Auckland Zen Centre Newsletter February 2015

From Sensei

Taking Refuge in the Sangha Treasure

I take refuge in Sangha,
and in its wisdom, example and never-failing help,
and resolve to live in harmony with all sentient beings. 

What are we actually taking refuge in when we take refuge in Sangha? Sangha does not just mean monks and nuns, though it is sometimes used that way. The Sangha is four-fold, and refers to bhikkhus, bhikkhunis, upasakas and upasikas (male and female home-leavers and male and female lay devotees). But even this wider definition does not really capture the meaning of Sangha. Sangha is more of a verb than a noun, and refers to living a life that is harmonious and pure. Members of a Sangha work together to support each other in cultivating the other two treasures, awareness (Buddha) and understanding the way things are (Dharma). Living a pure, upright life is essential. You can't awaken if the mind is being disturbed by pain-producing behaviour, and you can't understand the truth fully unless you are aligning yourself with it. To participate in a Sangha is to avoid influences and activities that would cause harm to others or ourselves and to expose ourselves to things and people which open our hearts and deepen our wisdom. We take refuge in Sangha by becoming Sangha -- unselfish, upright and willing to help. 

Since we moved back to New Zealand at the end of 2003 my dream has been to facilitate the unfolding of Sangha here in Auckland. It is in part a desire to recreate here the kind of community from which I benefited so much during my years at the Rochester Zen Center. Especially when I first came back, I sorely missed not only my teacher and the training, but also my Dharma friends, with whom I had such a strong bonds of love and respect after so many years of practicing together. I also missed the beauty of the Zen Center: the lovingly cared-for old buildings, the elegant gardens, the Buddha and bodhisattva figures like old friends. Of course it is impossible to create any kind of replica of the RZC and it would be foolish to try. Not only because different conditions will lead to different results, but also because Sangha is not things or even people. Sangha is relationship -- the activity of working together harmoniously on the Great Matter of birth and death, and purifying ourselves of impediments as we go. I hope we do capture something of the spirit that informs the training at the RZC: the importance placed on upholding the precepts; the strong and compassionate discipline; the attention to detail; the emphasis on genuine realisation. It is my job to uphold to these values, but it is really up to the whole Sangha to determine exactly how we develop as a community. Now that the work of establishing ourselves at 52 Princes Street is over, we can  turn our minds to this question. How do we create a strong Dharma community that serves not only ourselves but generations to come? Which is to say, how do we best cultivate awakening in each other?

As I mentioned at the benefit concert on Sunday, one important component that we are still working on is the provision of fully-fledged residential training. We can only handle one long-term trainee and the occasional short-term person at the moment. I would like us to be able to accommodate not only those with a vocational commitment to Zen, but also other students who wish to intensify their practice for a time in a supportive environment, as well as members coming from out of town, or occasionally someone in crisis who needs a few days or weeks of stillness and quiet to regroup. There are short-term things that we can do to increase our capacity from one to two long-term trainees. But we need to consider carefully what might be possible in the long term and also work that into our plans. We'll need to get creative. If we develop the back third of Princes St, how will we fund it? Are there better ways to provide accommodation for residents? 

Creating community is not easy in Auckland, with its exorbitant property prices, dispersed population and the congested roads. It will take ongoing commitment, effort, and persistence to build on what we have achieved so far. The Sangha rests on the foundation of our zazen; both the sitting we do together in the zendo and the sitting we do at home. From these strong roots I hope our Sangha grow into a great shade tree that shelters many beings for many generations to come. 

Fundraising Concert

Many thanks, especially to the performers who were so generous with their time and energy, and to all who helped make the night so enjoyable. Funds raised will go towards the next stage of alterations to 52 Princes Street. Below, Jinmon Langabeer, Balamohan Shingade, Phil Dadson and Adrian Croucher.

-- Sensei

Coming Up Soon

Morning Sittings

There is an additional informal morning sitting now being offered on Saturdays, from 8 to 9 a.m., and it will be held even when there is a workshop. Tuesday to Friday the sittings start at 6 a.m. They are formal, with chanting, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and informal on Wednesdays and Fridays. Breakfast is always available after the weekday morning sittings, to allow people to go straight to work from the Centre. The Sunday sitting is 8:30 to 10:30. Dokusan is offered Tuesday and Sunday mornings (as well as Thursday evenings).

Day of Renewal, aka Workshop, Part 2

We've changed to a different format for our introductory workshops, rolling the material from the Day of Renewal into a second session. Anyone who has already done a workshop and wants to recharge and refresh their practice may come to the second part of any pair of workshops. The dates for the next one is Saturday 28 March.

Rakusu Sewing Circle

Wondrous is the Robe of Liberation
A treasure beyond form and emptiness
Wearing it I will unfold Buddha's teaching
For the benefit of all sentient beings

Anyone who is Sensei's  formal student may sew a rakusu to receive at Jukai in June or January, along with a Dharma name. Making the rakusu is a devotional act, and you need to give yourself plenty of time to cut out, sew, and to unpick/resew when necessary. There'll be sewing sessions after the sitting on Sundays, starting this Sunday (1 March). It really helps to have others to sew with, and there'll be a made-up rakusu to follow, as well as guidance from Sensei and Helen. Kits with the pattern, ring, fabrics, etc. are available at the Centre for $40.

Term Intensive

Each autumn and spring there is a chance to join others in a period of intensified formal and informal practice in the midst of one's everyday life. Our autumn TI will begin next Tuesday evening, 3 March, and last for four weeks. For more about Term Intensives see here, or talk to Sensei in dokusan.

One-Day Sitting

Our first one-day sitting for 2015 will be on Sunday 8 March. It will start at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 9 p.m., and will also be the first day of the Centre's annual "working sesshin." Lunch and Supper will be provided. Note the later than usual start and end times. As always you may come to all or part of the day, and you only need to sign up if you will be at meals. A donation is appreciated.

Working Sesshin 8-13 March

Once a year the Centre offers what we call a working sesshin. During a working sesshin participants maintain their usual work schedule during the day but commit to attending sittings at the Centre every morning and evening for the whole week. People have found that this type of sesshin provides an excellent way to work on integrating the fruits of sitting into one's daily routine.The week will kick off on Sunday (8th March) with a one-day sitting, and continue until Friday evening. Breakfast and a light supper will be provided each day. Sleeping over is an option for a limited number of people.