October news: Soto Zen North America, Ask Me Anything, and upcoming events
Soto Zen North America and THZ
About ten years ago, an idea started to form around establishing a true Soto Zen denomination outside Japan, something that had never been done. Years and many hundreds of hours of meetings later, it came together as Soto Zen North America. A Board of Directors was put together a couple years ago (I was part of it), and from that we established a Denominational Council; together, the two bodies hold administrative and religious responsibility for the organization.
As a few of you know, in July—just about a month after our big ceremonies here—I was named by the Denominational Council as the first Guiding Kyoshi of Soto Zen North America. The Guiding Kyoshi (kyoshi means "teacher") is intended to be "the internal and external face of the denomination"; they sit on both the Board and the Denominational Council; and they carry "primary responsibility for religious leadership of Soto Zen NA."
It's a big role. Much like becoming the abbot of Sensouji, I'm still in the early days of figuring out what it means for me and how to stand in it. But I'm excited about the work and what it might mean for all of us. There are a number of associations right now for priests, but the denomination will be a network of temples and communities and recognize, support, and learn from each other. Soto Zen NA will of course offer various supports to priests, but explicitly in service of how those priests support communities, and how those communities in turn, through vow, support the world. In other words, the denomination will hold us all.
As I said, how I hold this new role is still taking shape. And in the near future, I think Thousand Harbour's role might start to take shape as well—there's a lot to talk about, but I hope we might become the first Canadian temple to join the denomination, paving the way for many more to come. As with our little temple, we're building something that is intended to be here for a long time. As it develops, I look forward to sharing that progress with all of you and discovering the ways in which we call can participate and benefit. It's a big moment.
You can read more about Soto Zen North America here (and read the latest newsletter here). If you have questions about any of it, please reach out anytime. For my part, I'm going to try to share more about how we, as Thousand Harbours Zen, are positioned in the Soto Zen world: in the tradition, in its history, and in the organizational structures that sustain it.
Gassho,
-koun
Beginner's Mind, Neurodiverse Mind
Are you a beginner or new to Zen? Or are you a neurodiverse practitioner? Starting Thursday, October 23rd at 6:45 pm Atlantic Time, we will be creating a weekly online space called Beginner's Mind, Neurodiverse Mind. Join us at our regular Zoom link.
We'll spend the first 15 minutes asking questions and discussing the practice of Zen as beginners. Newcomers are especially welcome.
We'll follow with 20 minutes of neurodiverse-friendly zazen. What does that mean? We’re going to try and figure that out! If you’re a neurodiverse practitioner, this is your chance to help create that space.
Tōshin and Martin will be alternating as hosts to begin with, but others are invited to participate and lead. All are welcome.
November 11: “Ask Me Anything” with Koun
Is there something you’ve always wondered about, but never felt like it was the right moment to ask? The second Tuesday of the month is our community discussion night, and on Tuesday, November 11, Koun will be joining us for an “Ask Me Anything” session.
Of course you’re always welcome and encouraged to ask Koun questions, but this will be a more informal, fun environment to ask anything at all.
Ring the bells for morning zazen
There are a few days in November where we’re looking for volunteers to ring the bells for 6:30 am zazen on Zoom. If you’re able to help, you can sign up to take a shift. And if you’ve never done it before, don’t worry - we’ll explain how it works.
The 9:30 am zazen group, which meets Monday to Friday, is also looking for hosts. You can sign up for that here.
November 16: Zazen in Antigonish
Chugen has generously volunteered to host a series of community zazen events in Antigonish. The final one is coming up on Sunday, November 18 at 2 pm Atlantic time at in the community room at the East Coast Credit Union, 257 Main St, and on at our regular Zoom link.
If you have questions, you can email Chugen (Krista Lauff).
Newcomers’ orientations
If you’re new and have questions about our community or our practice, join us for a quick orientation at our regular Zoom link on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 pm Atlantic Time (before our usual Tuesday practice at 6:45).
You can view the event and (all our other events) on our calendar. If you’d like to attend an orientation register so we can make sure someone is there to greet you.
Tea with the community
We’re hosting a community tea event on Zoom on Sunday, November 30, from 11:30 am to 1 pm Atlantic time. This is a chance to connect with your fellow sangha members to discuss anything. You can view this event, and all our other events, on our calendar.