Sangha News
The monks enjoyed a brief rest in the house of Beth and Steve Kaminaka over the Christmas week. We took the dogs along, and enjoyed several long walks on the beach. The cats Nanda and Pearl were kindly looked after by Asha and Teresa, while Nellie stayed home with a food and water dispenser. All returned to the temple for our New Year Retreat, which was fully booked. Since we had not been able to hold our Segaki Toro, the ceremonial burning of old karma, in the fall, due to the hot and windy weather, we planned to hold it on December 31, as a suitable ending to the old year. Strangely, the wind once again kicked up so violently, that it seemed unsafe to hold it outside, so we stayed indoors and burned the memorial cards, old scripture books, some personal papers and Buddha pictures that no longer serve to inspire, in our wood stove. The New Years ceremony later in the evening was very bright.
Starting in January the Ojai Meditation Group meetings moved to Ventura, to the Ventura City Adult Center located at 550 N. Ventura Ave. There will be three meetings each month now, on the first three Thursdays, from 6—8pm. The new venue has a lit parking lot and a caretaker who helps with setting up the room and stays in the building until everyone has left. There are several new regular group members, and more people are getting involved with the organization of the meetings. The group has changed names to Ventura County Buddhist Meditation Group; if you would like to help out in some way, please ask Asha George, 805-653-1132.
The Stupa building project is still moving forward; during the winter months we have been waiting for the ground to dry and the early morning frosts to cease, when we will dig and pour the foundations. The building plans have been completed and we have apx. $10,300 in our building fund. Plans for the Sanzen room are in the process of being drawn up and submitted to the County. As part of the building efforts we were required to extend the septic leach line for the Sangha house, and with the generous help of Dave Brooks, our local backhoe operator, and many hands of our congregation, that job was successfully completed.
During that week in late January, heavy rains finally came to Southern California after two years of scant precipitation. We received more than a foot of snow, and a generous amount of rain—very good for the trees and native plants. The mountains in the area received a generous covering of snow. Fortunately none of the roads to the temple sustained serious damage, and they have since been cleared. The Mediation Retreat on Renunciation had to be canceled because of the inclement weather, but nevertheless five people made it for the Friday and Saturday of the retreat weekend. The Teaching for the retreat, on the renunciation of negativity, will be addressed as time goes on.
Two years ago we re-roofed the Buddha House. This year, the Dharma House has come due for a new roof, the old one having served its life expectancy of 20 years. During the January storms, waterlogged snow leaked through the roof; fortunately, there was no damage to the house other than water marks on the ceiling. Our roofing contractor has agreed to do the job in the near future, which will include modifications enabling water to flow smoothly off the roof and prevent future leaking.
Rev. Master Oswin Hollenbeck (pictured above, third from left) from the Eugene Priory visited with us for ten days, and held a lovely Dharma talk on Sunday, January 20, which is printed in this issue. It was very nice to have his bright presence while we were closed for a week, and all monks enjoyed a good rest.
The temple has received more than a foot of snow over the past two months. The snow melts quickly, but it is beautiful while it lasts. The surrounding mountains remain snow covered for the time being.
