sangha news 2004

	Brad has been making some wooden dining tables for sesshin with help from Eshin and Brent. They were ready for the November sesshin. Participants appreciated the attractive design that was sized narrower than usual just for sesshins.

The annual end of summer BBQ was held on August 28. The weather was grey but cleared as the BBQ started. Maybe the weather deterred some people but those that came had a great time.

Alan Haskins from the Brooks Branch Zendo in North Carolina sat with us early August while on a visit to Vancouver with his wife. These visits are appreciated as they foster the sense of the larger Rinzai-ji sangha.

Michelle and John on Bowen Island have started Zen workshops for newcomers, with Eshin leading them. So far about twenty people have come and a good percent are sitting regularly. John and Michelle have cleared land for their new, larger Bowen Island Zendo. They have heard of a potential source for some free lumber. Let’s hope the chance for building will occur this winter.

The Prince George sangha had their weekend retreat with Eshin on October 16th and 17th. It was a smaller group than normal but all were experienced sitters. The group has a new gong, mokugyo and other things for the zendo reflecting a pride in their practise.

Steffi, while on a visit to Vancouver, learnt and started Zen here in August. She has been sitting with us several times a week and attended a one day sit. Steffi returned to Germany on October 8th after a small ‘party’ for her at the end of her last sit with us. Best wishes for her continuing practise!

People who have recently done sesshin with Roshi - Eshin and Toby in June; Janice, Michelle, Myorei and Eshin in July; Adrian in September; Eshin, Michelle and Joni in October; John, Michelle and the girls went to Bodhi Manda ZC for all of November including two sesshins with Roshi and then headed to Mt Baldy ZC for rohatsu; Chris and Eshin joined them for that sesshin.