This is the time of year when, in Japan, there are big family reunions that include all the ancestors. Trains are crowded as people return to their family homes. Each family takes a picnic lunch to their plot at their temple cemetery and everyone, the living and the spirits, enjoys it together. Though the tradition is to honor seven generations, I like to think of everyone being there – the first Japanese people with their pottery bowls and painted faces, Heian ancestors in elegant kimono, a samurai or two, peasant farmers, and people in dresses and suits. There are also temple services, traditional dances, and a sendoff for the ancestors. If you go, you’ll want to take about a week off work.
Every year I send a request for my parents to be remembered at Zenshuji, the Japanese temple in Los Angeles.
Why do we remember our ancestors? We do it to recall who we are and to express gratitude for this life. Because they lived, we live. We are who we are because they were who they were. Our beginning was in their beginning and we carry on the line in our children and grandchildren. We are them and they are us.
Remembering our ancestors also encourages us. If our great-grandparents could survive crop failure and war, surely we can survive our problems. Those woes are not the end of the world. And we are not alone – others have done this. Their spirits are our spirit. We, too, will get through and go on.
We express gratitude to our parents for taking care of us when we were young and unable to take care of ourselves. We remember and appreciate the helpful, loving things they did for us, the wisdom they gave us. We can recall the times when we were sullen and uncooperative and the burdens we placed on them, being grateful for their patience with us. Gratitude toward our parents also helps us forgive. No parents are perfect and some are less perfect than others, but we can thank them for what they gave us. We can also remind ourselves that they were doing the best they could.
Perhaps we can even thank our parents for teaching us with their bad examples. Because of them we can see what habits of thought or action are not useful and we can avoid them and not do harm. People are complicated beings. Unless we have deep mental illness, we all have many layers, both helpful and destructive. Can we see all sides of our ancestors, being grateful for their wisdom and love, which we live by even now, while also remembering their shortcomings? Seeing the complex reality of another human being and just being there with it is what it means to love.
I surprised myself the first time I wrote my father’s name on the list for Zenshuji’s remembrance ceremony. I have spent many years ridding myself of the lack of confidence and security that were my reaction to his hot anger. I have also spent a lot of time learning to take care of the anger and pride I inherited from him. However, that is the foundation of my strength, activism, and creativity in dealing with life. And my ability to continue on my path no matter what. I could thank him for his gift, couldn’t I?
Remembering our ancestors also reminds us that we are a link in the chain of generations. The Japanese poet Ryokan wrote
My legacy -
What shall it be?
Flowers in spring
The nightingale in summer
And the crimson maples of autumn
Each day, as the manifestation of past generations, we can work on our legacy for our grandchildren and future generations.
The Zen Center offers a one-evening introduction to Zen Buddhism and zazen. This includes a talk about Zen, zazen instruction, a short period of zazen and an opportunity for questions. Donations are welcome; there is no fee.
Coming in August
August 5: Baika Workshop with Hoko Karnegis
10:00 am – noon
Baika is Buddhist music made with voices and bells. The words are Japanese (There are translations.) and the melodies are taken from Japanese folk and other songs. Hoko is one of the first American teachers of baika and an old friend of the center. Come join us. You don’t have to be a singer or instrument player. It’s about doing our best and practicing together. There is no fee, but donations are welcome. To register, click here.
August 20: All-day Sitting
5:00 am - 4:40 pm
All-day sittings are informal times of sitting together, and a chance to do a mini-retreat for a morning or spend an entire day sitting, walking, chanting and sharing food. Participants can come and go as their schedules allow. If you’re from out of town and need to stay overnight, there’s room at the center. Donations are welcome; there is no fee. A typical all-day sitting schedule is available here
Other News Gina Kendall’s Ordination
Gina Kendall will receive novice ordination on Saturday, July 8 at 10:00 am. Novice ordination is the beginning of training to be a Zen teacher and it entails everyday practice, study, and monastic practice. Training is learning to live the Buddha’s life with the depth that allows one to be a foundation for the sangha and also to pass the tradition on to future generations. Her ordination will mean that Gina will become an important resource for our temple.
This is an important and joyous step for both our temple and for Gina. Please come and celebrate with us if you can.
There will be a potluck lunch afterward. Bring a dish to pass.
Farewell to Travis
Longtime member Travis Hunt left in early June to join Erica in California. He was a steadfast member and we relied on him to always get out the cookies and cups for teatime and do be doan from time to time.
We’ll miss his quiet strong spirit and his love of manga, superheroes, and other fantasy. We all hope he is as happy as we are at the rumor that Hayao Miyazaki is back at Studio Ghibli even though he announced his retirement.
We wish Travis fine adventures and look forward to seeing him when he returns to visit family.
Other Sitting & Sangha Opportunities
Bloomington-Normal, Illinois group meets at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday mornings at Crutcher Academy, 109 West Mill St., Suite 1 in Bloomington. For more information, clickhere or contact them at bnzengroup@gmail.com.
Cedar Falls, Iowa group meets Saturday mornings at 7:20 a.m. and Tuesday evenings at 7:20 p.m. in St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 2410 Melrose Drive. For more information, email them at cfzensitting@cfu.net.
Daishin McCabe is offering half-day sittings, from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. on July 29, and August 12 at Pure Land of Iowa in Des Moines (8364 Hickman Rd. in Clive), and all are welcome to sit with him. In addition to sitting, there will be guided meditation, Dharma talk, and group discussion. For more information, contact Daishin at daishinmccabe@yahoo.com.
This is the time of year when, in Japan, there are big family reunions that include all the ancestors. Trains are crowded as people return to their family homes. Each family takes a picnic lunch to their plot at their temple cemetery and everyone, the living and the spirits, enjoys it together. Though the tradition is to honor seven generations, I like to think of everyone being there – the first Japanese people with their pottery bowls and painted faces, Heian ancestors in elegant kimono, a samurai or two, peasant farmers, and people in dresses and suits. There are also temple services, traditional dances, and a sendoff for the ancestors. If you go, you’ll want to take about a week off work.
Because of them we can see what habits of thought or action are not useful and we can avoid them and not do harm. People are complicated beings. Unless we have deep mental illness, we all have many layers, both helpful and destructive. Can we see all sides of our ancestors, being grateful for their wisdom and love, which we live by even now, while also remembering their shortcomings? Seeing the complex reality of another human being and just being there with it is what it means to love.
August 5: Baika Workshop with Hoko Karnegis
