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The impact of the January 6 siege on Congress by a mob incited by the President of the United States continues to reverberate throughout the nation. San Francisco Zen Center condemns the violence that was perpetrated, mourns the loss of lives, and bears witness to the alarm, dismay, and anguish arising from the attack. Disagreements and protests are valid aspects of a free and open dialogue in a democracy; violence and intimidation are not.

These recent attempts to subvert our democracy have been shocking and heartbreaking. They also highlight the stark contrast between the treatment of the predominantly White rioters and the protesters who assembled in support of Black lives over this past year. The roots of this inequity are found in the history of racism and injustice in the U.S., and are directly tied to the hatred and white supremacy that fueled last week’s insurrection.

We call upon our leaders to hold those responsible for the events of January 6 fully accountable. And we further call upon ourselves and our nation to understand, atone for, and redress the four centuries of emotional, economic, and physical harm done to Black, Indigenous, Brown, Asian and other marginalized people.

In the opening verses of the Dhammapada, Shakyamuni Buddha taught, “Hatred does not end through hatred. By non-hate alone does it end. This is an ancient truth.”Buddhist teachings support us to develop the courage and resilience to meet each moment with a clear mind and a compassionate heart, without being consumed by anger or despair.

Maintaining a steadfast and upright practice is the path of liberation–not just for ourselves but for all beings–and a way for us to heal in this time of great mental and physical dis-ease. As a community, together we can explore how to work skillfully with strong emotions, offer deep presence to each other in the midst of our pain, and discover how practice and sangha are a refuge.

May we ceaselessly work together to create and maintain an awakened and compassionate society and system of governance for the benefit of all beings.

With bows,
San Francisco Zen Center Leadership

SZBA Statement in Response to the attack on Congress of January 6th.

As Zen Buddhist clergy, we condemn the attack on the United States congress on January 6th. We acknowledge the anguish and rage it has brought. At the center of our tradition is the understanding that violence leads to violence, compassion to compassion, ignorance to ignorance, and insight to insight. Although countless conditions led to the attack at the capitol, we see that the violence at the capitol was deeply tied to the white supremacy that has characterized this nation since its inception.

White Supremacy was a founding principle of the United States, and remains one of the hierarchical conditions on which this nation operates. Until this country fully acknowledges and repairs the damage of the horrific violence and day to day inequities of its racist systems, we will continue to reap its fruit. We must recognize the poison of racism not as an evil committed by terrible people, but as a part of the fabric of our collective karma which we must unravel together if we want to be truly free.

We witnessed the confederate flags carried at the capitol attack. We witnessed, too, the Nazi imagery there. A host of other structural oppressions are deeply tied to this attack, including a rejection of truth itself. Part of this rejection of truth is denial of the racism that permeates this country. As we watched the attack on the capitol, we witnessed the stark differences in the way law enforcement treated these protestors and protestors at Black Lives Matter protests last summer. We recognize that future violence is a very real possibility.

Buddhism teaches us that there is always the possibility for healing and liberation. To be free of the violence of white supremacy and other modes of systemic oppression, we must acknowledge them fully, collectively, and individually as an ongoing practice, and from this acknowledgment, find the way to fundamentally transform our society.

We, the undersigned, ask that as religious leaders, Zen clergy commit to justice, accountability and ethical action based in the teaching of Buddhism. We call on the clergy to address structural oppression within themselves, their sanghas and their nations. With compassion alive in our hearts, and the courage to face the truth, let us move into liberative action.

Signed,
Sosan Theresa Flynn, President, Soto Zen Buddhist Association

Marc Lesser, Vice-president, Soto Zen Buddhist Association

Inryū Bobbi Ponce-Barger, Secretary, Soto Zen Buddhist Association

Dokai Georgesen, Treasurer, Soto Zen Buddhist Association

Chimyo Atkinson, Board Member, Soto Zen Buddhist Association

Koshin Paley Ellison, New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care/Board
Member, Soto Zen Buddhist Association

Gyozon Royce Johnson, Board Member, Soto Zen Buddhist Association

Annalisa Rakugo Castaldo, chair, SZBA DEIA committee

Rev. Ben Connelly, Minnesota Zen Meditation Center

Hoka Chris Fortin, Everyday Zen, Dharma Heart Zen

Rev. Jisan Tova Green, San Francisco Zen Center

Charlie Korin Pokorny, Stone Creek Zen Center

Teresa Bouza, Kannon Do Zen Center

Rev. Genjō Sam Conway, Clouds in Water Zen Center

All Beings Zen Sangha Guiding Teacher Inryū Sensei and 2020 Shuso (head student) Shōryū Christopher Leader begin the ceremony.

Shōryu following the ceremony wearing the Rakusu which the All Beings Zen Sangha members sewed for him as he holds the ceremonial fan and staff.  Sangha members joined the ceremony via the online zendo (as we could not congregate in person due to the Covid-19 pandemic) to pose questions for the Shuso and to offer congratulations and appreciation.

Shōryū and Inryū Sensei pose near the altar following the ceremony.

“I’m thrilled that we were still able to have such a wonderful ceremony — and such lively Dharma Combat! — even though we were meeting via Zoom. I didn’t expect so many people to show up, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude that I was able to share this afternoon with so many of you.

I have enjoyed getting closer to you all throughout the year, and I am so grateful for the insight and guidance you offered me during my tenure as Shuso. I left every tea feeling as though I learned something, every sit feeling as though my practice was growing, and every round of pass-the-feather feeling lucky to be among such a diverse and wonderful group of people who choose to dedicate their time to further the same practice that I do. I will wear the Rakusu you sewed for me with joy and respect.

I owe a debt of gratitude to our Beji, Alex Langlinais, who handled the myriad things that I was too tired or ill to manage on my own. He handled much of the schedule and communications this Ango, and always ensured that I was prepared for what I had coming up next. I couldn’t have hoped for more support.

Finally, I offer my endless gratitude to Inryū Sensei for offering me this opportunity, for being willing to work out a path that allowed me to navigate through the practice period, and for offering all of the teachings over the years that led me to this point. I’m thankful for the chance to grow in my practice and in my ability to support the community that she provided by asking me to take on this role.

Though my term as Shuso is over, I hope that I can continue to support all of you practice in any way you need. If you ask, I’ll do the best I can for you”

-Tendō Shōryū, December 21, 2020

Way Seeking Mind Talk offered by Aaron Bisig,

 

 

Abolish the Death Penalty and Halt All U.S. Federal Executions

I vow not to kill. Not killing life, the Buddha seed grows.                                      Transmit the life of Buddha and do not kill

—Eihei Dogen Zenji

Every version of the Buddha’s ethical precepts begins with this principle: Do Not Kill. Buddha and all the great spiritual teachers — Jesus, Mohammed, the Hebrew prophets, Gandhi — tell us that life is sacred; that violence only begets violence. The logic of cause and effect, karma and its fruit, are inescapable even when you dress them in the emperor or president’s clothes of punitive and retributive justice.

On November 25, 2020 the U.S. Justice Department announced new regulations allowing for the use of new, or rather, old methods for federal executions, including the firing squad and electrocution. According to The New York Times:

Last week, the Justice Department announced that it plans to execute three more inmates on federal death row. If the administration does so, along with two other executions already scheduled, it will have put 13 prisoners to death since July, marking one of the deadliest periods in the history of federal capital punishment since at least 1927. 

As Soto Zen Buddhist priests and teachers, as people of faith, we vigorously oppose state-sponsored murder and this rush to punish. We see capital punishment as the enactment of a cruel and primitive urge for vengeance draped in the fabric of legality. We believe that capital punishment degrades and brutalizes our society by teaching violence in reaction to violence.

The harm of capital punishment does not just fall on the person put to death, but on our whole society — on guards and technicians, wardens, governors, on families of victims, and on each of us allowing this barbarism to go forward in our name.

Capital punishment is the cutting edge of America’s penal system. Social scientists, clergy, politicians, and communities of color all know that this is a broken system, although it is remarkably effective for sowing the seeds of violence. We see no evidence or statistics that capital punishment serves as an effective deterrent to crime. Resting on a foundation of inequality, based on racism and privilege, capital punishment cannot be fixed. Let’s end it now, everywhere! 

People of faith and conscience wish to build a new system of justice based on love, restoration, and redemption. Let those be the lights that guide us. We believe that social and personal transformation are always possible, and that even wounded people can change and contribute to society. While it is true that people reasonably expect protection from those who—by reason of mental illness, and extreme physical or psychological trauma — prey on others, the great majority of all prisoners are capable of transformation. This is our understanding of human nature. As for the handful who must be restrained or separated for their own protection and the safety of others, even these prisoners must be afforded life, a humane environment, and the possibility of meaningful work.

We believe that there is no fair or practical way to arrive at a sentence of death. 

What is our work? Organize against the death penalty in your communities, in your centers and temples. Study and talk about the death penalty; debate it with your friends. Write to the U.S. Attorney General and the President—outgoing and incoming—and speak your opposition and convictions. When federal or state executions are scheduled, join with sisters and brothers of all faiths sitting at the prison gates to bear witness. This is important. We must speak for humane policy and compassion with our bodies. 

Verse 129 of the Dhammapada, Shakyamuni Buddha’s early teaching, says: “All tremble at violence; all fear death. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill.” May we live with this awareness and save all beings.

• We ask the U. S. Federal Government to immediately halt all planned Federal Executions.
• We ask for a Nationwide moratorium on Federal and State Executions.
• We ask for our legislatures to reform the justice system to be one of restoration and redemption.

Action Items and Information on the Death Penalty

• http://deathpenaltyaction.org/take-action
• https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-congress-abolish-the-federal-death-penalty/
• https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/death-penalty/
• https://action.aclu.org/petition/stop-federal-executions
• https://catholicsmobilizing.org/take-action-stop-federal-executions-1

Signed,

Rev. Sosan Flynn, SZBA President
Clouds in Water Zen Center, Guiding Teacher

Rev. Marc Lesser, SZBA Vice President
Mill Valley Zen, Head Teacher

Rev. Dokai Georgesen, SZBA Treasurer                                                                          Hokyoji Zen Practice Community, Guiding Teacher

Rev. Inryū Bobbi Poncé-Barger, SZBA Secretary                                                              All Beings Zen Sangha, Guiding Teacher

Rev. Charlie Pokorny, SZBA Board Member                                                                     Stone Creek Zen Center, Head priest

Rev. Chimyo Atkinson, SZBA Board Member

Rev. Koshin Paley Ellison, SZBA Board Member
New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care, Guiding Teacher

Rev. Chodo Campbell                                                                                                                      New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care, Guiding Teacher

Rev. Hozan Alan Senauke
Berkeley Zen Center, Head Priest

Rev. Colin Gipson                                                                                                                        Guiding Teacher, San Antonio Zen Center

Rev. Joan Jiko Halifax                                                                                                                  Abbot, Upaya Zen Center

(more…)

Barbara Wenger and Dairyū Michael Wenger, Roshi will join the All Beings Zen Sangha for tea and discussion on Sunday December 6th, 2020 at 2:30pmEST.

We are hoping they will share with us some of their stories about Mitsu Suzuki (Suzuki Roshi’s wife).

Please use the link to join.

If you are asked for a passcode use this number 103346

Monday, November 23: Way Seeking Mind Talk offered by Lucy Turner after short period of  zazen, 6:30 am

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, November 25: Way Seeking Mind Talk offered by John Flanagan after a short period of  zazen, 6:30 am

 

 

NO Thursday Evening Service or Practice on November 26, 2020

Friday, November 27: Way Seeking Mind Talk offered by Augustine Smith Jr. after a short period of zazen 6:30 am

(rescheduled from 11/ 20)

Saturday, November 14:  Book Discussion on Shohaku Okumura Roshi’s “Living by Vow,” 1pm-2:30pm EST in our online zendo.  Use this link to join.

We will begin with a short period of zazen at 1pm.  

Watch a short film produced by Okumura’s daughter Yuko titled “Sit”

Kōryū Naomi Knoble will offer some reflections on her study of the text.  

Then we will have ample time for dialogue and discussion of the text and Dharma teachings within it.

At 2:20 we will evaluate whether we should schedule additional time to meet regarding this book and conclude with a circle poem and chanting the 4 great vows.

 

 

 

Way Seeking Mind Talk offered by Kōryū Naomi Knoble after morning zazen, 6:30 am

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, November 19: Dharma Offering by the Shuso titled “Being on Time: Dogen’s Uji and Managing the Present Moment” , Tendō Shōryū Christopher Leader, 7:00 pm

 

Way Seeking Mind Talk offered by Mike Barreda — following a short period of zazen.  We will have a 10 minute period of zazen which will be followed by a Way Seeking Mind.  Join us with this link.

 

Way Seeking Mind Talk offered by Suzanne Ehrenhalt — following a short period of zazen.  We will have a 10 minute of zazen which will be followed by a Way Seeking Mind.  Join us with this link.

Way seeking Mind Talk offered by Alan Brenner— following a short period of zazen.  We will have a 10 minute of zazen which will be followed by a Way Seeking Mind.  Join us with this link.