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Our lead article in this issue is a summary of the 2018 Shao Shan Temple (SST) Annual Meeting. We hope that we were able to capture in this piece some of the energy and enthusiasm of the meeting for those members who were not able to attend. In her Dharma Talk, Taihaku urges us to imbue each moment with a mind that cherishes. The pictorial for this issue depicts the annual Jukai Ceremony on July 1, 2018.
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Our regular features lead off with the Events Calendar where you can learn about all of the special programs that have been scheduled from August through December, 2018. The Community Programs & Ceremonies section highlights the temple's community outreach efforts.The Temple Treasure Hunt returns in this issue with a frequently overlooked image
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of the Buddha. The Ask the Priests feature dips into the past to recount the story of how the temple was sited. You can learn about the temple's diverse programming in the News section. In the Financial Report there is an encouraging financial update on the first half of the year. We hope this invigorating information inspires you to make a contribution supporting SST. The Opportunities for Giving Back section provides some suggestions.
Many people in our sangha have worked hard to bring you this edition of the newsletter. We would like to thank: Kenzan and Taihaku for writing pieces and reviewing drafts; Kenzan and Raven NK Bruce for their photos; Scott Fields for his copyediting; and Nancy Schulz for her proofreading services.
In the Dharma,
Monica DiGiovanni and Max Schlueter
Co-editors
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The Shao Shan website is a great way to check on the dates and times of the temple's regular schedule of zazen, study groups, work practice, oryoki, and services.You can view the temple calendar at: http://www.shaoshantemple.org/home/calendar.
Before coming to a Shao Shan program, please be sure to check the temple website calendar or call 802-456-7091 to make sure event details have not changed. An RSVP is appreciated for special events. You can email the temple at: shaoshantemple@gmail.com
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November 2018
4 Young Adult Program
10 Family Program
December 2018
1-8 Rohatsu Sesshin
20 Winter Solstice
Click on an event for more information
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On June 9 approximately 25 people gathered in the Little Hall at Shao Shan to attend the temple’s Annual Meeting.
TEMPLE REPORTS
The 2018 Temple Reports were distributed by email prior to the meeting and were also available at the meeting. The Development Committee took
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questions on the Sangha Report, Program Report, Buildings & Grounds Report, Cemetery Report, and Financial Report. Most of the comments focused on the number and variety of programs that are regularly scheduled at Shao Shan Temple (SST). Members were pleased to learn that there were 102 first-time visitors to SST in 2017. In 2017 the temple received $26,120 in contributions from the sangha and friends, which paid for not only basic operating expenses but all necessary repairs and improvements. Read more.....
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by Rev. Taihaku Priest
Cherish. To protect and lovingly care for. To hold with affection. What is it that we truly cherish? Maybe what comes to mind are people, values, and principles. When we look more deeply, we find that the most basic thing that we care about is life. Our life, our world, our breath.
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The beginning bud of cherish has a fragrance, a flavor of wanting something, of wanting to keep and protect something for oneself. However, as cherishing matures, one cares so deeply and values so much that one is willing to let go, willing to release that which is cherished if that is what is required. In mature cherishing, there is no quality of smothering or fencing in; rather it is radiant with the quality of caring. Not a dry taking-care-of, but a melody of nurturing filled with emotion. Read more...
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This year Hollie Hurewitz-Herbert made the commitment to become a formal student of Shao Shan Temple. She received the 16 precepts, a Dharma name (Shi-Un -- (Auspicious) Purple-Cloud), and has become Taihaku’s student. Kathleen Daye, Peter Heaney, Brian Hebert, and Dan Zura received the first five Bodhisattva precepts and made their commitment to a Buddhist way of life. This ceremony was an occasion for the families and friends of those receiving the precepts and sangha members to join together in support of the commitments that Hollie, Kathleen, Peter, Brian, and Dan have expressed in this public ceremony.
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Soto Zen Buddhist Association
Taihaku and Kenzan are registered teachers with this American-based organization.
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In our last issue we created a new feature, “Ask the Priests." You are invited to submit a question which will become part of a “pool” of questions. For each issue a question will be selected and answered. (If you have an urgent question, it is best to ask the priests directly.)
If you have a question, please submit it to: shaoshantemple@gmail.com
Q: Taihaku, how did you decide where to build the temple?
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A: I didn’t plan to build a temple; it is more like it sprung up out of the earth. Or actually, in April of 1997 when the Hale-Bopp comet was brilliantly coursing through the night sky, as my Japanese monk friend, Oshonin-san and I gazed at it, we looked at one another and said, “Let’s build a temple!” KAPOW! The next day we took a walk out into the overgrown stand of red pine. The underbrush was so thick it was hard to walk. We were sort of like magnets. We walked around and felt drawn in a certain direction. Then we came across a dead tree stump and we both thought, "This looks like a place the Buddha would sit." The land was sort of level in that area -- it was perfect. So we
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found the location of Buddha’s seat and built the temple around it. That day, Oshonin-san wrote the characters for “Namu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo” on a board (photo above). We placed it at the spot and chanted. The world grew very calm and the sky turned a purple-iridescent blue and there was a double rainbow in the east. We later learned that at that time a huge wind had swept all the way through Barre down to Cape Cod and New York City, knocking down trees and knocking out power for three days on the Cape. Even as we imagined where the temple would be, neither of us had any idea what it would become.
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Buddha's Birthday
An enthusiastic group (ages 1 to 102) came together on Sunday, May 20, for a festive ceremony and celebration of Shakyamuni Buddha's birth. The temple and grounds were decorated for the occasion with colorful flags and flowers. The celebration included meditation, a noble procession (with parasols, bubbles, and bells), Buddha's birth story, the offering of sweet tea to the baby Buddha, and refreshments.
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Annual Meeting
Shao Shan Temple's Annual Meeting took place on Saturday, June 9, at the temple's Little Hall. Participants had the opportunity to review the annual reports and ask questions or offer feedback. Future plans and fundraising were explored. The meeting reverberated with positive energy and laughter, invigorating all its participants.
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Opening of New Temple Parking Lot
Saturday, June 9, was also the opening of the temple's new lower parking lot. There was a brief opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting in the early morning. Then the parking lot was open and actively used for the Annual Meeting. The new parking lot will more than double the amount of parking for temple programs and special events. In the past, during major celebrations participants had to park on the narrow road in front of the temple, which reduced the road to one lane of traffic. The new lower lot will also provide convenient parking during the winter for those who might otherwise find it challenging to drive up the temple's steep driveway.
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Summer Solstice
On June 21, a bright clear-skied perfect Vermont summer day, a small group gathered to mark the occasion of the longest day of the year. The Summer Solstice Ceremony included readings and chants focused on light and lovingkindness, as well as chanting and bowing outside on the grass around the fire altar. Taihaku spoke about the original bow, acknowledging our place here between the sky and earth and touching our heads to the ground in gratitude.
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Animal Friend / Pet Blessing
A joyful group came together on Saturday, June 23, for a lighthearted Animal Friend / Pet Blessing Ceremony. The first part of this year's Pet Blessing was held in the screen house due to rain. Each pet received a blessing and a certificate. This was followed by a procession down to the Pet Cemetery to honor deceased pets and animal friends.
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Connie's Pond
The parcel of land between Shao Shan Temple and County Road was recently purchased by the temple. This property will become part of Shao Shan Temple at the time of the land transfer. Connie French, Taihaku's mother, gave a generous donation which paid a portion of the land price. In gratitude, the wetland has been named "Connie's Pond." The lunchtime food offering walk will now be going to Connie's Pond.
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Cemetery Communal Shrine
Tad Murdock, of Burlington, Vermont, passed away in March of this year. Tad was an active Shao Shan Temple sangha member for several years and is now the first interment in Shao Shan Temple Cemetery's Communal Shrine. The Communal Shrine will allow interment in Shao Shan Temple Cemetery without an individual lot and memorial stone. The Shrine structure is still under construction. If you would like to make a donation in Tad's memory to the construction, please designate that your gift is "For the cemetery, in memory of Tad Murdock."
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2018 Jukai Ceremony
On Sunday, July 1, Hollie Hurewitz-Herbert made the commitment to become a formal student of Shao Shan Temple. She received the 16 precepts, a Buddhist name, and has become Taihaku’s student. Kathleen Daye, Peter Heaney, Brian Hebert, and Dan Zura received the first five Bodhisattva precepts and made their commitment to a Buddhist way of life. Thank you to everyone who joined together with us in a spirit of renewal of your commitments and intentions, which support a life beneficial for all.
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2018 Mini Summer Practice Period
This year the Mini Summer Practice Period was held from July 17-22. There was strong sangha participation in six days of monastic schedule, including meditation, services, oryoki breakfasts, meals, and work practice. Thanks to all who participated in creating an inspirational, joyful, and productive practice experience.
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Community Programs & Ceremonies
In addition to conducting services, planning programs, and tending to the needs of the sangha,Taihaku and Kenzan are also actively involved with local communities. Here are a few examples of recent community outreach programs and ceremonies.
U-32 High School, East Montpelier
Taihaku participated in a Religion Panel for the entire U-32 9th grade on May 9. Following this panel, a number of U-32 students visited Shao Shan Temple and interviewed Taihaku, Kenzan, and several Shao Shan sangha members.
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Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC)
Kenzan continues to offer a weekly midday meditation in the CVMC chapel on Tuesdays for hospital staff, patients, and their families/friends.
Remembering Hiroshima Peace Walk
The Buddhist Peace Action Vermont sponsored the annual Peace Walk in Montpelier, VT on August 6 to remember those who died from the atomic bombs in WWII and to oppose nuclear weapons. Kenzan spoke and lead chanting at the event.
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The chapel at the Central Vermont Medical Center
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Temple Treasure Hunt
There are images and statues of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Deities inspiring and protecting throughout the temple. They can be found in the zendo, the kitchen, the screen house, the Little Hall, and elsewhere around the temple grounds. But where does this image reside?
The answer appears at the end of the newsletter.
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Sangha members have requested that each newsletter include a simplified year-to-date financial report. The report for the 1st half of 2018 (January 1, 2018 through June 30, 2018) is as follows:
The 2018 annual operating budget for the temple is $22,000. The funding goal for the first half of the year was $11,000. As of June 30, 2018, contributions for the 1st half of the year amounted to $13,827. Contributions include $570 in gifts related to Home Blessing Visits. Thank you for your generosity!
The spending for the first half of the year was also up with total expenses being $19,328. The over-budget expenses are primarily due to the new lower parking lot which cost $8,700.
Thank you for your continued financial support.
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Each issue of the newsletter includes a list of suggestions for ways that sangha members and friends can give back to Shao Shan to ensure a stable future for the temple.
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SPECIAL FUNDS
Land Transfer Fund
This fund supports the costs associated with the initiative to transfer the property on which the temple now rests from Taihaku to Shao Shan Temple. Costs include legal fees, a land survey, engineering studies, and property transfer taxes. The costs associated with this project are estimated to be $10,000.
Endowment Fund
This fund was created by a group of individual friends of the temple who donated $7,000 to initiate the fund. The money in this fund is intended for the long-term support of the resident priest(s) and visiting monks who teach and care for Shao Shan Temple and its sangha, and the long-term support of the temple. The temple has recently transferred monies in this fund to an endowment account which will be managed by the Vermont Community Foundation. This change increases the investment potential of these funds and preserves the funds for the long-term financial stability of the temple.
If you would like to contribute to one or more of the Special Funds, please send a tax-deductible donation to Shao Shan Temple. Friends may also make a bequest to the temple in their will or invest in a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) with the Vermont Community Foundation. A CGA allows the donor to receive guaranteed income for life, benefit from an immediate income tax deduction, and leave a legacy that will support the temple. For more information on any of these options please contact Shao Shan at shaoshantemple@gmail.com. You may also click on the "Donate Now" button below to make an online donation using PayPal. Donations may be earmarked for the exclusive use of the Land Transfer Fund or the Endowment Fund.
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SANGHA DONATIONS
For those who can afford it, a weekly or monthly donation placed in the offering bowl, sent as a check, or paid through PayPal is a wonderful way to help support the services and programs provided by Shao Shan Temple.
Sangha members often ask, "How much should I be giving?" The Development Committee suggests that if 30 active sangha members each contributed about $70 per month, the sangha would fully fund the annual temple operations. So please give what you can, but remember that everyone is always welcome at Shao Shan, regardless of whether or not you can afford to give a financial offering.
SERVICE DONATIONS
Please let the priests know what skills and/or time you would be willing to donate to the temple.You can email them at:
shaoshantemple@gmail.com
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The Temple Garden in Summer
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Answer to the Temple Treasure Hunt
This Deity protects the outhouses. His full name is Great Strength Furious Diamond Ucchuṣma. He is known for purification.
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