“Birth is an expression complete this moment. Death is an expression complete this moment. They are like winter and spring. You do not call winter the beginning of spring, nor summer the end of spring.” — Genjokoan, Eihei Dogen
—or spring the beginning of winter, or winter the end of spring? But what do the trees know about words? On November 17 the lilacs were blooming—
—and on November 22 the first snow fell.
Meanwhile, our winter and almost-winter schedule begins:
Rohatsu Retreat — December 4 – 8
Our five-day Rohatsu retreat, the traditional observance of Buddha’s enlightenment, will follow our usual pattern of scheduled and open sittings, with encouragement to sit full days when possible, and especially to participate in the ceremony celebrating Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment on the final morning. The sign-up sheet is filling and planning and preparations have begun, so if you would like to join us, please add your name as soon as possible. If you need the link to access the list, leave a comment here or email Catherine at neighborhoodzen at gmail.
Full Moon Bodhisattva Ceremony
All are welcome to join us at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday December 15 for a period of zazen followed by the Full Moon Bodhisattva Ceremony, or Ryaku Fusatsu, the traditional Soto Zen ceremony for renewing practice of the bodhisattva precepts.
A formal ceremony with extended chanting and full bows, Ryaku Fusatsu is an occasion when all practitioners can express our deep intention to practice together with all beings, whether or not we have formally received bodhisattva precepts or offered bodhisattva vows.
On Saturday December 14 at 9:30 a.m. EST, those who are interested can join the San Francisco Zen Center / City Center full moon ceremony online at this link. Recorded examples of the Full Moon Ceremony are also available on the San Francisco Zen Center website.
At Neighborhood Zen, each month our Full Moon Bodhisattva Ceremony will be held in person on the morning or evening closest to the time of the full moon. The 2025 dates can be found on our public calendar here—exact timing will be announced as each date approaches. Please let Brent or Catherine know if you have questions or would like to participate.
End-of-Year Interim: December 15 – 31
After the Full Moon Bodhisattva Ceremony our End-of-Year Interim will begin, a time for rest and renewal with no scheduled sittings or events.
New Year’s Day Reading of the Diamond Sutra, January 1, 2025
We end interim with our (now traditional?) annual reading of the Diamond Sutra, this year for the first time beginning with extended sitting on a three-hour open zendo schedule starting at 1 p.m. The bell will ring for periods of zazen and kinhin and everyone is welcome to enter quietly and join the practice at any time. The reading of the Diamond Sutra will begin at 4, followed by tea.
Thus shall you think of all this fleeting world:
A star at dawn, a bubble in a stream;
A flash of lightning in a summer cloud,
A flickering lamp, a phantom, and a dream.
—Diamond SutraLooking ahead to the New Year
The regular schedule returns on January 2 with Thursday evening sitting and will continue as usual, with the addition of a weekly Sunday morning sitting, beginning on January 5 at 8 a.m., with two periods of zazen and a full morning service, ending with tea at 10. One Sunday each month silence and sitting will continue into the afternoon. See the calendar for dates.
Early in January, the Monday evening discussion will complete study of the Four Noble Truths with a reading from the Avatamsaka Sutra, and the Tuesday evening Dogen Study Group will turn attention to the Genjokoan. Details on the new readings will follow.
