Fall 2014 Volume 3, Issue 3

SOJI CENTER NEWSLETTER

Soji Study Group: Studying The Masters Of Old With A Master Of Now By: Valda Woodson, Soji Zen Center Student

For more than six years, Sensei Jules Shuzen Harris has led a Study Group on Wednesday Nights at the Soji Zen Center. Under Sensei’s guidance, and with the assistance of senior students, group members study Buddhist and participate in exercises that follow Dogen’s admonition to “study the self.” Below is a view of the Study Group through the eyes of a new member. Inside This Issue

As a new student to Sensei’s The first session I attended ine why we do what we do. Soji Study Group: 1 Study Group I was asked to with Sensei was one of ob- Studying The Mas- ters Of Old With A write about my experiences servation and trying to make So, how am I doing this? Master Of Now with the group. “Sure!” I said. myself invisible because I Great Faith, Great Doubt Becoming A Novice 2 Then I asked myself “How am didn’t have a good under- and Great Determination. I Priest I going to do this?” Actually, standing of the Diamond came to the understanding Being A Zen Priest: 2 this one thought “How am I . Once again my that I had everything I need- Working At The ed within me to achieve an Edges going to do this” has been with thought came to visit me, me from the first class. I was “How am I going to do this?” understanding of the materi- Zazenkai = STOP, 3 SIT, DROP, PEACE so curious, I wanted to under- As we neared the end of al. I had to devote more stand the Zen Masters. Little class, Sensei began his time to studying. I learned Artificial Walls 3 did I know how much Great section on the I-System. I- to not be afraid and to trust Peace In Chaos 3 Determination that requires. System study requires that the I-System, to trust my

you examine the root caus- thoughts and learn about Overview and 4 Upcoming Schedule I joined the class as they were es of your behavior. Now I what drives me to do what I in the midst of studying the felt more exposed than ev- do. I learned to incorporate Diamond Sutra on one of the er. How could I openly dis- what I was learning about evenings when the class cuss feelings kept hidden my actions and about Zen meets without Sensei. All of and buried deeply within, into my everyday life. I re- the members were very wel- with my classmates? My placed my anxiety with a A Note from coming and helpful. They pro- calm that leaves me open to Shuzen Sensei thought multiplied a thou- vided me with materials I sand times, “HOW CAN I understanding. needed from previous ses- DO THIS?” Well, I have “Realize...there is nothing As we begin study of the sions so that I could have been in the study group for outside of the present. “ Virmalakirti Sutra I am excit- some idea of what the class nine months now. Sensei is ed and thankful for a great was working on. Their efforts steadfast in his determina- . I am grateful for were great and I am grateful tion to give us not only his the wisdom of the masters for them but that same old best but his all. Sensei la- thousands of years old that thought, “How am I going to do bors over the best transla- is still relevant today and to this?” kept visiting me. tions for us and the best a master of now, Sensei questions to help us exam- Jules Shuzen Harris. Page 2

Reflections on Becoming and Being a Zen Priest In late June, Soji’s five day Summer Solstice was held at St. Raphaela’s Retreat Center in Haverford, PA in conjunction with three other – the Clare Sangha, Flowing River Sangha and Red Rose Sangha. Each day more than 40 participants filled the zendo from 5:20 am to 9:00 pm. On Friday night June 20 th , Shuzen Sensei officiated at a Tokudo Ceremony for two Soji students - Craig Shodo Bundick and Annalisa Rakugo Castaldo. Shodo and Rakugo have joined Lisa Onshin Powley, Michael Daitoku Pa- lumbaro and John Ango Gruber as Zen priests of the Soji Zen Center. Below, Shodo and Onshin reflect on their roles as priests. Becoming A Novice Buddhist Priest By: Craig Shodo Bundick, Zen Priest and Soji Student

The effects of becoming a novice priest my understanding is I need to follow really didn’t hit home until after the cer- and adhere to the 16 precepts to the emony. You can’t really know about a best of my ability. Pretty simple, but position or situation until you experi- when I really look at it, I have taken on ence it. As I reflected on what hap- a monumental task. The sangha, my pened and what would be expected of family and friends have a concept of me going forward, the magnitude of the how a priest is supposed to behave. I situation became a lot more apparent. know I have the responsibility of living If you are a Buddhist priest you need to up to those concepts. It remains to be act like one! How is a Buddhist priest seen how well I make out. supposed to act, you might ask. Well *****

Through , and through being in a certain way. Suzuki Roshi said aware of our everyday lives, we that Zen is hard on the outside, and Being a Zen Priest: come to realize that we are in this soft on the inside. The structure helps Working at the Edges flow with everything around us, and us to be aware of what we are doing By: Lisa Onshin Powley, that it is merely our mindset which in the moment. It is complicated and Zen Priest & Soji Student makes us feel that we are not a part precise for that very reason. of that flow. Zen , in the What I have come to learn is that liturgical sense, is set up to create an When I first ordained, about five years there is never really a “right” way to do environment or container for people ago now, it seemed to me there would things. As priests, I see our role as to to come and encounter their own be more rules, or guideposts on what help maintain this environment, to sense of flow with the world, in a safe it is to be a priest. I thought I would hold that space, to help the teacher, to and somewhat structured way. As be told “this is what it is” or “you have serve the sangha. To do this effec- priests, we are the protectors or to do this.” What we discover, as we tively, we need to be working at the keepers of this tradition. We begin continue on this path called Zen, is edges. We need to work very hard at our lives as priests by taking vows to that rather than learning, we are un- our own practice in order to be able to be of service to others. What I have covering what we already know. Zen guide others. This involves being able discovered, in my short time as a practice comes from the perspective to trust ourselves, to be truly honest priest, is that there is no rule book. that we already have everything we with ourselves, and to be completely And yet, Zen practice seems to be need. We simply believe that we are open. It is a lifelong journey, but not very disciplined; you must do things flawed, or disconnected. an easy one. PagePage 3 3

Zazenkai = STOP, SIT, DROP, PEACE By: Michael Daitoku Palumbaro, Zen Priest & Soji Student

that come up. I'm amazed at what Like other sangha members, my life it's time for Zazenkai. Now I get to comes up and can clearly see how I can get rather hectic, and I allow my- STOP. I stop everything, not just the cause all my suffering, and then I get to self to get caught up in daily routines mundane chores, not just the volunteer DROP it. When sitting with , the like: the kitchen floor needs mopping, work, but I also stop all self-criticism (it same process happens. Instead of con- the laundry needs folding, my article never works anyway, so why continue centrating on my , my mind can be for the newsletter needs writing, etc., doing it?). going in different directions but, once etc. Then there are the concerns In the simple and serene beauty of Soji again, I get to DROP that and return to about volunteer work, prison ministry, Zen Center, we SIT together. There's my koan. bearing witness to the lives of the something very special that happens

homeless, etc., etc. How about every- when we sit together as a sangha. We Soon, a profound sense of PEACE one's favorite, preoccupation with feel each other's strength and support. comes up. If I notice it and start to like thoughts of unworthiness? I'm not When the sit seems long and knees get it, it disappears, so it's important for me good enough, smart enough..., etc., sore, I can sit some more because my to treat it like any other distraction. At etc., all of which reaffirms the delu- brothers and sisters are sitting. the end of the day, I have a sense that sion of a separate self. Shuzen the whole day was spent in PEACE. I In sitting , one gets to DROP Sensei once said, "Everything you feel refreshed and renewed, and fre- whatever comes up. We get to observe think is delusion." Then along comes quently I don't want to leave how our minds work without judgment the third Saturday of the month, and and without clinging to any thoughts

The View from Inside: Meditation Behind Prison Walls

Since 2009, Soji Zen Priest Michael Daitoku Palumbaro has been leading weekly meditation sessions for men awaiting trial at the Philadelphia Federal Detention Center. Recently, two participants shared the following reflections on what meditation and the group means to them. Artificial Walls me it brings a new view to light. Clarity is what I found to be the bene- walls that separate us has given me fit of meditating for me. The ability to a different perspective on my situa- Written by a member of the Soji Fed- let go of my worries and replace them tion. My wife and I have always said eral Detention Center Meditation with meditation allows me to cleanse that we are together, even when we Group who has been meditating for my mind and sort of refresh itself. are not in physical form. The love we almost two years This allows my thoughts to reorgan- have for one another is beyond ize and focus on what is most im- words. We often have the same Peace in Chaos thoughts about anything and every- portant in my life. In addition to the positive influence meditating has thing almost within the same time Many people find it convenient to brought me, the description of our frame. When I think about the artifi- forget that prisoners are human be- teacher's vision regarding the artificial cial walls that separate my family and ings too. It's more comforting to lock (continued on Page 4) Soji Zen Center Newsletter Page 4

Peace in Chaos (continued from Page 3) Weekly Schedule

Sunday Meditation & 9:30 am them away and not think much about Monday Meditation 7:00 pm them -- to not think how they are someone's son or daughter, mother or Tuesday Yoga 7:00 pm father, brother or sister. The truth is Wednesday Study Group 7:00 pm all humans are flawed and make mis- Thursday Meditation & Dokusan 7:00 pm takes in life. Mr. Palumbaro reminds Friday & 12-Step Recovery 7:00 pm us that we are all perfect humans Saturday Iaido 8:30 am even though our actions can be good or bad. For a few minutes a week he helps bring some peace to our very chaotic and stressful lives. He treats us as brothers and doesn't look down at us or judge us. There is good in all Soji Zen Center is a contemporary Buddhist center providing instruction in Zen medi- humans, and we are thankful that Mr. tation, philosophy and contemplation techniques for training the mind. We are guided Palumbaro generously volunteers his by our founding teacher, Sensei Jules Shuzen Harris. time to come see us.

Written by a member of the Soji Fed- Soji Zen Center is part of the White Plum which brings together elements of eral Detention Center Meditation Japanese Soto and Rinzai traditions of Zen Buddhism to teach intensive awareness Group who has been meditating for sitting practice (Zazen) and koan study to beginners who want to learn about medi- several months tation, as well as to experienced practitioners of Zen Buddhism to strengthen their technique.

Contact Information

Soji Zen Center COMMIT TO PARTICIPATE!!! 2325 W. Marshall Road Lansdowne, PA 19050 Fusatsu September 8 November 10

www.sojizencenter.com One-Day Retreat August 16 September 20 October 18

Teacher The Basics September 6 September 13 September 20 Sensei Shuzen Harris Light & Stillness September 27 October 4 Editor Abby Jingo Lang Part I Part II Contributing Editor Michael Daitoku Palumbaro Qi Gong October 25 Layout & Publisher Brenda Jinshin Waters