Come join us to celebrate the publishing of David’s new book THIS TRUTH NEVER FAILS: A ZEN MEMOIR IN FOUR SEASONS.  Monday, June 11 from 7:00 – 8:30 pm.  David will read from THIS TRUTH and copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.  Refreshments too!  For more information go to www.davidrynick.com

By Melissa Blacker Roshi

April 21, 2012

Click here to listen

What is Zen?

Boundless Way

We would like to invite you to support Boundless Way Temple through becoming a member.

Our purpose is to further the mission of Boundless Way Zen (BoWZ) through:

• Hosting sesshin and other intensive training and study opportunities
• Offering regular meditation periods
• Being a location for jukai and other Boundless Way functions

The Temple organization has been created as a financially independent affiliate of the larger BoWZ organization in order to:

• Purchase the property at 1030 Pleasant Street so it remains a place of Zen practice in perpetuity
• Make appropriate upgrades of the property to better serve sesshin and other residential training needs of BoWZ
• Support the presence and teaching of resident transmitted teachers

Joining the Temple in no way negates your membership in BoWZ writ large. If you’re not already a member of BoWZ, this is one way to become one.  If you already are, this allows you to also provide direct support of this exciting growth in our larger sangha.

The daily operations of the Temple are made possible and sustained by financial donations. These contributions pay for ongoing expenses such as occupancy, utilities, supplies and our monthly contribution to our parent organization, Boundless Way Zen.

We invite you to deepen your personal engagement with the activities of Boundless Way Temple, and provide ongoing support of our mission, by becoming a member.

For membership information please go to http://worcesterzen.org/membership

Benefits of Membership

• The primary benefit of membership is the opportunity to make a meaningful, personal contribution to our sangha life.
• You will be given priority registration and discounted fees at selected Temple events.
• Each member will be able to vote at the Temple Annual Meeting. .
• You will be recognized in a welcoming ceremony at the annual Temple Annual Meeting.
• You will automatically become an associate (non-voting) member of Boundless Way Zen and your contribution to the Temple helps to support the mission of Boundless Way Zen.

Dear ones,

As I hope you know we’ve been reorganizing Boundless Way Zen (BoWZ) in order to support the growth of our sanghas. While we will continue to administer our smaller sanghas through our central organization we are asking sanghas that are of a size to be financially and administratively independent, to become so.

In part this allows for us to have a relationship with existing communities that wish to join in our mission, such as our dear friends in Toledo. And, it encourages the growth of communities focused on their own local needs. I find myself thinking of Worcester and the ongoing explorations around a similar temple in the Boston area.

In a few days, you will receive an invitation to become a member of the Boundless Way Temple. This is part of that process. If Boundless Way Temple is part of your practice, or you simply want to support the Temple’s mission, I hope you will join.

This in no way negates your membership in BoWZ writ large. If you’re not already a member of BoWZ, this is one way to become one. If you already are, this allows you to also provide direct support of this exciting growth in our larger sangha, a temple with resident teachers and a daily program.

Those of you who have visited or practiced at the Temple know what a jewel it is – a stately Victorian building on an acre of beautiful property.  Since the Temple began operation in October of 2009, we have held ten sesshin and a three-week ango there.  With an average attendance of nearly 40 people, we estimate over 1,000 person-days of sesshin.  The Temple has given us a consistent home and the freedom to schedule these retreats and other meetings and ceremonies as we choose.

As of January 1^st, the Temple has organized as an independent affiliate of our larger BoWZ organization.  The purpose of the new organization is to purchase, maintain, and enhance the Temple as a place for BoWZ sesshin, residential training, and regular meditation opportunities.  We feel strongly that this new organizational structure provides the clearest path for ensuring that the Temple is available not just for our current use, but for those who come after us.

If you are receiving this email, you are already a part of our larger project of awakening.  In supporting the Temple through joining as a member or in any other way, you support our dream of making the dharma available to more and more people, during our lifetimes and beyond.

Thank you,

James Ishmael Ford Roshi

Founding Abbot, Boundless Way Zen

In this retreat we will intimately study the teachings of the mountains and rivers by weaving together the practice of Zen meditation and the practice of being in wilderness.  We will begin at the Boundless Way Zen Temple in Worcester on Friday evening and from there will set out to the mountains of western Massachusetts.  The weekend will be comprised of outdoor zazen, walking meditation, practicing camping skills, and encountering wilderness together.  Previous backpacking experience is suggested.  The trip will not be overly physically demanding, but participants should be in good physical shape and be self-sufficient.

The retreat begins at 7:30 pm on Friday evening, October 21, and ends in the afternoon on Sunday, October 23.  The total fee for the retreat is $125.  Applications are now being accepted and registration is limited.  Your place will be secured when your application form, waiver of liability, and payment are received.  Verbal requests for a reservation are not accepted.

To register, please fill out an application form and waiver of liability and mail, along with a check for $125 (made out to Boundless Way Zen) to: Boundless Way Zen / Attn: Wilderness / 1030 Pleasant Street / Worcester, MA 01602

For additional information please email Dominik at: wilderness.boundlesswayzen@gmail.com

On: July 17

At: The Boundless Way Temple

1030 Pleasant St., Worcester

For: a Spring Workday

From: 9 to 2 PM

(Followed by the Temple Purchase Task Force Meeting)

We have a number of projects that we would like to get done on that day, and for that we could use your help.

If you can join us for all or part of that day or if you have any questions, please contact Ray at rayldemers@gmail.com

Talk 2 – March, 12, 2011 – Click here to listen