WATERFALL
2007 fall newsletter
New Zen Centre building
At the beginning of 2007 Eshin noted that the sangha is growing and larger facilities are needed. A project group had been looking since but it didn't seem possible with Vancouver's prices. Then a couple of months ago we heard of a property that was 50% bigger on a lot that is 50% bigger. We could just afford it. Well, the centre takes possession on Saturday August 26.
This is exciting news for the centre. A much larger zendo, more rooms and toilets will absorb the growth as our numbers increase. There will be room for three residential Zen students, giving the opportunity to practice frequently and to have close contact with Eshin. Larger one day sits and possibly small sesshins can be held there in the future.
The address is 5505 Sherbrooke Street. That's three blocks west of Knight at 39 Avenue. The building is large and was built thirty years ago with good quality materials. It hasn't been kept up which means there is a lot of work to bring it up to suitable standards for the centre. Here's how it looked on purchase:
The first step is to remove the chimney and reroof. Then it's planned to renovate for three Zen residences on the first floor. As the renovation proceeds a notice will be put out for applicants. An apartment upstairs will be for the abbot and his wife. These are the initial renovations.
The existing upstairs living room, kitchen and other rooms will be used as a zendo, etc. In time these will be renovated and rearranged appropriately for a Zen Centre. This work can be done primarily by students in a number of steps. Over time the fence needs replacing and the garden worked on.
Please help with the move on Saturday and Sunday August 25 and 26. We also need workers in the following week to remove the chimney.
Let Eshin know if you can help with the move on Saturday August 25 from 9am and/or Sunday August 26 from 9am. On both days we’ll be cleaning the building after the move.
Also if you have time during the days from August 27 for the difficult job of removing of the chimney.
At the start of the renovations on August 27 the daily schedule will stop until the chimney work is completed. This may take up to two weeks. During this time it will be too messy and dirty to hold meetings. There will be email notices and web site Sangha Page announcements of the resumption date.
The Photo Gallery for the new centre will be updated as renovations continue.
Centre News
This newsletter is early to co-ordinate with the move. The main article is about the new place rather than an article by Eshin.
Eshin had planned three streams within our one practise. This was elaborated in earlier newsletters. The plan is on hold until the renovations are mainly done at the new centre. It will then be a good occasion to initiate the three streams.
The centre’s new bowl sets were used at the August sesshin. They look very smart even if the top cloth is quite slippery!! That just adds some extra awareness practice when wrapping them. Thanks again to Peggy for the great sewing job.
The autumn sesshin was full with sixteen attendees. Congratulations to Barbara, John, Kurt and Simon on their first sesshin. All did well and appreciated the benefits.
Dates for the remaining 2007 sesshin is: November 17th – 24th. It is already half full so don’t wait too long before deciding if you want to come.
The centre held a yard sale on July 28. A big thank you to all that donated items. As usual, it was a great fund-raiser and also a chance for the centre to sell what was not needed.
The email address vancouver@zen.ca is not used anymore. Please check your address books as office@zen.ca is the new one.
Chris Massey moved to Powell River in July. He plans to continue sesshins so we will see him regularly.
Brad has bought house in Powell River and plans to move in the future.
In August the centre appreciated a visit from Genshin who was visiting relatives in the Pacific North West. Genshin is the Osho at the Long Island Zen Center.
Myorei and Eshin visited Koshin and Soshin on Vashon Island in July. Soshin, who is an architect, drew up great plans for the new centre. We’ll see them unfold as the renovations progress.
Eshin was at Rinzai-ji in July for Roshi’s anniversary sesshin and the following Mimyokai meeting.
The Centre asks for a contribution from its friends. This is a way to support the Zen Centre itself and to repay benefits from the Centre’s practise. It is the practice of giving and receiving, receiving and giving. A contribution of $20 per month is expected and many contribute $35 or $50 per month as appreciation of the practice and centre grows.
A great thank you for all the membership and general donations since spring: Alex Whitehouse, Branko Vrbic, Brent Eichler, Brin Jacob, Brock Shoveller, Carlo Piroso, Chikako Poppenberger, Chris Martin, Chris Reuten, David Ashton, Dayle Baykey, Dorothy Michiel, Emily Nixon, Fred Michael, Fred Newman, Glenda Carberry, Greg Barkovich, Ian Hignell, Jerry, Jonathan Gallant, Joni Cooke, Keith Parson, Klare Shoveller, Larry Steele, Laurie McEwen, Lee Dutta, Louise Newman, Martina Vavra, Michael Wong, Michelle Meyrink, Mike and Barbara Mulcahy, Mike Henley, Minerva Mercado, Nikki Stubbs, Noah Quastel, Paul Clarke, Paul Frost, Paul Martin, Peggy Scott, Ric Hunter, Sean Connor, Steve Weiner, Stuart Slind, Tony Ross, Wilkin Ng and for all the anonymous donations.
A big ‘Thank you’ for the items that the sangha donates or in the giving of time to help the centre. Jon for pressure cleaning the balcony, Glenda for funds for a ZC car, Ian for important help with the mortgage, and many others for sangha refreshments including two mugs from Klare.
A special thank you to all those that made spontaneous donations – small or large - for the new centre. This is a genuine, heart-felt giving. It’s so common in the west for people to give only when they receive something. Traditionally in the older Zen countries people gave regularly whether they attended or not. It was because they wanted to support something in happening or growing. |
