sangha news 2007

Hoben Kim Hansen hosted another dinner and get-together at his home in early December. Students and teachers from all Vancouver’s Zen centres were there. Great company and food! Thank you Hoben!

Simon, Eshin’s nephew from England, came from August to December to study Zen at the centre. Timing was such that he contributed a lot of work, and it was also a chance for him to experience living in another country.

Louise is recovering from her surgery in May. She was recently able to come and sit at the centre but it is still very tiring for her.
Brock, Klare’s husband, had heart surgery in September and recovered well.
Eshin has heard Chikako is unwell again with her cancer.
When sangha members are unwell the centre keeps their photo in the zendo. This is both to keep them in our hearts and so that they may receive benefit from our zazen.

Rick Spencer dropped in see Eshin during a visit to Vancouver in November. He sat with the Zen Centre over fifteen years ago and now lives in Mexico where he has started a sitting group.

Eshin, Myorei, Chris, Kumiko and Simon become the first residents of the new Zen Centre at 5505 Sherbrooke on August 26. A daily schedule was formed with zazen, meals and work periods.

Eshin was invited to Asheville, North Carolina, to officiate at Michael and Georgia’s wedding in August. Michael and Georgia lived in Vancouver in 2000/1 and practiced at the centre. They are now in Portland, OR, where Georgia is studying Chinese medicine.

E’cho returned from China in mid-June. His partner, Bin, will arrive in mid-July.

Eshin will be attending the first week of the Summer Seminar on Buddhism in June. This annual seminar was started by Roshi to combine academic study and practice of Buddhism. Eshin will be attending in his role as osho.

Louise was diagnosed on May 21st with a brain tumour. It was operated on next day and was discovered malignant. The centre has her picture on the butsudan and chanting is done regularly for her. The sangha is also with Fred and the children through this sad and difficult time.

Jon and Risako have moved and now live close to centre.

Peggy retired from her hospital job in March. It’s not all free time as she has started a new ‘job’ of baby sitting her grandchildren.

Chris Martin and Kumiko were at Bodhi Manda ZC's kessei this spring and will be at Mt Baldy ZC's summer seichu. Noah Quastel has planned to be at the first half of Mt Baldy ZC’s summer seichu.

Eshin and Myorei were invited to the Rinzai-ji sesshin in early April that marked Roshi's 100th year. It was followed by a public Buddha's Birthday ceremony and a private dinner. Tony and Josh, who are early and long time Vancouver Zen students, travelled to Los Angeles to attend the ceremony.

Jan Irwin passed away peacefully on March 4th. She lived in the Yalakom valley with her husband Bill and children Jared and Selena. Jan was a long time Zen student and devoted to Roshi. She passed peacefully and consciously with her family present. The memorial was in the Yalakom on March 17th. Eshin officiated the Zen memorial ceremony at the beginning of the service.

In February Eshin was invited to a Victoria Zen Center weekly zazen meeting at UVIC. It was also a time to renew acquaintance with Eshu.

Jonathan Gallant and Chris Martin will be attending Mt Baldy ZC's March sesshin. It is their first sesshin with Roshi. Kumiko also attended.