Water Wheel Being one with all Buddhas, I turn the water wheel of compassion. — Gate of Sweet Nectar

Practicing Generosity by Wendy Egyoku Nakao

A monk asked Hui-hai, “By what means can the gateway of our school be entered?” Hui-hai said, “By means of Dana paramita.” The monk said, “According to the Buddha, the Path comprises six Paramitas. Why have you mentioned only one? Please explain why this one alone provides a suffi cient means for us to enter.” Hui-hai said, “Deluded people fail to understand that the other fi ve all proceed from Dana Paramita and that, by its practice, all the others are fulfi lled.” From left: Reiju Wasserman, Tim Zamora and Kaizen Venners The monk asked, “Why is it called Dana Paramita?” studying the new Princeton Dictionary of . Hui-hai said, “Dana means ‘relinquishment.’” The monk asked, “Relinquishment of what?” Hui-hai replied, “I am seeking the Buddhadharma.” Matsu Hui-hai said, “Relinquishment of the dualism of opposites, said, “Instead of looking to the treasure house which is which means relinquishment of ideas as to the dual nature of good your very own, you have left home and gone wandering and bad, being and non-being, void and non-void, pure and impure, far away. Why?” Hui-hai asked, “What do you mean by ‘a and so on.” * treasure house of my own?’” Matsu replied, “That which asked the question is your treasure house. It contains This year we are undertaking a practice-study of the absolutely everything you need and lacks nothing at all. It Ten Paramitas, or the Ten Perfections. The word is there for you to use freely, so why this vain search for paramita can be considered with two different roots, para something outside of yourself?” or param. (Continued on page 2) Para means distant or opposite, often rendered freely as the other shore. A common Buddhist metaphor is of using a raft of the to cross over from samsara, this shore where we are standing, to the so-called other shore of INSIDE THIS ISSUE liberation. practitioners understand that this very place 3 Dana Booklet where we are standing is already the so-called other shore. 9 Co-Directors Deb Faith-Mind We have already crossed over, and yet, we are not quite Thoresen and Darla Myoho Fjeld there either. 10 Welcome to Robert Diaz 10 Charles Duran Prepares to Retire This point is clearly expressed in Hui-hai’s fi rst meeting with Master Matsu in 8th Century China. Upon meeting, 11 Plum-Hermit: An Appreciation Matsu asked, “What do you hope to gain by coming here?” 12 Rites of Passage

Zen Center of Los Angeles JAN / FEB / MAR 2014 Great Dragon Mountain / Buddha Essence Temple 2579 Buddhist Era Vol. 15 No. 1 BUDDHA

PRACTICING GENEROSITY (Continued from page 1)

Param means highest, or supreme, as in the highest The practitioners consider two broad cat- perfection. In this sense, the paramitas are the qualities or egories of Generosity: the practice of giving worldly goods virtues that we practice to develop into mature Dharma and the practice of the threefold purity. What distinguishes practitioners, truly mature human beings. One has reached these two types of giving is the degree to which we realize perfection when one embodies these qualities honed with the true nature of a giver, a receiver, and a gift. Our giving the realization of Not-Knowing. is self-centered until we become All-centered, experiencing ourselves not as separate and isolated persons, but rather We can get caught up in the word “perfection.” We as the result of the co-arising of all of life. each have our own subtle standards of what is perfect. Zen practice asks each of us to examine closely what When we give worldly goods, we give from a sense standards we are holding, what core beliefs we are using as of “a giver, a receiver, and a gift.” Worldly goods include a measuring stick. These fi xed reference points are diffi cult all material goods such as money, food, clothing, shelter to discern until Not-Knowing becomes a lived experience. – whatever is needed to sustain practice. It also includes luxury goods and ranges from small gifts to gifts of im- Master Hui-hai points to Dana Paramita, the perfection mense value, such as donating a hospital wing. These acts of Generosity, as the fundamental quality from which all all require some degree of relinquishment, although not of the other paramitas proceed. In Mahayana Buddhism, the the most profound kind since the hospital wing is usually Ten Paramitas are: Generosity (Dana), Morality (Shila), named after the giver. We have expectations for outcome, Forbearance (Kshanti), Zeal (Virya), Settled Focused for recognition or reward. We are, after all, complicated Meditation (Dhyana), Wisdom (Prajna), Skillful Means and nuanced beings. Nevertheless, although our motives (Upaya), Aspiration (Pranidhana), Spiritual Power (Bala), may be self-centered, we do not let this insight stop us and Knowledge (Jnana). Each is a stepping stone to the from giving, for someone is benefi ting, including ourselves. other; each contains all the others. The paramita of Generosity is fulfi lled in the Three- fold Purity. This is the realization that giver, receiver, and “The mutual co-arising of life passes gift are inherently without a self. The Perfection is not our self-created standards for giving or the value of gifts, but right through our hearts, always.” rather the realization that the act of giving-and-receiving is mutually co-arising. It serves the truth of our interdepen- dence and keeps the fl ow of life-energies moving in mutu- Just as the monk asked long ago, we, too, ask, “What ally benefi cial ways. As Master Matsu said, “It contains is Generosity?” We hear Hui-hai’s response, “Generosity absolutely everything you need and lacks nothing at all.” means ‘relinquishment.’” Relinquishment means to “vol- untarily cease to keep or claim, give up.” What exactly are We come to see that Life itself is the Gift; we ourselves we giving up? Give up our ideas of perfection, give up are the Gift. Sunshine, oxygen, trees, the oceans are all our beliefs that keeps us from realizing and utilizing our Gifts. Generosity is the matrix of our lives. The mutual treasure house for the benefi t of all. We must give up self- co-arising of life passes right through our hearts, always. centeredness. To the degree that we are self-oriented, as in Our practice is to keep the fl ow moving in a boundless self-protective, self-involved, self-possessed, self-righteous recognition of the interweaving of the web of life. We de- and so forth, the practice of Generosity is not quite available velop an All-centered sense of self, expansive and inclusive. to us. Our lives are no longer lived just for ourselves, or just for our immediate family. Rather, for all beings throughout the The practice of all the Paramitas rests on our capacity world, throughout space and time. We are maturing when to realize Wisdom (Prajna Paramita) – the wisdom that we relinquish our self-interest and act for the good of our everything, including yourself, is empty of a fi xed, un- neighbors, community, locally and globally. Then we are changing self. The Buddha said that when he penetrated manifesting as , using our treasure house at will. the nature of this reality, he found that everything is impermanent, always fl uid and changing. Can you see this, Roshi Egyoku is ZCLA’s Abbot & Head Teacher. too? He said that he saw that all things co-arise, dependent upon all other things, therefore mutually interdependent. Can you see this, too? He said that because we have come *John Blofeld, trans., The Zen Teaching of Instantaneous to believe that this “I, me, mine” is a fi xed entity, we suffer. Awakening: Being the Teaching of Hui Hai. Can you see this, too? ( The picture of the trivet on page 1 is from www.handnhanddesigns.com.) -2- DANA BOOKLET October 1, 2008 – December 31, 2013

Dear Members and Friends of ZCLA:

“... the giver who gives without any discrimination, impartially, with no expectation of reward, and with great love – this giver I say, totally fulfi lls the perfection of generosity.” – Vimalakirti (The Vimalakirti )

It is a privilege for the Zen Center to acknowledge its many fi nancial donors through our Dana Book. The previous Dana Book covered through September, 2008. This book spans over four years, from October 1, 2008 through December 31, 2013.

The Zen Center relies on the generosity of its donors. The Sanskrit word “Dāna” means “Giving,” one of the most fundamental virtues in Buddhism. In Zen practice, we are encouraged to take up the practice of giving so that generosity becomes a perfection of character that is motivated out of concern for all beings. Your gifts are received by the Zen Center with the full acknowledgement of the all-embracing interde- pendency of each of our lives and of all reality.

The Legacy Fund was established in 2006 and currently has thirty-fi ve legacy donors. Prior to its establishment, the Zen Center received some very important, large bequests. Since 2008, the Zen Center has been the benefi ciary of two legacy bequests, one of The Zen Center holds an annual memorial which in particular has played a signifi cant part in our service for its donors with photos of legacy sustainability. donors on the altar. The Zen Center remains focused on its mission and vision, which is born out of our deepest love and aspiration for your awakening and for the liberation of all beings everywhere. In addition to these fi nancial offerings, we are grateful for the generous dana of gifts-in-kind, time, and expertise. It is because of your practice of giving that the Zen Center continues to turn the Dharma wheel in support of our collective awakening and a better life for all.

Thank you, once again, for your generosity.

With gratitude in Dharma,

Roshi Wendy Egyoku Nakao Abbot & Head Teacher Continued on page 4

-3- MAY THE VOWS OF OUR DONORS BE REALIZED

Irene Brown Please let us know if your name appears incorrectly or is missing. We apologize for Scott Brown any omissions. Please contact Darla Myoho Fjeld at [email protected]. Elizabeth Eishin Bryer Michael Buck Daniel Nagacitta Buckley Karen Abe Mary Becker Gail Buckley Carol Abrahamson Katy Keisen Behrens John Daishin Buksbazen Tamara Abrams Jolene Beiser Tom Yudo Burger Rob Adler Gary Belton Kevin Burke Don Ahuna Raul Ensho Berge Cameron Burnett Janet Akpobome Bernard Beriau Robert Buswell Mary Albee Adam Berkley Bill Butler Concetta Getsuren Alfano Mark Bettinger Elaine Butler (Deceased) Rebeca Allen Carl Bielefeldt Sunghee Byeon Jerome Altshuler Betty Bieler John Byrne Michael Altshuler Bruce Seiryu Blackman Steven Caldwell Patty Altshuler Mark Shogen Bloodgood Sharon Calkin Holly Ames Peter Bofi nger Morgan Zo Callahan Max Andes Lloyd Botway Antonio Callejas Ingrid Shugetsu Appels Tim Bowler Jeffrey Calman Maria Archetti Joel Boxer Carolyn Campbell Geoffrey Shugen Arnold Kenny Boyd Monica Kyodo Campins David Kwan-Wo’l Arrollado Merle Kodo Boyd James Carney Tom Enjo Arthur Paul Brabeck Allan Taikan Carr James Austin Ann Brandau Lisa Carroll A.E. Bailis Craig Brandau Jan Carsel F. Lee Baird Allen Breaux Ted Teido Cartee (Deceased) Nem Etsugen Bajra Roberta Myodo Brehm Nelida Koen Cartolin Yoko Bajra Richard Bresnahan Chris Shoyu Cather Larry Genkai Barber Harry Rokai Brickman John Cecconi Anthony Barnert Barry Briggs Chinlee Chang Pam Bartley Craig Briggs Heather Faith-Spring Chapman Andrew Bassuk Karen Enduring-Joy Brodie Robert Chapman Yvonne Myosei Beatty Betsy Enduring-Vow Brown Shinge Roko Chayat Jane Chen Thersa Marie Chen THE LEGACY FUND Les Chiller Deep gratitude to the following persons James Jakugen Chou who left ZCLA bequests in their wills. Brandon Clark Tom Pine-Ocean Cleary Peter Cleland Christine Cloud Forest Richard Cloud Forest Randy Cockrell Loretta Luminous-Seed Coha Elizabeth Jiei Cole Suleka Cole Maria Collantes Cliff Shishin Collins John Collins Teido Cartee Kunio “Ace” Sumida Diane Comey Continued on page 5

-4- MAY THE VOWS OF OUR DONORS BE REALIZED

David Cook Herb Jinshu Eisenberg Mike Solitary-Pine Ford Debra Coplan Dreux Ellis Sarah Forth William Earth-Mirror Corcoran John Ellison Herschel Frankiel Robert Cormier Koshin Paley Ellison Jan Ryotetsu Freed Eric Cornetta Pam England Maggie Freed Mary Yugen Courtney Malcolm Epstein, Jr. Judy Frisk Barbara Shoshin Craig Don Erway Michael Fritzen Constance Lotus-Moon Crosby Chris Esposito Susan Eko Fukushima Jonathan Tokuyu Crow Robert Dharma-Gate Evans Peggy Faith-Moon Gallaher Gemma Cubero Sasan Faiz Tina Jitsujo Gauthier Kim Gazecki Laura Geller “When one learns giving well, being born and dying are Robert Gerber Marc Koshin Giet both giving. All productive labor is fundamentally giving. Patti Muso Giggans Entrusting fl owers to the wind, birds to the season, also Katherine Glascock must be meritorious acts of giving ...” Lynda Jikai Golan Yvonne Good – Dogen Zenji Sandra Goodenough Matthew Goodman Richard Gould-Saltman Jose Cue Lynne Mui Farr Douglas Sencho Gower James Jimyo Culnan Diane True-Joy Fazio Margaret Jifu Gower John Culver Andrew Ferguson James Bodhi-Song Graham Peter Kuku Cunningham Robert J. Festa David Jigen Green Susanna Dakin Eberhard E. Fetz Linda Jo Green Karl Dardick (Deceased) Anne Field Jerry Grenard Michael Davis Chris Daian Fields Katherine Senshin Griffi th Nena Davis Niel Fishback David Grotell Kim KiMu DeBacco Bob Gido Fisher Graham Grubb Lauren Deutsch Darla Myoho Fjeld Cassie Ocean-Heart Guarino Jessica Dharma-Lotus Devine J. Craig Jingetsu Fong Marina Gutman Elena DeVos April True-Flower Ford Patricia Shingetsu Guzy Robert Diaz Continued on page 6 Eric Dickenson Jeanne Dokai Dickenson Justin Dickenson THE FOUNDING FAMILY Charles Dittell Michel Engu Dobbs Ven. Baian Hakujun Kuroda (d. 1978)) Renata Dobryn Mrs. Yoshie Maezumi Kuroda (d. 1992) Trish Doherty Ven. (d. 1995) Lisa Dohren Ven. Kojun Kuroda (d. 2012) Neal Chiyu Donner Ven. Takeshi Kuroda (d. 2004) Susie Dorian Ven. Junyu Kuroda Rose Mary Myoan Dougherty Dana Dovitch Marilyn Drown Jane Dundes George Durakovich Maezumi Roshi with his parents Baian Charles Duran Hakujun and Mrs. Kuroda. circa 1967 James Dyer

-5- MAY THE VOWS OF OUR DONORS BE REALIZED

Stephan Haas Joan Hogetsu Hoeberichts Ed Etsudo Kimble Christopher Hackman Kristine Hoffman Alex Sotetsu Kimura James Jindo Hagar Brigid Hogan Jill Jiki King Pamela Jin Hai Haines Kevin Hopps Mak Muan King Edward Hairfi eld III George Mukei Horner Adam Kisor James Halbrit Joan Hotchkis Marley Klaus-Dowling Paula Hall Laura Hull Karen Klinefelter Andrew Bodhi-Heart Halliday Rosalie Huynh Susanna Knittel Elizabeth Yuin Hamilton Gail Imler John Koerner Nancy Hamlin-Vogler Jorge Issan Infante Hiromi Jiyu Komiya Haya Handel Korin Ishizuki Thomas Kopache Andy Mugen Handler Carmen Chisho Izzo Annette Korbin Stephen Hanka David Jackson Arno Kroner Jim Hanson Patricia Jackson Lorraine Gessho Kumpf Kristine Hanson Gary Janka Nina Harake Gloria Janka Jules Harris Michael Jann “... One should give even a Jennifer Moon-Dancer Hart John Jenkins Sam Hasson Erik Johnson single coin or a single blade Kjerstin Hatch Peter Johnson of grass of resources – it Kipp Ryodo Hawley John David Johnston Linda Hawley Tom Seizan Jones causes roots of goodness in Colin Hay William Yoshin Jordan this age and other ages to Eleanor Heaphy Jannifer L. Ju Daniel Doen Hegarty Paul Genki Kahn sprout.” Peter Heinrich Todd Karr – Dogen Zenji Elaine Chikai Held Tairyu Kato Matthew Hellige Diane Enju Katz Josh Herman Jon Katz Karin KaRin Hilsdale-Rodes Marilyn Kaufhold Junyu Kuroda David Hilton Lyndon Kay Jung Kwon Jeff Hirsch Arthur WaYu Kennedy Jeff LaCoss Keith Ho Karen Kennedy Steve Lacy Al Hoagland Evi Gemmon Ketterer Sheila Myokan Lamb Victoria Hoagland Howard Lee Kilby Tim Tetsudo Langdell David Hobbs Julie Kim Cameron Jikaku Large Joel Mitsujo Latimer Carl Lau A. Lauren FOUNDATION GIFTS Ellen Reigen Ledley IACS (Shirley Diamond-Heart Magidson) Victor Legge Sandeep Lehil The Angell Foundation Judith Lennon The Lenz Foundation John Letton The Leonard & Ethel Smith Foundation Sassa Chiko Letton The Vanguard Charities (Anonymous Ed Kenzan Levin Donors) Jonathan Kaigen Levy Mitchell Lewis Phil Lewis Daniel Liebgold Shirley Diamond-Heart Magidson Continued on page 7

-6- MAY THE VOWS OF OUR DONORS BE REALIZED

Shatto Light Trent Moyer Lydia Lilli John Mudd CORPORATE MATCHING GIFT Paul Limm Mahesh Mungara Western Asset Management Company Brenda Hobai Liu Linda Muse John Long Andre Myers SPECIAL GIFTS Nikolai Loveikis Andrea Myers Bird Marella Mark Lucas Bonnie Myosen Nadzam Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK) America Barbara Phoenix-Plum Lynch Deborah Nadzam Michael Maggio Sharon Nakamura CHURCHES Shirley Diamond-Heart Magidson Sachiye Nakano St. Bede’s Episcopal Church (Deceased) Russell Nakao Vietnamese United Buddhist Church Francis Maile Wendy Egyoku Nakao Donna Malkin Dylan Neal Isabel Maramba Lee Nedler Eve Myonen Marko Khoa Nguyen Flowing River Sangha (PA) Lynn Marks Zaida Nieto The Lincroft Sangha (NJ) Diane Yuko Mark-Walker Christopher Nilsson The Santa Monica Zen Center (CA) Nancy Marquez John Nomura The Valley Sangha (CA) Amy Martin Julia Seirin Norstrand The White Plum Rosa Ando Martinez Kathi Novak Ichiko Masuda Patricia Enkyo O’Hara Erik Mathiesen Michael Daigu O’Keefe SPECIAL DONOR RECOGNITION Tom Matsuda Geoff O’Quest We acknowledge with gratitude these donors whose Fleet Maull Annette Ostergard fi nancial gifts have ranged from a total of $5,000 Anthony McAdoo Helga Shobai Oswald to $30,000 over the last four years. Deborah Dharma-Heart McColl James Otis Marlene McCurtis John Ott Anonymous Donor Robert McEntegart Peter Nyodo Ott Tom Enjo Arthur James Giku McIntyre Elaine Ottlinghaus Harry Rokai Brickman Andy McKay Jessica Oetsu Page Jessica Dharma-Lotus Devine Nicolee Jikyo McMahon Roland Palmer Eberhard E. Fetz David McMonagle Maria Pappajohn Lorraine Gessho Kumpf Terry Medeiros Gerry Parham Wendy Egyoku Nakao Thomas Meier Brandon Paris Thomas Dharma-Joy Reichert Juan Mendoza Steven Seiko Parks Ed Emyo Swiatek Mike Merrill John Parsons Debbie Faith-Mind Thoresen Nan Merritt Thom Pastor Reeb Kaizen Venners Ronnie Mestaz Jason Patti Jennifer Warner Ronnie Myobun Mestaz-Condos Michael Pavlicek Joel Enjo Migliore Gregory Penderghest Timothy Yamamoto Craig Genji Miller Illia Shinko Perez David Miller Olga Perez Joel Price James Milner Carol Peters Donald Pyne Ichiro Mochizuki Jill Shinjin Peters Jim Quam Julian Moody Patricia Pfost Janis Radecki Joanne Seigetsu Morey Kane Phelps Joseph Ramirez Deborah Morrison David Phillips David Randall Elizabeth Morrison Rose Pinard Robert Soho Redfeather Steve Morrison Xenia Mujin Polunin Tom Dharma-Joy Reichert Allen Moses Pamela Emerald-Lake Porcaro Daniel Diamond-Brush Restuccio Carol Moss Helen Daiji Powell Vanessa Moss Elizabeth Preger Continued on page 8

-7- MAY THE VOWS OF OUR DONORS BE REALIZED

Lourdes Jisen Reybin Judith Siegel James Soshin Thornton David Richardson Stephanie Silk Patrick Thurmond Ellen Wajun Richter Daisy Simioni Grace Tiessen Cassie Riger Sheldon Simpson William Tilley Mary Rios Sydney Nonin Sims Norick Toomanian Rodolfo Rivademar Sentha Sivabalan Susan Tritt Vicente Rivera Jeffrey Slater John Heart-Mirror Trotter Daniel Rizzuto Sita Slavov John Troyer Dale Roche Joseph Slicker Barry Trussell David Rock Laura Smart Alan Taigen Turton Miguel Rojas Ethel Smith Kristi Twilley Conrad Butsugen Romo Pamela Smith Walter Genei Van Vort Kathleen Pure-Heart Rork Robert Lone-Pine Smith Reeb Kaizen Venners Marian Roscheck Leonard Smith (Deceased) Chapla Verma Marilyn Rosen Cynthia Smock Johnnald Villavicencio Terry Ryodo Rothrock DeWayne Gojitsu Snodgrass Tim Vreeland Maggie Rowe Kai Myokai Snodgrass George Walczak Tenku Ruff Carole Walsh Gabriel Diamond-Moon Russo Richard Walter David Sacks Your generosity is received Teresa Wang Janet Koren Sager with heartfelt appreciation! Nancy Ward Nancy Saks Bill Ware Catherine Sammons Jenny Jusen Warner Anne Seisen Saunders Kathy Myoan Solomon Nina Reiju Wasserman Sherie Scheer David Sommers Amy Suigetsu Watanabe John Schlottig Carlos Soto John Watts Carla Flowing-Mountain Schmitt Hannah Seishin Sowd Patricia Way Richard Schulhof Lana Shoshin Spraker Justin Weaver Bradford Schultze Donald Spuehler Ty Jotai Webb Kyle Jigu Secor Harold Stanton Martin Ocean-Peak Weiss Jared Oshin Seide Hillary Radiant-Vow Stephenson Thora Weissbein Perry Self Jiho Sterling Burt Wetanson Brian Tetsudo Seymour Frank Styduhar Daniel Wick Chris Shaw Wendy Sumida Gerry Shishin Wick Michael Sheehan Kunio “Ace” Sumida (Deceased) Mary Wickizer Mark Shefrin Stephen Sutor Patricia Ann Williams Gail Shemo Bob Swan Wendy Williams Russell Shepp John Plum-Hermit Swanger Alexandra Wintersteller Brent Shigeoka Julie Swaze Janet Moon-Wheel Witkin (Deceased) Taikan Shihomi Ed Emyo Swiatek Dana Earth-Moon Worden Karen Shklanka-Lanoix Irene Syson Timothy Yamamoto Scott Shlecter John Syson Hiromi Yamashita James Sie Gerry Szeman Stirling Yeargain Evelyn Talbot Alice Yokota Elena Taurke Joseph Carolyn Yoshida The Legacy Circle Steven Taurke Joseph Paul Young Please consider joining the Marion Taylor Lauren Zamcheck Legacy Circle by arranging David Thomas, Jr. Tim Zamora for a bequest or other estate gift David Kisen Thompson James Zeigler to ZCLA. For more information, contact Patti Muso Giggans at Penelope Luminous-Heart Thompson Lisa “Z” Zeller [email protected] Steven Thompson Al Zolynas ■ Debbie Faith-Mind Thoresen

-8- SANGHA Meet Our Co-Temple Directors Debbie Faith-Mind Thoresen and Darla Myoho Fjeld by Burt Wetanson

MYOHO: By grounding our work in our Zen practice experience. I’ve been in other non-profi t organizations where big blow-ups occur. So it’s good that we know each other so well and that we’ve been trained in the same spiritual practice.

FAITH-MIND: That’s a foundational strength. We’re both ordained as priests, so we have one goal in mind and it’s not ourselves; it’s really the Zen Center.

Myoho has a strong foundation having been part of the executive circle and its Steward for many years. She’ll be working in the growth area, having expertise in development that I would never be able to provide. I’ll be more of a hands-on, nuts and bolts person.

Darla Myoho Fjeld (left) and Debbie Faith-Mind Thoresen WW: What are your backgrounds away from the Zen Center? MYOHO: I’ve been a development director and executive WATER WHEEL: How did the position of Temple director for non-profi t organizations such as Coalition Director come into being? LA. We worked with organizations serving the poor. We handled housing issues and taught people how to go down MYOHO: It arose out of an awareness that the Zen Center to City Hall and meet with their City Council person. I needed a go-to person with a broad overview of the Zen also teach at El Camino College where I’m a professor of Center. In the world of non-profi ts, that means an executive philosophy. director. Faith-Mind and I are Co-Temple Directors. Faith- Mind was named in January 2013, I was named a year later. This past month, I’ve been fi nding my way at the Zen Our job is to maintain the big vision so we can anticipate Center, seeing how people interact, what the nuances are. what needs to be taken care of. Always with the question: what’s needed at the Zen Center; how can I serve? FAITH-MIND: For me, that awareness began during Roshi’s sabbatical. That experiment gave those of us on the FAITH-MIND: My life experience includes being a fl ight Day Group the chance to run the administrative functions attendant for 30 years. Locked in an airplane with people, of the Zen Center in conjunction with the Executive you don’t call home and ask dad what to do. Every time Circle and the Shared Stewardship. I gained tremendous you take a fl ight, you work with and serve a different group experience observing the daily functioning of the Zen Center. of people. It’s great training in the street sense, handling emergencies where you don’t have access to 9-1-1. MYOHO: Over the years, I was amazed at the million and one things that Roshi kept her eyes on while trying not to I’ve been very involved with our grounds, and in 2013 and micromanage. That kind of vision is remarkable and we’re 2014, as a link to the Executive Circle, I oversaw construction taking that as our responsibility. It will free up our abbot to projects such as repairs to the driveways and parking areas focus on teaching rather than running things. as a safety measure.

WW: Being two different people, you must have different WW: Two unique individuals with complementary sets of backgrounds and decision making styles. How will you skills who are dedicated to the Zen Center will ground their work smoothly together? work as Co-Temple Directors in their practice experience.

-9- SANGHA

Appreciating Charles Duran Welcome to Robert Diaz

by Burt Wetanson

For more than 30 years, We welcome Robert Diaz Charles Duran has lived, prac- as ZCLA’s new resident facilities ticed, and worked at ZCLA manager. where he has made an indelible impression through his versatile WW: Hi, Robert, what will your skills, unique personality, and de- responsibilities be? votion to the Zen Center. Now over 80, Charles is preparing for ROBERT: I’ll be doing about a much-deserved retirement. the same repair and maintenance as Charles but with more work on Having read books about Zen and being interested the grounds. I got some excellent in fi nding a spiritual practice, Charles arrived at the Zen training and experience in the army where my job description Center in November 1978 when Maezumi Roshi, ZCLA’s was combat engineer. For four years, I was a mechanic repairer founder, was its primary teacher. An electrician by trade, of construction equipment along with light maintenance. Charles became one of the crew of resident-practitioner carpenters, plumbers, house painters, etc. who took care of WW: How do you mean “more work on the grounds”? a Center about twice its present size. When the Zen Center grew smaller, he became its jack-of-all-trades, taking on all ROBERT: We’re in the middle of a drought in California, manner of maintenance and repairs. so we have to be very water conscious. Roshi and Faith-Mind have talked about cutting back on landscaping, maybe take For the resident Sangha, Charles has been an always out some of the grass and integrate gravel in its place. Where available go-to person when anything needed to be fi xed we have grass on slopes and water runs down onto the or installed. Whatever the task, he handled it promptly and sidewalk, we could put rock in there and gravel. We have well, often with a bonus of some interesting conversation. gardeners, but I’ll be doing the overall landscape map by myself, unless it’s too big a project for one person. “I’ve always tried to be helpful to people coming here to practice. I did whatever I could to make residents, and WW: How about our trees, the redwoods? members at large, feel comfortable and welcome at the Zen Center. Looking back over the years, there have been ROBERT: It looks like they’re doing well. Sometimes, a so many people I liked very much, people I thought were tree’s roots get so long, they tap into a ground water source really wonderful. and survive.

“One consolation I have about laying down my WW: When you’re not working, what do you enjoy? responsibilities at ZCLA,” he said, “is that my successor, Robert, has turned out to be a very competent, helpful, ROBERT: I like working out at a local gym and going to and friendly individual.” the beach. Growing up in Texas, I did a lot of outdoor activities like camping and riding mountain bikes. What does the future hold for one of ZCLA’s handful of formally honored Sangha Guardians? “I’m looking for- The Zen Center is a great place to work and live. Everyone ward to retirement,” said Charles. “There was a time when is friendly and there’s a lot of openness. People work I had fantasies of getting away from Los Angeles with its together, which I like to see. It’s a hardworking community, smog, traffi c, and crime. But recently I visited a quiet rural and it’s nice to be part of it. community where I might move and realized I’m very much a city person. I love and enjoy this city.” WW: Robert is helpful and friendly, so the next time you see him – he’s a big man and hard to miss – come on over and Deep bows to you, Charles, as you enter retirement, say hello. carrying with you our affection and best wishes. May your life go well!

-10- SANGHA

Plum-Hermit: An Appreciation

by Darla Myoho Fjeld

The Zen Center commitment to Shared Stewardship and to Council Practice wishes to express our have also greatly served the Sangha. deep gratitude to our Dharma-Brother John Over the past year, Plum-Hermit took some time for Plum-Hermit Swanger refl ection about how much he could realistically commit for his 18 years of prac- to his service at the Zen Center while living in Austin. He tice and service for the has decided that he needs to spend more time in Austin, Zen Center. Even after building a life there as an artist and as a partner to Jennifer. moving to Austin, Texas, This means that we will be seeing less of Plum-Hermit in in 2008 to live with his person. We are fortunate, however, that he has also decided life-partner Jennifer, to continue to serve on the Board and as a member of the Plum-Hermit continued Development Circle, most often through video conferenc- to serve as a priest, on ing. Recently, we had him with us in person at our all-day the board, on staff as Board Retreat, where his insights were greatly appreciated. Development Steward, and as overseer of the Zen Center’s Grounds and Facilities A good way to appreciate Plum-Hermit and all he has Master Plan. He also gave dharma talks and saw students done for the Zen Center is to simply look around the next in face-to-face interviews. To accomplish all of this, Plum- time you are on Normandie Mountain. Much of what you Hermit commuted from Austin to Los Angeles six to eight see is there, in part, due to Plum-Hermit’s service – the times a year, often staying at the Zen Center for two weeks colorful driveway, the walls of the Zendo, the offi ce and at a time. Pine House remodels, the bathrooms in the Sangha House, and the dining area fl oor, to name a few physical contri- Plum-Hermit arrived at the Zen Center for the fi rst butions. Consider the way the Zen Center operates – con- time in 1995, shortly after the death of Maezumi Roshi. tained in a and manifested by Shared Stewardship When Roshi Egyoku arrived in 1997 as our guiding teacher, Circles through Collective Awakening and Wisdom, and by Plum-Hermit played a big role in the renewal efforts that council meetings – these were all made stronger with the we all now benefi t from. He served as Steward of the help of Plum-Hermit. Executive Circle and on staff as Operations Steward, as a member of the Fundraising Committee, as Steward of the Thank you, Plum-Hermit, for your many years of 2007 Shared Stewardship class, on the Collective Awaken- practice and service and for your continued service on the ing and Wisdom Group, and was one of the stewards of Board of Directors and Development Circle. May your life Shared Stewardship on staff. His appreciation of and continue to go well.

Residential Training Opportunities Resident training offers Zen students the opportunity to deepen their practice by living with a resident teacher and a com- munity of practitioners. Residents combine Zen training with family and careers, engage in shared stewardship, and explore the dynamic life of Sangha. The Zen Center of Los Angeles (ZCLA) has two apartment buildings for its Residential Training Pro- gram. We currently have one studio and a two-bedroom apartment available. Applicants with either a little or a lot of experience as a Zen student may apply. Before the application process begins, prospective residents are asked to complete the introductory Zen practice classes, ZP1 through ZP3. The Buddha Hand Circle (BHC) oversees the application and admission process. Interested parties can contact Senshin Griffi th, our Program Steward, at [email protected] for information and requirements. -11- SANGHA

ZCLA Affi liated Groups The Lincroft Zen Sangha (NJ) led by Sensei Merle Kodo Boyd The Monday Night Meditation Group (Pasadena, CA) Sangha Rites of Passage coordinated by Betty Jiei Cole The Ocean Moon Sangha (Santa Monica, CA) led by Sensei John Daishin Buksbazen Welcome New Members The San Luis Obispo Sitting Group (CA) Laos Onshin Chuman coordinated by Mark Shogen Bloodgood Maria Teresa Collantes The Valley Sangha (Woodland Hills, CA) Marika Dvorak led by Sensei Patricia Shingetsu Guzy Dan Liebgold Roland Palmer The Westchester Zen Circle (CA) John Schlottig led by Sensei Kipp Ryodo Hawley

Contact [email protected] for information. Welcome New Resident Gemma Cubero The Water Wheel is published by the Zen Center of Los Angeles, Great Dragon Mountain / Buddha Essence Temple, which Shared Stewardship Entering was founded by the late Taizan Maezumi Roshi in 1967. Our mission is to know the Self, maintain the precepts, and Co-Temple Director, serve others. We provide the teaching, training, and trans- Co-Shared Stewardship Steward: mission of Zen Buddhism. Our vision is an enlightened Darla Myoho Fjeld world free of suffering, in which all beings live in harmony, everyone has enough, deep wisdom is realized, and Co-Tenzo Coordinator: compassion fl ows unhindered. Reeb Kaizen Venners Founding Abbot: Taizan Maezumi Roshi Abbot 1995-1999: Roshi Bernard Glassman Altar Flower Circle Steward: Abbot: Roshi Wendy Egyoku Nakao Diane Enju Katz Staff: Deb Faith-Mind Thoresen, Co-Temple Director; Darla Myoho Fjeld, Co-Temple Director; Mary Rios, Business Manager; Tenzo Resource Person: Guest Steward, Offi ce Assistant to Roshi Egyoku; Ty Jotai Webb, IT Ty Jotai Webb Steward ; Robert Diaz, Facilities Manager. Water Wheel: Editor : Burt Wetanson; Production Artist, Tom Yudo Burger; Proofreaders for this issu: Sensei Ensho Berge, Bonnie Myosen Nadzam and Shared Stewardship Leave-Taking Ty Jotai Webb; Photographers for this issue: Roshi Egyoku and Tom Yudo Burger. Altar Flower Circle Steward: The Water Wheel is published quarterly in electronic format Lorraine Gessho Kumpf only. Contact Burt, our Editor, at [email protected]. The Co-Shared Stewardship Steward: Water Wheel is available on the web at www.zcla.org. Katherine Senshin Griffi th

Co-Tenzo Coordinator, Zen Center of Los Angeles Tenzo Resource Person: Great Dragon Mountain Tim Zamora 923 South Normandie Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90006 [email protected] www.zcla.org 213-387-2351 Note: Our Heartfelt Thank You list that normally appears in each issue will be in our next issue.

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