|
Sanshin holds only a few ceremonies:
These are done wholeheartedly and sincerely, but simply. Our larger tradition includes a number of elaborate and decorative ceremonies and customs, and in some times and places these are completely appropriate. Our particular aspiration at Sanshin is to keep the meaning and spirit of our simple ceremonies without letting them become empty gestures, done simply because custom dictates that they be done. We aim to understand why we’re doing what we’re doing and keep the connection between all of our actvities and zazen. |
|
Daily
Ryaku choka: On weekday mornings following zazen we make full prostrations and chant the Maka Hannya Haramita Shingyo (M,W,F) or Heart Sutra (T,TH).
Monthly
Ryaku fusatsu: One Monday per month at 7 pm, we gather to hear a recitation of Dogen Zenji's Essay on Teaching and Conferring the Precepts and renew our aspiration to follow them.
World Peace ceremony: On the third Sunday of the month, following the dharma talk we chant the Heart Sutra and recall both those who perpetrate suffering in the world and those who provide rescue and refuge from disaster.
Annually
New Year: Sanshin is closed from January 1 - 4. Special rice cakes are offered at our various altars.
Nirvana Day: On the Sunday following the Nirvana Sesshin in February, the dharma talk considers a topic related to the Buddha's death. Following the talk, the sangha chants the Heart Sutra and offers incense, then enjoys a potluck lunch..
Buddha's Birthday: On the Sunday closest to April 8, the dharma talk considers a topic related to the Buddha's birth. Following the talk, the sangha chants the Heart Sutra and offers incense, then enjoys a potluck lunch.
Honsoku gyocha and hossenshiki: These ceremonies ending the term of the shuso, or head novice, happen in mid June. The sangha gathers for formal tea and a talk by Okumura Roshi related to the koan about which the shuso will be answering questions the next day. On the following morning the shuso briefly takes over as teacher and answers the sangha's dharma questions.
Zaike tokudo: A precepts ceremony (jukai) is held during the last day of the July precepts retreat in which those who have made arrangements will receive the Buddhist precepts and a rakusu, or lay robe, which they have sewn beforehand. The community is present as witness and family and friends of precepts recipients are welcome at the ceremony.
Buddha's Enlightenment Day: On the Sunday folllowing the Rohatsu sesshin in December, the dharma talk considers a topic related to the Buddha's awakening. Following the talk, the sangha chants the Heart Sutra and offers incense, then enjoys a potluck lunch.
Occasionally
Shukke tokudo: After a period of discernment and preparation, a practitioner may receive ordination as a novice and embark on training and study to become fully authorized clergy in Sanshin's lineage. The community is present as witness and family and friends of ordinees are welcome at the ceremony.
Dharma transmission: When various training requirements have been met, a novice is authorized to function independently as a dharma teacher. Transmission activities take place over a week and are privately conducted between teacher and novice.
Ryaku choka: On weekday mornings following zazen we make full prostrations and chant the Maka Hannya Haramita Shingyo (M,W,F) or Heart Sutra (T,TH).
Monthly
Ryaku fusatsu: One Monday per month at 7 pm, we gather to hear a recitation of Dogen Zenji's Essay on Teaching and Conferring the Precepts and renew our aspiration to follow them.
World Peace ceremony: On the third Sunday of the month, following the dharma talk we chant the Heart Sutra and recall both those who perpetrate suffering in the world and those who provide rescue and refuge from disaster.
Annually
New Year: Sanshin is closed from January 1 - 4. Special rice cakes are offered at our various altars.
Nirvana Day: On the Sunday following the Nirvana Sesshin in February, the dharma talk considers a topic related to the Buddha's death. Following the talk, the sangha chants the Heart Sutra and offers incense, then enjoys a potluck lunch..
Buddha's Birthday: On the Sunday closest to April 8, the dharma talk considers a topic related to the Buddha's birth. Following the talk, the sangha chants the Heart Sutra and offers incense, then enjoys a potluck lunch.
Honsoku gyocha and hossenshiki: These ceremonies ending the term of the shuso, or head novice, happen in mid June. The sangha gathers for formal tea and a talk by Okumura Roshi related to the koan about which the shuso will be answering questions the next day. On the following morning the shuso briefly takes over as teacher and answers the sangha's dharma questions.
Zaike tokudo: A precepts ceremony (jukai) is held during the last day of the July precepts retreat in which those who have made arrangements will receive the Buddhist precepts and a rakusu, or lay robe, which they have sewn beforehand. The community is present as witness and family and friends of precepts recipients are welcome at the ceremony.
Buddha's Enlightenment Day: On the Sunday folllowing the Rohatsu sesshin in December, the dharma talk considers a topic related to the Buddha's awakening. Following the talk, the sangha chants the Heart Sutra and offers incense, then enjoys a potluck lunch.
Occasionally
Shukke tokudo: After a period of discernment and preparation, a practitioner may receive ordination as a novice and embark on training and study to become fully authorized clergy in Sanshin's lineage. The community is present as witness and family and friends of ordinees are welcome at the ceremony.
Dharma transmission: When various training requirements have been met, a novice is authorized to function independently as a dharma teacher. Transmission activities take place over a week and are privately conducted between teacher and novice.
