Tuesday, March 17, 2020

A Message from Jakusho Kwong- roshi | Cancellations due to Corona Virus


Dear Wisteria Wind and Sonoma Mountain Sangha,

In light of the severity & danger with the COVID 19, Sad to say -  It is prudent that we postpone & shut down all SMZC activities from March 17/Tues. to 31st/Tues. We will reassess at the end of the month. This means cancelling Study Group/Tues., Workfest, Buddha’s Birth Sesshin & Ceremony along with our morning & evening Zazen. Thursday Interviews should be changed into phone calls.  I encourage everyone to sit a Zazen schedule, on their own & Maintain strict Sanitation habits as in hand washing for 20 seconds, coughing & sneezing into your elbow. If you feel sick stay home & if you have a fever you should see a Doctor.

The government is instructing us to avoid gatherings of more that 10 people for the next 15days. This is to flatten the curve of the quickly spreading Virus.  Also avoid eating out, restaurants, food courts, shopping trips, &  social visits, & esp., visiting hospitals or nursing homes & care facilities….

Buddha’s First Noble Truth - Impermanency - meaning nothing last forever…..Remember within the midst of the Panic/Fear there is Silence/Calmness - As revealed in the Skandhas - the fabrication of the self which makes for scattering - WITHIN this - There is the fact of bundling/gathering; This is the Principle of the Dharma. Just like the Sandokai - the Intimacy of the Relative/Absolute - WITHIN Darkness there is Light, But do not look for the Light.  

From this Profound Insight of Silence springs forth Wisdom & Compassion, Which inspires us to maintain our Calmness & Steadfastness within the fire of COVID 19, which is also bringing/helping, everyone to come together to do RIGHT.     The Depth of the Dewdrop is the Height of the Moon remains Forever So………Take good care of yourself which in all ways includes others…..

Life/Strength  Nine Bows,
Jakusho 寂照 Kwong
Sonoma Mountain Zen Center - Genjoji
6367 Sonoma Mountain Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
707.545.8105
www.smzc.org

With the deepest Gratitude from all of us to all of you.

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