Suggested Reading
The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra, by Thomas Cleary. available for download online: Click here
Little Pilgrim by Ko Un. A wonderful fictionalized rendering of the last book of the Avatamsaka Sutra on the pilgrimage of Sudhana, written by the great Korean poet, Ko Un. Out of print. Used copies may be available. For PDF click here.
A Fire Runs Through All Things: Zen Koans for Facing the Climate Crisis by Susan Murphy.
Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet, by Thich Nhat Hanh.
Huayan Buddhism and the Phenomenal Universe of the Flower Ornament Sutra, by Taigen Dan Leighton: click here
Painting Enlightenment, by Paula Kane Robinson Arai, an exposition on the work of artist Iwasaki Tsuneo, who expressed the Heart Sutra through amazing and beautiful art and calligraphy. click here
More readings will be added, and your suggestions are welcome. Please send to teachers@mountainrainzen.org.
The tradition of the intensive practice period goes back to the time of the Buddha when, during the rainy season, the Buddha and his disciples gathered in one place to meditate and study together. As our own rainy season approaches here in the Pacific Northwest, we will hold our 24th annual Mountain Rain practice period.
In Zen monasteries intensive practice periods traditionally last for three months, but ours is shorter, designed to support participants to intensify and strengthen their practice while living in the midst of family and work responsibilities. The 2024 practice period will be led by Guiding Teachers Myoshin Kate McCandless. and Shinmon Michael Newton.
Our theme will be Living in Indra’s Net: the Avatamsaka Sutra and Beyond. The Avatamsaka Sutra (Flower Garland Sutra) is the core text of the Hua Yen school of Mahayana Buddhism. It is a voluminous compendium of teachings on the bodhisattva path, and contains the image of Indra’s net, a vast net of interconnection. At each node or intersection of the net, is a jewel that reflects every other jewel in the net. This is a profound evocation of the boundless interbeing of all existence, and has deep relevance to the challenges we face in our world today: social injustice, climate and ecological crises, and the many conflicts that cause so much suffering. We will draw on portions of the Avatamsaka Sutra, as well as from the Zen tradition and contemporary teachings to deepen our practice of living in Indra’s Net.
How to Participate in Practice Period
There are no specific requirements for participation in practice period, though we encourage you to register (see below). It helps to structure your practice period and affirm your commitment. Various possible components are listed below as suggestions. Please take into consideration your family and work commitments and decide what commitments from the list below will best nourish your practice.
Home sitting practice
Practice at the zendo and/or on Zoom
Dokusan (individual meetings) with Mountain Rain’s teachers and practice discussion with sangha leaders. (See below)
Participation in a practice period dyad/triad (See below)
Participation in practice period retreats
Participation in weekly Wednesday evening dharma seminars
"Zen Arts" practice (This can be broadly defined as any art/craft practiced with mindful awareness)
Family and/or work as practice
Engaged Buddhist practice (service/activism)
Commitment to simplify or restrict personal lifestyle
Specific personal mindfulness practices
Practice Period Dyads/Triads/small groups
We encourage local and long-distance participants to join a Practice Period Dyad/Triad, or small group. This is a small group of two to four people who will meet, in-person, by phone or Zoom, at the beginning, mid-point and end of the practice period for discussion and support. If you would like to join a group please sign up using this FORM. You can form a group with someone you know, or we'd be happy to match you up.
Particularly if you are relatively new to practice we will endeavour to match you with 1-2 other new people and one of our practice leaders.
Shuso
The shuso is a long-time practitioner whose role during practice period is to support the sangha by giving several dharma talks, meeting for tea with participants, and cleaning washrooms, a traditional practice of humility.
Practice period participants are invited to discuss their practice over tea with the Mountain Rain 2024 Practice Period Shuso (Head Monk). Speak in-person at Bright Stream Temple or online via Zoom. Book your time slot HERE.
You may meet individually or with a group of 2 or 3. If meeting as a group, please designate one person in the group to arrange the booking and indicate on the intake form the names and email addresses of those who will also be joining. If there are no available times that work for you, contact the shuso’s Benji (Shuso's assistant) Myokai Nik Bladey at nik.bladey@mountainrainzen.org for special arrangements.
Myoshin Kate and Shinmon Michael will lead the opening weekend sesshin October 3-6, which will begin on Thursday evening with a shuso-entering ceremony. Practice period will culminate with our second rohatsu sesshin, Nov. 30 - Dec.7, at Brew Creek Centre, led by our guiding teachers.
On Wednesday evenings we will follow our usual dharma seminar format, and Sundays will include a dharma talk and chanting service. Our practice period shuso will take turns with the guiding teachers offering talks.
Dokusan
Discussion with guiding teachers Shinmon Michael and Myoshin Kate about your practice will be offered in-person at the zendo, or by phone or Zoom. If you would like to schedule a phone/Zoom dokusan please contact teachers@mountainrainzen.org and the teacher will contact you to arrange a time.
Practice Discussion
Practice discussion will be offered by phone or Zoom by practice leaders: Nin-en Susan Elbe, Dai-i Flo Rublee, Kakuko Kaye Simard and Jikai Vicki Turay, all of whom have been shuso for a past practice period. To schedule a practice discussion, please contact the individual practice leader if you already know their email, or contact info@mountainrainzen.org and specify who you would like to contact.
Dana
Dana is an ancient Pali word that means generosity. It is an important part of our practice and has many aspects, one of which is supporting teachers so that they can give their time and energy to sharing the dharma with the sangha. Dana is completely voluntary and the amount is up to your discernment, considering your circumstances. Dana to the teachers may be made by e-transfer, cheques sent to 29582 Berg Ave, Mission, BC V4S 1B9, or Paypal using the link on the website Teacher Dana page.
Dana to practice leaders can be made by e-transfer to their personal email, or by cheque sent to Mountain Rain Zen Community 2016 Wall St. Vancouver, BC V5L 1B1.
Click HERE for Registration Form
Please note: Registration for Opening Weekend and Rohatsu sesshin is separate, and located on the respective event page.
