UNSUI – Dharma Cloud Hermitage

Archive for September, 2010

On Sunday, September 19, 2010, Kyōon Dokurō ordained his first disciple and also the first nun of Hōun-an, Dharma Cloud Hermitage. The ordination ceremony was attended by members of the Sangha, guests and ended with an informal vegetarian lunch.

We welcome Myōki (明気) McTighe to our sangha as an ordained disciple in training and wish her all the best in her Zen training within the Rinzai-ji tradition. Myōki started her practice with Teido Stephens, who is a disciple of Kozan Gentei Stewart, who studied with Sasaki Roshi and teaches in North Carolina. When Myōki moved to the Boston area for a new job she searched for a place to sit and joined the practitioners at Dharma Cloud Hermitage in 2005. Since then she has been a steady presence in the Zendo and attended several week-long retreats with Sasaki Roshi. Her training will continue locally but also include frequent participation in Dai-sesshin at training facilities where Sasaki Roshi teaches.

The ordained sangha at the temple now consists of the Vice-abbess Shūko, Myōki, and the Abbot, Dokurō. Together with the other practitioners we will continue to further a strong place of Zen practice that is sincere, genuine, and welcoming.

Weekly Schedule

The Fall 2010 schedule starts on Monday, September 13, 2010. The schedule is like last year’s schedule, offering Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm, and the traditional Sunday morning schedule from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. The Sunday schedule includes chanting the entire Sutra Book,  including Chapter 25 of the Lotos Sutra. Tuesday morning sitting from 7:00 am to 8:00 am is held as announced in the schedule listing.

At the bottom of the current schedule page the events for the upcoming 30 days in advance are displayed. The list updates automatically. Please check the schedule should you be unsure if there is sitting, like on Monday holidays or holiday weekends.

Open House

Once a month the Open House offers guests and newcomers a glimpse of formal Zen training. An abbreviated schedule is followed by refreshments and the opportunity to ask questions and chat with sangha members. The dates for the Open House events are: October 6, November 3, and December 1. The Open House begins at 7:30 pm and ends around 9:00 pm. Everyone is welcome, no prior arrangements need to be made, just stop by and bring a friend along!

Urban Rohatsu Retreat

The monastic practice of celebrating the historical Buddha’s enlightenment is by sitting seven days in the most severe retreat of the yearly calendar. In the urban setting that Hōun-an serves, we adjust the format and offer our first “Urban Rohatsu” from Monday, December 6 through Sunday, December 12. The commemoration of Buddha’s enlightenment will begin with the Monday evening schedule, at 7:30 pm. Throughout the work week sittings will be offered from 5:30 am to 7:30 am in the morning, and every evening from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Saturday will be a full day of sitting, starting at 6 am through 9 pm (including three meals), Sunday will begin at 7 am (with breakfast) and end in the celebration of Jodo-e at 11 am.

Participation in the weekday sittings of the Urban Rohatsu is on a donation basis, no registration is required. The weekend portion of the retreat requires registration and a deposit to participate. Details about the requested contribution will be posted.

On Sunday, September 19, the Fall/Winter season opens. A very special event will be included in this opening sitting: an ordination ceremony, Tokudo-shiki  得度式. The regular sitting schedule will begin at 10 am with formal tea, followed by a period of Zazen. The ordination ceremony begins at 11 am.

Please feel free to join us for the sitting or the ceremony. The ordination marks an important event for Dharma Cloud Hermitage, we are taking on the first ordained disciple that is directly affiliated with the temple. Join us in welcoming the newly ordained member of our sangha.