Healing the Ancient Wound: The Soto Zen Buddhist Association …

Posted: September 29, 2015 at 3:50 am


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(The SZBA board, except for Koun Franz, pictured in inset, who met via Zoom. From left to right, James Ford, Mary Mocine, Daishin McCabe, Taihau Priest, Ryushin Hart, Alan Senauke, Domyo Burke, and Tenku Ruff)

Throughout the year the Board for the Soto Zen Buddhist Association gathers by video conference. Once a year there is a face to face meeting. On alternative years it takes place in conjunction with the bi-annual meeting of the Association at one of the large Soto Zen communities in North America.

The SZBA was created in response to a suggestion from seniors in the Japanese Sotoshu who would rather deal with a daughter institution than with various individuals presenting themselves. So, far that hasnt happened. At this point I would say weve on the cusp moving from a collegial association to a professional association, and with at least some of us looking forward to a denomination. While far from a done deal what is happening is very exciting. And Im honored to have been asked to serve at this crucial period in the development of the organization.

This is one of those non larger gathering years, so we met at the Zen Center of Los Angeles. Today we finish up as much work as we can before the meeting ends at noon. Me, Ill then be taking off directly for a retreat with local Unitarian Universalist clergy.

Too many meetings I attend have the quality of that old saying That was two hours that could have been handled by an email. But thanks to our board president Taihaku Priest I cant say that for our meetings. Clear agenda. And we drive through. Best we can, of course, reality does have that habit of presenting itself. But, this meeting I believe weve broken through a major impasse in our developing standards for membership. Something critical for the largest gathering of Soto lineage ordained Zen priests in our corner of the world. Of course the hundred and fifty or so members will have their say about this. But, I am hopeful.

Taihaku cycles off the board this year, and in a couple of hours we will be saying our thanks to her and welcoming Alan Senauke who moves from member to board president.

I look forward to the next steps as we do our best to serve the healing of the ancient wound through the blessings of Buddhism, of Zen and particularly of Soto Zen Buddhism here on Turtle Island, and environs

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September 29th, 2015 at 3:50 am

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