WELCOME TO THE ARIZONA SOTO ZEN TEMPLE NEWSLETTER

“It is a very good deed to cast away greed and to cherish a mind of charity.
It is still better to keep one’s mind intent on respecting the Noble Path.”
.... The Teaching of Buddha - Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai.

As you know by now we are operating a retreat center in Washington State, the nearest airport is Portland Oregon then take a beautiful (breathtaking) 1 hour drive east down the Columbia River Gorge to Hood River then north 23 miles to Trout Lake.

As most of you know – I love the desert and the absence of snow. Laughing…here we have 4 full seasons and we are expecting our first snow this week – YIKES! It is so beautiful here – the fall colors and the brisk weather; the woodstove’s heat at night; it is a joy to be here.

We now do daily zazen at 6:30 am and will add 3 times a week in the evening very soon.
We have a small Bed and Breakfast for travelers at reduced rates for AZSZC folks – do come and visit!

TUCSON

The Tucson center has moved to a new location. The address is 7620 N. Hartman Lane, Suite 112, Tucson, AZ • 520.904.9474. Please check the AZSZC for driving directions and service times.

Please join us in Phoenix on Saturday, December 6, for Zazenkei with Kozen. See our website for details surrounding this particular Zazenkei. Now that Kozen lives in Washington and is not able to make it to Arizona as often as he would like, this would be a great opportunity for those of you who have not sat with him in a while to join us for this special occasion. Please respond via email if you will be able to attend Zazenkai. There is a small fee of $25.00 to cover costs of supplies and lunch.

PHOENIX

Kozen will be at the Phoenix temple the weekend of December 5th and 6th. Please join us on Saturday, December 6, for Zazenkei with Kozen. See our website for details surrounding this particular Zazenkei. Now that Kozen lives in Washington and is not able to make it to Arizona as often as he would like, this would be a great opportunity for those of you who have not sat with him in a while to join us for this special occasion. Please respond via email if you will be able to attend Zazenkai. There is a small fee of $25.00 to cover costs of supplies and lunch.

We have need of new Ino trainees. An Ino is one who leads zazen when a priest is not available. It is a great way to serve. Please contact Kozen if you are interested in helping us keep every service covered.

The Arizona Soto Zen Center now has group of zen practictioners on www.meetup.com hosted and paid for by one of our Phoenix members, Jeremiah. Please show your support for this group by joining. It is a good way for people new to zen to meet others of like mind.

Also, as many of you know, the zen center relies on donations to pay the rent. Please help us keep the doors open by giving what you can. Your donations are appreciated.

Three Refuges

I take refuge in Buddha
I take refuge in Dharma
I take refuge in Sangha

The Ten Cardinal Precepts

I resolve not to kill, but to cherish all life.

I resolve not to take what is not given, but to respect the things of others.

I resolve not to engage in improper sexuality, but to lead a life of purity and self-restraint.

I resolve not to lie, but to speak the truth.

I resolve not to cause others to take substances that impair the mind, nor to do so myself, but to keep the mind clear.

I resolve not to speak of the faults of others, but to be understanding and sympathetic.

I resolve not praise myself and disparage others, but to overcome my own shortcomings.

I resolve not to withhold spiritual or material aid, but to give them freely where needed.

I resolve not to indulge in anger, but to exercise restraint.

I resolve not to revile the three treasure (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha), but to cherish and uphold them.

THE WAY OF PRACTICAL ATTAINMENT

Information contained within this section is taken directly from the Teaching of Buddha ­ Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai, Tokyo (Society for the Promotion of Buddhism).  This book can be ordered by visiting their website at http://www.bdkamerica.org/default.aspx?MPID=53. If you have questions regarding any information contained herein, please attend one of our services and speak directly with Kozen Sensei or one of our attending Priests and the Recommended Reading page on this site to view Kozen Sensei’s personal recommended reading list.


One should get rid of a selfish mind and replace it with a mind that is earnest to help others. An act to make another happy inspires the other to make still another happy, and so happiness is born from such an act.

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.

Those who seek Enlightenment must be careful of their each step. No matter how high one’s aspiration may be, it must be attained step by step. The steps of the path to Enlightenment must be taken in our everyday life.

GASHO!

Kozen
Senior Priest
520.360.9080