49 Day Memorial Service

A 49 day memorial service was held last Friday night at the Empty Hand Zen Center for Tokudo Jion Susan Postal (see The Passing of Jion Susan Postal). In many Buddhist traditions, 49 days mark the end of the transition period between death and rebirth. We did bows, offered incense, chanted the Sho Sai Myo Kichijo Dharani (Beneficial Dharani for Removing Hindrances) and the Dai Hi Shin Dharani (Great Compassion Dharani), and read several poems for Tokudo Jion. I hope it somehow helped her along.

[NOTE: I read a short verse by the 10th century Chinese Zen Master, Shushan Kuangren: "My road lies beyond as the blue sky where white clouds roam as they please. A rootless tree grows in the universe - yellow leaves are cast back by the breeze"].

Wellness

Wellness altar in the dokusan room (see Dokusan Bell) at the Empty Hand Zen Center. Photo shows Susan Jion Postal and Dennis Shofu Myozan Keegan (see Myozan). Last year was a tough one health-wise for both of these dear teachers, and the altar provides an opportunity to offer a bow and some petal incense to their continued health and well-being. And it seems to be working. Both are doing much better and it's great to have our teachers back in the zendo again. [NOTE: The large statue next to the photo is a Medicine Buddha, the little white statue to the right is Avalokiteshvara (see Avalokiteshvara and Quan Âm), and the petal incense in the offering and receiving bowls is made from dried rose petals. Petal incense is offered because a few sangha members are allergic to incense smoke].