COMIMG UP: Saturday Community - Join Us On Site or Online | Fusatsu Ceremony

 

COMING UP: Saturday Community - On Site or Online

Student talk will be given by Mitchell Hoden (法田) Katzel, student of Kwong-roshi, following 10:30 am zazen. Open to the public.   For those who are new to Zen or need a refresher, please register for meditation instruction from 9:00 to 10:00 am. If you live within driving distance, please register to attend on site. Informal vegetarian lunch will be provided afterwards in the Sangha House.   About the Speaker

Mitchell travelled from the east coast to the west after finishing college to be a student at San Francisco Zen Center in 1977. He was a resident at the city center and later at Green Gulch Farm until 1987. After returning to school to complete graduate studies at UC Berkeley in 1990, he established a career as a fluvial geomorphologist restoring rivers throughout California. Mitchell met Kwong-roshi in 2008 and received Jukai a year later and was given the dharma name Hoden (Dharma Field). He served as Shuso (Head Student) leading the 30-day intensive practice period in the winter of 2023. He currently resides with his wife in Sonoma Valley at the foot of Sonoma Mountain.

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$15 admission (10-20% Member Discount: Please log in first to receive the discount.)

THIS MONTH: September Fusatsu Ceremony

Partake in the Traditional Soto Zen Ritual Atonement Ceremony is a Buddhadharma training—blessing from the teacher and a ritual of chanting, bowing, purification, and renewal of vows/direction. Traditionally practiced on the full moon, Fusatsu is one of the most beautiful and profound ceremonies in the Zen tradition. Together, we acknowledge our karmic entanglements and hindrances, at-one for the beginningless greed, anger, and ignorance—restoring harmony and happiness.   7:30 – 8:00pm Zazen 8:00 – 9:00pm Service

Reflection of the Fusatsu Ceremony by Shannon Rossiter (Member since May 2023)   As in the major religions (Muslim, Jewish, and Christian) and in Native American spiritual ceremonies to name a few, there is what is called the act of atonement. To reconcile—to restore harmony, balance. Fusatsu is an ancient Zen Buddhist ceremony of atonement, purification, and renewal of vows. I had the privilege on this past June full moon to participate in this ceremony at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center. Performing a full moon ritual, I have read, can be a powerful way to release what no longer serves us and to make room for new beginnings. In this situation, beginning to me means the origin, source—not something new but has always been. During this ceremony, I found such joy, peace, and connectedness with all sentient beings renewing my vows and commitment to continue a good practice to stop harmful karma. The Zendo is a beautiful space with others to experience this profound work. I invite all to participate in this beautiful monthly ceremony.

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By Donation (Please support SMZC to sustain our practice on the mountain.)

In order to continue to offer these programs and ensure the future of SMZC, we are asking for your support. Your donation is tax deductible. Sonoma Mountain Zen Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Tax ID #23-7304793

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