June - July 2010 - Sydney Zen Centre

www.szc.org.au
251 Young Street
Annandale NSW 2038
02 9660 2993
NEWSLETTER June – July 2010
REPORTS
Autumn Sesshin
The Autumn Sesshin led by Subhana and Paul was particularly joyous, preceding, as it did, the
Transmission Ceremony for Paul and Sexton. Thirty people took part.. The weather was kind, the land lush
and green, and the birds and insects were in celebratory mode. Special thanks to Tony Miller, who carried
the burden of sesshin organisation, to Maggie, who took on responsibilities over and above those involved
in being Jisha, and to Jill Steverson, who organised all the food buying.
Transmission Ceremony for Paul Maloney and Sexton Bourke: April 10
On Saturday 10 April, the day after Autumn
Sesshin, Subhana Barzaghi conferred dharma
transmission on Paul Maloney of SZC and
Sexton Bourke of the Bellingen Zen Group. The
transmission ceremony, at Kodoji temple,
Gorricks Run, was in various ways simple
and companionable, rich and powerful. It
was attended by fifty or sixty people from
both Zen groups, together with families and
friends of Paul and Sexton. Teachers present
were Gillian Coote, Ellen Davison, Barry
Farrin, Maggie Gluek, Will James, Susan
Murphy, and Mari Rhydwen.
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After both teachers had done jukai renewal, Sexton gave a
pungent teisho, which will be published in the next Mind Moon
Circle, and Paul led a compassionate sosan or public inquiry with
a number of students, old and new. Subhana presented Paul and
Sexton with their lineage charts and read the Diamond Sangha
cautions for new teachers: ‘Your practice begins now …’.
Many beautiful gifts were exchanged, from Subhana, from fellow
teachers, and from fraternal Zen centres. The sangha presented
new translations by Red Pine of The Platform Sutra, The Heart
Sutra and Cold Mountain Poems.
After Allan Marett performed an aboriginal song and some
impromptu singing from Sexton’s Bellingen contingent, we
enjoyed a splendid lunch.
Paul donated most of his sesshin teaching fee towards the
Transmission lunch, as previously he had donated his fee towards
buying the dojo stove.
Sexton Bourke made us a bell for Kodoji. Named Silence, it is
accompanied by a verse:
The sound of the bell
calls to the ten thousand things:
Wake to my silence!
Thanks to Subhana for her visioning of this event, to Harry
Tamvakeras for his nuts-and-bolts planning, and to the sesshin
students who helped set up and clean up.
Tony Miller and Sally Hopkins
Buddha’s Birthday and Naming Ceremony: 18 April
It was a bumper crop of baby Buddhas who were formally welcomed
this year into our sangha: Antoine Nannetti (known to everyone as Zizou), almost two; Max
Stewart, just one; Leo Miller, almost one; Theo Pearn, ten months; and Lily Moon, nine months.
Sally acted as Ino and Gilly presided over the lively and joyous ceremony, not quite chaos, while
little people toddled and crawled about. Parents and grandparents were there, offering arms,
incense and words of gratitude. Sisters and cousins and friends participated - I don’t think there
have ever been so many kids in the dojo, bathing the baby Buddha figure and offering flowers.
Earlier that morning the older children, under the tutelage of Janet Selby, had made brightlycoloured
origami figures, gifts for the baby guests of honour. Gilly gave a potted kangaroo paw to
each of the five. A pot luck east materialised and was consumed with delight. Altogether, an
intense and happy birthday party!
Maggie Gluek
COMING EVENTS
Dharma Study Retreat - Paint the Sky: June11-16
This retreat will be lead by Patrick Kearney and follows the very successful Dharma Study retreat
which involved both Zen and Insight practitioners held last year.
Coordinator: Pip Atkins pip.atkins@gmail.com
Samu at Annandale June 20
Replacing our normal zazenkai this month will be a Samu day at Annandale. There will be a sit
from 8.30 – 9.30, followed by a dharma talk. From 10.15 – 4.00 we’ll be carrying out a range of
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activities and repairs that are needed to keep the centre running. Bring food to share for lunch.
This is a great opportunity to work together with fellow sangha members while developing the
samu pillar of our practice.
Enquiries: Tony Coote - tony@tonycootearchitect.com
Blackberry Samu at Gorricks: June 26
Blackberry Samu Day a Gorricks on 26 June will tackle the increasing blackberry infestations.
Years ago Jean led the work to reduce the blackberry forests, and Sesshin Samu worked on them.
But they’re back! Bring your own lunch and tools if you have them (knives and secateurs) and
thick protective gloves. The more people,
the better: we can make real inroads and
reduce the terrible impact that blackberries
have on the land.
Contacts: Maggie -
magpiewarble@yahoo.com or Gilly -
gillian@gilliancoote.com
Sound of Silence Zazenkai:
Gorrick’s July 23 - 25
The Sound of Silence Zazenkai will led by
Paul Maloney at Gorricks, starting in the
evening of Friday 23 rd and finishing on the
afternoon of the 25 th . Note that the dates
for the Zazenkai have changed. This is a
great opportunity to sink deeply into practice for a brief time in our busy lives. Numbers are
limited. Enquiries: Jean - jeanmbrick@yahoo.com.au Cost: $100
NEWS from the BOARD
New members: Denise Ward, and Bertrand Douillard are both warmly welcomed as new
members. May they feel right at
home.
Gifts: Wayne Rankin (Melbourne
Zen Group) has refurbished the
Annandale dokusan bell which he
made for us many years ago.
ZOC member Kynan Sutherland
has made a new han to replace the
one at Gorricks which broke. A
deep gassho to both for their very
generous gifts.
Aitken Roshi Appeal: The
Aitken Roshi Appeal supports our
founder in his very old age. Last
year the Board agreed to send
$2,000 each year towards this worthwhile project. This will be sent at the end of June. If you are
moved to add contributions to this, before end of June:
i. put your donation in the donation box at Annandale with note stating amount and ‘For
Roshi’
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ii. put your donation in the Treasurer’s pigeonhole at Annandale, marked ‘For Roshi’
iii. deposit your donation directly into the SZC account: Sydney Zen Centre Ltd.
062 1821 008 6801, marked ‘For Roshi’
More information can be found on the Dana for Aitken Roshi website: www.aitkenroshi.org
Teisho podcasts: Alex Mitrovic has been podcasting teishos from Subhana, Gilly and Paul.
If you are not subscribed you can listen on the player at the bottom of szc.org.au or
www.szc.podbean.com”
Alex is also digitalizing our old tape collection, some of which date from the 1970’s. The Board is
also considering other ways of preserving these talks. Many thanks, Alex.
Developments at Gorrick’s: The Board continues to debate ways of improving facilities at
Gorrick’s, including the building of a second hojo. It has been decided to buy 4 beds for upstairs
in the cottage. Depending on how they go, there may be room for 8.
A fire alarm is being put in the cottage ceiling: thanks to Greg Carty.
Much thought is also being given to Subhana’s request to have organic fruit and vegetables at her
sesshins.
Library: All interested in buying books and/or enlivening the library, please get in touch
with Gordon Waters: gordonwaters@optusnet.com.au
REGULAR DATES
Dokusan Mondays: Subhana: June 7, 21
Paul Maloney July 5, 12, 19
Maggie Gluek June 28
Wednesdays: Gillian Coote June 9, 23; July 7, 14, 21
Full Moon Ceremony: July 26 & 28 ‘ I take up the way of not killing
Precept Recitation and Dharma Café: June 28, 30
Zazenkai: July 18. Talk and Dokusan – Paul Maloney
Dharma Study Group: July 18 – Paul Maloney. Zhouzhou Chapter 15 of The Roaring Stream
Board Meetings: June 8 and July 13. 7.00 sitting: Meeting starts at 7.30. All members welcome.
Women’s Group: The women’s group is open to SZC female members. If you are interested in joining,
and want to find out more about the nature of the group and how we operate, please just link into the group
and ask any questions. Next meeting is scheduled for Friday June 18 venue TBA, then July 8 th at
Caroline’s.
Orientations: Monday evenings 6pm, Wednesday evenings 6.45pm
For newcomers to receive orientation to the practice.
Monday evenings: E-mail Maggie Gluek magpiewarble@yahoo.com
Wednesday evenings : Call Janet Selby on 9589 4636 or just turn up at 6.45pm for an
introduction to the practice.
.
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NOTICE BOARD
Gift recipient status for SZC Building Fund: The Australian Tax Office has confirmed that we are a
DGR, or Deductible Gift Recipient for a fund (in our case the Sydney Zen Centre Building Fund). This
restores the status of gifts to the building fund as tax deductible for the donor. If you would like to make a
donation to the building fund, simply flag it as such and we will issue a receipt against which you can claim
a tax deduction from your income.
Books for sale: The Roaring Stream. A New Zen Reader, ed. Nelson Foster and Jack Shoemaker
is on sale at Annandale, along with Robert Aitken's books: Taking the Path of Zen, Mind of Clover,
The Dragon that Never Sleeps, Encouraging Words, The Morning Star, Vegetable Roots
Discourse, Zen Master Raven and The Gateless Barrier.
Leadership roles at evening zazen: Any members, regularly sitting, who would like to take up the
practice of being a dojo leader at evening zazen, please see one of the leaders, or speak to a teacher
Use of Kodoji: Kodoji is available for use by members of the SZC and guests (if accompanied by a
member). It can also be hired by other groups if approved by the Board. Fees are $15 per night for
members and $25 for non-members. There is a $100 booking fee for non-member groups. Booking of
Kodoji is essential and it is also essential to receive instructions about use of the facility before going there.
Try giving the family a wonderful weekend, or yourself a few days of private retreat
Enquiries to Brendan Stewart - phone 9879 7290, email br.stewart@uws.edu.au
Blue Mountains Zen: The Blue Mountains Zen Group meets on the second and fourth Sunday of each
month, from 3.00-5.00 p.m., at Paul Maloney's home. The address is 19 Russell Road, Leura. Phone 4784
2136. The meeting is occasionally held at another venue, so it is best to check some days before, should
one think of joining us for a sit.
Canberra Zen Group: Wednesday evenings fortnightly at 7.45 at the Orana School in Weston. Contact
Tony Shields for details – email: tshields@netspeed.com.au, phone 6262-5150
Full minutes of every board meeting are posted on the notice board at Annandale for public perusal.
CONTACT INFORMATION
SZC (02) 9660 2993 www.szc.org.au
Members of the Board: Allan Marett (Chair); Alex Mitrovic (Deputy-Chair); Sally
Hopkins (Secretary); Meghan Hay (Treasurer); Gail Burrell-Davis (Assistant Treasurer);
Will Moon; Nigel Pearn and Gordon Waters. Teachers: Subhana Barzaghi, Gillian Coote
Apprentice Teacher: Maggie Gluek. Newsletter editor Jean Brick
jeanmbrick@yahoo.com.au
More baby-naming pictures from Tony Coote:
http://www.dropbox. com/gallery/ 6156141/1/ BUDDHA%27S% 20B.DAY%2018% 20APRIL%202010 h=fba80c
More from the Transmission Ceremony:
From Sandy Dance:
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/s.dance/TransmissionSesshinKodoji201002authkey=Gv1sRgCNeixamrlvrwigE#
From Rob Scott-Mitchell
http://www.flickr.com/x/t/0099008/photos/32860702@N05/sets/72157623835680158/show/
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SZC Calendar: June - July 2010
31
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
May 30 May 31 June 1 2
3 4 5
Zazen
7-9pm
6 7 8
Zazen
7-9pm
9 10 11
12
Board
Meeting
start 7.30 pm
Retreat:
Paint the Sky
Gorrick’s
Retreat:
Paint the Sky
Gorrick’s
13
14
16
16
17 18
19
Retreat:
Paint the Sky
Gorrick’s
20
21
Samu
Annandale
Sit: 8.30 - 9.30
Talk 9.30-
10.00
Samu 10.15- Zazen
4.00
7-9pm
27 28
Retreat:
Paint the Sky
Gorrick’s
Retreat:
Paint the Sky
Gorrick’s
22 23
Zazen
7-9pm
29 30
Retreat:
Paint the Sky
Gorrick’s
Women’s
Group
24 25 26
Blackberry
Day at
Gorrick’s
July 1 2 3
Precept
Recitation &
Dharma Cafe
7-9pm
4 5
Precept
Recitation &
Dharma Cafe
7-9pm
6 7
8 9
10
Zazen
7-9pm
Zazen
7-9pm
Women’s
Group
Caroline’s
11 12
13
14
15 16 17
18
Zazenkai
8.30-12.00
Talk &
Dokusan: Paul
Maloney
Study Group:
1.00 – 3.00
Zhaozhou
Led by Paul
25
Zazen
7-9pm
19
Zazen
7-9pm
26
Board
Meeting Zazen
start 7.30pm 7-9pm
20 21
Zazen
7-9pm
27 28
22 23
Sound of
Silence
Gorrick’s
24
29 30 3 1
Sound of
Silence
Gorrick’s
Sound of
Silence
Gorrick’s
Full Moon
Ceremony
7-9pm
Full Moon
Ceremony
7-9pm
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