Dear Sangha,
2018 is the Year of the Dog. The emphasis is on the qualities of intelligence, faithfulness, fearlessness, and optimism, both now and going forward. This year, if you remember, has been the Year of the Rooster: the year of the wakeup call, the year the sky fell down. It was when lying became truth, when government agencies were disassembled, women came forward, and the Stock Market took off as the unthinkable became the law of the land. You must be feeling somewhat vindicated by now, Mr. Orwell, as 2017 became 1984.
This year we all got a little older. Having experienced the undulations and the awesome mood-like swings of life, we managed to celebrate our first 50 years of practice at BZC with a wonderful party that brought so many of our members, former members, and friends together to meet, reminisce, and enjoy each other’s company for a very special evening. I once again wish to thank all those who volunteered their time, effort, expertise, and donations.
Although this is a trying time, a time of great uncertainty, our Center and our practice have held together quite well. The afternoon sitting seems to be the main doorway for newer sitters, and we are making an effort to be more attentive to them. The noon sitting, although recently established, is appreciated by those who are able to attend. The morning zazen, although a doorway to practice for some newcomers, remains the preferred time for most of the regulars. Rotation of the leadership positions and the service positions is a prominent aspect of our training, and I also want to express our gratitude to all of you who consistently contribute your time and energy. The same goes for the tenzo and the Saturday cooks as well as the dishwashers and cleanup crew and the head servers and servers who make our unusual oryoki meals so satisfying. Then there is the work leader and the work crew who show up for work meeting after breakfast on Saturday. The Practice Committee seems to be doing well with a number of observers on Monday mornings. I also want to acknowledge the various other committees who, relatively unseen, do many of the thankless tasks that make it all work. The project manager, along with helpful hands, completed some major projects, including the front path, a satisfying project indeed.
Since zazen seems to be the main draw here, who wants to take on the unglamorous work of the Board of Directors? I say, “Hats off to the Board,” the practice of the mature Zen student. Then there are the librarian, the oryoki cloth makers, the gardeners, the kitchen cleaner, the chidens, the morning zendo cleaners, the newsletter editor, the director, the teachers and student teachers, the Friday afternoon tea maker, the zendo managers, the sesshin directors, the shika, the zazen instructors, and on and on . . . and not least the Vice Abbot. Please remember that these are rotating practice positions rather than jobs, and constitute the “curriculum” of our “training.” The Asian Zodiac represents twelve animals, each one epitomizing certain specific qualities common to all of us. Given the opportunity, those qualities can become valued teachers bringing out the best in us. Let’s pay attention to the best qualities of the Dog this year. Looking forward to seeing you in the zendo on New Year’s Eve, and wishing you a deeply joyful New Year.