The 7th Biennial Gathering of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association

Well, there is a breakfast, after which the board will meet – but, otherwise the 7th Biennial Gathering of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association is in the history books.

Just a few less than ninety clergy from a variety of Soto lineages met at Camp Courage in Maple Lake, Minnesota, about an hour from the Twin Cities. We sat together, celebrated liturgy, had workshops and lectures, and a keynote address from Dr David Loy, scholar, eco justice activist and Zen master in the Sanbo Zen tradition.

For me the highlights were definitely the keynote, which earned David a standing ovation. And, I’m pretty sure will effect the attention given to the ecological crisis among several of our sanghas. Similarly I found a brief “TED style” talk by Koun Franz, a confession and call to address the pervasive issue of racism in our country to be deeply moving. As, I know, it did a number of others among us. I was profoundly moved by the sense that our practice has matured to the degree that we can continue to cultivate the spiritual disciplines we have inherited and are charged with protecting and transmitting and at the same take the perspectives we have gained and turn them toward the pressing issues of our time and place.

Gengo Akiba Roshi, sokan (bishop) for the North American mission of the Japanese Sotoshu brought warm greetings and words of encouragement for us, and made a presentation on the current status of Tenpyozan, the planned pan-lineage traditional Japanese style training monastery in Lake County, California.

We stepped back from the near all consuming issue of membership criteria, at least all consuming for the board, to begin a process of asking the membership, and I think significantly, including the associate members who are still in training, about what are their hopes an visions for this organization. This process, adapted from Appreciative Inquiry is expected to take months, maybe the year – but out of it, I suspect we will re-orient some of what we’re doing, and take major steps toward being the supporting organization for this vital spiritual tradition that is definitely taking root in our rich Western soil.

The Dharma Heritage ceremony, which acknowledges the entry of a Zen priest into full fellowship within the SZBA, and stands for many as a replacement for the Japanese Zuisse ceremony was deeply moving, and it was equally powerful to see Jisho Warner Roshi, one of our revered elder Soto priests, officiating.

The concluding “no talent” show had a couple of ringers in that three of our members are actually professional musicians. It was, as always, a hoot. I brought my own highly refined capacity to be audience to the project and was pleased there was something for all of us to do.

Many good things. Many small and larger memories. Got to spend a little time with old friends, and make the acquaintance of some whom I hope will be ongoing friends.

Life in the big world…

Here’s a little something from Hozan Alan Senuake, the current president of the SZBA, recorded last year.

(the photo is from the 2014 gathering. I will change it when the current photo is available…)