and help insure that we continue to be able to offer programs such as these.  Donation receipts will automatically be provided for donations above $250 and will be provided upon request for donations of any amount.  Please consider making a year-end contribution.  Donations can be made online via paypal: http://www.shaoshantemple.org/donations

2016 New Year Greetings are coming to you!

New Year Greetings from Shao Shan Temple!

These individually made cards are sent to those who practice at the temple regularly and some are also available to pick up at the temple.

 

Each year a different greeting message is selected by Taihaku-san.  2016's greeting is "sen ni shitagatte" or "adhere to the line".

Below is a description of the New Year's greetings:

OFUDA

Prayer Tablet

At the New Year, it is a Japanese temple tradition to present people affiliated with the temple an Ofuda (Prayer Tablet).  These Ofuda are an expression of the temple’s deep wishes and dedication to the welfare of the community.  They carry the force of intention and practice into the homes of the community and form a bridge and doorway between the temple and everyday practice.  They are prayers, in solid form, for your well being and fruitful deepening in the Way;  a living expression of mutual connection.  These Ofuda have been placed on the temple’s altar during the December 8 day Rohatsu intensive practice, where they are charged with the great power of faith and courage.  Traditionally, people mount or place the Ofuda in their home for the duration of the upcoming year to bring their household peace and protection.

May peace and blessings extend from your home to the wider world in the upcoming year.

December Family Program - Generosity

During this holiday season - the December 12th Family Program focused on generosity.
  
Each family brought some food items to donate to the Worcester Food Shelf and the children made decorations to give with the boxes.

May our holiday season be infused with a generous mind!

Thank you from Worcester Food Shelf

Rohatsu Sesshin - Dec. 1-8

Thanks to all who participated in this year's Rohatsu Sesshin  at Shao Shan Temple.

 Rohatsu sesshin is an intensive meditation retreat December 1st - 8th to commemorate Shakymuni Buddha's enlightenment.

This year, we had especially strong participation - with many sangha members coming at various times.  

Each day, Taihaku-san gave a Dharma Talk following the life of Shakyamuni Buddha.

May this infuse our upcoming year of practice with renewed vigor.

Family program - gratitude + blessing power

An enthusiastic group of children, teens and parents gathered at Shao Shan Temple this Saturday, Nov. 21st.  The children made pinecones with peanut butter and sunflower seeds for the birds as the parents discussed gratitude.  All joined together in the Temple for a time of "awakening Blessing Power".

Blessings on all!

Sesshin and First Snow

Shao Shan Temple's autumn sesshin was October 16-18. 

A group of devoted practioners gathered for the Sunday Zazenkai.               

During the sesshin, sun alternated with bursts of snow flurries - the first snow of the year! 

Thanks to all who participated.

Family Program mandalas

During October's family program, with the changing seasons - the topic was impermanence.  

The children created (impermanent) mandalas on the ground out of natural materials -  rocks, leaves, sticks, pinecones, etc.

Peace Day / Autumn Equinox

September 21st a small group gathered at Shao Shan Temple to celebrate the fall equinox and International Peace Day.


We chanted around the Peace Pole garden, decorated with origami cranes for the occasion.

And we joined together in the ancient Ryakufusatsu ceremony - a purification ceremony at this time of the changing seasons.

May our intention and our practice contribute to spreading peace 

over the entire planet.

The Cemetery of Shao Shan Temple

We are pleased to announce that the Shao Shan Temple Cemetery is now available.  The formal survey has been submitted to the Town of Woodbury and the Cemetery documents have been reviewed and approved by the Shao Shan Temple Board. 

We invite you to visit the magical mossy cemetery up the hill through the red gate.  This cemetery for cremated remains is unusual in America in that it is associated with a Buddhist Temple with an active practice. 

Having a Cemetery connected with Shao Shan Temple supports and activates the Buddhist practice of those who practice at Shao Shan Temple by the reminder of our own death and the reminder of the deaths of those with whom we have practiced.  It supports our diligent practice.

There will be an annual memorial ceremony in the cemetery to honor those who are interred there and our lineage ancestors.  The first interment will take place in October.

Please contact us for more information or if you have questions.

15th Anniversary Celebration - Sept. 13,2015

Shao Shan Temple's 15th Anniversary was celebrated on Sunday, September 13th.  Despite overcast, damp weather, a good group gathered together to joyfully rededicate the temple and ourselves.
Each person had the opportunity to tie a ribbon symbolizing their intention onto a pole that now stands in front of the temple. 

Weddings, Baby Blessings, Memorial Services

This summer there have been several private ceremonies - Weddings, Baby Blessings, Memorial Services.  These private ceremonies are sometimes at Shao Shan Temple and sometimes conducted by Taihaku and Kenzan at a different location, depending on the needs and desires of the families.  

Each private ceremony is crafted in conjunction with the family to create a ceremony that reflects those involved.

Shao Shan Temple is grateful to be an integral part of landmark ceremonies in people's lives.

Baby Blessing of Krishna Sky

Noah and Vanessa's Wedding

Memorial Service of Mr Holmbom 

OBON Ceremony - August 9th

OBON CEREMONY                      August 9th 2015

On Sunday evening, an intimate group gathered  to remember those who have gone before us - to honor and recognize our physical and spiritual ancestors.

The Obon ceremony began at the Temple and then proceeded by candlelight up to the Shao Shan Temple Cemetery where we chanted while circumambulating the Ceremonial Circle. The evening concluded with a dedication at the fire altar in front of the Temple.

Summer at Shao Shan Temple

Nature is thriving and abundant at Shao Shan Temple this time of year

Participants at Shao Shan Temple are frequently greeted on the path by Juno the white bunny.

A Deer family were recent visitors

Shao Shan Temple Garden is thriving

Nature Retreat - Honoring the land and facilities that support Shao Shan

NATURE RETREAT

On Sunday, July 19th amid impending thunderstorms a small group gathered to honor the land and facilities that are part of and support Shao Shan Temple.

Dramatic weather accompanied our canoe trip to and our ascent up Dumpling Mountain - the small mountain across the wetlands from the Temple.  Dumpling Mountain is part of Shao Shan Temple.  We carried up a sacred pole (that used to be in front of the temple) and planted it with ceremonies at the mountain peak.

New Sacred Pole atop Dumpling Mountain

Thank you to all who participated and to the wonderful land and nature that surrounds and supports us in our practice!

White Jewel Mountain

Ceremonial acknowledgement and gratitude was also given at the Temple, the Cemetery, the White Jewel Mountain Retreat, the vegetable garden, the Little Hall and the outhouses.