The Voice of the Bell

Green Gulch's Tea Sensei, Meiya Wender recently forwarded me this link about the Temple Bells in Japan.(BBC: Temple Bells). It describes the process of casting a bronze bell and also describes the meaning of the bells to people. I was fascinated to hear about the ceremonial aspect of the casting of the bell: while they cast the bell and pour the molten metal into the form, the temple priest is chanting sutras. Sometimes this process takes hours!

The bell in our practice has many symbolic associations, the voice of the bell represents the voice of the Buddha. We play it that it may be of some spiritual benefit to people in their daily lives. One Japanese priest said "Strike (the bell) with the intention to Awaken those who hear it, leading those who hear it to Enlightenment."

There is a gatha (short verse) to recite when ringing the bell, in the Soto School Sutra book
May all suffering beings in great difficulty,
Be released from their trouble and sorrow,
May all living beings in the Universe,
Hear the sound and realize the Way.

A few years back, when our small bell tower collapsed we did not play the Bonsho bell until we decided to suspend it from a large tree. Neighbors told us how much they missed it's comforting sound in the mornings and evenings.
 I hope you enjoy listening to the audio program.

Charlie's Abhidhamma Audio Files available now

I have uploaded the audio files for Charlie's classes. I think one of the audio files did not turn out so well. I haven't had time to try to amplify the sound. The file link should be good for two weeks.Sendspace link to Abhidhamma Overview Class

March Sesshin Talks available too!

The March sesshin talks are also available for download at sendspace. The rest of the practice period will be available soon. So watch for updates to this blog. March Sesshin Talks

April Sesshin Talks available for download

Talks from the last sesshin are available for download from sendspace. Click on the link to select the talks you would like to download them

Mar 28 - April 5 2010 Sesshin

Spring 2010 Practice Period Photo

The practice period posed for a photo in Cloud Hall. Marcia had us do 'serious' photos and 'joyful' photos. She also had us stand in a new place, under the skylight, instead of at the bottom of the stairs under the 'bubble-bath' Buddha. We took the photo before the final sesshin so that David Seiler could be in the photo. He left before the sesshin finished. So check out the photos.

Resurrecting a potentially useful blog

Okay, so I'm not the Director's Assistant anymore and haven't been for quite a while. I remembered I started this blog with the hopes of having a place to post information for the resident community here at Green Gulch Farm. I still have that hope.

I wanted to post the Practice and Staff Calendars in a place that people associated with this community will be able to find. Google removed the 'Search Public Calendars' button, and the only way I know to make this information accessible is to use this blog.

I might put other community related stuff, so I don't have to keep repeating it over and over at work meeting, in email and on the phone.

Oh, and I don't know if I will have time to do all this, my current position is Ino (meditation hall manager). A notoriously demanding role.