Mahasangha — Blog — No Barriers Zen

Ōshin is with members of NBZ sangha and the Village Zendo sangha in Bolivia for a sesshin and a series of special events commemorating 25 years of Bolivian Zen!

NBZ and VZ sangha members are joining Dojo Phajjsi Qollut Jalsu, the Bolivian Zendo, for a momentous sesshin and variety of speakers on special topics in La Paz, Bolivia.

Poster image description is below the image.

Image description: A poster advertising for a series of talks. The poster is white with a minimal design, Across the top of the poster is the title "Ciclo de charlas Sobre meditacion zen" and an image of a long branch. The rest of the poster reads: "Celebrando 25 años de prática zen en Bolivia." There is a headshot of Oshin and the text underneath it "Martes 27 de Junio 'Zen y el arte de la discapacidad' Monje zen Hoshi Oshin Jennings del Village Zendo en Nueva York. Hora: 19:00." Then a headshot of Shinryu Sensei, and the text under that reads "Miercoles 28 de Junio 'La luna redonda se levanta por encima de la montaña: 25 años del Zen en los Andes' Sensei Shinryu Thomson. Maestro del Centro Zen Phajjsi Qollut Jalsu en La Paz y del Village Zendo en Nueva York. Hora: 19:00." Then a headshot of Dr. Neil Soten Theise, and the text under that reads: "Martes 4 de Julio 'Quiénes somos? Células Madre, Complejidad u Coencia del Ser' Dr. Neil Soten Theise Médico, Investigador cientifico y practicante del Village Zendo en Nueva York. Hora: 19:00" Below those images and text there is more text that reads "Lugar de las charlas: Centro Integral Ser Libre, Julio Patiño 1042 Entre 16 y 17 Calacoto Teléfono: 2792247 Aporte: 50 BS www.zenbolivia.com." Below that there are 5 tiles images at the bottom of the page: "Informes 78931331 76291372 67108106" Then an image of a moon rising above a mountain, "Centro Zen Phajjsi Qollut Jalus, 25 Años, Practica Zen en La Paz Bolivia".

Dairyu with his Hossu and Inryu with her fan.

Our neighboring DC Sangha, All Beings Zen, just celebrated their resident priest's Shuso Hossen ceremony on April 24th, 2016. A small contingent from No Barriers Zen Temple was in attendance to help mark the occasion.

Bobbi Inryu Ponce-Barger was shuso (head student) for this recent ango (practice period). She led her community through this recent practice period which culminated in a ceremony to mark her transitioning to senior student. Her teacher, Dairyu Michael Wenger, came from California to guide the ceremony and celebrate with the sangha. During the ceremony Ōshin stepped in and served as Shoki, or as the SFZC lineage calls it, the MRFS, "the most recent former shuso"! The lineage differences are always most apparent in the liturgy, but Ōshin embraced his duties and under Dairyu-sensei's guidance the ceremony was permeated with playful energy.

Rev. Ōshin and Rev. Wakoh stand beside Rev. Inryu, the new senior student.

Our own Rev. Ōshin had sat with Dairyu Wenger-sensei over a dozen years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed seeing him again. Once ceremonial duties were over Dairyu and Ōshin had a chance to celebrate together and catch up.

Also in attendance was Rev. Wakoh from Baltimore and NBZ's own Connor Giyū Gillis, who helped with interpretation duties for Ōshin. Inryu's new senior student status is a wonderful addition to the greater DC sangha, and the city as a whole. Congratulations, Inryu-san!