Dharma Heart Zen
July Sangha News
Announcements
No Bodhisattva Precepts Study this month
Next meeting is Tuesday, August 12
More Information
Sangha Way Seeking Mind Talks:
July 22 - Ellis & Jared
July 24 - Susan T & Deborah
July 29 - Judith & Laney
July 31 - Patti & Elise
August 5 - Cherie & Laura
Speakers also noted on Calendar
Practicing in Nature
Sunday, August 3
9:00am-2:30pm
Ragle Ranch
More Information
Dharma Heart Zen Study and Practice Focus
Classic Zen Koans
Resources:
Zen Echoes: Classic Koans with Verse Commentaries by Three Female Zen Masters,
by Sue Moon
In her introduction to this collection, Sue Moon encourages us to read the koans 'like dreams, like poetry’ and to enjoy the sometimes open expression of emotion in these unique commentaries by three twelfth- and seventeenth-century Women Ancestors.
Zen Koan Talks by Chris
June 12, 2025 Zen Echos, Koans
Access video at this link:
For general information about weekly sittings and other offerings,
see Dharma Heart Zen Offerings
Practice News
Jukai Bodhisattva Precepts Ceremony
June 29
Sue Husari, Kathy Barr, Beth Fulton, Judith Reimuller, and Chris
What is Doan Ryo?
During Dharma Heart Zen zazen, services, and ceremonies, you may have noticed that there are sangha members who ring bells, lead the chants, strike wooden drums, and use wooden clackers. These are collectively called the Doan Ryo.
Several sangha members have learned and done these activities over the years. Dharma Heart Zen has periodically had training sessions for people to learn these skills in order to help the sangha.
This is a wonderful opportunity to participate in the life of the sangha and learn helpful skills to support our ongoing activities.
Here are the upcoming Doan Ryo Practices that will be happening in July, 2025:
Saturday, July 19, 2 pm
Saturday July 26, 10 am
Location: Yulupa Cohousing, 1346 Yulupa Avenue, Common House Library
You can attend 1, 2, 3, or all 4 sessions. Please let Constance know which ones you might attend, so she can prepare.
We will learn about all three Doan Ryo roles: doan, kokyo, mokugyo player and have time to practice on all the instruments. We will go over how to read the service sheets. You will be able to take home a copy and practice on your own. We will also have someone to take the role of doshi so you can practice in real time.
If there is time and interest, we can also talk about all the service roles so that you know all the activities that happen during services, ceremonies, and All-Day Sits.
Some that could not attend the sessions have arranged with me to meet individually, so please let Constance know if that is something you are interested in.
And, if you have any questions or concerns, please email Constance or refer to newsletter for her phone number.
Dharma Heart Zen Practice Retreats and Dharma Events
August 3: Practicing in Nature Day
August 12: Lay Entrustment Ceremony: Chelsea True, with Lay Entrusted teacher Erika Wild assisting
September 7: All-day Sitting and Full Moon Bodhisattva Ceremony
September 25-28: Chris officiates Raizelah Bayen's Shukke Tokudo Priest Ordination Ceremony, Red Cedar Zen, Bellingham WA. Everyone is invited to sit the retreat.
October 12: All-day Sitting with Opening of 2025 Practice Period and Shuso Entering Ceremony
November 9: All-day Sitting
December 8-9: Buddha’s Enlightenment Retreat with Hossenshiki Shuso Ceremony and Closing of Practice Period
December 28 - January 2: Tassajara Wildland Firefighter Retreat
These events are also listed on the Dharma Heart Zen Upcoming Events page and Calendar
Engaged Buddhism:
Practicing in the World
Resources and ways to engage and help
Responding with Clarity and Compassion
Dharma Heart Zen is curating a list of resources and engaged actions to help us respond with bodhisattva hearts and minds to the suffering and chaos that is unfolding in our government and in the world.
Please visit the Engaged Buddhism page and join in as you can.
It is updated regularly. You can also look for the dharma wheel symbol on the Dharma Heart Zen homepage to access the Engaged Buddhism page.
How to respond to our world/how to make a difference at this time?
We are organizing a small group to discuss finding an appropriate response and manifesting making a difference in the world at this time. We will use the three contemplations David Loy, author of Ecodharma, brings forward in his dharma talk, below, as our guide.
If you’d like to join us, please email Kristine Maltrud or Ellen Sherron.
What is the Meaning of Life?
How to respond to our world/how to make a difference at this time?
A dharma talk by David Loy
—offered by Kristine Maltrud