Exploring the Original Frontier
Embracing our Ancestors, Finding our Way
Tuesday, September 28, 2021 – Sunday October 3, 2021
The 2021 Silent Thunder Order Fall Retreat & Conference was held Tuesday, September 28 – Sunday, October 3, 2021. This year’s theme wass “ Exploring the Original Frontier, Embracing our Ancestors, Finding our Way”.
Schedule
The retreat and conference was held on Zoom and in person at some affiliate locations. New to meditation click on Sitting Instrutions button below for more information.
Daily Retreat Schedule (Tuesday – Friday)
Tuesday (Evening)
07:00 — 08:00 Welcome, Orientation, and Opening Dharma Talk
08:00 — 09:00 Zazen (2@25-10)
09:00 — Tissarana Service
Mornings (Wed – Fri)
08:00 — 09:00 Zazen (2@25-10)
09:00 — 09:30 Morning Service & Welcome
09:30 — 10:30 Morning Break
10:30 — 11:15 AM Presentation
11:15 — 12:15 Zazen (2@25-10)
12:15 — 1:30 Lunch Break
Afternoons (Wed – Fri)
1:30 — 02:30 Zazen (2@25-10)
2:30 — 03:30 PM Presentation
3:30 — 04:30 Zazen (2@25-10)
4:30 — 06:00 Dinner Break
Evenings (Wed thru Fri)
06:00 — 07:00 Zazen (2@25-10)
07:00 — 08:00 Dharma Talk
08:00 — 09:00 Zazen (2@25-10)
09:00 — Tissarana Service
We are offering Dokusan (one-on-one discussion with a teacher). Contact Sangaku at sensei@falmouthsotozensangha.net if you wish to set up a time with a Brown robe.
- Zazen(2@25-10), shorthand representing (two) sessions of twenty-five minute silent mediation(Zazen) with (one) period ten minute walking (Kinhin)period of walking in between the meditation between the sits.
Daily Retreat & Conference Schedule (Saturday – Sunday)
Saturday
08:00 — 09:00 Zazen (2@25-10)
09:00 — 09:30 Morning Service
09:30 — 10:30 Morning Break
10:30 — 12:00 STO Conference
12:00 — 12:30 Abbott’s Fund Presentation
12:30 — 2:00 STO Lunch
2:00 — 5:00 ST0 Conference continues
5:00 — 7:00 Dinner Break
7:00 — 8:00 Dharma Talk
8:00 — 9:00 Zazen (2@25-10)
9:00 — Tissarana Service
Sunday Morning
08:30 — 10:00 Zazen (2@25-10)
10:00 — 11:00 Exploring the Original Frontier – Embracing Our Ancestors,
Finding our Way Panel Discussion
11:00 — 12:00 Zen Ancestors Memorial Ceremony
Daily Sponsoring Silent Thunder Order Affiliate
Tuesday – Friday – Doan/Morning & Tissarana Service- Mission Mountain Zen Sangha
Saturday- Sunday-Doan/Morning & Tissarana Service – Atlanta Soto Zen Center
Speakers & Topics
Speakers will be discussing a variety of topics related to Zen practice, philosophy, and our retreat theme of “Exploring the Original Frontier -Embracing our Ancestors, Finding our Way. ”
Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021 – 7 PM EST
Sensei Zenku Jerry Smyers
Welcome, Retreat Orientation, and Opening Dharma Talk, “Finding Our Way”
A recording of this talk is available on YouTube, click here
Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021 – 10:30 AM EST
Sangaku Dan Joslyn-sensei and the Falmouth Soto Zen Sangha
The Harmonics of Sangha What Do We Mean By…”Sangha, The Harmonious Community?”
The Falmouth Soto Zen Sangha will discuss this and inivte all to join in the conversaion. Harmonics refer to the number of units exposed in a period of time and has philosophical and scientific implications related to frequency and cycles across the cosmos: The Sangha is a ground for being. Like-minded appreciation of the life experience and teachings of Buddha, the Dharma is shared within sangha. It is important to note that sangha can mean a small group or the world population. How so? Here we shift from psychology to sociology structural formations as the sangha/group is complicated, with many more moving parts, hence the emphasis on harmony.
Resources related to this talk:
An Introduction to Zazen Book -Manual from Sotoshu Shumucho.
The Practice of Zazen – Visual booklet outlining, posture, sitting, and walking meditation. By OB
Chair Meditation Booklet -Visual booklet outlining chair meditation.
Talk Transcript – transcript of “The Harmonics of Sangha” talk.
Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021 – 2:30 PM EST
Seigetsu Roger Cochran
Talk Topic: Karma and Repentance
In our “Repentance Verse”, which we recite as we begin services, we acknowledge “Karma” we create through body speech and mind. In this discussion we will ask what it means “to repent”? Is there a difference between Karma and Pre-destination? What kinds of actions generate Karma? Why is there a difference between intentional and non-intentional actions?
A recording of this talk is now available on YouTube, click here.
Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021 – 7 PM EST
Shinjin Michael Goldman
Talk Title “Paramitas and Vows“
A recording of this talk is now available on YouTube, click here
Thursday, Sep.30, 2021 – 10:30 AM EST
Sangaku, Dan Joslyn, sensei and Mokuo Nancy Sherwood
The FSZS Women Ancestor Roundtables
Kechimyaku / Enzo = information displayed as a Dharma wheel November 2020: The Falmouth Soto Zen Sangha will study and celebrate. Women Ancestors of our Order: Women Ancestor ProjectMission Statement: Collaboratively research the women ancestors of the Silent Thunder Order. By creating a document that provides a brief biography, writings and contributions of each, to honor these women in our Order. Vision Statement: Provide a written document to honor the lives and contributions of the Buddhist women ancestors of the Silent Thunder Order, to be used as teachings for all practitioners. And, to create a visual database wherein men and women are identified by time period and teachings. We acknowledge and bow to the members of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association who compiled the list of ancestors that serve as the baseline for this project. Mokuo Nancy Sherwood, Practice Leader of the Falmouth Soto Zen Sangha will describe her Zen path through connections with women ancestors of Soto Zen Buddhism. Looking into her affinity for the rest of the ancestor story fostered by such books as The Hidden Lamp. Sangaku Dan Joslyn, will explore the Ancestor Project as it becomes a part of the practice path guidelines for the Falmouth Soto Zen Sangha, He will talk about the idea of creating a visual database wherein men and women are identified by time period, and teachings using the insight of The Denkoroku: Master Keizan’s The Record of the Transmission of Light in the 14th. The working database will be demonstrated. We look forward to your questions and discussion of this service. Anyone within STO may join us by contacting Mokuo Nancy Sherwood: nmsherwood@gmail.com
A recording of this talk is now available on YouTube, click here
Additional Resources for the Women’s Ancestor Project
- The Hidden Lamp, Stories from Twenty-Five Centuries of Awakened Women, edited by Florence Caplow and Susan Moon
- Therigatha, Poems of the First Buddhist Women, translated by Charles Hallisey
- eBook: https://books.google.com/books?id=bkhvzgEyacwC
- Physical book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0674427734/ref=x_gr_w_bb_sout
- Listen on Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Therigatha-Audiobook/B0149LZM2Q
- The First Buddhist Women, Translations and Commentary on the Therigatha by Susan Murcott
- Zen Women, Beyond Tea Ladies, Iron Maidens and Macho Masters by Grace Schireson
- Physical book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/zen-women-grace-schireson/1110906133
- Listen on Audible: doesn’t seem to be available
- Stars at Dawn, Forgotten Stories of Women in the Buddaha’s Life by Wendy Garling
- Physical book: https://www.amazon.com/Stars-Dawn-Forgotten-Stories-Buddhas/dp/1611802652
- Audiobook: doesn’t seem to be available
- The Woman Who Raised The Buddha, The Extraordinary Life of Mahaprajapaiti by Wendy Garling
- Physical book: https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Raised-Buddha-Extraordinary-Mahaprajapati/dp/1611806690
- Audiobook: doesn’t seem to be available
- SZBA Women Ancestor Project
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Mokuo at nmsherwood@gmail.com
Thursday, Sep.30, 2021- 2:30 PM EST
Kanzan John Slattery
Talk Title Women Ancestors in the Soto Tradition
Links to the publications that were referenced in the talk.
Women Living Zen by Paula Arai
Shundo Aoyama Roshi by Karma Lekshe Tsomo
A recording of this talk is now available on YouTube, click here
Thursday, Sep.30, 2021- 7 PM EST
Sensei Tesshin Smith
Talk Topic Shakyamuni, Kanshi Sosan and Other Ancestors on Opinions and Judgement
In these days where so many folks hold such adamant opinions and pass such harsh judgements on everything from political parties to brands of peanut butter, it might be helpful to examine what our Zen Ancestors had to say about opinions, debate, and judgement.
A recording of this talk is now available on YouTube, click here
Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 – 10:30 AM EST
Practice Leader Forum
“In keeping with the theme of “Embracing Our Ancestors,” two Practice Leaders discuss the Ancestors they have met and learned from on their path of Zen. Time for discussion at the end of the brief presentations.”
Katsuryu Bill Cooper Talk Title “Meeting Matsuoka Roshi”
Ungan Bill Mayhew “Silver Lining”
A recording of this talk once available will be loaded here, click here, click here
Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 – 2:30 PM EST
Kushin Jim Parker
Talk Title “Dharma, Dogen, and Dewdrops: What Turns Your Dharma Wheel?”
A short presentation and introduction followed by a general discussion of ways we’ve found ourselves blending our varied practice opportunities to support our path, and ourselves.
A recording of this talk once available will be loaded here, click here, click here
Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 – 7 PM EST
Doun Komyo Yuesen Yuen
Talk Title: “The Zen Teacher Most Revered and Most Reviled by Dogen.”
A recording of this talk once available will be loaded here, click here
Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 – 10:30 AM EST – 5PM EST
STO Conference & Annual Meeting
Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 – 12 PM EST
Sangaku Dan Joslyn, Tessen Stuart Ericksen, and Zenku Jerry Smyers
Talk Topic – Abbott’s Fund Presentation
The Abbot’s Fund campaign’s goal is to help provide long-term financial support for the Ellistons. We will talk about how it was envisioned, and why this is a fitting tribute to Hojo-san’s sharing the Dharma with thousands over the years. Finally, an update on the campaign progress to date, and with this Public Phase of the campaign announcement, how everyone who wishes, can pledge and contribute as well.
A recording of this talk once available will be loaded here, click here
Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 – 7 PM EST
Sensei Michael Elliston
Topic- “The American Zen Center of the Future”
A recording of this talk once available will be loaded here, click here
Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021 – 10 AM Embracing Our Ancestors Discussion Panel
Hojo Sensei
Shinjin Michael Goldman
KuWasan Ann Glassman
Kosetsu Randy Earl
